Mallorca is one of the most popular Spanish islands for self drive holidays. Roads are good, towns are compact and a rental car gives you real freedom. At the same time many visitors pay more than they expected because of unclear conditions and local surcharges.
We work every day with car rental offers in Mallorca and we see the same mistakes again and again. In this guide we explain how to choose the right offer, avoid hidden costs and keep control of your budget from the first click to the final invoice.
Focus on the total price, not only the daily rate
Very low prices on comparison sites often hide extra payments. The real cost appears later in insurance, fuel, deposit and extras. Before you book check what is included in the total and what will be charged at the desk.
- Check if insurance has a high excess and how much you pay in case of damage.
- See the deposit that will be blocked on your card and when it is released.
- Confirm if mileage is unlimited for driving around the island and if there is an airport fee.
Watch the classic hidden fees in Mallorca
Most surprise charges come from services that looked minor at booking stage. In Mallorca you should pay special attention to fuel policy, insurance at the counter and fees for young or additional drivers.
Full to full fuel policy is usually the most honest option, because you pay only for the fuel you use at normal station prices. Prepaid fuel with service fee is almost always more expensive. At the desk many agents try to sell extra insurance. Read your voucher in advance, know what level of cover you already have and say no if you do not need more. Drivers under a certain age and every extra name on the contract often have a daily surcharge, so decide in advance who will really drive the car.
Choose clear rules for fuel, deposit and payment
Fuel and deposit conditions have a big impact on the final bill. There are no toll motorways on the island so you do not need to plan extra cash for toll gates. Deposit size and payment method are important if you travel with a limited card limit. Look for offers with a moderate deposit or for trusted partners that let you rent with low deposit, without a credit card and with full cover already included.
Book with transparent partners
The easiest way not to overpay is to book with companies that show all mandatory costs before you press pay now. One of the platforms that focuses on clear rules in Mallorca and shows offers with no deposit and no credit card option is https://findycar.com/car-rental-mallorca/. There you can filter deals by fuel policy, insurance and deposit size so you see the real price in advance.
Simple steps at pickup and return
Even if the contract looks clear you still need to protect yourself on the spot. Take photos of the car at pickup and return, outside and inside. Make sure every scratch and dent is written on the form. Keep fuel receipts from the last refill near the airport. Ask the agent to send the final invoice while you are still at the counter so you can check that no extra items were added.