Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is approximately 15 km from the city center, taking around 20 minutes by road. You have six transport options: Barcelona Airport taxi, private transfer, train, metro, airport shuttle bus, or the local bus. The fastest options are via airport taxi or Barcelona Airport transfer, as these services are door-to-door and take just 20 minutes.

You have several choices if you want to use Barcelona’s public transport system.  You can take the metro or a suburban train in around 20-30 minutes, although the metro requires a change to get to the heart of the city. The train will take you to Barcelona-Sants in the center. You can also catch the Aerobus, which is direct and takes you to Pl. Catalunya in 35 minutes.

Finally, the cheapest way to get from Barcelona Airport to the city is to use the local bus network, but these routes have more stops. However, the night bus is handy for those landing after midnight.

6 options to get from El Prat Airport to Barcelona

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€40 20min 24/7
Convenience
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Taxi
€35 20min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Metro
€11.40 30min 05:00–00:00
Convenience
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Train
€9.80 20min 05:42–23:38
Convenience
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Aerobus
€14.50 35min 24/7
Convenience
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Local Bus
€5.30 40min 24/7
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How to get from Barcelona Airport to city center by taxi

Taking a taxi from Barcelona Airport to the city is one of the most convenient ways to travel. Official airport taxis are available on tap from the ranks outside the terminals and the vehicles are black and yellow.

There is usually a taxi queue, which means you will have to wait for your ride. Under normal circumstances, the journey takes 20 minutes to reach central Barcelona.

Taxi cost from Barcelona Airport to the city center

Barcelona Airport taxis do not offer fixed fares for rides to Barcelona. Instead, it will be calculated using a taximeter. Your final fare depends on the distance traveled, the time of day, traffic levels, and so on.

That being said, the average cost of a taxi from Barcelona Airport to the city center is between €35 and €45.

*There is a minimum charge of €20 for rides from the airport and a surcharge of €4.50. So if your hotel is closer to the airport than the center, you may pay more than necessary.

Where do I get it from?

The airport taxi ranks are located directly outside the arrivals areas of T1, T2A, T2B, and T2C. Simply follow the taxi signs from Arrivals and you’ll see official taxis lined up in ranks just outside. Additionally, if you need more information or support, the official taxi service booth is on the ground floor of T1.

Convenience

Traveling from EL Prat Airport to Barcelona by taxi is ideal for a quick and direct transfer. Hiring a cab is an excellent choice if you are in a rush and want to get to your destination while simultaneously avoiding the busy airport crowds.

However, the queues at the ranks can get quite long when the airport is busy. So, if you’re traveling during peak season (July-September) or public holidays, you may end up waiting a while for an empty taxi.

Useful Tips

Never get in an unlicensed taxi at Barcelona Airport. Instead, use the official taxis from the rank or book with a reliable private transfer provider.
Taxi prices from Terminal 2 are often cheaper as the terminal is closer to the city center.
Barcelona Airport taxis calculate fares using a taximeter, with a base fare of €2.75
Taxis in Barcelona can fit up to 4 people with 3 pieces of luggage.
For more than 4 passengers or more than 3 pieces of luggage you will have to book a minivan.
Daytime rates are applied between 08:00 and 20:00, otherwise you'll be charged a night fare.
Wheelchairs, guide dogs and prams or strollers are free of charge.
Most taxis at Barcelona Airport accept credit card payments, but not always. You should always ask your driver if they take card payments before starting your trip.

How to get from Barcelona Airport to the city by metro

The good news is that El Prat Airport is directly connected with the metropolitan area of Barcelona by metro. The Orange L9 Sud Line (L9S) connects Barcelona Airport to the city center, stopping at both terminals. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes, and the closest stop to the center is “Zona Universitària.”

However, the L9 line does not directly pass through the major transport hubs in the center, such as Plaça de Catalunya, Estació Sants, or Plaça España. This means that if your final destination is located more centrally, you will have to change to the green, red, or blue lines. We advise checking which metro station is closest to your hotel so that you can plan accordingly.

If you stop at “Torrassa” on L9, you can get on the red line (L1) to “Plaça de Catalunya” in the center. Likewise, you can change at “Collblanc” to get on the blue line (L5) towards “Vall d’Hebron” or get off at “Zona Universitària” to hop on the green line (L3).

How much is the metro from Barcelona Airport to city center?

Standard single metro tickets are invalid for routes to and from Barcelona El Prat Airport. Instead, you need a special airport ticket called “Billete Aeropuerto.” Therefore, the metro from Barcelona Airport to the city center costs €5.70 one-way. Tickets are valid for one journey between the T1 and T2 stations on line L9 Sud and the rest of the metro network.

Single tickets, T-casual, and T-grup tickets are not valid for use on the airport metro service. Meanwhile, the airport metro tickets are included in the Barcelona Essentials Pass, the City Pass, and the HolaBCN Card.

*You can purchase your tickets from the vending machines at the airport or any metro station.

Cost
€5.70
Trip Duration
30 Min
The average waiting time for the Barcelona Airport metro is around 7 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Barcelona metro runs from 05:00 until 00:00. Excluding Fridays when the metro runs until 02:00 and Saturdays, when the metro operates 24 hours.

Where do I get it from?

There are two metro stations at BCN Airport, Aeroport 1 and Aeroport 2. Aeroport 1 Station is in Terminal 1 on the ground floor, close to the bus station. Aeroport 2 Station is situated next to the airport train station, just outside Terminal 2. Simply follow the metro signs from arrivals.

Convenience

Taking the L9 metro from Barcelona Airport to the city is practical as the line connects El Prat Airport to Barcelona. However, the stops are slightly outside the central ring. So, if your hotel is located in the heart of the city, you may need to take another line to your final destination, making this option less convenient.

Timetables

L9 Sud Metro

Map

Airport Ticket Information

Prices

Useful Tips

If you're traveling from the city center to Barcelona Airport, you must have a special airport ticket. Otherwise, you will have to buy one upon exiting the station at the airport.
Don't forget to validate your ticket using the automated machines.
The metro doesn't operate after midnight.
There is no luggage storage on metro trains.
The L9 Sud metro line is accessible for people with reduced mobility. All stations on the line have been fitted with lifts and accessible entrances and exits.

How to get from Barcelona Airport to the city by train

The local Rodalies R2 train (Nord Line) conveniently connects Barcelona El Prat to the city of Barcelona. It’s a useful solution as the train is direct and only takes 20 minutes to reach “Barcelona-Sants” in the center, stopping at “El Prat de Llobregat” and “Bellvitge” along the way.

How much is the train from Barcelona Airport to city center?

BCN Airport is in Zone 4, and the city center is part of Zone 1, so you will need a ticket valid for four zones. This means a single ticket for the Rodalies R2N train from Barcelona Airport to the city costs €4.90.

Tickets can be purchased at Barcelona Airport train station using the automated ticket machines on the right as you enter the station. You can also buy them directly from the ticket booths.

Cost
€4.90
Trip Duration
20 Min
Average waiting time for the R2N train is 30 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Renfe R2 Suburban train operates from 05:42 until 23:38.

Where do I get it from?

The train station is next to Terminal 2, a few minutes walk from the gates. You can just follow the train signs once you exit the Arrivals Hall. If you land at Terminal 1, take the free Barcelona Airport shuttle bus to T2 and then follow the signs to the station.

Convenience

Getting from Barcelona Airport to the city by train is convenient, as the service is direct and drops you in the heart of Barcelona, at Barcelona-Sants Station.

However, it’s worth noting that these commuter trains get overcrowded during rush hours (08:00-09:30 and 19:00-21:00) and peak season (July-September). This could mean queues, busy services, and a longer journey time.

Timetables

R2 Train Fares

R2N Timetable

Useful Tips

We recommended double-checking if there is a station nearby your hotel. If not, you may have to change onto the metro at Barcelona-Sants.
Line R2 has three sublines and only the R2 Nord Line stops at the airport.
The R2N Train is fully accessible for people with reduced mobility.
Children under the age of 4 travel free.
There is some space for luggage on the train, although less so during rush hours.
You can purchase a T-Casual ticket costing €12.55. It is valid for ten journeys on the Barcelona Airport train, buses and metro.

How to get from Barcelona Airport to the city by bus

The Aerobus lines directly connect Barcelona Airport and the city center. Line A1 departs from Terminal 1 and Line A2 leaves from Terminal 2. Both lines take approximately 35 minutes to get to “Pl. Catalunya” in central Barcelona.

How much is the bus from Barcelona Airport to city?

A one-way ticket for the Aerobus from Barcelona Airport to the city center costs €7.25, and a return is priced at €12.50. You can buy your tickets online in advance, from the self-service machines at the airport, or from the driver on the bus.

If you plan on using Barcelona’s public transport network throughout your stay, you can secure discounts by purchasing combined tickets and travel cards. You can buy a Hola Barcelona travel card, which includes a return ticket for the Aerobus. Hola travel cards are valid for 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours, depending on your purchase. Prices start from €26.80

Cost
€7.25
Trip Duration
35 Min
Aerobus A1 leaves every 5-10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes after 01:05 until 05:35. Aerobus A2 departs every 10 minutes during the day, and every 20 minutes between 23:00 and 05:35.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Aerobus services run 24 hours a day from El Prat.

Where do I get it from?

Aerobus A1 departs from the Terminal 1 bus stop. Just follow the bus signs out of Arrivals and you’ll see the bus stop opposite you.

Likewise, the A2 bus leaves from the bus stop outside Terminal 2B and another stop outside Terminal 2C. From Arrivals, look for the signs leading the way.

Convenience

The Aerobus lines from Barcelona Airport are a convenient mode of transport, especially as they run 24 hours a day. The lines are direct, depart frequently from the airport, and leave you in the heart of Barcelona.

However, these services are very popular and tend to get very busy during peak season. So, you may struggle to find a spot on the bus during the summer months.

Timetables

Barcelona Airport Bus Timetable

Aerobus A1: Terminal 1 to Placa Catalunya

Barcelona Airport Bus Timetable

Aerobus A2 : T2B and T2C to Placa Catalunya

Barcelona Airport Bus TIckets

Fares and Travel Cards

Useful Tips

Tickets are valid for 90 days from the date of purchase. For round-trip tickets, the validity of the return ticket is another 90 days from the date of the outbound trip.
The Aerobuses offer plenty of storage space, Wi-Fi, and charging ports.
Children under 4 years old travel for free.
Aerobús services are fully adapted for people with reduced mobility.

How to get from Barcelona Airport to the city center by bus

You can also opt for the local buses departing from BCA Airport to the city center. There is a TMB day service and a Nitbus night service, so you can catch a bus even if you arrive late.

TMB Bus 46 provides a direct route from both terminals at BCA Airport to “Placa Espanya” in around 40 minutes, stopping at 14 stops before reaching the center.

If you arrive at night, you can hop on the Nitbus N17 service. The ride also takes approximately 45 minutes, ending at “Pl Catalunya – Bergara.” However, the bus only stops at T1, so you will need to catch the airport shuttle first if you land at T2.

How much is the bus from Barcelona Airport to city center?

The local bus services are the cheapest way to travel from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona. A single ticket for either service costs just €2.65.

T-casual cards are also eligible for local buses, allowing you to buy a pack of 10 trips for €12.55. These tickets are especially useful for those using public transport throughout their stay.

You can buy your tickets online, from the ticket machines and counters at the airport, or the driver on the bus.

Cost
€2.65
Trip Duration
40 Min
Both buses depart every 15-20 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Bus 46 operates from 05:30 until 23:50 on weekdays, from 05:30 to 23:05 on Saturdays, and between 05:30 to 23:08 on Sundays and public holidays. Bus N17 operates between 21:55 and 04:50.

Where do I get it from?

You can catch bus 46 from the bus stop outside Terminals 1 and 2. For T1, follow the signs for buses and taxis. The bus stop is located just outside Arrivals. For T2, you can follow the signs down to the lower levels where all the bus stops are located.

Alternatively, the night bus only stops at the bus stop outside Terminal 1. So you will need to catch the airport shuttle if you arrive at T2.

Convenience

Buses run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and tickets are cheap. This means that no matter what time of day you land at Barcelona Airport, you can jump on a bus.

However, you shouldn’t opt for the local buses if you are in a rush or have lots of luggage, as they make a lot of intermediate stops and tend to be slower.

Timetables

All Buses

Bus Map Barcelona

Bus N17 Timetable

Night Bus from Terminal 1 to Plaza Catalunya

Bus 46 Timetable

From Barcelona Airport to Plaza Espanya

Useful Tips

You may have to wait for the next service during peak season and rush hours, as the local bus lines are used by travelers and locals alike.
Children under 4 years of age travel for free.
Night Bus N17 only travels to Terminal 1.
There is limited luggage storage on local buses.
Don't forget to validate your ticket.

How to get from El Prat Airport to Barcelona by private transfer

A private transfer is an ideal choice for travelers seeking a hassle-free way to get from El Prat Airport to Barcelona. Instead of waiting in line for a taxi at the rank, you can get straight into a pre-booked vehicle upon arrival.

Private transfer services, like those offered by Welcome Pickups, are renowned for their comfort and convenience. These services provide numerous benefits designed to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible:

  • Meet and greet
  • Professional, English-speaking drivers
  • Flight monitoring
  • Fixed fares with no surprises
  • 24/7 customer support

 

By choosing a private transfer, you can arrange everything in advance – ensuring a seamless experience on the day of your arrival. Additionally, your local English-speaking driver will give you a mini tour of the city on the way to your hotel, offering local insights and recommendations to help you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

Price of a private transfer from Barcelona Airport to city center

Booking a Barcelona Airport transfer in advance ensures you receive a fixed quote, allowing you to pay ahead of time and avoid any stress on the day of travel.

Nevertheless, a transfer from Barcelona Airport to the city center costs €39 during the day and €42 at night in one of our modern sedans. A minivan is priced at €66.60 for daytime trips and €77.70 for nighttime rides, while a minibus costs €108 and €126 respectively.

You can easily book through our website or app in just a few minutes. Provide your personal details, flight number, and pick-up time to receive a fixed quote. This price includes all surcharges and is not subject to any hidden fees. So even if traffic causes delays, you won’t pay anything extra.

Cost
€40
Trip Duration
20 Min
Booking your private transfer from BCA Airport in advance is the best way to ensure a seamless experience.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Private transfer are available 24 hours a day from Barcelona El Prat.

Where do I get it from?

Instead of landing and lining up for a taxi, you can experience a personalized meet and greet right in Arrivals. Your friendly, English-speaking driver will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name, ensuring you can easily spot them. After a warm welcome, they will assist with your luggage and guide you to your pre-booked vehicle.

Convenience

While taxis from Barcelona Airport are a viable option, private transfers provide greater convenience and a more comprehensive experience. They are especially popular amongst business travelers and families, as they save time and ensure the best service. Knowing all the details have been handled before you fly lets you relax and get your trip off to the best start.

Useful Tips

We recommend setting the pickup time to 20-30 minutes after the landing time to leave enough time to clear arrivals procedures.
Our modern sedans can seat up to 4 people, our larger minivans can take up to 8, and our spacious minibuses are for groups of up to 12.
A few days before you fly, you will receive an email including your driver's name, details, and vehicle information so that you know what to expect on the day.
If you need a child booster or baby seat, you can request one during the booking process online or using the app.

Barcelona Airport private transfers

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Sedan

Sedan up to 4 passengers

€26Starting from 6.5 EUR / passenger

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Minivan up to 8 passengers

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Frequently asked questions

How to get from Barcelona Airport to city?

There are six modes of transport from Barcelona Airport to the city: taxi, private transfer, train, metro, airport shuttle bus, or the local bus. The quickest way is to get an airport taxi or private transfer, as these services take just 20 minutes to drop you off at your hotel. When it comes to using Barcelona’s public transport system, there are a few options. You can take the metro or a suburban train in 30 minutes. Or, the Barcelona Airport Aerobus provides a direct line to Pl. Catalunya in 35 minutes. The cheapest way is to catch a local bus, although these services can take longer.

How much is a taxi from Barcelona Airport to city center?

How much is the train from Barcelona Airport to the city?

Is there a train station at Barcelona Airport?

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