'Airport lights for aircraft landing on blue sky' holbox / ShutterstockThe best way to get to Menorca is to take a flight to the airport of Maó, which lies just 4.5 km to the southwest of Maó, the island’s capital city. It is a very broad and modern international airport, well connected and with good roads. It’s located in the extreme west of the island, which is the most densely populated area. It's close to Maó and Sant Lluis, a population with several beaches and large hotels. Also Es Castell can be reached in short time, another town with plenty of good hotels.
Most of the air traffic comprises of international air carriers. The charter flights leaving and arriving at the island come via well known carriers like Air Berlin, Air Europa, Air Nostrum, Condor, Easyjet, Iberia, Monarch, Spanair, Swiftair, TUIfly and Vueling. Regular direct flights to Maó are available from Spain and the sister islands Mallorca and Ibiza. Regular scheduled flights are available with Monarch from Birmingham, Manchester, London Luton and London Gatwick. Easyjet and British Airways also operate flights from some major and regional UK airports.
Regular ferries from both mainland Spain and Mallorca are also available. Modest-sized cruise ships occasionally arrive at the island. They primarily use the deep harbour of Maó, which offers highly scenic views of homes, hotels/resorts,historic structures and fortifications.
When arriving in Menorca you may want to take the bus, call a taxi or rent a car. At the airport, you can find taxis and buses. You'll also find several car rental offices, where you can book a car right away.
Travel by public transport is easy and convenient. There are several bus lines that take you from the airport directly to the bus station of Maó. Here you find a connection to all towns, villages and coastal tourist resorts of the island. The bus to Maó runs every 30 minutes, from around 6AM to 10PM and then hourly until midnight. An adult fare costs around €1.50.
Somewhat more expensive but more convenient to move around is by taxi. The taxi rank is just outside the terminal building. With Maó being such a short distance away, the cost for a taxi journey is around €3.20 only. It is best to discuss the cost for a journey to other parts of the island either with the driver upon arrival or with the taxi company in advance. In Maó a taxi company can be contacted on +34 971 367 111 and in Ciutadella on +34 971 482 222.
You can also find a selection of major car hire companies in the arrivals hall or nearby. There are several well-known car hire companies that operate on site. They are operating all year round. Car hire companies get particularly busy during the summer months, when Menorca airport sees the largest number of passenger arrivals. That's why car rental should be arranged in advance to avoid disappointment and delays.