How to Get from Barcelona BCN Airport to City

6 Ways to Travel from Barcelona Airport to the City Center

Here is a summary of how to travel from BCN airport to city, and from Barcelona city center to Aeroport del Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona Airport).

Airport L9 Metro Link 4.50€

The Barcelona Airport Metro Line only started operating in February 2016 but it is one of the best options for travelers looking for how to get from Barcelona Airport to city. The metro to the airport operates during the same hours as the rest of the metro system (weekdays 05:00-00:00; Fridays and holidays 05:00-02:00; Saturday from 05:00 and runs all night until Sunday midnight) but the airport metro line does not use a regular metro ticket. Whereas a regular metro ticket would cost you 2.15€ (or a ride on a T10 ticket) the airport metro ticket costs 4.10€. But it’s a great way to go from BCN airport to city.

BCN Airport to City Taxi 35-40€+

How to get from Barcelona Airport to the city by taxi? Operates 24/7 and costs 25€-35€ plus surcharges for extra luggage, night taxis, multiple stops, travel on public holidays, or travel to the cruise terminal or exhibition center.

Shared Minibus Transfer From BCN Airport to City 11.25€

Operates 07:00-00:00 and costs 11.25€ (each person) plus a surcharge if you have more than one bag. The shuttle leaves from Terminal 2 so if you arrive in Terminal 1 you must take the free Green Terminal Airport Shuttle to reach Terminal 2. As you will have to wait for other passengers the shuttle may not leave immediately. This service must be pre-booked at Tourist Active or other such services.

Private Airport Transfer BCN Airport to City (44€)

It might not be the cheapest option, but it’s nice to have a comfortable, stress-free arrival in a new city. For that reason, I usually pre-book a private airport transfer when I travel. You get met by a driver holding a sign with your name and you get taken directly to your destination. 

Aerobus Express Airport Bus 5.9€

Operates 05:35-01:05 from Terminal 1 and 06:00-01:00 from Terminal 2. Cost 5.90€ and stops at a number of places in the city center.

 TMB Airport Bus Transfer 2.15€

Operates 04:50-23:50; the bus goes from T2A, T2C and T1 and costs 2.15€. Luggage space is limited. The #46 does not stop at Plaça Catalunya it runs to Plaça Espanya. Look here for hotels near Plaça Espanya.

TMB Barcelona Airport NitBus 2.15€

The NitBus (N17 from Terminal 1 and N16 from Terminal 2) is slower, offers less luggage space, is less frequent but cheaper. Cost of NitBus from airport to city center 2.15€. the NitBus journey takes 1 hour and operates 23:00-05:00.

T10 Ticket 9.95€

On the TMB Airport Bus Transfer, you can use a T10 ticket which can be bought at the airport. The T10 gives you 10 journeys at a discount rate (9.95€ for 10 journeys within Zone 1 which include the airport) and can be used from the airport to city once you are traveling within the city. You cannot use the T10 on the Aerobus. Buy a T10 ticket at the airport tobacco kiosks or at the entrance to the RENFE train airport station.

Barcelona Card 40€ (3 days)

The Barcelona Card can also be used on the TMB Airport Bus and metro, FGC, trams, and RENFE trains. The Barcelona Card cannot be used on the Aerobus. You can order a Barcelona Card online for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days; print the voucher and pick up your card at the airport. The card is for “days” starting when you first use the card, not 24 hours. So if you want to go from BCN airport to city at 23:00 and use your card to travel into the city then your first day will have expired at midnight, one hour later. Depending on when your plane lands the Barcelona Card could be viable from the airport otherwise get it in the city the next day. It costs 40€ for 2 days and gets you free transport, discounts and free entry to many attractions for the days of your card.

Tourist Travel Pass (HolaBCN) 14€ (2 days)

HolaBCN is similar to the Barcelona Card but it covers only transportation and gives you unlimited public transport travel for the days of your card. The HolaBCN card also covers the TMB journey from the airport, the metro, trams, and RENFE trains. You get unlimited travel 05:00-23:00 on each day. However, you can only buy HolaBCN for 2-5 days. there is no HolaBCN card for 1 day. the prices start at 20.5€ for 3 consecutive days. This ticket cannot be used on night buses, the airport metro line or the Aerobus.

RENFE Trains from Barcelona Prat Airport 4.10€

The train stops at Terminal 2; if you need Terminal 1 you must continue on using the free shuttle bus which leaves from outside the station. Cost 4.10€ to Sants Station or you can use the T10 ticket to Sants. This can get more expensive if you need to make several transfers. Look here for hotels near Sants, Barcelona.

Note

All of these options for getting from BCN airport to the city take you to the city center but not necessarily to the same final stop. Once you have chosen your form of transport check the operating times, luggage restrictions, and where the transport stops. Also, check where it leaves from at the airport. Some options only leave from Terminal 2 others stop at both terminals. the price I have quoted for buses and trains is for Zone 1 which luckily includes the airport but if you want to travel in other zones the T10 ticket and single tickets for public transport would be more expensive. This information was correct in July 2016.

If you need any help I will gladly find out for you and let you know. If you have any questions about BCN airport-to-city options, please leave a comment. If you need a hotel in Barcelona I strongly recommend using the search box on the right for the cheapest hotel deals. And for more great Barcelona attractions go here.