Barcelona Airport Transfer
Once you land in Barcelona, you have no time to waste: I will tell you how to get to your hotel in the fastest, most comfortable and cheapest way possible.
El Prat Airport Terminal 1 | ©Iberia Airlines
Are you eager to come to Barcelona and enjoy your trip? Then read these tips on how to get to Barcelona from the airport, and you'll be ready to stroll the city streets and marvel at its unique attractions.
1. How to get to Barcelona from the airport
2. Private transfer between the airport and your hotel
The trick to arriving at your destination full of energy is actually quite simple: if you forgo public transportation to get from the airport to the city, you'll save yourself queues and crowds, and in this day and age, it's also the safest option.
So I recommend booking a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. Barcelona has only one airport, popularly known as El Prat, so in this case you don't have to worry about choosing your arrival airport.
How the private transfers between the airport and Barcelona work
With this option you will reach your accommodation in Barcelona from the airport in less than 30 minutes, regardless of the time, since they operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you book your transfer online, you must provide your flight details. In this way, the transfer company is aware of any delays or problems with your flight, and the driver knows exactly where to wait for you with the car at the airport exit.
You should also provide the address of your hotel and a contact phone number: This way, the driver will take you directly to your destination, and you can contact the company if you have any problems or cannot find the transfer vehicle.
The vehicles are top-notch, have air conditioning and WiFi on board, cater to all needs and ages, and you don't have to worry about where and how to put your luggage, unlike public transportation. When you meet your driver, he will help you with your luggage (maximum one suitcase and one handbag, but if you have extra luggage you can let him know by email after you make your booking).
The transfer back to the airport
If you book a private transfer to the airport from your hotel in Barcelona, you must provide your flight details. In this way, the company knows when to pick you up from your accommodation so that you arrive at the airport on time and do not miss your flight.
Alex's travel tip
Book your transfer in advance so that the driver will be waiting for you when you arrive and avoid the long queues in front of the cab.
3. Other ways to get to Barcelona from the airport
If you choose public transportation to get to Barcelona from the airport or your hotel, it will take you between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on the mode of transportation you choose. Here you will find a complete guide that will tell you everything you need to know in advance, so you can waste as little time as possible and start having fun as soon as possible:
Arriving in Barcelona by Aerobus from the airport
This service is one of the cheapest options to get from the airport to Barcelona. A ticket costs €5.90 (one way) or €10.20 (round trip).
The bus usually runs every 5 to 10 minutes on a fixed schedule, and you can catch it at designated stops in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The Aerobus will take you to the city center, and you can get off at Plaza Espana or Plaza Cataluna, as well as other stops that you can see at the bus stop or on the official Aerobus website.
Arriving in Barcelona by bus 46 from the airport
This bus only runs during the day and will take you to and from the airport to both terminals, stopping first at T2 and then T1. Compared to the Aerobus, the 46 has more stops in the city, and the big advantage is that you can use the T-Casual ticket, which I recommend for your trip to Barcelona.
Getting from the airport to Barcelona by bus 46 is still cheaper than the Aerobus, but the crowds and inconvenience may not be worth it.
Arrive in Barcelona at night with NitBus N17 from the airport
This service is almost identical to the bus transfer 46, but operates at night. So if you're arriving on an early morning flight, this is the best option if you want to save money (although in this case I highly recommend booking a transfer in a private vehicle, it will make your life much easier).
As with the 46 bus, you can also use the T-Casual card on the N17 NitBus.
Getting to Barcelona by train from the airport
RENFE trains run from the airport to the city and back about every 30 minutes, with a transfer time of about 25 minutes, which means that on a bad day it will take you about an hour to get from the airport to Barcelona.
With the airport transfer, you can get off at Barcelona Sants, Passeig de GrAcia, or Clot and then take the metro to your destination in the city. If your flight lands in Terminal 1, a shuttle will take you from outside the terminal to the train station.
Taking the metro from the airport to Barcelona
Barcelona Metro Line 9 connects the city to the airport, which has two stops: Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2. A one-way ticket costs €5.15. The best thing about the Barcelona metro is that it has a pretty extensive schedule that runs from 5 a.m. to midnight.
For me, it's the most uncomfortable option because you have to go up and down the stairs with your suitcases on your back, but if you're traveling light or with just a backpack, it can be a very good alternative to the other modes of transportation.
4. Y. What will you do when you are there?
Once you've figured out how to get from the airport to your hotel, you can start planning the activities, routes, or sights you want to visit in the city. Whatever your taste, I highly recommend visiting Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, the icons of Barcelona. Here are my handy guides to warm up: Park Guell tickets and tours and Sagrada Familia – Skip The Line tickets.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the airport of Barcelona?
It has two terminals connected by a shuttle service. Terminal 2 is served only by regional or low-cost airlines, while almost all international flights depart from Terminal 1.
How far is Barcelona airport from the city?
About 30 minutes, depending on your mode of transportation. Private transfers shorten the time to 20 minutes.
Is the Barcelona airport open at night?
Barcelona airport is quite a pleasant airport if you have to stay there overnight. It is open 24 hours a day, and some stores are even open at night.