During a few days on Ibiza, we decided to take the ferry to Formentera for a day trip. We had not booked everything in advance, so this became a fairly spontaneous ferry test: check the weather, drive to the port, compare prices and see which boat we could still catch.
Formentera sits just south of Ibiza and has a very different feel from its larger neighbour: smaller, quieter and known for some of the clearest water in the Balearics. The ferry crossing is short, but the choice of operator, parking in Ibiza and transport on Formentera can make quite a difference to the day.
Here is how it worked for us, what we paid and what we would do differently next time. For all route options and operators, see our main guide to the ferry to Formentera. If you are still planning how to reach the island first, our ferry to Ibiza page is a good place to start.
No booking, straight to Ibiza port
We visited in late October, outside the main summer season. The weather app on Ibiza was not always very convincing, so we looked across towards Formentera, decided the day looked good enough and drove to the port.
We had not bought ferry tickets beforehand. We also did not really know how easy parking would be, whether we could still buy tickets at the port, or whether the next ferry would still have space. Around the car park we saw several ferry adverts, and soon spoke to two people from Trasmapi who explained the crossing.
It all sounded straightforward, but the price was noticeably higher than the Aquabus price we had seen advertised nearby. So we did what many people probably do in that moment: quickly compare the options on a phone before deciding.
Prices we saw for a family with 3 children
- Trasmapi: €157.50, including a €15 discount on parking.
- Aquabus: €119.95.
In the end, we chose Aquabus. The tickets were not quite the €9 fares that had caught our attention on the advert, but for our family they were still clearly cheaper. There was also still availability for the same-day sailing, which made the decision easier.
One lesson: treat the big advertised prices as ‘from’ prices. They may not apply to your exact group, date, luggage, return time or booking situation.
Booking online became slightly stressful because our credit card verification did not work properly. Not ideal when the ferry is about to leave. Luckily, it turned out not to be a big problem, as we could also pay on board. For the return journey, we could choose between two sailings: 17:15 or 19:30.
The Aquabus crossing was perfectly fine for what it is. The boat felt a little older and fairly simple, but for a short crossing you do not need very much. If you are only on board for about an hour, a lower fare can be more useful than extra comfort.
What we did on Formentera
Our plan was to rent bikes and explore part of the island with the children. Around La Savina you will see plenty of rental options: scooters, cars, e-bikes and normal bicycles. What we found out quite quickly is that, when travelling with children, not every rental shop has the right setup.
We first stopped at Love Bici, but at that moment, they only had electric bikes available. That can be a great option for adults, couples or groups without smaller children, but it was not ideal for us. They advised us to continue along Carrer de s’Almadrava, where there are several more rental shops.
We eventually rented five bikes from Moto Rent Mitjorn. It was not perfect: some bikes were clearly well used, the tyres were a little soft and the chain came off one of the children’s bikes several times. Still, for our route that day, it was good enough.
- Price: €75 for five bikes, plus a €50 deposit.
Cycling to Platja de Ses Illetes
From La Savina port, we cycled to Platja de Ses Illetes. This is one of those beaches that really does live up to the photos: pale sand, shallow water and a bright turquoise colour. Because we visited outside the main season, it was pleasantly quiet. Swimming was still possible in late October.
A note on beach prices
Many restaurants had already closed for the season, but El Pirata near the beach was still open for a drink. The location is lovely, but the prices matched the location: we paid €7 for an apple juice. Fine for a quick stop, but it is worth knowing that eating or drinking close to Ses Illetes can be expensive.
Sant Francesc Xavier: a good second stop
After the beach, we decided to continue to Sant Francesc Xavier, the main village on Formentera. From Ses Illetes, it was about 7 km by bike. It adds a bit of effort to the day, but it is a nice way to see more than just the port and the beach.
We walked around, had ice cream at LadaCrem and sat down for drinks and tapas at Del Centro. It is a small place, but relaxed, and the square is a pleasant spot for a slower break before cycling back.
The ride back to La Savina was around 4 km and easier, as the road drops back towards the port. After returning the bikes, we walked around the harbour area for a bit and boarded the ferry back to Ibiza, this time in the dark.
How much did the day trip cost?
Formentera was a beautiful day out, but not necessarily a cheap one as a family. Once you add ferry tickets, parking, bike rental and a few extras, the total rises quickly.
| Ibiza-Formentera ferry | €120 |
| Parking in Ibiza | €32 |
| Bike rental | €75 |
| Drinks | €22 |
| Ice creams | €12.50 |
| Approximate total | €261.50 |
This total was for a family with three children and does not include every possible food, shopping or extra cost. Still, it gives a useful idea of the real budget. Formentera may sound like a simple ferry day trip from Ibiza, but it is not automatically a low-cost day out.
Is the Ibiza to Formentera ferry worth it?
Yes, for us it was worth it. The crossing is short, arriving at La Savina is easy and the beaches are genuinely special. If you are staying on Ibiza for several days, a day trip to Formentera adds something very different to the holiday.
It was not the cheapest day of the holiday, but it was one of the days we remembered most clearly afterwards. The combination of a short ferry crossing, turquoise water, cycling and a completely different island feel made it a very worthwhile trip.
Going without a reservation worked for us outside the main season, but in summer we would plan it more carefully. Ferries can fill up, prices rise and getting around Formentera takes a bit of thought. If you want to visit Ses Illetes, rent bikes or scooters and return the same day, check the return sailing times before you commit.
Planning your own trip? Start with our guide to the ferry to Formentera, check the options for travelling by ferry to Ibiza and compare more island routes in our overview of ferries in the Balearic Islands.
