A week in Formentera for two costs between €1,200 and €9,000, flights included. The gap comes down to three things: the season, the type of accommodation and how you get around the island.
You have booked a flight to Ibiza, you know Formentera is only 30 minutes away by ferry, but one question is holding you back: can you afford it once you are there? The honest answer is yes, as long as you understand where the money really goes.
This article goes through every item of spending with price ranges seen in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, then details the levers that actually change the final bill. For an overview of the destination, the Formentera travel guide covers everything else.
Why is Formentera more expensive than the other Balearics?
Three concrete reasons, independent of each other.
1. Almost everything arrives by ferry from Ibiza or the mainland. The island produces no vegetables in quantity, no meat and no processed goods. Every pack of water, crate of fish and bottle of wine carries a shipping cost that shops pass on. Expect to pay 15 to 25% more in supermarkets than in Barcelona.
2. Accommodation is deliberately limited. Since 2019 the Consell de Formentera has applied a moratorium on new tourist buildings. The result: around 22,000 beds for demand that explodes in July and August. When supply stays put and demand climbs, prices follow.
3. The useful season is short. Many places close from October to April. In their 5 months of real activity, they have to cover the whole year. That squeeze is why a room at €90 in May goes to €220 in August in the same hotel.
The return ferry costs the same whichever island you are heading to. Beaches are free, unlike some Ibiza beach clubs that charge for entry. Bike hire costs €8 to €12 a day, around 30% less than in Ibiza, which is enough to get around an 83 km² island with cycle paths.
How much does a trip to Formentera cost, item by item?
Getting to the island
You almost always reach Formentera via Ibiza. Four companies run the La Savina to Eivissa route: Baleària, Trasmapi, Formentera Lines and Aquabus.
- Fast passenger ferry, return (30 minutes, Baleària, Trasmapi or Formentera Lines): €45 to €65 per person in season, €40 to €50 out of season. This is the one to choose: frequent sailings and a crossing half as long
- Ferry with a car, return: €220 to €320 depending on the time of year (book well ahead)
- On a tight budget: Aquabus is slower (about 1 hour) but has returns from €20 to €28, with fewer sailings
A flight to Ibiza from London costs anywhere from around £40 (booked three months ahead, midweek) to £300 or more (booked late for July). It is the item with the biggest swings.
Full details of timetables, companies and tips are in the complete Ibiza to Formentera ferry guide. To match your flight with the weather, see when to go to Ibiza and Formentera.
Accommodation
Real prices seen on Booking, Airbnb and direct, for one night in a double room:
| Type of accommodation | May to June / Sept to Oct | July to August |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel / small guesthouse | 70-95 € | 110-150 € |
| Studio apartment (Es Pujols, La Savina) | 95-140 € | 160-240 € |
| 3-star hotel with breakfast | 130-180 € | 220-330 € |
| Boutique hotel | 220-340 € | 400-650 € |
| Villa with pool (4 to 6 people) | 350-550 € | 700-1 400 € |
The gap between low and high season is the most important figure in this whole article. Shifting your stay by two weeks can halve your accommodation bill.
Depending on your target budget, three detailed selections: budget hotels in Formentera for the lower ranges, boutique hotels for the middle segment, and luxury hotels above €400 a night (Five Flowers is the most typical example). Travelling with children: see our family hotels in Formentera.
Getting around
Formentera is 19 km long. Walking everywhere is impossible and taking a taxi every day is ruinous. The right choice depends on where you are staying.
125cc scooter: €160 to €200 a week booked online, against €220 to €280 on the spot in high season. The best balance of price and freedom to reach Cala Saona or La Mola lighthouse comfortably.
E-bike: €100 to €140 a week. Enough if you are staying in Es Pujols or Sant Francesc: you can explore the 32 km of green routes linking the main beaches.
Classic bike: €50 to €70 a week. A good option near Ses Illetes, with no more than 6 km between your accommodation and the main beaches.
Taxi: fixed displayed fares, €25 to €32 between La Savina and Es Pujols, €35 to €45 to La Mola lighthouse. Useful now and then, ruinous for daily use.
Radio Taxi Formentera: +34 971 32 23 42
La Savina: +34 971 32 20 02
Es Pujols: +34 971 32 80 16
Sant Francesc: +34 971 32 20 16
A detailed comparison of transport options with first-hand feedback: getting around Ibiza and Formentera.
Restaurants
Three price levels exist side by side on the island.
- Beach bar (paella, salad, grilled fish): €25 to €40 per person, drinks extra
- Village restaurant (Sant Francesc, Sant Ferran): €30 to €45 per person, wine included
- Beach club or renowned restaurant (Beso Beach, Juan y Andrea, Es Molí de Sal): €80 to €160 per person
For the first meal of the day, the places worth the trip are listed in the best breakfasts and brunches in Formentera.
A coffee on a terrace costs €2.50 to €3.50, a beer €4 to €6, a cocktail €12 to €18 in a beach club. A bottle of water costs €0.80 in the supermarket and €4 in a restaurant.
Activities
Good news: this is the most contained item.
- Beaches: free everywhere, including Ses Illetes and Cala Saona
- Sunbed hire on a private beach: €25 to €40 a day
- Shared day boat trip (with lunch): €90 to €130 per person
- Licence-free boat hire (4 people, half a day): €250 to €350
- Try dive: €75 to €95
- La Mola lighthouse, the windmill, La Mola market: €0
Beyond the beaches, the island offers around twenty experiences that cost little or nothing: unusual things to do in Formentera, water sports, and Formentera’s hippie markets (free, unique atmosphere).
Average budget for a week in Formentera
Three real scenarios, for two people, flights to Ibiza included, shopping and extras excluded.
Savvy backpacker (May or September): €1,200 to €1,500
Simple guesthouse or shared Airbnb, e-bike, supermarket shopping, 2 dinners out, 1 shared boat trip. For an even shorter format, the Formentera in one day itinerary costs out the minimum for a return trip from Ibiza.
Comfortable couple (June): €2,200 to €2,800
3-star hotel with breakfast, scooter, 5 dinners out, 1 boat day, a few sunbeds.
Luxury (August): €5,500 to €9,000
Boutique hotel or villa, car, dinners at renowned beach clubs, private boat, guided experiences.
These three scenarios are not the same destination. Same beaches, same sun, but completely different spending mechanics.
How to cut your Formentera budget without sacrificing the experience?
Five levers that make a real difference, from most to least effective.
Shift your stay by two weeks
Lever number one, by far. Going in the first half of June or the second half of September instead of late July or August halves the cost of accommodation and improves the experience: fewer people on the beaches, easy access to restaurants, and the sea still at 24 to 26 °C. Month by month: when to go to Ibiza and Formentera.
Book the car ferry well ahead, or hire a scooter on arrival
If you want your own car on the island in high season, book the ferry from February. Otherwise, leave the car behind and hire a scooter in La Savina: you save €200 to €400 on the crossing, and it is easier to get around the villages (see the complete ferry guide for details).
Alternate dinners out and self-catering
Trying a beach club and a top restaurant is part of the Formentera experience. Doing it every night empties your account. One dinner in two at the apartment with produce from the Sant Francesc market (fish, ham, cheese, vegetables) costs €15 to €20 for two, against €80 to €120 in a restaurant. Over a week, you save €300 to €400.
Stay in Sant Ferran or Sant Francesc rather than Es Pujols or facing Ses Illetes
The inland villages offer the same standard for 20 to 30% less. The extra 10 minutes by scooter does not cost you comfort, only money saved.
Make the most of everything free
Beaches are free to access, even the most iconic. The La Mola hippie market on Wednesdays and Sundays, the walk to the lighthouse at sunset, the coastal path to Cap de Barbaria: zero euros, and some of the highlights of the trip.
Beaches and swimming
- Ses Illetes, Llevant, Es Arenals, Migjorn: free access all along the coast. Only sunbeds and parasols are charged.
- The wild coves of the north coast (Cala En Baster, s’Alga if you have a boat): no commercial facilities, total peace.
Walks and viewpoints
- The lighthouse trail (Ruta de los Faros) links La Mola and Barbaria over 20 km. Spectacular views, sheer cliffs, unspoilt vegetation. Allow 3 to 4 hours and bring water.
- The climb to La Mola lighthouse gives a 360° view over the island and Ibiza. A 15-minute walk from the car park, suitable for everyone.
- The Ses Salines salt flats are home to flamingos and migrating birds. Free birdwatching between April and October.
Iconic sunsets
- Cap de Barbaria: the southernmost point, with its lonely lighthouse. A legendary sunset facing the endless Mediterranean.
- Es Caló de Sant Agustí: a small fishing harbour where the sun sinks behind the boat sheds. Authentic atmosphere, far from the crowds.
- Torre de Punta Prima: an 18th-century defence tower overlooking the coast. Open views over the strait and Ibiza in the distance.
Heritage and culture
- The fortified church of Sant Francesc Xavier (the island’s capital) is free to visit. Typical white architecture and a shady square for a break.
- The hippie markets of Ses Illetes and Es Pujols (May to October) offer local crafts and free concerts.
- The green route (Vía Verde) crosses the island from west to east over 32 km. A waymarked route by bike or on foot through the unspoilt rural interior.
Low-cost experiences
- Mask and snorkel hire: €5 to €8 a day to explore the seabed. The Posidonia creates exceptional underwater gardens. Bring your own and snorkelling becomes free.
- Picnic facing the sea: supplies from the market and a secluded cove. Budget: €15 to €20 for two.
- Sunrise beach yoga: some teachers offer donation-based classes on the Migjorn beaches.
Formentera, Ibiza or Mallorca: which is cheapest?
Comparison for two people, one week in June, 3-star hotel, car or scooter, mid-range restaurants.
| Island | Indicative budget | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mallorca | 1 400 – 1 900 € | Huge choice of accommodation, affordable interior |
| Ibiza | €1,800 to €2,500 | Nightlife, beach clubs, big price swings |
| Formentera | €2,200 to €2,800 | Small, unspoilt, few low-cost options |
Formentera is still the most expensive, that is simple maths. But it offers something the other two do not: a 20 km island without a single high-rise, and the clearest water in the western Mediterranean (visibility of more than 25 metres at Ses Illetes according to 2024 Posidonia readings).
Ready to plan your trip?
If Formentera tempts you, the right order is: set your dates aiming for the useful low season (June or September), book the flight to Ibiza, then the ferry, then accommodation. Doing it the other way round regularly costs first-time visitors €300 to €500.
To go further:
- Formentera travel guide: the overview of the destination
- 10 things to do before travelling to Ibiza and Formentera: a preparation checklist
FAQ: Formentera budget
How much does a week in Formentera cost?
From €1,200 to €9,000 for two people, flights included, depending on the season and standard. The middle scenario is €2,200 to €2,800 in June for a comfortable stay.
Is Formentera more expensive than Ibiza?
Yes, by 20 to 30% on average for accommodation and food, because everything has to come by ferry and supply is more limited.
When should you go to Formentera to pay less?
The first half of June and the second half of September are the best compromise: prices 35 to 45% lower, the same weather as August, quiet beaches.
Should you take your car on the ferry?
Not in high season unless you book from February. A scooter hired on the island costs less and is more practical on the small roads.
Note that you cannot bring an Ibiza hire car on the ferry. You will need to hire one on Formentera.
See my ferry guide.
Can you visit Formentera as a day trip from Ibiza?
Yes, the fast ferry takes 30 minutes. Allow €50 to €65 for a return ticket. One day is enough to see Ses Illetes and have lunch at a beach bar, but it does not do the island justice.
Can you camp in Formentera?
No, wild camping is banned across the island. Sleeping in a vehicle, on the beach or in wooded areas is also forbidden.
For the rest of your planning, from beaches to transport, it is all in our guide to travelling to Ibiza and Formentera.
