Barcelona Airport Transfers: Ultimate Guide to City Centre Transport Options For Visitors to Barcelona
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Barcelona International Airport (BCN) is approximately 13 km from the city centre and provides the gateway for airline travellers visiting the city. The official name for the airport is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. However, being a mouthful of a name, most people just call it Barcelona airport or El Prat airport. The airport has two terminals Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). We will indicate which transport options operate from each. However, there is a convenient free airport shuttle bus that runs between both terminals making it easy for you to go to either terminal if you need to.
Barcelona airport has many different forms of transport to the city centre and the aim of this page is to enable you to assess which tranport options is right for you or your group. Whenever possible we have also provided you with a means to book your transport in advance so that you have everything ready for your trip to Barcelona.
This page gives you an in-depth guide to the Barcelona airport transport and transfer options to the city centre. The journey time from the airport to the centre is typically between 20 to 50 minutes depending on the type of transport you choose and the time of day and traffic conditions.
Private transfers: The most convenient way to travel from BCN airport to your accommodation
Probably the easiest and most convenient way to arrive at your hotel from the BCN airport by private transfer and is a recommended way for those that want a stress-free way to arrive at your accommodation in the city centre. Unlike most other forms of transport this is a "door to door" service meaning it will drop you right outside your accommodation or destination. This is unlike most other forms of transport from the airport where you would need to make your own way to your hotel once you leave your transport drop off point. When you are dropped right outside your accommodation you don't need to worry about finding your way on the last leg of your journey, giving you the ultimate in a stress-free journey from BCN Airport and is the best option for those looking for the most convenient and comfortable transport option. The other advantage to this service is you can book vehicles of different sizes from a standard sized car to a minivan that can accommodate up to 12 people. This means your group can always travel together in comfort. You will need to book you private transfer service online in advance of your trip because you cannot book it at the airport itself. You can also book a return journey when you make your booking. The private transfer service can pick you up or drop you off at both terminals of Barcelona airport.
Booking your airport transport in advance onlineWith a private transfer service the driver will be waiting for you at the designated meeting point given to you on the booking voucher. The driver will help you with your bags to the vehicle and then drive you to your hotel. Private transfers are independent of the the public transport system. This means if there is a public transport strike these services will continue to operate.
Public Transport Options
You have quite a variety of transport options from Barcelona airport to the city centre (Plaça de Catalunya). All of them are a reliable, efficient and clean means of transport.
Barcelona Airport Taxis
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| Barcelona Taxis |
Tel: +34 93 303 3033
Travelling by Taxi is a low cost and convenient way to get from the airport to the city centre, especially if you have a family or a lot of luggage.
You will find a taxi rank outside any of the main terminal exits Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (and of the 3 buildings of Terminal 2 - T2A, T2B or T2C). Look for the sign pointing to the nearest taxi rank. The taxis operate all night and there are several hundred of them so you don't have to worry about not being able to catch a cab.
The journey to the city centre will take you between 20 to 30 minutes depending on road conditions. If you are travelling from Terminal 1 rather than Terminal 2, this will add an extra 4 km to your journey and take approximately 5 minutes more.
If you have special needs or need a cab specially adapted for passengers with a disability call this number:
Tel: +34 93 420 8088
Taxi Fare
T1: €40.00
T2: €30.00
There are additional surcharges for pickup and drop off at Barcelona Airport and the cruise port. You'll find the rates and surcharges displayed on window stickers at the back of the cab.
All official Barcelona taxis are black and yellow and are required to charge you only the value on the meter (plus any surcharge). Surcharges added for travelling to/from the airport, cruise terminal or an exhibition centre, late night travel or travel during public holidays. All rates and surcharges are clearly displayed on window stickers in the cab.
The taxi service in Barcelona is generally good, clean and reliable.
Visit our in-depth information page on Barcelona Taxis.
Aerobus - Express Bus Service: Express bus service to Barcelona city centre from the airport
Tel: +34 90 092 9692
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| Aerobus |
The Aerobus service is an express bus service that links Barcelona airport to the city centre. This service normally runs between 5 and 10 minutes within its fixed hours of operation.
You can catch the Aerobus from outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The Aerobus will then take you to the city centre where you can alight either at Plaça España or Plaça de Catalunya. There are other stops which we recommend you refer to our detailed page on the Aerobus that lists these.
Tickets to both T1 and T2 cost the same.
Single Ticket: €7.25
Return Ticket: €12.50
Return Ticket Valid: 90 days
Visit our in-depth information page on the Barcelona airport Aerobus service for more detailed information including timetable.
TMB Airport Bus To City Centre (Number 46)
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| Barcelona airport bus number 46 |
This bus operates during the day from both airport terminals. The no. 46 bus travels from the city centre stopping first at T2. It then continues on to T1. This bus has more stops than the Aerobus and takes more time to travel to the city centre however the big advantage of using this bus is you can use the T-Casual transport ticket on this journey unlike for the Aerobus. We have written a detailed page on this bus service which you can find by following the link below.
TMB Bus Number 46
Operating hours: 04:50 - 23:50
Airport Night Bus: NitBus N17
NitBus is the bus that operates between Barcelona Airport and the city centre. You can also use the T-Casual on this bus. We have put together a detailed page on the NitBus which you can find by following the link below.
NitBus N17
Operating hours: 21:55 - 04:45
Single Ticket: €2.55
Trains From Barcelona Airport
RENFE TrainTel: +34 91 232 0320 (International)
Tel: +34 91 232 0320
The RENFE train service runs approximately every 30 minutes to and from Barcelona airport to the city centre. Travel time approximately 25 minutes.
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| Renfe train station at Barcelona airport |
You can catch the train from Clot, Passeig de Gràcia , or Barcelona Sants (otherwise known as Sants Estació) The name of the stop you want for the airport is Aeropuerto.
If travelling from the airport to the city centre you can get off at Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Clot which are serviced by metro stops. From these you can change for the Barcelona metro 
underground system to go to your final destination.
If you have not bought a T-Casual ticket and just purchased a normal ticket then you will have to buy another ticket for the change at Estació Sants (Barcelona Sants). If you have a T-Casual ticket you can change without paying an additional charge. The metro runs directly from Barcelona Sants station and from Passeig de Gràcia.
If you are arriving into Terminal 1, a shuttle bus will take you from outside of the terminal to the train station entrance.
Locations to Purchase Your T-Casual ticket
You can purchase a T-Casual ticket from any metro stop or at the entrance to the RENFE train platform at Barcelona Airport.
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A better alternative to the T-Casual might be the Hola Barcelona Travel Card that offers unlimited travel on Barcelona public transport. You won't have to worry about the number of journeys you have left on your T-Casual Ticket or about purchasing a new one that you might not entirely use. With the Hola Barcelona you can travel unlimitedly and worry-free while saving money. Hola Barcelona Travel Pass
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The Barcelona Card also gives you Free travel on the RENFE train from the airport to the city centre
See our detailed page on the Barcelona Card
Barcelona Sants station is a major rail station that offers train connections to many other destinations outside Barcelona.
The train will drop you off about 5 minutes walk from the airport main entrance for Terminal 2. If you need to go to Terminal 1, there is a shuttle bus that leaves from directly outside the train station.
Timetable for RENFE Trains between the airport and city centre
For an up to the minute train timetable click on the following link RENFE train service.
Ticket Price
Single ticket: €4.90
Alternatively you can use the T-Casual Ticket for your journey to and from the airport to Sants Station. The T-Casual ticket can also be used for other journeys on the buses and metro.
Visit our in-depth information page on the Barcelona Airport RENFE train
Metro to Barcelona Airport L9 Metro link
The L9 metro line connects Barcelona Airport to the city centre. There are two stops at Barcelona airport which are called: Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2. The airport metro service operates to the same hours as the normal metro system.
Airport metro
Single ticket: €5.50
The Barcelona Airport metro is included with the Hola Barcelona Travel Pass.
For more information on the metro connection to the city centre see our page on Travelling to Barcelona Airport on the Metro system.
How To Book Your Parking Online For Barcelona Airport Terminals 1 and 2
You can book online to ensure availability of your parking space at Barcelona Airport by following the links in the table below.
| Short stay car parks at Barcelona Airport (El Prat de Llobregat, BCN): Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) |
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|---|---|---|
| Car park name | Location | Walking distance to car park in metres |
| Barcelona Airport T1 |
150 m | |
Main airport car park at T2 (AENA Car Park) |
Barcelona Airport T2 |
100 m |
| Long stay car parks (Larga Estancia) near Barcelona Airport (BCN) with free shuttle bus |
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|---|---|---|
| Car park name | Location | Driving time to car park |
| AENA Car Park long stay car park |
Barcelona Airport long stay car park for T1 and T2. |
3 Minutes |
More information about parking at Barcelona Airport (BCN).
More information about parking in Barcelona city centre.
Airport to the Barcelona Cruise Terminal
Transfer to popular destinations outside Barcelona
Click on the link below to find out how to get to the following popular destinations using Barcelona Airport Transport.
Girona/Gerona, Reus, Salou, Sitges, Blanes
To learn more see our page on transfers to other popular destinations outside Barcelona.
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Did you know you can enjoy unlimited travel on public transport for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days? See for free top attractions in Barcelona and get a 10% discount for other attractions which you wish to visit? Barcelona Essentials Pass
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