How to pay for buses in Palma de Mallorca
Yes — since March 2026 you can tap a contactless bank card (or Apple Pay/Google Pay) on every EMT Palma bus, including the A1 airport line, and card is cheaper than cash (A1 €3 by card vs €5 cash). Cash still works but drivers only take notes of €20 or less, and there's no tap-off.
Best option for tourists
Tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet when you board for the automatic ~40% discount (A1 airport €3 by card vs €5 cash). If you use cash, carry notes of €20 or less.
| Transport | Card | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Cash | Onboard | Advance ticket | Front door | Tap off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMT city bus (incl. A1 airport)Contactless bank cards and phone wallets work fleet-wide and are discounted versus cash. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Can you pay by card on the bus?
Yes. Since 13 March 2026 contactless bank-card payment is live across the entire EMT fleet, including the A1 airport line. Tap your card or phone wallet when boarding — readers are at every door and there's no need to tap off. Card payment gets an automatic discount of about 40%.
Cash, fares and exact change
You can still pay cash, but drivers only accept banknotes of €20 or less. The A1 airport–city fare is €5 cash / €3 by card, and standard urban trips are €2 cash / €1.20 by card.
Do you need a local transport card?
No. A bank card or cash is enough for visitors. The Tarjeta Única exists for the wider Mallorca network but isn't required, and you can't top it up on EMT buses.
Common questions
Can I tap my card on the bus in Palma?
Yes — since March 2026 every EMT Palma bus takes contactless bank cards and phone wallets, including the A1 airport bus, and it's cheaper than cash.
Is card or cash cheaper on the Palma airport bus?
Card. The A1 is €3 by contactless card versus €5 in cash, an automatic ~40% discount. Cash payment requires notes of €20 or less.
