Getting Into Barcelona

Also known as El Prat, Barcelona International Airport is a busy, yet efficient, travel hub. Photo: Hellebardius.

Getting to and from the airport

Flights land at the El Prat de Llobregat airport, which is located 12km (8 miles) southwest of Barcelona. Several options are available for travelers wishing to get into the city.

By Aerobus

The easiest public transport option is the Aerobus airport train (A1), which takes passengers from Terminals 1 (T1) and 2 (T2, which includes Terminals A, B and C) to Plaça Catalunya at the top of La Rambla. The trains run from 6 a.m. until 1:05 a.m. daily and depart every five to 20 minutes, depending on terminal and time of day (check the Aerobus Web site for the full schedule. The cost is €5.90 one-way and €10.20 open return.

By train

RENFE, the suburban train service, provides a cheaper ride for €3.80. The trains leave every 30 minutes from 5:45 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. and make major stops, including Estacio Barcelona-Sants (the major train station), Plaça de Catalunya and the last stop, Estacio Franca, which is your best bet if you'll be staying in La Ribera. Tickets are sold in red machines in the stations.

If you're going to the airport from the Sants station, tickets are sold at a window marked 'Aeroport' from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. After 11 p.m., they can be obtained from the ticket machines or the Recorridos Cercanias window.

By bus

The bus provides the only late night transportation to Barcelona's airport, and at €2, it's also the cheapest. Hop on bus N17 from Terminal A, B or C to Plaça de Catalunya. The bus runs from the airport every 20 minutes from 9:50 p.m. until 4:45 a.m. The bus runs from Plaça de Catalunya to the airport every hour from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m.

By Taxi

Of course, the easiest, and most expensive, way to get to and from the airport is always a taxi. To and from the city center, expect to pay between €20 and €35. Baggage in the trunk will cost extra.

Flying into Barcelona

Visit our Barcelona budget flights section for more information on low-cost airlines flying into and out of Barcelona.

Train travel is a great way to get around Spain, and Estacio Sants is beating heart of Barcelona rails. Photo: Fotomovimiento

Getting to and from the main train station

Ah, trains. We love 'em. And in Catalonia, as throughout Spain, trains are an economical and low-stress way to travel. Barcelona has two main train stations, Estacio Barcelona-Sants and Estacio Franca, each serving different destinations. When in doubt, go for Estacio Barcelona-Sants. While all domestic trains leaving Estacio Franca pass through Estacio Barcelona-Sants, not all trains leaving Barcelona-Sants pass through Estacio Franca. Plus, Passeig de Gracia is the main stop for getting into the center of town. Got that?

Estacio Barcelona-Sants, in Plaç Paisos Catalans, is the main terminal for domestic and international travel. It is served by the Sants-Estacio metro station via lines 5 and 3. Buses to the station include the #30 from Plaça de Espanya, #44 through L'Eixample (which stops at La Sagrada Familia), and N2. For late night arrival, the N14 shuttles folks every 30 minutes from 10:30 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. for €2.

A taxi ride from either station to Plaza de Catalunya costs about €10. If you've got luggage, add a few euros to this estimate.

For information about trains and their stations in Barcelona, contact RENFE locally at 90 224 02 02, internationally at 90 224 34 02 or visit the official RENFE website.

Related posts from our blog

• Barcelona’s El Prat Airport: Tips for getting there on time
• Barcelona: Cheap transportation guide
• Europe’s minor airports offer interesting travel opportunities
• Barcelona Double Tip: Save with the Articket and the T-10 Metro pass