Barcelona is a beautiful and vibrant city that attracts millions of visitors every year. If you are planning to visit Barcelona, you might be wondering how to get from the airport to the city centre. Don’t worry too much, in this blog post we will show you the all the different transport options. Fond out which are the best options based on their prices, travel times, advantages and disadvantages.
Barcelona Airport Overview
Barcelona airport (BCN), also known as Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport or El Prat airport. This is the main international airport serving Barcelona and its metropolitan area. It is located about 15 km south of the city centre, in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat. It has two terminals: T1 and T2. Depending on your airline, you might arrive or depart from either one of them.
Transport Options From Barcelona Airport To The City Centre
There are several ways to get from Barcelona airport to the city centre, depending on your budget, preferences and luggage. There are five main ways to travel from Barcelona airport to the city center. These include the Aerobus, public bus service, train, metro, and taxi. Each option is entirely unique based on price, comfort, and convenience. Below, we explain each option of traveling from Barcelona airport to Barcelona city centre. We explain the pros and cons of each option with the aim of helping travelers to find the best travel options.
Taking The Aerobus From Barcelona Airport To The City Centre
Aerobus: This is an express shuttle bus service that runs between both terminals and the city centre, with four stops: Plaça Espanya, Gran Via-Urgell, Plaça Universitat and Plaça Catalunya. It is a fast, comfortable and convenient option, especially if you travel light. When you arrive at Plaça Catalyuna you will be in the heart of Barcelona, just at the top of La Rambla and close to the Gothic Quarter and L’Eiample.
Pros:
- Fast: The travel time is about 35 minutes from T2 and 40 minutes from T1.
- Comfortable: The buses are spacious, air-conditioned and have free Wi-Fi.
- Convenient: The buses run every 5-10 minutes from 5:35 am to 1:00 am (from T2) or from 6:10 am to 1:05 am (from T1). They also run during the night.
- Spacious: The buses have plenty of luggage space and security cameras.
- 24 hour service: Aerobus runs 365 days a year And 24 hours a day. Night services may be less frequent.
Cons:
- More expensive than public bus or train: The price is 8.90 euros for a single ticket and 13.20 euros for a return ticket (valid for 90 days).
Public Buses To Barcelona City Centre
Public bus: There are several public bus lines that connect the airport with different parts of the city, such as the 46 (to Plaça Espanya), the N16 and N17 (night buses to Plaça Catalunya) and the H12 (to Glòries). They are cheaper than the Aerobus, but slower and less frequent.
Pros:
- Cheap: The price is 2.40 euros for a single ticket or 10.20 euros for a T-Casual card (valid for 10 trips on any public transport in Barcelona).
- Available at night: The night buses run every 20 minutes from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am.
- Several routes: You can choose the bus line that suits your destination best.
Cons:
- Slow: The travel time varies depending on the traffic and the route, but it can be around 50 minutes or more.
- Less frequent: The buses run every 15-30 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes at night.
- Less comfortable: The buses are not as spacious or air-conditioned as the Aerobus.
- Less spacious: The buses have limited luggage space and no security cameras.
Getting From Barcelona Airport To The City Centre By Train
Train: There is a train service (R2 Nord) that runs from T2 to several stations in the city centre. Train stations such as Sants or Passeig de Gràcia among a few others are centrally located within Barcelona centre. It is a cheap and reliable option, but it only operates from T2. If you arrive at T1, you will need to take a free shuttle bus to T2 first.
Pros:
- Cheap: The price is 4.60 euros for a single ticket or 10.20 euros for a T-Casual card (valid for 10 trips on any public transport in Barcelona).
- Reliable: The trains run every 30 minutes from 5:42 am to 11:38 pm (from T2) or from 5:13 am to 11:07 pm (from Sants station).
- Direct to city centre stations: The trains stop at Sants, Passeig de Gràcia and El Clot-Aragó stations, which are well connected to other metro lines and attractions.
Cons:
- Only available from T2: If you arrive at T1, you will need to take a free shuttle bus to T2 first, which can take 10-15 minutes.
- Less frequent at night: The trains run every 30 minutes, which can be a long wait if you miss one.
- Limited luggage space: The trains have some luggage racks, but they can get full quickly.
Taking The Metro From Barcelona Airport To The City Centre
Metro: There is a metro line (L9 Sud) that runs from both terminals to several stations in the city, such as Zona Universitària, Collblanc and Torrassa. It is a fast and modern option, but it does not go directly to the city centre. You will need to change to another metro line or take another transport to get there.
Pros:
- Fast: The travel time is about 32 minutes from T1 or T2 to Zona Universitària station.
- Modern: The metro line is new and has automatic trains and elevators.
- Frequent: The metro runs every 7 minutes from 5:00 am to 12:00 am (from T1) or from 5:08 am to 12:08 am (from T2).
- Connects with other metro lines: You can change to other metro lines at Zona Universitària, Collblanc or Torrassa stations, which can take you to other parts of the city.
Cons:
- More expensive than public bus or train: The price is 5.15 euros for a single ticket or 10.20 euros for a T-Casual card (valid for 10 trips on any public transport in Barcelona).
- Does not go directly to the city centre: You will need to change to another metro line or take another transport to get to the city centre, which can take more time and money.
Traveling By Taxi From Barcelona Airport to The City Centre
Taxi: This is the most comfortable and convenient option, but also the most expensive one. You can find taxi ranks outside both terminals, where you can take an official yellow and black taxi to your destination. The travel time is about 25 minutes, depending on the traffic and the location of your accommodation. The price is around 30-35 euros, depending on the time of day, the distance and the luggage surcharge. You can pay by cash or card.
Pros:
- Comfortable: You can enjoy a private and personalised service, with air-conditioning and music.
- Convenient: You can avoid waiting or changing transports, and get directly to your accommodation without hassle.
- Available at any time: You can find taxis at any time of the day or night.
Cons:
Expensive: The price is around 30-35 euros, which can be a lot if you are on a budget or travelling alone.
Variable: The price can vary depending on the traffic, the distance and the luggage surcharge. There might also be extra fees for airport pick-up or drop-off, holidays or special events.
Limited: There might not be enough taxis available during peak hours or special events.
How To Choose The Best Transport Option For You
The best transport option for you depends on several factors, such as:
- Your budget: If saving money is your priority, you can opt for the public bus or the train. These are considered your cheapest options. If you don’t mind spending more, you can choose the Aerobus, the metro or the taxi, which are more expensive but faster and more comfortable.
- Your luggage: If you are traveling with a lot of luggage or bulky items, you might prefer to take a taxi, which will take you directly to your accommodation without hassle. If you have a small or medium-sized luggage, you can take any of the other options, but make sure they have enough space and security for your belongings.
- Your destination: If your accommodation is located near one of the Aerobus or train stops, such as Plaça Catalunya, Sants or Passeig de Gràcia, you might find them very convenient and quick. If your accommodation is located near one of the metro stations, such as Zona Universitària, Collblanc or Torrassa, you might find the metro very handy and easy. If your accommodation is located in a different area of the city, you might need to take another transport or walk a bit to get there.
- Your preferences: If comfort and convenience are important to you over anything else, you might want to take a taxi, which will offer you a private and personalised service. If you enjoy public transport and meeting other travellers, you might want to take the Aerobus, the public bus, the train or the metro, which will offer you a shared and social experience.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to get from Barcelona airport to the city centre. You just need to choose the one that suits you best according to your budget and needs. Overall, if your acommodation is in the center of Barcelona, the aerobus is the best option.
