Updated 6 July 2026
Is the Sóller Train Worth It in 2026?
The Sóller train is a 1912 wooden electric railway that climbs from Palma through the Serra de Tramuntana to the mountain town of Sóller, and in 2026 the combined train-and-tram trip to Port de Sóller and back costs €40, with an online discount currently bringing it down to €32 on eligible departures. The hour-long journey covers 27 km through 13 tunnels and over stone viaducts in polished wooden carriages with brass fittings and leather seats — it's a heritage attraction, not efficient transport. A car covers the same ground in about half the time, and a bus back from the port costs a fraction of the fare. This guide gives the honest verdict: who should ride it, who should skip it, and how to get the most out of the day. Prices, discounts and timetables vary by season, so check the latest at ferrocarrildesoller.com before you book.
The 1912 wooden Sóller train with the tram to the port costs €40, with an online discount currently bringing it to €32 on some departures.
What the Sóller train actually is
The Ferrocarril de Sóller (Tren de Sóller) is a narrow-gauge electric railway that opened on 16 April 1912, built on the profits of the Sóller valley's orange and lemon trade to carry citrus over the mountains to Palma — which is why it's sometimes called the Orange Express. It runs 27 km from Palma's station just off Plaça d'Espanya, north across the plain and up through 13 tunnels and stone viaducts of the Serra de Tramuntana, with a brief stop at Bunyola, before descending into Sóller. The line was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) in 1985.
On board, the experience is the point. The same century-old carriages still run, with polished wood panelling, brass fittings and leather seats, and windows that pull down so the mountain air fills the carriage. It does not feel like a manufactured tourist gimmick — it genuinely feels like 1912, with the countryside opening out as the train climbs. The journey takes about an hour and, for most riders, that hour is the attraction rather than a means to an end.
Tickets, timetables and prices in 2026
The headline ticket is the combined train-and-tram trip (Palma – Port de Sóller – Palma), which costs €40. At the time of writing there's an online discount that brings this down to €32, though it's subject to availability and applies only to certain departure times — so check whether it's offered for the trains you want when you book. This combined ticket is the one sold online; other options, such as buying the train and tram separately or a single leg, are available at the station ticket desk, where you should check the current prices directly.
The journey takes about an hour each way, with departures running several times a day — anywhere from roughly 1 to 6 crossings depending on the season, with far fewer in winter than summer. Book online ahead in busy periods: in high season, trains sell out and turning up without a ticket can mean missing your intended departure. Online tickets lock you into specific departure and return times that generally can't be changed, so plan your day first. Always confirm current times, fares and any discount at ferrocarrildesoller.com, as the timetable shifts between winter and summer.
The tram onward to Port de Sóller
One thing catches people out: the train does not go to the coast. It terminates in Sóller town, a few kilometres inland. To reach the sea you take a vintage tram from Sóller station down to Port de Sóller, a ride of about 15–20 minutes through orange groves and along the streets into the port. The combined ticket already includes this tram leg in both directions, which is why it's the sensible choice if you plan to see the port; you can also buy the tram separately at the desk if you only decide on it once you're there.
The tram trundles right through Sóller's main square, Plaça de la Constitució, on its way down, so you can watch it pass from a café table before boarding. Trams run roughly hourly through the day. If you only take the train to Sóller town and back, you'll have a shorter, café-led day; adding the tram to the port turns it into the fuller classic day trip, with a seafront promenade and lunch by the water. For most people already making the effort, continuing to the port is worth it.
Is it worth it? The honest verdict
Yes — but for the scenery and the experience, not for getting anywhere efficiently. If you value a beautiful, unhurried heritage journey through the Tramuntana, the Sóller train is one of Mallorca's classic rides and lives up to it; the views alone justify the fare for most first-timers. It's best for families (kids love the vintage carriages), couples, and anyone doing Mallorca without a car who wants a memorable day out from central Palma, where the station is walkable.
Skip it if you're on a tight budget, in a hurry, or have done it before. At €32–40 per person it's not cheap for a family, a car covers the same route in about half the time, and if you simply want to see Sóller and the port, driving or the bus is faster and far cheaper. It's a scenic experience you pay a premium for — worth it once, less compelling as pure transport or on a repeat visit.
Alternatives: driving and the bus
By car, you have two routes. The scenic Ma-11 over the Coll de Sóller pass takes about 30–40 minutes from Palma and is a beautiful drive in its own right, with hairpins and mountain views. The faster option is the Ma-11 Sóller tunnel, which cuts straight through the mountain and shortens the trip, though the tunnel carries a toll. Either way, driving gets you to Sóller and the port in roughly half the train's time and lets you continue to Deià, Valldemossa or the Tramuntana coast the same day.
Without a car, the bus is the budget alternative. The TIB 204 bus runs between Palma and Port de Sóller in around 35 minutes, roughly €4–6 paying on board or by card — and during 2026 it's free if you travel with a TIB Intermodal card, part of the island's free interurban transport scheme. A popular hybrid is to take the train one way for the experience and the bus back to save time and money. For exact fares and times, check the TIB fare finder at tib.org. The train is the choice when the journey is the point; the bus or car wins on speed and cost.
Tips for getting the most out of it
Take a morning departure. It gives you time for Sóller town, the tram to the port and lunch without rushing for the last return, and the light is better for photos. For the best valley views, sit on the right-hand side leaving Palma. Bring a light layer even in summer — the open vintage carriages get breezy through the mountains — and book online ahead in high season to guarantee seats and include the tram; if the online discount is available for your departure, it also saves you a few euros over the desk price.
In Sóller itself, start at Plaça de la Constitució, the main square anchored by the Church of Saint Bartholomew and ringed with cafés, where the tram passes right through. It's a good spot for a fresh orange juice from the valley's own groves before wandering the modernista side streets, which are good for local buys like espadrilles. Then take the tram down to Port de Sóller for a seafront lunch and a walk along the promenade, perhaps up to the Cap Gros lighthouse for Tramuntana views, before catching a later train or the 204 bus back.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is the Sóller Train worth the money in 2026?+
Yes, if you want one of Mallorca's classic scenic experiences rather than efficient transport. The 1912 wooden train through the Serra de Tramuntana is a genuine heritage ride, and the hour-long journey and mountain views justify the €32–40 combined fare for most first-timers, families and couples. Skip it if you're on a tight budget, short on time, or have ridden it before — a car or the bus is faster and much cheaper.
How much does the Sóller Train cost?+
In 2026, the combined train-and-tram trip from Palma to Port de Sóller and back costs €40, with an online discount currently bringing it to €32 on some departures, subject to availability. Other combinations, such as buying the train and tram separately, are available at the station ticket desk. Always check current prices at ferrocarrildesoller.com before you travel.
Do you need to book the Sóller Train in advance?+
In summer and other busy periods, yes — trains sell out and arriving without a ticket can mean missing your intended departure. Booking the combined ticket online at ferrocarrildesoller.com secures your seat and includes the tram to the port, and there's often an online discount (around €32 versus €40) on eligible departures. Note online tickets lock you into set departure and return times, so plan your day before you book.
Can you do the Sóller Train as a day trip from any resort?+
The train departs from Palma's station near Plaça d'Espanya, so it's easiest from central Palma, where you can walk to the station. From other resorts you first need to reach Palma — by car, taxi or the TIB bus network — which adds time to the day. From the north or east coast it's a long round trip, so the train works best if you're staying in or near Palma, or driving in to start the day there.
Does the Sóller Train go all the way to Port de Sóller?+
No. The train terminates in Sóller town, a few kilometres inland, and does not reach the coast. To get to Port de Sóller you take a separate vintage tram from Sóller station, a ride of about 15–20 minutes, which is included in the combined train-and-tram ticket. Many visitors do continue to the port, which makes for a fuller day trip.