Our guide on how to get from Barcelona Sants train station to the centre of Barcelona. Read on if you are arriving by train and need to get to La Rambla, Gothic Quarter or Plaça Cataluña.

If you are arriving by train to Barcelona and want to know how to get from Barcelona Sants train station to the centre of Barcelona. Don’t worry, we will explain it step by step in this blog. A great idea would be to purchase a Hola Barcelona public transport travel card in advance, so it is ready to use on the buses or metro the moment you arrive in Barcelona. The Hola Barcelona travel card is a city travel card for unlimited use on Barcelona’s public transport. It can be used on the metro, bus, trains or trams within Barcelona and can be used for the exact amount of days that you need. You can purchase the Barcelona public transport pass by visiting this link.

Barcelona Sants train station is the main railway station of the city and is well connected with other modes of transport. Many high-speed AVE trains arrive at Barcelona Sants from Madrid, France and other destinations. You have several options to reach the centre of Barcelona from there, depending on your preferences, budget and time.

In this guide we focus on getting from Barcelona Sants train station to La Rambla, Gothic Quarter and Plaça Catalunya. These three main areas are some of the most popular for tourists to stay when visiting Barcelona. To find out how to get from Barcelona Sants train station to the centre of Barcelona, read on below:

How to get from Barcelona Sants Train Station to the centre by metro

The fastest and easiest way to get from Barcelona Sants to the centre is by taking the metro. You can access the metro station from inside the train station, following the signs for L3 or L5. You can buy a single ticket for 2.55 euros or a 10-trip ticket (T-Casual) for 12.55 euros. These are the new Barcelona metro prices for 2024 for travel within zone 1. You can purchase tickets at the vending machines or the ticket offices.

If you need to get to La Rambla, you need to take the L3 line (green) and get off at Liceu station. To arrive at the Placa Catalunya, you need to take the L3 line (green) and get off at Catalunya station. If you are heading to the Gothic quarter, you need to take the L3 line (green) and get off at Drassanes station or Liceu station, depending on which part of the quarter you want to visit.

The metro ride takes about 15 minutes from Barcelona Sants to any of these stations.

How to get from Barcelona Sants to the centre by Rodalies commuter trains

Another option to reach the tourist centre of Barcelona is by train. Some people may be curious to know that after arriving by train in Barcelona, you can catch another train to the city centre. Although Barcelona Sants Station is just a few kilometers from the main tourist area of Barcelona, you can still reach the centre using the Rodalies suburban commuter trains.

The Rodalies depart Barcelona Sants every 10 or 15 minutes. If you are heading to La Rambla or the Gothic Quarter, you can take the R12 to Catalyuna. Journey time is around 5 minutes. If you are staying in the El Born district, you can take the next station, Arc de Triomf. Arrival time here from Barcelona Sants is about 9 minutes. Anyone staying in the Eixample district can take the R2 Sud to Passeig de la Gracia station. Travel time from Barcelona Sants is 6 minutes.

How to get from Barcelona Sants Train Station to the Centre by Bus

Another option to get from Barcelona Sants to the centre is by taking the bus. You can find several bus stops outside the train station, on both sides of the street. You can buy a single ticket for 2.40 euros or a 10-trip ticket for 11.35 euros at the vending machines or at some newsstands.

If La Rambla is your destination, you need to take the bus number 59 and get off at La Rambla – Pla de la Boqueria stop. To go to Placa Catalunya, you need to take the bus number V7 and get off at Placa Catalunya – Portal de l’Angel stop. If your next stop is the Gothic quarter, you need to take the bus number V15 and get off at Via Laietana – Correus stop or Pla de Palau – Parc de la Ciutadella stop, depending again on which part of the quarter you want to visit.

The bus ride takes about 25 minutes from Barcelona Sants to any of these stops.

How to get from Barcelona Sants Train Station to the Centre by Taxi

The most comfortable but also the most expensive way to get from Barcelona Sants to the centre is by taking a taxi. You can find a taxi rank outside the train station, on both sides of the street. You can also use apps like Free Now or Cabify to book a taxi in advance or on demand.

The taxi fare depends on several factors, such as traffic, time of day and luggage. It usually ranges from 10 to 16 euros from Barcelona Sants to any of these destinations in the center.

The taxi ride takes about 10 minutes from Barcelona Sants to any of these destinations in the centre.

How long does it take to walk from Barcelona Sants to the centre of Barcelona?

If you are fit and energetic, then walking from Barcelona Sants train station to the centre of Barcelona would be a great chance to view the city. However, if you are arriving with heavy luggage, then walking to the city centre wouldn’t make sense. If you are arriving at Barcelona Sants and would like to walk to the city centre the walking time would be about 25–35 minutes. Based on my experience, arriving at Placa Catalyuna from Barcelona Sants would be around 25 minutes, and from Barcelona Sants to the Gothic Quarter would be close to 35 minutes.

The distance to La Rambla, Gothic Quarter or Placa Catalyuna from Barcelona Sants train station is around 2.5 kms (just over a mile and a half). A word of advice, the summer months can get very hot. It wouldn’t be wise to walk this distance during the midday heat of the hot summer months, and a bus or the metro would be a wiser option.

What to see and do in the centre of Barcelona

Once you arrive at the centre of Barcelona, you will be amazed by the variety of attractions and things to do in this vibrant area. Here we take a look at what to do when you arrive at the centre. Here are some of our recommendations:

La Rambla

La Rambla is one of the most famous and lively streets in Barcelona. It stretches for about 1.2 kilometers from Placa Catalunya to Port Vell, passing by several landmarks such as La Boqueria market, Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house, Palau de la Virreina cultural center and Plaça Reial square.

La Rambla is always full of people walking, shopping, eating or enjoying street performances. You can find many souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants and bars along this street, as well as where you can see a fountain that was once believed to have magical properties.

La Rambla is also a great place to start exploring other nearby attractions such as El Raval neighborhood (where you can visit MACBA museum or Sant Pau del Camp church), Barceloneta beach (where you can relax on the sand or try some seafood) or Montjuic hill (where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city or visit MNAC museum or Poble Espanyol village).

Placa Catalunya

Placa Catalunya is considered as the heart of Barcelona and one of its main squares. It is located at the end of La Rambla and connects with other important streets such as Passeig de Gracia, Rambla de Catalunya and Portal de l’Angel.

Placa Catalunya is a large and open space that hosts many events and celebrations throughout the year. It is also a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike. You can find many fountains, statues, benches and pigeons in this square, as well as some shopping centers, department stores and hotels.

Placa Catalunya is also a good place to catch public transport to other parts of the city, as it has metro, bus and train stations nearby. Also, the fantastic El Corte Ingles department store is well worth a visit. If you are feeling hungry there is also a Hard Rock café.

Gothic quarter

The Gothic quarter is the oldest and most charming part of Barcelona. It is a maze of narrow and winding streets that reveal the history and culture of the city. It is here where you can find some of the most impressive Gothic buildings and monuments, such as the cathedral, the royal palace, the city hall, the basilica of Santa Maria del Mar or the church of Santa Maria del Pi.

The Gothic quarter is also full of hidden surprises, such as ancient Roman ruins, medieval courtyards, cozy cafes, quirky shops and lively bars. You can also discover some of the most interesting museums and cultural centers in this area, such as the Picasso museum or the Chocolate museum in the nearby El Born district.

The Gothic quarter is a place to get lost and enjoy the atmosphere of centuries ago. You can also join some guided tours or walking routes that will show you the secrets and legends of this fascinating district.

Conclusion

When deciding on how to get from Barcelona Sants train station to the centre, the best two options are by metro or taxi. The latter option may not be too expensive if you are travelling in a group of three or four. The bus option from Barcelona Sants to the centre is a great way to see some of the city. It is also, with the metro, a cheap option compared to getting a taxi.

Now we have got you to the centre of Barcelona, make sure you read through this website. We have taken a lot of time to tell you about the very best things to do in Barcelona. Browse through our website to discover all the top sights and attractions in Barcelona. If you want a pocket travel guide on the go, make sure you download our free Barcelona Travel Guide app.