Hi Can't answer your actual questions (sorry!) but.... Went to Soller last year with Thomson's. Whoever you go with, double check what time they arrive. I think we got there just after midday, and were supposed to have a couple of hours to look around. Unfortunately although the place was lovely, we arrived just as it all shut down for siesta. So everyone had piled into all the bars and cafe's so it was difficult to find anywhere to sit and then there was the obvious wait for the food etc... as everyone was doing the same. We then caught the old train back to Palma which was brilliant. Louise

What may be of interest is that No Frills Excursions have set up an operation in the south of the island (their main base is Alcudia). They offer an island tour which includes Soller and Port Soller and this takes in the tram, a boat trip and the train. Take a look at their site - http://www.nofrills-excursions.com - and you should find plenty of posters for them around and about and probably at your hotel.

Probably the nicest and most scenic way would be catch a bus into Palma - the old train through the mountains up to Soller and then the tram into Puerto Soller.

Pippa

Pippa suggests the most scenic route to Soller via the train which in February cost 11€ return from Palma, although the TIB bus no 211 through the tunnell is the most cost effective at 2.85€ each way. although you can travel by bus via Valldemossa and Deia a quite hair raising trip.
Most visitors include Soller and the Port with a boat trip to Sa Calobra and as Andrew suggest's the No Frills co may be the answer for you.

The start for both rail and bus trips are adjacent to the Placa Espanya, however you travel have a lovely day in IMO the best part of the Island.

Dave