How to Get to Barcelona

Barcelona El Prat (BCN) is about 15 km south-west of the city and has two terminals, T1 and T2, several kilometres apart. Check which one your airline uses, because it decides which transfer is easiest.

Aerobús: the simplest option

The Aerobús runs from both terminals (line A1 from T1, A2 from T2) to Plaça de Catalunya, stopping at Plaça d'Espanya, Gran Via and Plaça Universitat on the way. It leaves every few minutes, runs around the clock, takes about 35 minutes without traffic, and you can pay by card on board. There's room for luggage, which is its big advantage over the metro. For most first-time visitors this is the one to take.

R2 Nord train: cheapest into the centre

Rodalies commuter trains on the R2 Nord line leave from Terminal 2 and stop at Sants and Passeig de Gràcia, and the ride is short. From T1, take the free airport shuttle bus to T2 first. The normal T-casual card is valid on this train, so if you've bought one, this is effectively free.

Metro L9 Sud: slower than it looks

L9 Sud stops at both terminals, but it doesn't go to the centre. You change at Torrassa, Collblanc or Zona Universitària, and the whole trip usually takes longer than the bus. The T-casual is not valid at the two airport stations. You need the special Airport ticket, or the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which does include the airport run.

Other airports

Some budget airlines use Girona or Reus and call them "Barcelona". Girona is about 100 km north and Reus about the same distance south. Both have coach links, but factor in the extra time before you book.

By train or cruise ship

High-speed trains from Madrid take about two and a half hours and arrive at Sants, as do direct services from Lyon, Marseille and Paris. Cruise ships dock at the terminals at the end of the port, and a shuttle bus runs to the foot of Las Ramblas by the Columbus monument.

Getting around the city. The T-casual gives ten single journeys on the metro, buses, trams and zone 1 trains, for one person. The Hola Barcelona card offers unlimited travel for two to five days and includes the airport metro. For a three-day stay with lots of walking, the T-casual usually works out cheaper. The metro runs late on Fridays and all night on Saturdays. Taxis are black and yellow and use the meter, with an airport supplement.