Holiday Tips - Getting around
Excellent excursions
Excursions booked through a tour company like Panorama are certainly a carefree way to enjoy the island and all its delights. But do remember that you can do many of these things independently with hired transport.
Driving
On the right - it's not so difficult. Remember! Traffic on a roundabout has priority from the Left.
At crossroads and junctions in town give way to the Right. 'Ceda el Paso' means give way. If in doubt STOP and give way. BE SAFE - BE HAPPY.
The most comfortable way to see Ibiza is by hire car. Your normal Driving Licence is valid. Cars, Scooters and Motorcycles are for hire. Children under 14 must travel in the back
of the car. Safety helmets are compulsory at all times on scooters and motorcycles. Fines are substantial and on the spot and the police are hyper vigilant. Observe the Parking Restrictions or risk
being clamped. Clamps are released upon payment of a substantial fine to the nearest Municipal Police office. Please make sure your hire car has Comprehensive Insurance. We
recommend BK & Autos Marí on the island.
Book your hire car online here.
The latest legal limit for driving (2001) after drinking is 0.25 mg/l alcohol in your breath, or 0.5 g/l in your blood. This is equivalent to 2 cans of beer, or 2 glasses of wine. PLEASE be careful!
Petrol stations are marked on each map, and are open from 7am To 9pm except Sundays and Fiestas when they take it turns to remain open. Most provide a 24 Hour Service In High Season.
DRIVING IN SPAIN
New penal code for traffic offences comes into force
By James Parkes
SINCE yesterday, Thursday, motorists who are found driving without a licence on Spanish roads, commit a crime against road safety and could go to prison.
Amendments to the penal code regarding road safety were made on December 2 last year, but the government approved a moratorium for its enforcement, which concluded on May 1.
In accordance with article 384 of the new penal code, anyone found driving a vehicle without ever having obtained a licence, now face a spell behind bars that could vary from three to six months, a
fine over a 12 to 24-month period or community work over a period of between 31 and 90 days.
The same penalty will be applied to those who have been temporarily or permanently stripped of their licence due to a judicial order or an accumulation of 12 points on their licence.
Figures released by the DGT traffic department show that more than 25,000 motorists were fined last year for driving without a licence and the same sources estimate around 30,000 people drive without
a licence in Spain.
Other articles of the penal code also punish with imprisonment the following road traffic crimes: exceeding the maximum permitted speed in built-up areas by 60kph and in open roads by 80kph, driving
with an alcohol reading of over 0.60mg per litre of air or 1.2g per litre of blood and refusing to take an alcohol test.
Accidents
Take the full name and address of the other driver, or at least his vehicle number and type, plus a note of his insurance company and policy number if possible.
Ask the police for an English translator before making any statement. Do Not admit to any liability whilst in a possible state of shock. Always co-operate fully with the police.
Parking
Parking here, like everywhere else is a problem, but now we have a system that frees up
a lot of parking spaces during the busiest hours in various shopping zones. In Ibiza Town, many areas have now been designated Pay-Park areas. You can recognise these by the blue painted
lines. Look for a pay machine and introduce 1 € (approx. 40 minutes), collect the ticket, and place it visibly in your car windscreen. Don't stay longer than the time you have paid for,
because the traffic wardens (new to their job and very eager) patrol continuously throughout the day. After 22.00 hours, and between 14.00 and 16.00 you do not need to pay, although this does very
from zone to zone - have a look on the parking machines themselves for exact times.
Here is what you do exactly:
- Put up to €2.00 (2 h parking time) in the slot for the coins (less money will get you less parking time, the allowed time is shown in the display).
- Push the green button.
- Reach down for the ticket (this confused me for a while, as the slot where the ticket appears is at a very low level).
- Leave the ticket in a visible place inside the front window of the car.
- Check your watch repeatedly, as their are traffic wardens on permanent duty throughout the whole of these parking districts!
Car Hire
Car hire in Ibiza is cheap compared to Britain, and a U.K. driving licence is valid. Remember to carry your passport, driving licence and car rental docs with you at all times. Wear your seat belt. Children under the age of 14 must travel in the back of the car.
See Car Hire for the best deals.
On the buses
The island boasts an extensive and regular bus service. There are half-hour connections between all major resorts, including many of the most popular beaches. Buses run in the Summer months from approximately 7 am until 11.30 pm, in the months of the high season there are additional night buses from Ibiza (via Playa d'en Bossa), San Antonio (via San Antonio Bay) and Es Caná (via Santa Eulalia) to and from the airport. The disco bus connects all major resorts and clubs from midnight until 6 am.
Timetables and Bus Routes are displayed at Ticket Offices, they also have timetables for you to keep. Timetables change according to high and low season, so get a current one. Buy your ticket before boarding the bus, if there is a Ticket Office, if not, you pay in the bus. Bus Stops are sign posted 'P' (for Parada = Stop). Keep an eye out and ring the bell in advance of your stop. You'll find that local people love helping visitors. Make sure you know the last bus time before you set off, particularly to the beach as (except on the popular beaches), taxis are hard to find. You can of course take the radio-taxi telephone numbers with you.
Most buses are air-conditioned and an extremely economical form of transport. Highly recommended. Ask in your accommodation for more details.
For actual timetables see the website of the Ibiza Bus Company.
Here you find actual timetables of the disco bus.
Mopeds and Motorcycles
Safety Helmets Are Compulsory at all times on Mopeds, Scooters and Motorcycles.
On the spot fines start at 50 pounds and the Police are hyper vigilant. When renting mopeds and bikes, always deal with a company who specialise, making sure they offer a back up service should you
require assistance. Also make sure you have adequate insurance cover and a secure locking system. A reliable company will supply helmets free and ensure you only hire what you are legally entitled to
drive. No matter what you're driving, please take it easy.
See Car Hire for the best deals.
Taxis
Approximate Taxi Fares around the island
Island Ferries & Boats
On the water Ferries, surely the pleasances way to circumnavigate Ibiza's picturesque coastline, especially on a sunny day, leave from the Landing Stages marked on each map, linking the surrounding Hotels and Beaches with the main resort. They leave about every 20 minutes or when filled. Remember, the sun's rays are twice as strong when reflected off water, especially on Pedaloes, so cover up and use a sunblock. Note: Underwater speargun fishing is prohibited.
Ferry Connections to and from Ibiza
Visit the following pages to check timetables and make online ticket reservations. You can now book your ferry trips online from AFerry. Click on the following link:
Ferries to Ibiza - online bookings
Ferry timetables to and from Ibiza
Charter your own boat
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