How to get to Barcelona Airport — A two-minute video
Comparing the transport options
From transport options from cheapest to most expensive: Bus 46 and Night-bus N17, Train, Metro, Aerobus, Taxi.
If you come to visit the capital of Catalonia, we will help you to find the best apartment in Barcelona. We offer apartments of different types, renovated and well furnished in all areas of Barcelona!
The cheapest transport
If you're going to the centre: Catch the 46 bus (or the N17 night-bus). Both of these make various stops, but they will leave you at Plaça de Catalunya in about 45 minutes. A single ticket costs €2.15, or €0.99 if you have a T-10 ticket.
If you're going outside the centre: The cheapest option is the train. You will get to Sants Station in 18 minutes or Passeig de Gràcia in 23 minutes. From here you can interchange to the Metro using the same ticket with no extra cost, if you have a T-10 ticket. A single ticket costs €2.50, or €0.99 with the T-10.
The T-10 is a travel card loaded with 10 trips and costs €9.95. It can be used on buses, trains, trams and the Metro. However, you're not allowed to use the T-10 to take the Metro directly to and from the airport, there is a separate ticket for that mentioned below.
Convenient mid-priced transport
If you're going to the centre: Catch the Aerobús. It costs €5.90 but goes directly to the heart of Barcelona in 30 minutes in just two stops. Other advantages that it has are its spaces for suitcases, free Wi-Fi and charging stations.
If you're going outside the centre: The easiest way is via the Metro. You won't need to interchange with other modes of transport and the network covers the entire city. In this case you can't use a T-10 ticket as there is a special ticket called an Airport Ticket that costs €4.50. Keep in mind that depending on which part of the city you're going to, the journey time is from 26 minutes up to over an hour.
The most convenient but expensive option
If you want to get to any part of Barcelona comfortably regardless of whether it's day or night, then catch a taxi. It will cost about €30 but it will drop you off at the door of your destination, also making it the fastest option in most cases.
Take a look at this infographic, which shows each transport option for going to and from Barcelona and El Prat Airport.
Aerobús
The most common option people choose to make the trip to Barcelona would be the Aerobus. It has two separate bus routes that run directly from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Barcelona Airport to the city centre.
Price
€5.90 single ticket.
€10.20 return ticket. (Valid for 15 days).
You can buy a ticket from the blue machines next to the stops at both terminals of the airport. If you're in a rush you can also pay the driver directly, but make sure that you have change or notes no larger than €20, otherwise the money will not be accepted.
Stops
Plaça d'Espanya, Gran Vía–Urgell, Plaça de Universitat and Plaça de Catalunya.
Frequency
Every 5–10 minutes.
Timetable
5:35AM–1AM. Airport to Barcelona.
5AM–12:30AM. Barcelona to Airport.
Journey time
25 minutes. Airport to and from Plaça d'Espanya
35 minutes. Airport to and from Plaça de Catalunya
Observations
It's very easy to recognize this bus. It's light-blue and has the word Aerobus in big letters across its sides.
The Aerobus is a good option if you're travelling with lots of luggage or large suitcases, because it is designed with lots of luggage space.
You can check schedules and prices on the website of the Barcelona Aerobus.
Number 46 Bus from TMB
This is the cheapest option on a single ticket. It's a public transport service from TMB (Barcelona Metropolitan Transport) that unites the airport with Barcelona along with a number of stops across its route.
Price
€2.15 Single ticket. (You can pay this directly to the driver).
€0.99 as part of a T-10 travel card. (10 trips for €9.95).
The T-10 is a travel card with 10 trips that can be used across Barcelona's transport network. You will need to buy the ticket beforehand at the airport or a station. You cannot buy one from a driver.
Stops
Airport Terminal 1, Airport Terminal 2-A, Airport Terminal 2-B, Airport Terminal 2-C, Avinguda Granvia x 4, Amadeu Torner, Pl Europa, Avinguda Granvia x 4, La Campana, Avinguda Granvia x 2, Plaça d'Espanya, Avinguda Paral·lel.
Timetable
5AM–12:15AM. From Barcelona to Airport.
5:30AM–12:45AM. From Airport to Barcelona.
Frequency
Every 20 minutes.
Journey time
40–55 minutes from the airport to the city centre and vice versa.
Observations
It's good to keep in mind the frequency and journey time so that you can leave well ahead of time and arrive without being in a rush.
Nightbus N17
The N17 night bus — from a contracted company called NitBus — is the night-time equivalent of the 46 bus and runs when most transport options are unavailable.
Price
€2.15 Single ticket. (You can pay this directly to the driver).
€0.99 as part of a T-10 travel card. (10 trips for €9.95).
The T-10 is a travel card with 10 trips that can be used across Barcelona's transport network. You will need to buy the ticket beforehand at the airport or a station. You cannot buy one from a driver.
Stops
Airport Terminal 1, Avinguda Onze de Setembre x 3, Avinguda Remolar, Lleida x 3, Carretera de la Marina x 3, Enric Borràs, Avinguda Anselm Clavé x 2, Avinguda Granvia x 4, Amadeu Torner, Plaça d'Europa, Avinguda Granvia x 4, La Campana, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes x 2, Plaça d'Espanya, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes x 5, Plaça de la Universitat, Ronda Universitat.
Timetable
9:55PM–4:45AM From Barcelona to Airport.
23:00PM–5:00AM From Airport to Barcelona.
Frequency
Every 20 minutes.
Journey time
50 minutes from Terminal 2 to the centre and vice versa.
60 minutes from Terminal 1 to the centre and vice versa.
Observaciones
You can check on the arrival hours of the night bus by looking on its website.
Excursions in Barcelona
To make the most of Barcelona and fill your trip with unforgettable experiences and emotions, we offer you the excursions through the Catalan capital organized by our friends - the GetYourGuide team. Choose your excursion and fall in love with Barcelona:
Metro L9
This is a convenient option as you can get to your destination at any point of the city without interchanges between different transport types. It is an automated Metro train.
Price
€4.50. Airport ticket.
Travelling using the Metro from the airport is different than usual because it has a special tariff. The so-called Airport Ticket costs €4.50 and is one-way, but can get you to almost any point in the city. If you have a T-10 travel card, while it will work in every other station around Barcelona, it won't be accepted at the airport where you need the special ticket to enter or leave.
Stops
After departing from the airport Metro station, the first official stop in Barcelona is Zona Universitaria (Line 3).
Timetable
5AM–12AM. Monday to Thursday.
5AM–2AM. Friday.
Open all night on Saturday.
Until 11:59PM Sunday.
Frequency
Every 4–7 minutes.
Journey time
About 1 hour between Barcelona Airport and the city centre.
Video explanation of Metro L9 in English
R2 Nord Train
Another cheap transport option to get all over the city is via train. Line R2 Nord from the RENFE train company will take you from the airport to the centre of the city and beyond to towns like Granollers.
Price
€2.50 Single ticket.
€0.99 as part of a T-10 travel card. (10 trips for €9.95).
A single ticket can get you to the city centre but if you want to interchange with the Metro you'll have to buy another ticket from the ticket machines available at any station.
TIP: It's highly recommended to get a T-10 ticket upon arrival. If you have a T-10 travel card, in addition to the trip by train only costing €0.99, you can interchange with the Metro and/or bus for free within 1 hour and 15 minutes of your journey start time. It has an upfront cost of €9.95, but you will definitely end up using public transport at least 10 times in Barcelona. You can buy a T-10 at the airport or any station.
Stops
In Barcelona: Passeig de Gràcia and Barcelona Sants. There is also El Clot (a bit further from the centre).
At the airport: The train station is in Terminal 2, so if you arrive in Terminal 1 you will need to take the free transfer bus between the two terminals, it will drop you off in front of the train station.
Timetable
5:13AM–11:14PM. Barcelona Sants to Barcelona Airport.
5:42AM–11:38PM. Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Sants.
Frequency
Every 30 minutes.
Journey time
18–25 minutes.
Observations
We recommend taking a look at this link to consult the exact timetable using this link so you can calculate your journey time in advance before leaving home.
Taxi
It's both the most comfortable option but also the most expensive. If you have lots of luggage, you'll be dropped off right by the door of your destination without having to walk and drag cases along. It also avoids the more crowded hours of public transport.
Price
€30–€35 (Depending on the tariff and extras such as number of suitcases).
TIP: Catching a taxi from Barcelona Airport – wherever your destination may be – costs a minimum of €20, even if your journey is only 5 minutes. If that's the case, then it's better to choose another option. Keep this in mind if you're staying in an apartment close to the airport.
When the metre starts running in a Barcelona taxi, it begins at €3.10. From there the cost is €1.10/km from 8AM–8PM, and €1.30/km from 8PM-8AM and unsociable hours (like public holidays).
Stops
There are taxi stands by the exit of each airport terminal.
TIP: You'll see that you can't catch a taxi from wherever you like; you have to find one in the designated taxi stand. You may find a queue, but you'll have to wait in line, which doesn't take that long.
Timetable
24 hours.
Frequency
Immediately from the airport.
Journey time
20-30 minutes directly to your destination.
Observations
You can recognize taxis in Barcelona thanks to their combination of yellow and black colours.
If you would like more information about Barcelona's taxis you can find the official tariffs, telephone numbers to request specially adapted vehicles, customer service and lost & found services via the official website.
Rent a car
The option with the most freedom. It's not the cheapest option though. Also, Barcelona is more a walking city because it's so hard to park up in the city centre... However, if you plan on travelling and discovering Catalonia outside of Barcelona then it's essential. It's especially good if you're travelling as a group because you can split the costs and get a price that makes it really worthwhile.
Some of the rental car companies that you will find directly at El Prat Airport are Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise and Solmar. They will let you choose a car that best adapts to you and your budget. You can search the internet beforehand to get a better idea of these companies or find a better deal.
Opening hours
7AM–12AM in both terminals.
Go walking
Definitely not recommended. According to Google Maps, walking from Barcelona's El Prat Airport to the city centre (Plaça de Catalunya) would take 3 hours and 5 minutes. It's much better to use one of the many transport options available.
If no-one can convince otherwise, well at least it could be an acclimatizing experience to get off the plane, prepare your legs and make an epic journey towards what awaits you... Barcelona.
Here's a map of the route to give you an idea.
