Barcelona to Palma takes about 7 hours on Trasmed's overnight sailing, which leaves at 22:30 and docks around 05:30, with foot fares from about €36.72. Baleària runs conventional sailings of roughly 6 hours 45 minutes, and a 3 hour 30 minute fast ferry in season, but the fast crossing was not on its 11 November 2026 timetable. The two operators use different Barcelona terminals, so check the terminal on your booking.
Taking a ferry between a mainland city and a Balearic island removes the airport from the trip, and that is most of the appeal. The rest depends on the ship: a 7-hour overnight in a cabin is a hotel night that moves; a 6-hour daytime conventional ferry is a slow but comfortable sea day; a 3.5-hour fast ferry is transport.
The practical risk is the terminal. Barcelona's ferry port has several berths, and the operator, the foot terminal and the car terminal are not always the same place.
- The two operators use different Barcelona terminals. Baleària's foot passengers board at the WTC Terminal Norte office and its cars at Muelle Adosado TF1. Trasmed uses Muelle de San Beltrán.
- The 3h 30m fast ferry is not guaranteed. Baleària's 11 November 2026 timetable showed only 6h 45m and 13h 30m conventional sailings.
- Overnight arrivals are very early. Trasmed docks at 05:30, when much of Palma's public transport is not running.
- Baleària's headline €13 fares are resident fares and require proof of Balearic residency.
- Baleària wants vehicles at the port 90 minutes before departure and Trasmed 60 minutes. Turning up later can mean being left behind.
Step by step: the day of the crossing
Barcelona's ferry terminals are spread around the port, so the first step is being at the right one, not just being early.
- T-90 minArrive at the correct Barcelona terminal: Baleària foot passengers at the Oficina Baleària Terminal Norte WTC (muelle Barcelona Norte), Trasmed at Muelle de San Beltrán.
- T-60 minBaleària's cut-off for foot passengers: be at boarding 60 minutes before departure. If you have a vehicle, Baleària wants you there 90 minutes before.
- T-45 minCheck in and show ID or passport; Trasmed recommends online check-in through its app to skip the ticket office.
- T-30 minBoard: foot passengers walk on; drivers take vehicles to the garage and carry valuables with them.
- T-0Depart. Overnight sailings arrive early: Trasmed reaches Palma at 05:30.
- On arrivalDisembark at Palma's Poniente quays and take a taxi or city bus into the centre, which is directly in front of the port.
Baleària's foot passengers board at the WTC Terminal Norte office while its cars use Muelle Adosado TF1. Trasmed sails from Muelle de San Beltrán. Arrive at the terminal on your booking, not at the port generally.
Which operator should you choose?
Two operators with different products and different schedules: Trasmed's overnight and Baleària's conventional and seasonal fast sailings.
| Operator | Crossing | Sailings | Foot passengers | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baleària Web fares from €50. |
3h 30m fast, 6h 45m conventional | daily, fast ferry seasonal | Yes | Yes |
| Trasmed (Grimaldi Group) Overnight sailing with cabins; fares from €36.72. |
7h | nightly, 22:30 | Yes | Yes |
The 3h 30m crossing is a summer product and is not guaranteed to exist on your date. Check the sailing that actually operates in your month before planning around the fast ferry.
What the crossing costs
Fares swing widely with season and booking window, and the advertised lead-in prices are often resident fares.
| Ticket | Typical price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Foot passenger, one way | from €36.72 | Lowest standard adult fare, November 2026 |
| Car + passengers, one way | from €60 | Lowest standard car fare, November 2026 |
Baleària's €13 fares require Balearic residency proof. For everyone else, a car one way is roughly €60–150 depending on size and season, and an overnight cabin is a separate decision.
The ports: where you actually board
Barcelona's port is large and split into terminals; Palma's ferry quays sit directly in front of the city centre.
Port of Barcelona – Moll Adossat / Moll de Sant Beltrán ferry terminals
Operators use different boarding points. Baleària foot passengers check in at the Oficina Baleària Terminal Norte WTC, muelle Barcelona Norte, while Baleària cars for Palma board at Muelle Adosado TF1. Trasmed uses the Barcelona Ferry Terminal at Muelle de San Beltrán s/n. Boarding points can change with weather or port operations, so confirm the terminal on your ticket.
Getting there: The port sits beside the city on the Ronda litoral ring road. TMB metro and bus lines serve different parts of the port, and the Port de Barcelona publishes a dedicated ferry-terminals access page; with luggage a taxi is the practical option.
Port of Palma – Moll de Ponent ferry quays
Palma's port lies in the middle of the city, in front of the Old Town; it is divided into commercial docks, the Poniente Quays, marina docks and the West Breakwater, with ferry traffic handled on the Poniente side. Baleària and Trasmed each have their own terminal building and check-in desks, so check your ticket for the exact terminal.
Getting there: The port fronts the city centre and Old Town, so the ferry quays are reachable by taxi or city bus from anywhere in Palma; the waterfront promenade links the whole port.
Overnight arrivals are early: Trasmed docks around 05:30, before much of Palma's public transport starts. Plan the first hour: a taxi rank, not a bus.
Cars, pets and luggage
By car: Baleària: 90 minutes before departure. Trasmed: at least 60 minutes before departure.
Pets: Baleària and Trasmed both carry pets, usually in the vehicle or in designated areas. Conditions differ, so check at booking.
Luggage: Trasmed foot passengers carry their own bags in one trip; there is no luggage check-in. Baleària applies its own allowance.
Season and timetable: Both operators sail year-round with more departures in summer. The 3h 30m fast crossing is seasonal and does not appear in the winter timetable.
Alternatives worth comparing
If the Palma sailings are full or the timing does not work, these options reach Mallorca differently.
Barcelona → Alcúdia (Mallorca)
Baleària's fast ferry reaches Alcúdia in 3h 30m, and a night ferry with cabins also runs, useful when Palma sailings are full or you are heading north on the island.
Barcelona → Palma with Trasmed (overnight)
Trasmed's 22:30 sailing takes 7h and arrives at 05:30, saving a hotel night; fares start lower than Baleària's advertised lead-in price.
Before you book: checklist
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Barcelona to Palma?
About 7 hours overnight with Trasmed. Baleària's conventional sailings take around 6h 45m, and its fast ferry takes 3h 30m in season.
Is there an overnight ferry?
Yes. Trasmed leaves Barcelona at 22:30 and docks in Palma around 05:30.
Which terminal do I use in Barcelona?
It depends on the operator. Baleària foot passengers use the WTC Terminal Norte office and its cars use Muelle Adosado TF1. Trasmed uses Muelle de San Beltrán.
How much does it cost?
Foot fares start around €36.72 on Trasmed and €50 on Baleària. Cars cost roughly €60 to €150 depending on size and season.