Uber Barcelona: Everything you need to know

Whether you need a transfer from the airport or an in-city ride – you can find all the information you need about using Uber in Barcelona right here. This guide covers the cost of taking an Uber, alternative transport options, and which is the best choice for you throughout your stay.

Is there Uber in Barcelona?

Yes, you can use Uber in Barcelona, although it still seems to be gaining popularity in the region since limited drivers are available, which often results in longer wait times. Passengers can choose to use Uber’s services or connect with a regular Barcelona taxi. 

To request an Uber, open the Uber app and enter your pickup location and destination. There are several types of vehicle and service available, including:

• UberX
• Comfort
• Uber Pet
• Van
• Uber Black

UberX is the standard and generally most affordable service, whereas Comfort and Uber Black vehicles are more spacious and newer. There is also Uber Pet for those traveling with a furry friend and Van, which is similar to UberX but can accommodate six rather than four passengers. 

Lastly, you can also choose to book a regular taxi when using Uber in Barcelona. There are two choices: metered taxis that charge the same rates as a taxi off the street and a Taxi Precio Cerrado (T3), which offer fixed fares upfront.

How much is Uber in Barcelona?

The price of your Barcelona Uber depends on the distance and duration of the ride and driver demand are at the time of booking. Due to expensive licensing requirements, there are fewer Uber drivers in Barcelona than other cities. This can drive up prices and result in higher fares than regular taxis. 

The exception is when traveling from Barcelona Airport to the city center, which on average costs €25 for a regular Uber. Whereas taking a regular taxi costs between €35 and €40.

The app offers benefits such as real-time price estimates and card payments. so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash. 

When you book a regular taxi through the app, your fare is calculated using a taximeter, based on the current rates set by the local government.

If you choose a metered taxi, the final price of your Uber in Barcelona will depend on how far you’re traveling and the time of day. You can expect to pay around €8-€12 for a short ride in downtown Barcelona.

*Tolls and surcharges may be added to your final fare for Uber and taxi rates.

Alternatives to taking an Uber in Barcelona

From the airport

There is a dedicated ride-sharing pickup area at Barcelona Airport, which makes finding your Barcelona Uber easy. However, there can still be lengthy wait times, and driver availability is unpredictable.

Instead, you can secure a reliable and convenient transfer to or from the airport by pre-booking a Barcelona Airport taxi with a highly-rated company like Welcome Pickups. You’ll be treated to a modern air-conditioned vehicle waiting for you on arrival with your English-speaking driver.

If you prefer to use a regular taxi, it’s easy enough to get one from the ranks as you exit the terminal. Although there’s a chance your driver will only speak Catalan or Spanish. In any case, when traveling from the airport, you’ll be offered a fixed-rate fare, much like you would with a private airport taxi.

Getting around Barcelona

There are significantly more regular taxis on the street than Uber drivers, so you never need to worry about finding a ride. You can hail Barcelona taxis from the street or take one from the hundreds of taxi ranks in the city, including:

• Plaza Catalunya
• Sants Railway Station
• Nord Bus Station

Several other ride-hailing apps are popular in Barcelona, the best being FreeNow, Cabify and Bolt (which offer services similar to Uber.)

If you like to plan ahead, Welcome Pickups doesn’t just provide airport taxi services; you can lock in fixed fares and guaranteed on-time pickups for your in-city rides, too!

Is Uber safe in Barcelona?

Uber in Barcelona is very safe to use, although a few inconveniences come with using the app. Since Uber connects passengers to regular taxi drivers, drivers may sometimes cancel a ride after accepting it in order to pick up a passenger from the street. You can avoid this by booking online with a private transfer company like Welcome Pickups.

Booking an Uber through the app means you’ll know your price ahead of time, can track your rides, and keep a record of the driver’s details, unlike a standard taxi. Regardless of the company you use, all official and government-regulated vehicles allowed to offer transport services will have blue number plates, so you know when you are taking a legitimate ride.

Uber, taxi, or private transfer?

When choosing the best option, you should consider your specific needs or those of your group. Below, we’ve gathered some of the most important factors to consider so that you can make an informed choice.