Barcelona El-Prat Airport Bus
Barcelona airport, officially known as Barcelona-El Prat airport, is an international airport located just 12 km southwest of the center of Barcelona. It is the main airport in Catalonia and second largest airport in Spain. So if you are planning a trip to Barcelona, this guide might help you!
How to get from Barcelona airport to the city
Airport bus
There are two express bus lines that connect the airport and the city center. Both of them will take you to Placa Catalunya. Aerobus A1 departs from terminal T1 (level 0 – Arrivals area and level 3 – Departures area) and Aerobus A2 departs from terminal T2 (level 0 – Arrivals/Departures area). The ticket for single journey costs €5.90, and return tickets are also available (valid for 15 days from the purchase date, and the price is 10.20 euros). Buses go every 5-10 minutes, from 5:55 AM to 01:00 AM.
- Journey time: about 35 minutes
- You can buy the ticket onboard, from the driver (in cash), at the vending machines at the airport (Visa or MasterCard only) or online
- The bus is equipped with a ramp (level-boarding bus), making it suitable for wheelchair users
Buy ticket here:
NOTE: To travel between the terminals T1 and T2, and around T2A, T2B and T2C, there is a free shuttle service operating 24/7.
Public transportation service
There are three types of public transportation available from Barcelona airport terminals T1 and T2: public buses, metro line and the train.
Buses: TMB is a public transport service offering connections between the airport terminals and the city center. Bus line 46 will take you down to Placa Espanya, starting from T1 and passing through all parts of T2 terminal. This is a daytime line, but there are two separate night buses, line N17 from terminal T1 and N16 from terminal T2 (including T2A, T2B and T2C). Night buses go to Placa Catalunya, every 20 minutes. You will find the bus station outside the terminals (both T1 and T2) at the Arrivals area. Regular bus ticket costs 2.15 euro, and a 10-ride travel card, T-10, is available at the cost of 9.95 euros.
Metro: Metro line number 9 (L9 Sud) connects the airport T1 and T2 with downtown Barcelona (direction: Zona Universitaria). The line has 15 stops on the way and the journey lasts about 30-35 minutes. Frequency is every 7 minutes, and the ticket costs 4.50 euro. It can be purchased from TMB machines. Metro stations at the airport are located at T1 (level 0, near the buses) and T2 (outside the terminal, near the trains). NOTE: Metro line is closed during the night (after midnight) except for Fridays when it runs till 02:00 (2 AM) and Saturdays when it stays open the whole night. First one in the morning is at 05:00 (5 AM).
Train: Train station at terminal T2 offers a connection to the city center using the R2 train line. The station is located 200 meters from the terminal building, and the train passes every 30 minutes. The last one from the airport, however, is at 23:30 (11:30 PM). Single journey tickets cost 4.10 euros, but you can also use the T-10 card.
Transfer
It is always possible to book a door-to-door transfer to your accommodation in Barcelona.
- You can book the transfer through a specialized company (even online), and have a professional driver wait for you in the arrivals area with a name sign. Don’t worry if your plane is late, the transfer company will monitor your flight arrival.
- For those travelling with small children, child safety seats can be pre-ordered
- NOTE: The prices displayed in the table above are per person (Minibus for up to 8 Passengers) and NOT per vehicle.
Taxi services
Airport taxis are available 24/7 and you will find them outside Arrivals area at terminal T1 (level 0) and outside Arrivals/Departures area at terminal T2 A,B and C (level 0). The journey from the airport to the city can last between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the traffic and the destination. Also, the journey from terminal T1 will be a bit longer than from terminal T2. There are 4 tariff zones so you can expect to pay between 25 and 30 euros approximately. If you are taking the taxi to reach the port of Barcelona, there is a fix rate of 39 euros one way.
Renting a car at Barcelona airport
There are several car rental companies at Barcelona airport, and all the major ones like Sixt, Avis, Budget, etc. have their offices at the airport, along with some local rent-a-car companies. You can compare prices and rent a car at Barcelona airport here. All car rental agencies are located at terminal T1 (floor 1) and terminal T2B (floor 0).
Renting a bus at Barcelona airport
If you are a large group travelling to Barcelona, or you even plan to explore the area and visit some other cities in the region, renting a bus is often the most economical and hassle-free way of doing so. If you consider renting a bus, you should arrange this at least a couple of weeks before your arrival, to arrange all the details like meeting point / pick up point at the airport, etc. Most companies are used to picking up groups at the airport, so they can advise you about the options.
Accommodation near Barcelona El-Prat Airport
Barcelona El-Prat Airport FAQs
No, there is a night bus departing from the airport every 20 minutes, and transfers and taxis run 24/7.
Yes, there are several hotels in the area, called El Prat de Llobregat, and there is also a small hotel at the airport, inside terminal T1, next to the Arrival hall. The hotel is called Air Rooms. Check it out!
Yes, of course. The best way would be to take the airport shuttle bus to reach the city center. Buses go every 5-10 minutes and you will reach Placa Catalunya in just 35 minutes. You can store your luggage here, while exploring the city.
Yes, there are several bus lines that connect Barcelona-El Prat airport directly with smaller towns in the area, like Girona and Figueres. There is also a bus to Costa Brava towns and another one to Valencia, both lines departing from terminal T1, Arrivals area. There is also a direct bus connecting Barcelona airport and Madrid airport. As for the international lines, the only direct bus is the one for Andorra, departing from terminals T1 and T2B, Arrivals area. For all other cities and international lines, you have to reach Barcelona main bus terminal.
Thanks for the article. Barcelona has a lot of options to get from the airport to the city. They are all good, and each one is good for another Tourist.
For example, families and groups of 4 passengers, a taxi or a private shuttle is a relatively affordable option.
Because That the price gap from the other options is small.
Another example.
If your hotel is near Espanya Square or Catalonia Square, then the AirBus is a perfect option.
But if your hotel is in a peripheral region, like Garcia or Diagonal Street. Then it might be worth considering taking a taxi
What are the best ways to travel to Alfama from the Lisbon airport
Dear Ronald,
The best way to get to Alfama is to take bus 728 from Lisbon Airport to Estação Oriente and exit there and take metro (line Vm) to Casa do Conto. Single ticket for the bus costs €1,85 and for metro €1,45.
Best regards!
Melani GBB Team
hi
we want to go lloret de mar from Barcelona air port ,please inform us time table and line No from airport ?
Dear Toktam,
You can check here the timetable of departures from Barcelona Airport to Lloret de Mar – https://www.moventis.es/sites/moventis/files/line/files/lloret_bcn_aeroport_mar-maig_2018__0.pdf
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
this is my first trip to Barcelona and want to know how to get to the Barcelona cruise ports from Barcelona airport by train or bus, instead of taxi
Dear Nat,
You can first reach Placa Catalunya Square with airport shuttle bus and from there continue your journey with metro.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hello!
What is the best way to get to and from Sitges from Barcelona airport by bus or train from 17th arriving 20h45 to 24th departing 16h10 April? Thanks
Dear Thomas,
The best option is to go by a direct bus from Barcelona Airport operated by MonBus. Buses depart from Sitges and Barcelona Airport twice an hour from 06:50 until 23:50 so there should be no problems. Ticket price is €4.10.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Dear Melani,
What is the best way to get to and from Carrer de Montcada near the Picasso Museum ? i will arrive on 07/04 Sunday at 17:30 at Barcelona airport ?
Thanks in advance,
Dear Slavko,
You can go by shuttle bus to Placa Catalunya and then transfer to V15 bus to Via Laietana – Pl. Ramon Berenguer and from there you have additional 5min walk to Carrer de Montcada.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hello Melani,
We are a family of 2 ad. and 2 small children. What is the best way to get from El Prat Airport to Sant Cugat, and what will be the costs approximately.
Thanks
Dear Aleksandar,
You should take bus line 46 to Pl. Catalunya and then transfer to S2 train line in direction Sabadell Parc del Nord and get off at Valldoreix. From there you have additional 1km to Sant Cugat.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hello mekani
What is the chapest way to go between barcelona nord bus station and barcelona airport
Dear Metin,
You can go to Barcelona Nord Station by direct bus lines 602 or 603. The buses depart from Terminal T2C.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hi, thanks for the article.
Seems the Airport bus is different to the Hopon Hopoff Bus. What is best way for three persons to get from airport to 24 Passeig de Gracia?
And best company/link re private driver/shuttle for one day of sightseeing?
Dear Janet,
You can take airport bus line A2 from Terminal C and get off at Pl. Espanya – FGC and then catch metro line L3 at Pl. Espanya to Passeig de Gràcia.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hello!
What is the best way to get from Barcelona Airport to pl. Catalunya ?I’am arriving at 00h35 on 9th october . Where can I buy thickets at this time of night? Thanks
Dear Ana,
Tickets can be bought on board directly from the driver, at the vending machines at the airport (Visa or MasterCard only) or online.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
I am arriving at the BCN airport and need to get to La Franca Travellers hotel at Carrer de la Franca xica 38 Barcelona. I do not know which bus or buses to catch to get there
Dear Cindy,
the easiest way to get from the airport to your hotel would be taking a bus number 46 from Terminal T2 C and exiting at Avinguda del Parallel – Llançà.
Best regards,
Gabriela GBB Team
Hi,
What is the best and cheapest direct method of transport to get us to Travel Lodge Poblenou from the airport please?
Dear Hayley,
First you need to get on shuttle bus from El Prat Airport to Placa Catalunya (book ticket here) and once you reach Placa Catalunya, head to Llúria – Urquinaona bus stop (6 min walk) and catch there bus B20 to Llull – Llacuna bus stop which is only 1-min walk from your accommodation.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Dear Melani,
I am arriving in Barcelona on Friday and I need to get to the hotel Roma Reial in the city centre. What is the cheapest way to get there (we are a group of five people) and what station is the closest to the hotel?
Best regards,
Aleksandra
Dear Aleksandra,
First you need to catch bus to Placa Catalunya, and then once you reach Placa Catalunya, take metro line L3 to Liceu. It’s the closest metro stop to your accommodation.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hello dear Melani. What is the best way to go from barcelona airport to barcelona bus station in 1hour?
Dear Robert,
First you need to go by shuttle bus to Placa Catalunya and then you can either take metro line 1 or train lines R1,R2 or R3 to Arc de Triomf stop. From there you have additional 5 min walk to Barcelona Nord bus station.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team