How to get to Formentera

Formentera, the smallest inhabited island in the Balearics, has no airport: you can only get there by sea, and all passenger boats arrive at the port of la Savina. The most common route is to fly to Ibiza and cross by ferry, but there are also boats from the Spanish mainland. Here are all the options for planning your trip. Timetables and prices change with the season, so always check them on each ferry company’s website.

How to get to Formentera from Ibiza

The most common way to get to Formentera is from the port of Ibiza. The Ibiza – la Savina route runs all year round and is operated by several ferry companies, including Baleària, Trasmapi, Aquabus and Formentera Lines. In high season there are more than 60 crossings a day between them, and in winter more than ten.

On a fast boat the crossing takes about 30 minutes; the conventional ferry takes around an hour. Prices vary depending on the company, the type of boat and the date.

From Ibiza airport to the port

The airport is about 7.5 km from Ibiza town. These are your options:

• Bus: line 10E (Aeroport Express) links the airport with the port and the centre of Ibiza from March to October; line 10 runs from Ibiza town (Eivissa) to the airport via Sant Jordi.
• Taxi: the most convenient option. According to Turespaña, the journey into town costs around €20.
• Hire car: if you plan to take a vehicle from outside the island over to Formentera between June and September, you need prior authorisation from the Consell (formentera.eco), and places are limited.

How to get to Formentera from mainland Spain

Fly to Ibiza and take the ferry to Formentera

If you are travelling from mainland Spain, the quickest option is usually to fly to Ibiza and then take the ferry to Formentera. There are direct flights to Ibiza from several Spanish cities, and in high season there are even more. Book early in summer to get better prices.

By ferry from Dénia or Barcelona

You can also get there by boat from the mainland:

• Dénia – Formentera: Baleària has a direct connection to la Savina, usually with 1 to 3 departures a day; the crossing takes from about 2 hours.
• Barcelona – Formentera: Baleària also offers a direct route to la Savina, with up to 3 departures a week and a crossing of about 10 or 11 hours.
• Valencia: there is no direct route to Formentera; you have to take the ferry to Ibiza and change boats there, or sail from Dénia.

How to get to Formentera from the rest of Europe

From other European countries, the most practical option is to fly to Ibiza, which has direct flights to many European cities in season, and take the ferry from there. Connections increase considerably in summer, so it is worth booking well in advance.

Once in la Savina: boat hire in Formentera

Once you are in Formentera, the best way to discover its coves is from the sea. At Isla Azul we hire out boats right in the port of la Savina, where the ferry drops you off, and we also run boat trips and snorkelling outings.

Bear in mind that, since 1 October 2026, you need at least the navigation licence to hire and skipper a leisure boat in Spain (Royal Decree 1188/2025). You get it with a short course of 2 hours of theory and 4 hours of practice, and it allows you to skipper boats of up to 6 metres, in daylight only and no more than 2 miles from a port or sheltered spot. If you have no qualification, you can go out with a skipper. In summer, book in advance at reservas.islazulformentera.com.

In short: what is the best way to get to Formentera?

For most travellers, the easiest option is to fly to Ibiza and take the ferry across to la Savina in about 30 minutes. If you are coming by car from the mainland, the ferry from Dénia is the most direct option. And once you are on the island, nothing beats a day on a boat for discovering Formentera from the sea.