Barcelona to Menorca: Fly or Ferry? Pros & Cons Explained

How to Travel from Barcelona to Menorca: Pros and Cons of Two Popular Options

Barcelona is a bustling urban area, while Menorca is a picturesque island with clear blue waters and a laid-back ambience. If you are thinking of flying from Barcelona to Menorca, there are two major means: by plane or by ferry. Here, we have outlined the pros and cons of each choice to assist you in determining the most suitable means of transportation to your destination.

By Plane (Advantages)

• Speed: Clearly, flying is the quickest option. The flight from Barcelona to Menorca has a duration of 50 minutes meaning you will have a shorter travel time and longer exploration of the island.
• Comfort: Airplanes offer comfortable seats and provide air conditioning. You can also get to take a small bag with you for a bit more of a cost. Thus, you don't have to go through the tedious check-in process and stay for the baggage claim.
• Flexibility: Many flights between Barcelona and Menorca take place in one day, which gives you a lot of options when it comes to choosing a time that suits you best. We suggest buying your tickets online and checking in in advance in order to save time at the airport. The airlines that take you to Menorca are Vueling and Ryanair.

By Plane (Disadvantages)

• Cost: Generally, flying is more expensive than taking the ferry, especially if expedited last-minute tickets are purchased. However, if you fly on weekdays, you might find cheap tickets.
• Less Scenic Views: For those who take pleasure in seeing those wonderful views, flying could be the least favorable option. The air trip is so brief that you will not be able to tell what the ground looks like.

By Ferry (Advantages)

• Affordability: The ferry is typically more economical than flying, especially if you are able to book your tickets in advance or travel during the off-season.
• Unique Experience: The ferry ride is a special and thrilling experience. The Mediterranean Sea is a spectacular sight and you can watch amazing views from the deck. You might even reserve a windowed cabin for a more enjoyable trip.
• More Luggage Allowance: When taking the ferry, you have unrestricted luggage allowances, in comparison to limitations of size and weight on the plane.
• Bring Your Car: If you travel by ferry, you have the additional benefit of taking your own vehicle, which is essential for moving about in Menorca. You could save money on car rental if you use your own car for the trip.
• Many Companies: Balearia, Trasmed and GNV made this connection possible.

By Ferry (Disadvantages)

• Time: The ferry takes between 7 and 9 hours, which requires either you stay onboard overnight or arrive at the unearthly hour in the morning.
• Less Flexibility: The ferry schedule is much less frequent compared to flights in general so please be prepared to reorganize your itinerary accordingly. If you need to be somewhere quickly, a ferry may not be the most straightforward way of doing this. The three companies that operate this route from Barcelona to Menorca are Trasmed, Grimaldi, and Balearia.
• Weather-Dependent: Because of bad weather, ferries are more likely to be late or even canceled. This especially happens in winter, but it can happen at any time of year.

Conclusion

The personal preferences and travel needs will determine the mode of transport you use to get to Menorca.

In the event that you wish to time save and don’t mind paying a small amount more, the best option would be to fly. Meanwhile, if you want to, then the ferry is an excellent alternative if you want to get your car onboard and you are not concerned about travel time.