Barcelona El Prat Airport is located approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southwest of the city center of Barcelona, Spain. The distance between the airport and the city center is relatively short, around 20-50 minutes. The journey time can vary depending on the mode of transportation, traffic conditions, and your specific destination within the city.
To get from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center, you have several transportation options available. Here are the most common ways to make the journey.
Aerobus
The Aerobus is a dedicated shuttle service that connects the airport terminals with key locations in the city center. They are big busses, light blue in colour.
The A1 line runs between the city centre and Terminal 1 while the A2 runs between the city centre and Terminal 2. Both lines pass through Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça de Espanya (plus two other stops).
The buses run 24-hours a day, 365 days per year. They are comfortable and equipped with ample luggage storage. They also have free WiFi and USB charging plugs – although these plugs aren’t always working, so don’t count on them 100%
The journey from the airport to the city center takes between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
Tickets
Tickets cost €6.75 one-way or €11.65 return. The return is valid for 90 days. Children under four years old travel free.
Discounts for single parents and big families are also available. To benefit from this you need to be registered as living in Spain, and apply for a single parent or big family discount card. This card entitles you to discounts not only on the Aerobus but for other services in Spain.
You can purchase tickets directly at the bus stops, at the airport terminals or online. They can also be bought on the bus from the driver. You can pay with cash or card, although the driver may not except notes of a particularly high denomination.
For those who need to travel further by metro or bus after they have taken the Aerobus, there is a convenient combi ticket that you can purchase for €7.90. This includes a one-way journey on the Aerobus, followed by a single journey on public transport (ordinarily a single ticket without the combi would cost €2.40).
To buy tickets and to check if there is any planned disruption to the route, you can consult the Aerobus website.
Departure points
At the airport, the Aerobus stop is easy to find; simply follow the bus signs from the arrival hall. Once you get outside the terminal, just look for the big blue bus with 'Aerobus' written across the side.
In Plaça de Catalunya, the Aerobus stop is located in front of the big Corte Inglés shopping centre.
Be very vigilant about your luggage, especially when buying tickets but also on the bus. Thieves frequently target tourists arriving in the city!
Metro
Barcelona's metro connects the airport with Line L9, which runs from the airport until Zona Universitaria, passing from Fira (exibition centre) and Collblanc (connected to Line L5) and Torrassa (connected to Line L1).
There are a few things to think about before deciding to travel by metro:
- You can’t use a regular metro ticket to get to the airport (see link below)
- Unless your final destination is on Line L9, you are going to have to change - and you will not always find lifts to help you with your luggage.
- Unless you take the metro at the first station of the line is unlikely you will get a seat.
- The metro can become very crowed during peak hours.
- You should watch your belongings like a hawk, particularly when the trains are crowded. Pickpockets between the airport and the city centre are common.
- Unlike Aerobus, the metro doesn’t run throughout the night..
To travel from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center using the metro, you can follow these steps:
- Terminal Information: Determine which terminal you are arriving at: Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (T2).
- Access the Metro: Both terminals have metro stations. If you arrive at T1, you'll find the metro station within the terminal building. If you arrive at T2, follow the signs to the metro station located near the terminal.
- Choose the right line: The L9 Sud metro line connects the airport to the city center. This line has two branches: L9S1 and L9S2. L9S1 goes to Zona Universitària, while L9S2 goes to Can Tries - Gornal. Make sure that you are on the correct branch depending on your destination.
- Buy a ticket: Purchase a single metro ticket at the airport station. Note that a regular metro ticket can’t be used to reach the airport; you need a special ticket that costs €5.15. You can buy it online or at the machines located in metro stations. Many - though not all - of these machines accept cash. They all accept major credit and debit cards, although some machines might not process cards that do not have PIN numbers.
Renfe Train
The R2 Nord line of the Renfe train network connects the airport to the city center. The train stops at major stations, including Sants Estació and Passeig de Gràcia. Trains are generally efficient and provide a direct route to the city.
The main benefit of using the Renfe train system is the cost. You can purchase a book of 10 tickets for €13. This works out as €1.30 per journey, and can take you anywhere on the public transport network.
Unfortunately, only Terminal 2 is served by this train. Therefore, if you arrive at Terminal 1, you may find it more convenient and quicker to take alternative transportation, such as the metro or Aerobus - although there is a free shuttle bus that runs between the two terminals (ever 5-10 minutes, apart from between 8pm and midnight when the buses run every hour).
The Renfe train also only runs every 30 minutes from the airport, which is not as frequently as other modes of public transport. Trains are not 24 hours; they run from 5.20am to 11pm.
Taxi
Taxis are a convenient and widely used mode of transportation in Barcelona. They offer a flexible way to get around the city, especially when traveling with luggage or in groups.
The exact fare will obviously depend on your final destination and traffic conditions. Most rides from the airport into Barcelona will cost between €20 and €40. There is a fixed supplement from the airport of €4.30, on top of the regular meter cost. There are also some additional costs that you may incur, as highlighted below.
Taxis are readily available throughout the city, and you can easily find them at taxi stands, major transportation hubs, hotels and in popular tourist areas. Look for licensed taxis with an official taxi sign on the roof. These taxis are metered and regulated by the city. Taxis in Barcelona are typically black and yellow, making them easy to spot.
Taxis in Barcelona are equipped with meters that calculate fares based on distance traveled and time spent in the taxi. The starting fare and subsequent per-kilometer rate are regulated by the city.
Taxi-hailing apps such Free Now are available in Barcelona, allowing you to book and track taxis using your smartphone.
Most taxis in Barcelona accept both cash and credit or debit cards for payment. However, it is a good idea to carry some cash on you in case card payment is not possible - or ask before you get in.
Tipping is optional, but it is fairly common to round up the fare or add a little extra for good service.
The most popular ride-sharing service in Barcelona is Cabify. Uber is not operational in the city at the moment.