Layover in Barcelona

Transiting through Barcelona International Airport

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), known simply as Barcelona Airport, is the busiest airport in Spain, welcoming more than 50 million passengers each year. Located 15 kilometers from the city center, the airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, the latter of which is divided into Terminals 2A, 2B, and 2C. 

Each of the terminals is connected by a free shuttle bus, but Terminal 2 is also interconnected, making it easy to walk between gates. If you have a Barcelona Airport layover, you can choose to spend it exploring the onsite amenities, or you can venture downtown or beyond with private and public transport options available 24/7.

Things to Do at the Airport

Passengers with a short layover in Barcelona can spend their time browsing boutique and high-end stores such as Deisgual, Ray-Ban, and Buff, or pass the time with some duty-free shopping.

For those looking for a bite to eat, you can sample Spanish tapas and wine at Santomaria, Piscolabis, or Tapa Tapa, or sit down for a la carte dining at one of several restaurants, including Como, La Botiga, and Tabernnus.

Traveling with children? Each terminal provides free pushchairs and playground areas where children can burn off some energy before boarding your flight, or as an extra treat, they might like to pick out a new book or toy at Ale-Hop.

If you’re after some peace and quiet, we recommend checking into an airport lounge where you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks in a comfortable setting.

*Download the Aena Airport app [Android | iOS] to help find your way around the airport and discover all of what’s on offer.

Barcelona Airport Transit Hotels and Lounges

If you’re stopping at Barcelona Airport with an overnight layover, you might like to get some proper rest before hopping on your next flight. If you have just a few hours in between flights, there is a Barcelona Airport transit hotel in Terminal 1, called Sleep & Fly, that offers hourly and day rates, allowing you to rest and take a shower.

If you have a longer layover in Barcelona, you might prefer to venture out of the terminal to the nearby Barcelona Airport Hotel or Salles Ciutat del Prat Hotel, both of which offer a free 5-minute shuttle.

Alternatively, you can relax and unwind at one of the premium lounges, such as the Canudas Lounge in Terminal 2 or the Pau Casals Lounge in Terminal 1, both of which provide showers. For a full list of lounges and their respective location, check out our Barcelona Airport Guide.

Tips for a Short Layover at Barcelona Airport

• Get a taste of Catalan culture at the Barça Store, where you can pick up souvenirs and merchandise.
• Organise your onward travel arrangements using the free WiFi, and exchange any currency as needed.
• Take a shower or a nap at the Sleep & Fly Transit Hotel

Tips for a Long Layover in Barcelona

• If you don’t quite have enough time to leave the airport, consider splashing out on a lounge pass so you can relax and unwind in comfort and peace.
• If you’d like to visit attractions in the city center, plan your trip out in advance to make the most of your time. For hassle-free travel around some of Barcelona’s most famous sights, you can book sightseeing rides for 1-8 people with Welcome Pickups.
• Always plan accordingly based on your layover times.
  

Layover in Barcelona: What to Do During Your Stopover

If you’re wondering, “Can you leave Barcelona Airport during a layover?”,  the answer is yes, as long as you have enough time and the correct visa (if necessary). Barcelona city center is easily reachable by taxi, private transfer, train, or bus in just 20 to 30 minutes, with the train stopping at “Barcelona-Sants”, and the Aerobus at Plaça de Catalunya.

With 7-8 hours to spare, you could comfortably visit the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, explore the nooks and crannies of Las Ramblas, and wander through the Mercat de la Boqueria. If you have a little extra time, you could hop on a train or walk to Park Güell, where you can further admire the magic of Antoni Gaudí.

For complete flexibility without the stress and hassle of public transport, you can opt for a sightseeing tour with Welcome Pickups. Tours are affordable and can cater to up to 8 people, ranging from 2 to 12 hours. You can choose from a number of city highlight tours with stops at La Sagrada Familia, Passeig de Gracia, Arc de Triomf, or longer day trips with the option to visit three countries in one day!

Practical Information

Visa Required: Certain nationalities may require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) or a short-stay Schengen visa.

Average Flight Connection Time: Allow between 1-1.5 hours for flights within the same terminal with bags checked through, or at least 2.5 hours if you need to collect your luggage, change terminals, and check in again.

Minimum Time Needed to Leave the Airport: 7-8 hours

Flight Connections

If your flight includes a transit through Barcelona Airport, and your bags aren’t checked all the way through and you’re not departing from the same terminal, you’ll need at least 2.5 hours between flights. Otherwise, allowing 1.5 hours between flights should be sufficient.

Here are the different scenarios and what you’ll need to do for each one. To help prepare for your connection, take a look at where each airline arrives and departs from.

Arriving/departing from the same terminal:

Luggage checked through: Passengers who already have a boarding pass for their next destination should follow the signs for “Connecting Flights” and proceed to the gate listed on the information display screens. Otherwise, you can have your new boarding pass printed at the transit counter or one of the self-service kiosks. If you are transferring from the Schengen area to the non-Schengen area and vice versa, you will also need to clear Immigration and potentially Security.

Luggage not checked through: You will need to exit the boarding area through Immigration (not required if arriving from a Schengen country), collect your luggage, and check in again on the Departures level. Since this may require passing through Security and Immigration, if you are non-European, make sure you have the correct visa for entering Spain, and allow at least 2 hours. 

Arriving at T1 or T2 (T2A, T2B, or T2C) but departing from a different terminal:

Schengen to Schengen: Make your way to the Baggage Claim area, collect your luggage, and then exit through the Arrivals Hall. Follow the signs to the “Free Bus Shuttle,” which will transfer you to your next terminal, so that you can check in again – if necessary – and clear Security.

Non-Schengen to Schengen: After disembarking, follow the signs to “Immigration,” where you will need to present your passport and visa (if required). You will then need to collect your luggage and take the free shuttle to your next terminal. Once there, follow regular check-in procedures if you need to check in luggage and collect a boarding pass, before proceeding through Security.