Arriving at Mahón Airport and planning to rent a car Menorca airport side-steps taxis, streamlines day trips, and gives you flexibility from the moment wheels hit the runway. Yet the process has changed in 2025: new digital kiosks, stricter document checks, and updated road rules can catch visitors off guard. Use this step-by-step guide to secure your keys swiftly, avoid hidden payments, and start the holiday on the right note.
1. Secure the Booking Before You Fly
Compare Agencies Early
Peak season (May–September) sees fleets booked solid. Reserve online at least four weeks ahead for compact cars and six weeks for automatics or seven-seat vans. Early booking locks in lower daily rates and wider model choice.
Check What the Price Includes
Most airport quotes bundle third-party liability and basic collision cover, but excess levels differ wildly. Read each line:
- Mileage (unlimited is common but not universal)
- Airport surcharge (usually built in but confirm)
- Free second driver (handy for longer drive days)
- Child seats or GPS (often cheaper when booked online)
Keep Confirmation Handy
Save the voucher to your phone and print a copy. Airport Wi-Fi can be slow under heavy load, so offline access avoids delays.
2. Arrival Tips: Beat the Counter Queue
Follow the Signs to “Rent a Car”
After customs, turn left toward the bright green “Alquiler de Coches” banner. Most international brands share a hall; local specialists meet customers in Parking P1.
Use Digital Check-In Kiosks
Several agencies now offer self-service kiosks where you scan a QR code from your booking. The machine verifies licence details and prints a contract in under two minutes, skipping the main counter line.
Off-Site Shuttle Desks
Smaller firms operate meet-and-greet desks. An agent waits with a board, walks you to a shuttle, and drives five minutes to their depot. This saves the airport surcharge and often shortens the paperwork line.
3. Required Documents in 2025
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Driving licence | Must show at least two years’ validity. UK and EU licences accepted; non-EU visitors may need an IDP. |
| Passport | Name must match booking and payment card. |
| Credit card | Debit cards rarely accepted for security holds; ensure the card bank limit covers the deposit. |
| Booking voucher | Printed or digital. Some desks still request a hard copy for signature. |
4. Understand Insurance Layers
Basic Cover
All rentals include third-party liability. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) carries an excess (deductible) from €900–€1 500.
Super CDW / Premium Cover
Cuts the excess to zero and adds glass, tyre, and underside protection. Daily cost runs €12–€25 in peak months.
Stand-Alone Excess Insurance
Buy a policy online for about €6 per day. If damage occurs, pay the rental company then claim reimbursement later. Paperwork takes time, but savings add up on week-long trips.
Tip: Decide before you reach the desk. In-person upsells are high-pressure; knowing your stance keeps costs in check.
5. Inspect the Vehicle Thoroughly
- Walk around slowly: Use phone video to record every panel, roof, windscreen, and wheel.
- Check interior: Note seat tears or dashboard scratches.
- Verify matches on paperwork: Confirm each mark is circled on the departure sheet.
- Fuel level and odometer: Photograph both; part-full rentals should return with the same gauge reading.
Do not rush this step—agents expect you to take time. A calm inspection saves arguments at return.
6. Choose the Right Model for Menorca Roads
- Fiat Panda / similar: Ideal for narrow lanes and easy parking in Ciutadella.
- Small crossover (Ford Puma): Extra boot for beach gear without feeling wide.
- Seven-seat MPV (Ford Galaxy): Best for large families but avoid entry to tiny hamlets; park outside and walk in.
- Electric (Peugeot e-208): Charging points now sit at Mahón, Es Mercadal, and Cala’n Porter. Range covers a full island loop.
7. First Kilometres: Exit the Airport Like a Local
Follow the ME-12 Sign
Leaving the multi-storey car park, bear right toward ME-12, merging onto the main ME-1 highway within three minutes.
Stick to 90 km/h
Speed cameras monitor the early stretch. Fines arrive quickly via the rental company.
Keep Change for Toll-Free Parking
Menorca has no toll roads, but village street meters sometimes require coins. Keep a stack of €1 and €2 coins in the cupholder.
8. Driving Rules Updated for 2025
- Seat belts mandatory for all occupants.
- Speed limits: 90 km/h main roads, 50 km/h in towns, 30 km/h in many residential zones.
- Phone use: Hands-free only; fines start at €200.
- Alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L blood-alcohol (0.3 g/L if licence under two years).
- Child seats: Required for passengers under 135 cm; pre-book to guarantee availability.
9. Parking Know-How: Avoid Tickets
| Zone | Markings | Fee/Time |
|---|---|---|
| Blue (Zona Azul) | Blue lines | €1 per hour, Mon–Sat 09:00–14:00 & 17:00–20:00 |
| Green | Green lines | Residents. Tourists may park evenings only. |
| White | None | Free unless sign shows time limit. |
| Beach lots | Gravel or tarmac | Free but fill by 10 a.m.; arrive early. |
Tip: Mahón’s underground Parc Es Freginal garage offers secure 24-hour parking at flat daily rates and avoids narrow old-town lanes.
10. Refuelling and Charging
- 24-hour petrol stations: One sits 2 km west of the airport on the ME-12.
- Diesel vs. petrol: Engines often marked on the fuel cap; verify before filling.
- Electric charging: Use the Electromaps app; payment via RFID card or phone.
Return full-to-full for the cheapest plan. Keep the receipt dated the return day to prove compliance.
11. Returning the Car: Step-By-Step
- Follow “Car Return” signs toward the short-stay multi-storey at the airport.
- Refill at the last station on ME-12 to avoid refuelling surcharges.
- Remove rubbish and personal items before hand-over.
- Get a staff signature confirming condition if dropping during open hours.
- After-hours: Photograph the car from all angles beside the return bay number and leave keys in the secure drop box.
- 12. Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them
- Leaving luggage visible at beach car parks: attracts break-ins.
- Ignoring small scratches on pick-up sheet: report every mark now, not at return.
- Relying on live-only maps: signal gaps in rural north make offline navigation wise.
- Confusing Mahón and Menorca Airport in the booking form: some sites list separately; choose “MAH/Menorca.”
13. Cost Snapshot: July 2025, Seven-Day Compact Rental
| Item | Cost (€) |
|---|---|
| Base rental | 240 |
| Zero-excess upgrade | +126 |
| Extra driver | Included |
| Child seat | +42 |
| Total | 408 |
Prices swing by season; reserve early for savings.
14. Sample One-Day Itinerary From the Airport
- 08:30 Collect car, exit via ME-12 westbound.
- 09:15 Coffee stop in Es Mercadal’s main square.
- 10:00 Head north to Playas de Cavalleria, park at gravel lot.
- 14:00 Lunch in the harbour at Fornells.
- 16:30 Scenic drive back along ME-15 through Alaior.
- 18:00 Return to Mahón for golden-hour views over Port de Maó.
Coverage remains under 90 km—well within a single fuel gauge mark on most compacts.
15. Quick Packing List for the First Drive
- Booking voucher (print + phone)
- Phone holder or dash-mounted GPS
- Coins for Blue Zone meters
- Sunglasses (east-facing glare morning of arrival)
- Reusable water bottle (island tap water is safe)
- Lightweight jumper (evenings can cool late spring/early autumn)
Final Thought: Plan Ahead, Drive With Confidence
Collecting a vehicle right after landing means you dictate the itinerary—no waiting for buses, no juggling luggage on shuttles. By booking early, carrying the right documents, choosing the cover that matches your budget, and following the airport’s updated pick-up steps, you will be on the Menorcan highway within minutes of clearing customs. Keep this 2025 guide close, and your car-hire experience will match the island’s calm rhythm from day one.
