How to get to Formentera from the UK: the journey from A to Z

I make the trip from Bordeaux, in France. Allow 1h to 1h30 of flying, about twenty minutes to the port and half an hour on the boat: when the connections flow, I am in La Savina less than three hours after take-off. Having no airport sounds daunting on paper, but getting to Formentera is simple and quick. The sea crossing even works in its favour: when the ferry runs along Es Freus and the water turns turquoise, you already feel far away.

Why are there no flights to Formentera?

Formentera has never had a commercial airport and the island is keen to keep it that way: it is part of what protects it. When a booking site shows a “flight to Formentera”, it is always a flight to Ibiza (code IBZ).
The boat crossing has to be booked separately, unless you go for a flight + hotel package that includes it. Once there, beaches, villages and budget are all covered in our Formentera travel guide.

In practice, your journey has 3 stages:

1. a flight to Ibiza airport;
2. a transfer from the airport to Ibiza port, about 7 km away;
3. a ferry crossing to La Savina, Formentera’s only port.

Those travelling by car have another option: a direct ferry from Dénia, on the Spanish coast, which arrives in La Savina in just over 2 hours. I come back to it below, with the rules that apply to vehicles in summer.

Which airport to fly from? Flight times and total journey

In season, from May to October, Ibiza has direct flights from most major UK and Irish airports. The times below are average flight times. For the total time to La Savina, add 1h to 1h30: getting off the plane and collecting luggage, the transfer to the port, waiting for the next ferry and the crossing.

Departure airport	Direct flight time	Estimated total time to La Savina
London	2h20	3h30 to 4h
Bristol	2h15	3h15 to 3h45
Birmingham	2h25	3h30 to 4h
Manchester	2h35	3h45 to 4h15
Leeds Bradford	2h40	3h45 to 4h15
Newcastle	2h50	4h to 4h30
Edinburgh	2h55	4h to 4h30
Glasgow	3h	4h to 4h30
Dublin	2h35	3h45 to 4h15

Approximate times, checked in October 2026. Many direct routes from regional airports are seasonal: out of season, plan a connection (most often via Barcelona, Palma or Madrid).

The golden rule: search for a flight “to Ibiza”, never “to Formentera”. Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, depending on the airport) operate most of the direct routes. In July and August, prices climb fast: our guide to finding a cheap flight to Ibiza explains when to book and which comparison sites to use.

Stage 2: from Ibiza airport to the ferry port

Ibiza airport is about 7 km from the port in Ibiza Town, where the ferries to Formentera leave. Three options, all taking about 20 minutes:

• The L10 bus, at €3.60: it runs every 20 minutes from April to October (every 15 minutes in July and August), from 6am to midnight, and stops at the port. It is the cheapest option if you are travelling light.
• A taxi, about €16 to €20 on the meter during the day. In July and August, the queue outside the airport can be long.
• A pre-booked transfer, €35 to €50 per vehicle: a driver waits for you with your name, tracks your flight in case of delay and drops you outside the ferry terminal. This is the option I recommend with children or after 11pm.

All the details, night rates included, are in our guide to transfers from Ibiza airport.

Stage 3: the Ibiza <-> Formentera crossing

The ferries to Formentera leave from the dedicated terminal at the port in Ibiza Town. The fast ferry (Baleària, Trasmapi or Formentera Lines) makes the crossing in 30 minutes, for €25 to €30 one way and €35 to €70 return. The slower Aquabus remains the budget option if you are in no hurry. The first departures are around 6.30am and the last around 1.30am, with several boats an hour in summer.

Buy a return ticket from the start: it is cheaper and you avoid sold-out slots in August. With small children, choose the big ferries: I made the crossing as a family on a Trasmapi that had a play area on board, with mats and foam blocks, enough to last the half hour. Company comparison, timetables and up-to-date promo codes: it is all in our complete guide to the Ibiza-Formentera ferry.

Only coming for the day? There are ready-made ferry + bike packages: fast ferry + standard bike or fast ferry + e-bike.
To plan the day, follow our itinerary for a day in Formentera.

Which option for your budget?

Option	Airport – port transfer	Crossing	Cost per person (one way)	Who it suits
Budget	L10 bus (€3.60)	Fast ferry, cheapest company	About €30	Light travellers, solo, couples
Comfort	Pre-booked transfer (€35 to €50 per vehicle)	Fast ferry, return ticket booked in advance	About €40 to €55	Families, late arrivals, luggage
Private	Pre-booked transfer to the quay	Private water taxi, no timetable	From €500 one way for the boat, up to 5 passengers	Groups, big budgets, night arrivals

The private water taxi is the option for big budgets. It leaves at the time that suits you, day or night, and can drop you as close as possible to your hotel. Prices start at around €500 one way for a five-passenger boat, according to Ibiza Spotlight. For those who want to make the crossing an experience in itself, the catalogue also has a luxury private boat between Ibiza and Formentera, by the day.

Getting to Formentera by car? Via Dénia

Baleària links Dénia (province of Alicante) directly to La Savina, with daily departures all year round. The fastest boat takes just over 2 hours, some sailings up to 4h30: check the duration carefully before booking. Allow from about €75 one way per passenger, and much more with a car. You can also go via Barcelona or Valencia to Ibiza, then catch another ferry to Formentera, but the journey becomes long. From the UK, it is a long drive: for most trips, flying is far simpler.

Watch out for the summer rules: from 1 June to 30 September, any vehicle not registered in Formentera needs a paid authorisation from the Formentera.eco portal. Places are limited: for 2026, the Consell capped visitor cars on the island at 1,732, and authorisations are first come, first served.
For prices and getting around once there, see getting around Ibiza and Formentera and our guide to bringing a car to Ibiza.

For most stays, flying plus the ferry is still simpler: once there, renting a scooter or e-bike in La Savina is more than enough.

The mistakes that spoil your arrival

• Taking a flight that lands too late. The last ferry leaves Ibiza around 1.30am, but out of season the last departures are earlier. Check the time of the last boat before booking an evening flight, or it means a night in a hotel in Ibiza.
• Renting your car at Ibiza airport. Ibiza hire cars are in principle not allowed in Formentera, with a hefty fine at stake. Rent on the spot, at La Savina port.
• Booking accommodation far from the port without a vehicle. On arrival, La Savina is the only entry point: if you are sleeping in La Mola, you will need a taxi or the bus. Our guide to where to stay in Formentera compares the villages on this basis.
• Arriving at the port at the last minute in August. Get there 15 to 20 minutes before departure, especially if you do not have your ticket yet.

Once in La Savina, the island is yours: bike and scooter rental shops are on the quay, and buses leave from the port in connection with the ferries.

FAQ: getting to Formentera