There is no airport on Formentera, so everyone arrives the same way: by boat from Ibiza. The fast ferry from Ibiza Town to La Savina takes around 30 minutes and runs from early morning until after midnight in summer.
The crossing itself is easy. What trips people up is the choice of company, the price gap between a one-way and a return, the rules if you want to bring a car, and the few departure points outside Ibiza Town. Here is how it actually works.
Key points
- Crossing: 30 minutes on a fast ferry, up to an hour on the boats that carry cars, from Ibiza port to La Savina.
- Fares: around €25 to €30 one way and €35 to €70 return per adult. Aquabus is the cheapest, Baleària the most comfortable.
- Sailings from about 6.30am to 1.30am from Ibiza in summer, several an hour: outside August you rarely need to book a set time.
- Hire cars are not allowed on the ferry, and from June to September private vehicles need a permit on formentera.eco.
The Ibiza to Formentera ferry links Ibiza port with La Savina, the only port on Formentera. The two islands are just 3.6 km apart at their closest point, but because both harbours sit in sheltered bays, the actual sea route is about 11 nautical miles (20 km). Depending on the boat and the sea, it takes 30 minutes to an hour.
How a typical crossing works
- Booking: buy your ticket online or at the port. A return ticket on a fast ferry is the best value, and it saves queuing for the way back.
- Boarding: turn up 15 to 30 minutes before departure.
- Crossing: 30 to 58 minutes depending on the vessel.
- Arrival: you step off in La Savina, Formentera’s port, where bike, scooter and car hire desks line the quay.
Which companies run the Ibiza to Formentera ferry?
Four companies share the route:
| Company | What to expect | Sailings per day (summer) |
|---|---|---|
| Baleària | Large Spanish operator, the most comfortable boats | 9 |
| Trasmapi | Good value, frequent fast ferries | 11 |
| Aquabus | The cheapest option | 18 |
| Formentera Lines | Local company, four fast boats | 11 |
Every fast ferry averages about 30 minutes in good conditions. The longer crossings (around an hour) are the car ferries and some older vessels.
Ferry ticket prices
Budget €25 to €30 per person each way without a vehicle, with differences between companies and seasons: Aquabus pulls prices down, Baleària is usually the most expensive but the most comfortable on board. Children generally get around 50% off.
Ferry ticket or day trip: how to book
Most flexible
Return ticket online
from €55/return
Fast ferry from Ibiza port, 30-minute crossing.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
- 4.7/5 from 300+ reviews
- Foot passengers only, no vehicle
Ferry and e-bike
from €75/person
Fast ferry plus an electric bike waiting in La Savina for the day.
- Fast ferry included
- Explore at your own pace
- 4.5/5 from 120+ reviews
- Foot passengers only, no car
Guided day trip
from €108/person
Ferry plus a guided bus tour around the island.
- Nothing to organise
- Ferry and guided bus tour
- 4.5/5 from 150+ reviews
- Fixed timings
How to get the cheapest Ibiza to Formentera ferry
Three things genuinely lower the bill, in order of impact:
- Book a return from the start rather than two singles. It is always cheaper than buying the return at the port, and it keeps you off sold-out sailings in peak season.
- Check Aquabus first: it is consistently the cheapest company on the route, and with 18 sailings a day the timetable is rarely a constraint.
- Book early in high season (June to September): fares rise as boats fill up, like flights. A ticket bought two or three weeks ahead often costs less than one bought two days before.
Every company’s website has a promo code field at checkout. Discounts come and go (partnerships, quiet periods), so it is worth a quick search before you pay.
Ibiza to Formentera ferry timetable
Ferries run all day and well into the night in summer. The first sailing usually leaves Formentera at 5.45am and Ibiza at 6.30am, and the last one leaves both islands at around 1.30am.
Out of season (November to March), expect around four to six departures a day, roughly between 8.30am and 6.30pm. Times change with the day of the week, so check the live timetable on Próximo Ferry, which lists all four companies, or directly on Aquabus, Trasmapi, Formentera Lines and Baleària.
Taking a car on the Ibiza to Formentera ferry
If you are driving your own vehicle, Baleària, Formentera Lines and Trasmapi all take cars. The Baleària car ferry takes about 58 minutes, the others around 35.
One rule catches people out every summer: hire cars from Ibiza are not allowed on the ferry to Formentera, and the fines are steep. Rent your car or scooter in La Savina instead, the desks are right on the quay.
- Traffic limits: from 1 June to 30 September, the number of motor vehicles entering and driving on Formentera is capped.
- Permit required: visitors bringing their own vehicle must apply in advance on formentera.eco.
Travelling with children: the big ferries have a play area
I did this crossing with my two children when they were small, on a large Trasmapi ferry. There was a small play area inside, with foam mats and soft play blocks, and on a 30-minute to one-hour crossing that makes a real difference: the children are busy and the trip flies by.
If you are travelling with toddlers, it is worth factoring in when you pick your company: not every sailing has this space, and a smaller or faster boat may not.
How to take the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera
Booking your tickets
| Online (recommended): | At the port: |
| – On each company’s own website, or on a platform such as Ferryhopper or Clickferry – Return ticket with free cancellation – You can book up to a few minutes before departure | – Ticket offices at Ibiza port – Arrive a little early in high season – Popular sailings can sell out |
Getting to the port
The main departure point is the ferry terminal in Ibiza Town, about 15 minutes from the airport when traffic is light. If you are heading straight from your flight, see our guide to Ibiza airport transfers.
Some boats also leave from Santa Eulalia (handy if you are staying on the east coast), Playa d’en Bossa (Aquabus) and San Antonio, mostly for excursions and seasonal routes. Check the departure point on your ticket before you set off.
Parking at the port costs €15 to €20 a day depending on the season. The free alternative is the large car park near Ikea, a short walk away, or the bus from your hotel.
- By bus: from the airport, the AERO3 express stops at the port (€3.50 by card).
- Accessibility: the terminal has facilities for passengers with reduced mobility.
- Address: Estación Marítima, Muelle de Botafoch, 07800 Ibiza.
Boarding and enjoying the crossing
Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Boarding is quick and well organised, even with suitcases.
On the way out you see Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s old town, then Playa d’en Bossa and the planes landing and taking off. Near Formentera you pass the uninhabited islet of S’Espalmador, then the clear turquoise water of Ses Illetes before docking in La Savina.
Once you are on the quay, you are in Formentera: bikes, scooters, buses and taxis are all right there. The ferry drops you in La Savina with no extra transfer to arrange. When I travel from Bordeaux, it is a 1 to 1.5-hour flight, 20 minutes to the port and 30 minutes on the fast ferry. From London, the flight to Ibiza is around 2 hours 20 minutes, then the same short hop.
Day trip from Ibiza
Formentera in a day, with nothing to organise
If you are staying in Ibiza and do not want to juggle ferry times, bike hire and beaches, a packaged day trip sorts it all: the ferry from Ibiza and a way to get around once you land. For the independent version, see our guide to things to do in Formentera.
- Ferry and guided tour from €108
- Ferry and e-bike from €75
FAQ: the Ibiza to Formentera ferry
How do I get the cheapest ferry from Ibiza to Formentera?
Book a return rather than two singles, check Aquabus first (the cheapest company on the route) and book early in high season, as fares rise when boats fill up. Also look for a promo code at checkout.
How much is the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera?
An adult one-way ticket costs between €20 and €40 depending on the season and company. A return is €35 to €70 per person. Children usually pay about half.
How long is the ferry from Ibiza to Formentera?
About 30 to 35 minutes from Ibiza port to La Savina on a fast ferry, depending on the boat and the weather. Car ferries take up to an hour.
Can I take a car on the ferry to Formentera?
Yes, Baleària, Trasmapi and Formentera Lines carry vehicles for a supplement of roughly €25 to €89 depending on the season. Hire cars from Ibiza are not allowed, and from June to September you need a permit from formentera.eco.
What are the ferry times in winter?
From November to March there are usually four to six departures a day, the first around 8.30am and the last around 6.30pm. Always check the live timetable, as it varies by day of the week.
Do I need to book the Formentera ferry in advance?
In July and August it is strongly recommended, especially for morning sailings and the last boats back. You can book online until a few hours before. Out of season you can buy at the port, but booking fixes your price and your seat.
