Train Travel in Mallorca – Complete Guide
🚉 Trains in Mallorca at a Glance
Unlike mainland Spain, Mallorca doesn’t have high-speed AVE trains. Instead, the island offers a limited but reliable network of regional trains connecting Palma with central and northern towns.
- Operated by: SFM (Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca)
- Main hub: Palma’s Estació Intermodal at Plaça d’Espanya
- Destinations: Inca, Sa Pobla, Manacor (plus connections to smaller towns)
- Tourist line: Vintage Tren de Sóller, privately operated since 1912
🗺️ Mallorca’s Train Routes
Here are the main train lines running across the island:
| Route | Duration (from Palma) | Key Stops | Best For |
| Palma → Inca | ~30 min | Marratxí, Santa Maria, Binissalem, Lloseta | Shopping, Thursday market, leather goods |
| Palma → Sa Pobla | ~50 min | Inca, Llubí, Muro, Sa Pobla | Access to north villages, quieter Mallorca |
| Palma → Manacor | ~65 min | Inca, Sineu, Petra, Manacor | Market towns, caves of Drach nearby |
| Palma → Sóller (Tren de Sóller) | ~60 min | Vintage wooden train via Bunyola | Tramuntana scenery, day trips to Sóller & Port de Sóller |
🚉 Palma’s Estació Intermodal
- Located under Plaça d’Espanya in Palma city centre.
- Connects trains, TIB buses, and Palma metro.
- Easy ticket machines, staffed counters, and English signage.
- Good base if you’re combining trains with buses or rental cars.
👉 Related: Palma to Sóller Train
🎟️ Tickets & Fares
- Pay-as-you-go: Ticket machines at all stations (cash/credit).
- Intermodal Card: Reloadable card offering discounts up to 60% for frequent users.
- Prices: Palma–Inca from ~€2.80, Palma–Manacor ~€4.90 (one-way).
- Sóller Train: Separate system, tickets ~€18 one-way, ~€25 return (not valid with Intermodal).
👉 Tip: Children under 6 travel free on SFM trains.
🚆 The Tren de Sóller – Mallorca’s Iconic Railway
Perhaps Mallorca’s most famous rail experience, the Tren de Sóller is a wooden vintage train running since 1912.
- Route: Palma → Sóller (via Bunyola, Serra de Tramuntana foothills).
- Journey time: ~1 hour.
- Highlights: Mountain views, tunnels, orange groves.
- Extensions: Tram de Sóller continues to Port de Sóller.
👉 Related: Discover Sóller | Port de Sóller Guide | Train to Sóller
🗓️ Timetables & Frequency
| Line | Frequency | Notes |
| Palma–Inca–Sa Pobla | Every 20–30 min (peak), 30–60 min (off-peak) | Continues to Sa Pobla after Inca |
| Palma–Inca–Manacor | Every 20–30 min (peak), 30–60 min (off-peak) | Key access for central/east towns |
| Palma–Sóller (tourist line) | 3–6 departures daily (seasonal) | More frequent in summer, fewer in winter |
👉 Full schedules: SFM website
🌟 Why Travel by Train in Mallorca?
- 🚗 Stress-free alternative to driving (no parking issues)
- 🌱 Sustainable – lower emissions than cars/buses
- 🛍️ Local life access – connect to authentic inland towns
- 📸 Scenic routes – especially the Sóller line
🚄 The Future of Rail in Mallorca
Mallorca’s railway network is small but plays an important role in sustainable mobility. Expansion plans have been debated for years, aiming to better connect the north and east of the island.
- Proposed Extension: The most notable project is the Palma–Inca–Sa Pobla line being extended to Alcúdia, finally giving the island’s most popular northern resort a direct rail connection.
- Status: Plans have been presented by the Balearic Government, but funding and environmental assessments are still under review.
- Other Discussions: Long-term proposals also include improved connections to Llucmajor and potentially linking more coastal towns, but nothing concrete is underway yet.
Until these projects move forward, trains remain best for inland towns and cultural trips, while buses cover the beach resorts.
🚆 Train vs 🚗 Driving in Mallorca
| Factor | Train | Car |
| Coverage | Connects Palma → Inca, Sa Pobla, Manacor. Doesn’t reach beaches directly. | Full island coverage, including hidden coves & remote villages. |
| Duration | Palma–Inca ~30 min; Palma–Sa Pobla ~50 min; Palma–Manacor ~65 min | Palma–Inca ~30 min; Palma–Alcúdia ~45–55 min; Palma–Manacor ~50–60 min |
| Cost | €2.80–€4.90 one-way (Palma to Inca/Manacor). Sóller Train €25 return. | ~€30–€50 per day rental, plus fuel & parking fees. |
| Convenience | Stress-free, no parking. Ideal for inland towns & markets. | Maximum flexibility. Best for beach days & road trips. |
| Sustainability | Lower emissions, eco-friendly. | Higher impact, but flexible for group/family travel. |
| Best For | Travelers without a car, local day trips, markets. | Exploring beaches, hidden coves, mountains, flexible itineraries. |
👉 Related: Driving in Mallorca
❓ FAQ – Trains in Mallorca
Are trains in Mallorca reliable?
Yes. SFM trains run regularly and on time, especially between Palma and Inca.
Can I reach beaches by train?
Not directly. Most lines go inland — but you can connect with buses at Inca or Manacor to reach the coast.
Is the Sóller train worth it?
Absolutely. It’s a historic experience and a must-do day trip from Palma.
🔗 Related Palma Weekly Guides
