🚗 Car Rental Mallorca Cost: The Honest Lowdown from the Island

If you’re planning to explore our island properly, you’ve probably asked yourself: how much is it to rent a car in Mallorca? We’ve already chatted about if you need a car in Mallorca or if local travel tips are enough to get you by, but let's be real—if you want to find those turquoise coves in the southeast or drive the winding roads of the Tramuntana, you’re going to want your own wheels.

But here’s the thing: renting a car here can feel like a game of poker. You’ll see "deals" online that cost less than a caña, but by the time you leave the airport, you’ve paid three times that. Here is the no-nonsense breakdown of what it actually costs to get on the road.

💶 The Seasonality Surge: Why Prices Swing So Much

In Mallorca, the price of a rental car changes faster than the wind at Cap de Formentor.

• The Winter Bargains: From November to March, you can find cars for €5 to €15 a day. It’s the best time for a road trip if you don't mind the cooler air.

• The Summer Madness: Come July and August, those same cars jump to €70 or even €100+ a day.

To get the best handle on these swings, I always suggest using Discover Cars to compare the latest Mallorca rates. They pull in the local Spanish companies along with the big international brands so you can see who is actually offering the best deal for your specific dates.

🛡️ The Insurance Minefield: Excess vs. Full Cover

This is where most people get "stung" at the desk. When you book a "basic" rate, it usually comes with a massive Excess (Franquicia)—meaning if you scratch the car, you’re on the hook for the first €1,200 to €2,000.

• The Credit Card Hold: The company will "block" that huge amount on your card.

• The Desk Upsell: The agent will try to sell you their own "Premium" insurance for €25–€35 a day.

• The Smart Move: You can often find much cheaper "Full Coverage" options directly when you book your car through Discover Cars. It usually costs a fraction of what they charge at the airport counter, and it still protects your deposit.

Just make sure you’ve checked if you need an international driving permit in Mallorca before you land, or the insurance might not even be valid if you have a bump!

⛽ The "Full-to-Empty" Fuel Trap

Watch out for the fuel policy! Some "budget" brands use a Full-to-Empty policy. They charge you a ridiculous price for a full tank plus a "service fee" at the start and tell you to return it empty. You’ll never return it perfectly empty, so you’re basically giving them free money.

Always choose Full-to-Full (Lleno/Lleno). You’ll save a lot of cash just by filling it up yourself at a station near the airport before you drop it off.

🕵️ Can You Rent a Car Without a Credit Card?

Most of the big global brands will say "no" unless you have a credit card. But some of our local favourites are more flexible.

You can often rent a car in Mallorca with a debit card if you buy the top-tier, "all-inclusive" insurance. When you use the filters on Discover Cars, you can actually tick a box for "Debit Card" under the payment options to see exactly which companies will let you book without a credit card.

Looking for more Mallorca tips?

Check out these posts you’ll love:

• Best Beaches in Mallorca

• Where to Stay in Mallorca

• Things to Do in Mallorca

• Travel Guide

Happy holidays and ¡nos vemos en la isla! 🌞