Navigating Barcelona: Airport to City Center Transport Options

Barcelona, with its vibrant culture and stunning architecture, welcomes travelers from around the globe. If you’re flying into this beautiful city, knowing the best ways to get from the airport to the center can make your arrival easier and more enjoyable. Here’s a guide to the various transportation options available:

1. Airport Shuttle Bus

Firstly, one of the easiest and cheapers ways to reach the city center is by taking the airport shuttle bus, known as the Aerobús. Operating from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Barcelona-El Prat Airport, the Aerobús offers frequent departures throughout the day.

Aerobuses from T1 depart from the front of the building. The Aerobus T2 service from Barcelona Airport stops at T2B. It is easy to identify the Aerobus stops because there is a large blue machine where you can buy Aerobus tickets.

Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes
Travel Time: Approximately 35-40 minutes, depending on traffic
Cost: Around €5.90 for a one-way ticket, €10.20 for a round-trip ticket (Return ticket valid for 90 days)
Operating Hours: From 05:00 to 01:00 daily. If you are traveling at night, please note that the Aerobus does not operate.

There are 2 Aerobus stops in the city of Barcelona. In Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Espanya (Aerobuses from T1 and T2 stop here, they arrive alternately so ask the driver which terminal he is going to). Tickets can be purchased online or at vending machines, from staff at bus stops or on board the bus. Payment can be made by credit card or cash.

The travel time from Barcelona airport to Plaça España is approximately 25 minutes. The travel time from Barcelona airport to Plaça de Catalunya is approximately 35 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

All Aerobuses have a wide ramp on the bus and a wheelchair area. The ramp is located at the second entrance of the bus, halfway up the bus.

Aerobuses have a capacity for 42 people. The seats are padded and have seat belts. There is luggage storage space along each side of the bus. It is 36 cm deep and 43 cm high. In addition, there are also four luggage compartments, each divided into two sections.

More info at aerobus official website

If you are looking for a more economical means of transport, it is worth considering taking the TMB buses or the train.

2. Regular TMB buses

These buses are part of the Barcelona Metropolitan Transport network (TMB). These buses are more economical, although they are slower, run less frequently and offer less luggage storage space.

You can pay in cash when you get on the bus or use your TMB integrated transport card.

The T-casual is a 10-trip single-ride transport card that allows the user to travel to several points in the same metropolitan area of Barcelona. The price of a 1 Zone T-casual is 11,35€.

The daytime bus line 46 stops at terminals T1 and T2 of Barcelona Airport, departs from Barcelona-Plaza España and stops at El Prat de Llobregat and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
The daytime bus line L77 runs from Barcelona Airport terminals T1 and T2 to the town of Sant Joan Despí, passing through the neighboring towns of Cornellà, Sant Boi (FGC Station) and El Prat de Llobregat.
The daytime bus line L99 departs from the town of Castelldefels to Barcelona airport terminal T1, with many stops along its route through the neighboring towns of Gavà, Viladecans, Sant Boi and El Prat de Llobregat.
The night bus service of the N18 line of the Avanza company goes from Barcelona (Pl. Catalunya-Ronda Universitat) to the airport, first to terminal T1 and then to terminal T2, on the way back to Barcelona.
The Avanza night bus line N17 makes a long route through Barcelona, with 13 stops, starting at Ronda Universitat – Pl. de Catalunya and passing through l’Hospitalet de Llobregat (with 8 optional stops) and El Prat (with 11 optional stops); until arriving at Barcelona Airport.
Another night bus service is the N16 line of the company Mohn, S.L., which runs from Barcelona to Castelldefels, passing only through terminal T2 of the airport, and vice versa.

More information about buses to Barcelona airport in this website

4. Taxi

Next, for those preferring a direct route to their destination without stops, taxis are available outside both terminals. Furthermore, taxis in Barcelona are easily identifiable by their yellow and black colors and a green lights indicating availability.

Most official cabs in Barcelona are licensed to carry a maximum of 4 passengers. If you want a 6-passenger cab, I recommend that you call an official cab company and request one specifically. It is not a good idea to look for a van cab in the city center in the hope that they have a 6-passenger license as these types of cabs are not common.

There are cab ranks outside Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) of Barcelona airport. They are easy to locate, just look for the cab stand signs outside the terminal building that will lead you to the nearest cab stand.

Travel Time: Depending on traffic, typically 25-35 minutes
Cost: Approximately €30-35 to the city center (including luggage and surcharges)
Operating Hours: Taxis operate 24/7, with no restrictions on hours
Fare supplement from the airport: €4,50
Rate per km (from 08:00 to 20:00): €1,27
Rate per km (from 20:00 to 08:00): €1,56
Minimum charge from the airport: €21,00

If your final destination is outside the Barcelona metropolitan area, cab fares are higher per kilometer. It would be best to confirm with the cab driver approximately how much the cab fare would be. You also need to cover the cost of any tolls you cross; however, there are no toll booths between Barcelona airport and Barcelona city center.

It is worth mentioning that there may be extra charges for transfers on public holidays and late at night.

If you are staying at a hotel near the Barcelona airport, you may not need to take a cab to your hotel. Even if it is only a five-minute ride, there will be a minimum fare from the airport ( 21€). When you book your hotel, check to see if it has a shuttle service from the Barcelona airport.

5. Airport train (Rodalies de Catalunya R2 Nord)

Additionally, if you prefer public transportation and want to avoid traffic, taking the train from the airport to the city center is a great option. The R2 Nord line connects the T2 airport terminal with Barcelona’s main train stations, including Passeig de Gràcia and Barcelona Sants.

Tip. The R2 line is divided into 3 branches. However, only the R2 Nord offers a direct connection to the city. On the other hand, the R2 and R2 Sud lines do not stop at the airport train station. Therefore, passengers on these lines must change to the R2 Nord at El Prat, Bellvitge, Barcelona-Sants or Passeig de Gràcia station. More info

Frequency: Trains run every 30 minutes
Travel Time: Around 25 minutes to Passeig de Gràcia, and 30 minutes to Barcelona Sants
Cost: Approximately €4.60 for a one-way ticket
Operating Hours: Trains operate from 05:42 to 23:38 daily
The one-way ticket from the airport to Barcelona city costs €4.60/$4.60 for an adult passenger. Children under 4 years of age travel free of charge. There are many vending machines at the airport that accept cash and credit cards.

Tip: With the T-casual aeroport ticket, you can travel 10 times by public transport in zone 1 of Barcelona, for 7,95€/7,95$.

The Barcelona Airport train station is located 200 meters from the terminal. In fact, there is a flyover connecting T2 with the train station. It has escalators, elevators for people with disabilities or passengers with heavy luggage. It takes about 5 minutes to get from the baggage claim to the train stop, to find your way just follow the airport signs.

If you land at BCN T1 you must take a free shuttle bus to T-2 that runs every 5-10 minutes, depending on the time of day. The trip between terminals takes about 10 minutes. The T1 bus stop is at the terminal gate, the T2 bus stop is under the walkway. The free shuttle buses operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are green in color, so they are easily distinguishable from the public buses that connect the airport with the center of Barcelona.

6. Metro

Lastly, for an economical and efficient journey, Barcelona’s metro system offers a direct connection from the airport to various parts of the city. Moreover, the L9 Sud line links both airport terminals with key metro stations, where passengers can transfer to other metro lines.

Metro stops at the airport
L9 metro station elevator in T2 has its entrance near the train station in terminal T2.
In terminal T1, the entrance is on the first floor, near the bus stops.

Frequency: Trains run every 7-10 minutes
Travel Time: Approximately 32 minutes to reach the city center (depending on the transfer station)
Cost: Around €5.15 for a single journey
Operating Hours: From 05:00 to midnight, with extended hours on weekends (until 02:00)

Timetables

The airport metro stations open and close following the same timetable as the rest of the Metro network stations.

Monday to Thursday: from 5:00 to 24:00 h.
Fridays and holiday eves: from 5:00 to 2:00 h.
Saturdays: from 5:00 h and continuous service all night.
Sundays: until 24:00 h.
Holidays during the week: from 5:00 to 24:00 h.
December 24th: closes at 23:00 h.

You can find all the information about the Barcelona Metro in this website.

7. Airport Transfers

Private transfers are one of the best ways to get from the airport to Barcelona, especially if you are traveling with your family or group, due to their comfort, safety and speed.
A chauffeur-driven vehicle picks you up at the terminal, helps you with your luggage and takes you to the door of your hotel.
Discover our transfer service to Barcelona airport. We have several vehicles to carry up to 70 people with the most competitive prices and service.

Choosing Your Transport

Evidently, each mode of transportation offers its own advantages based on your preferences and budget. Thus, if you prioritize speed and convenience, taxis and the Aerobús are excellent choices. For those looking to experience Barcelona’s efficient public transport system, the train and metro provide affordable options with frequent departures.

Plan your journey ahead based on your arrival time and destination within Barcelona. Whether you prefer the scenic route or a swift arrival, Barcelona ensures that your travel from the airport to the city center is seamless and enjoyable. Safe travels!

You can find all the information about Barcelona airport on this website.

What to do in Barcelona during your vacation

If you are going to spend a few days in Barcelona, we recommend you to take some of our tours with local guides who will take you safely and quickly through the great monuments of the city such as the Sagrada Familia or Parc Güell or the most charming corners of the city in the Gothic Quarter and Born, in small groups so that the whole visit is very personal.

If you want to visit Barcelona and know all its secrets in the company of a specialized guide do not miss our day trips.
Since 2015 we organize guided tours in Barcelona, in small groups and private tours to visit without queues or waste of time the most important places in Barcelona.

Day Tours Barcelona

Private Tours Barcelona: