Are you looking for the best way to get from Barcelona airport to the city center? This guide provides you with quick and affordable transfer options from Barcelona Airport, whether you’re arriving at El Prat, Girona, or Reus. Discover all transport options, complete with prices (starting at €1.30 per journey) and travel times, for a stress-free start to your Barcelona adventure.
About the author, Vicki: As someone who chose Barcelona as my home and has been trying to explore every corner of Spain for years, I’m excited to share my personal highlights and secret tips from more than 10 years of living in Spain with you. From Spain’s bustling must-see attractions to its serene hideaways far from the beaten tourist paths.
What to find out in this post
- 1 How to get from Barcelona Airport to the City Center
- 2 In a nutshell: Barcelona Airport to the city center
- 3 How to get from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center of Barcelona
- 4 Ticket Options – Which ticket is the best for you
- 5 Shuttle Bus between Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
- 6 From Barcelona Girona Airport to Barcelona’s City Center
- 7 From Barcelona Reus Airport to Barcelona’s City Center
How to get from Barcelona Airport to the City Center
Let’s start with the city’s main airport, Barcelona El Prat Airport. You will most likely arrive here. The airport is located just 15 km/ 9 mi from Barcelona’s city center.
With over 57 million passengers in 2025, Barcelona El Prat — officially named Aeropuerto Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat — ranks as the sixth-busiest airport in Europe.”
In a nutshell: Barcelona Airport to the city center
| Mode of transport | It is ideal when… |
|---|---|
| Aerobus | you have a suitcase and are staying in the city center. |
| Bus line 46/ Night bus | you want it as cheap as possible and don’t have a lot of luggage with you. |
| Train | you arrive at Terminal 2, you want it to be as cheap as possible and are not necessarily in a hurry. |
| Metro | if you are not staying in the direct center of Barcelona. |
| Taxi | if you are in a hurry, have a lot of luggage with you, or attach great importance to comfort. |
| Private Transfer | if you are in a hurry, have a lot of luggage with you, are traveling with a group of 2-3 people, or attach great importance to comfort. |
How to get from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center of Barcelona
| Transport Option | Price | Duration | Departure Frequency | Departure from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobus | €7.45 one way / €12.85 round trip | ca. 35 Minutes | Every 5 - 10 Minutes | Terminal 1 & 2 |
| Bus Line 46/ Night Bus | From €1.30 per trip (with T-Casual ticket) or included in Hola BCN ticket & Barcelona Card | ca. 40 - 55 Minutes | Every 15 - 20 Minutes | Terminal 1 & 2 |
| Train | From €1.30 per trip (with T-Casual ticket) or included in Hola BCN ticket & Barcelona Card | ca. 25 Minutes | Every 30 Minutes | Terminal 2 |
| Metro | From €5.90 or included in the Hola BCN Ticket & Barcelona Card | ca. 30 Minutes or more | Every 4 - 7 Minutes | Terminal 1 & 2 |
| Taxi | ca. € 30 - 45 | ca. 20 - 30 Minutes | Any time | Terminal 1 & 2 |
| Private Transfer | from € 40 | ca. 20 - 30 Minutes | Any time | Terminal 1 & 2 |
BARCELONA INFO BOX
Where to stay in Barcelona: Hotel Santa Marta (Great hotel in the center near attractions & beach) or W Barcelona (luxury option directly at the beach)
The most popular activities & tours in Barcelona
Sagrada Familia Ticket – Skip the Line
Camp Nou – Barça Museum und Tour
Barcelona Card – More than 25 Attractions
Getting there: Make sure to check for the best flight deals on Flight comparisons like Skyscanner
Transport: T-Casual Ticket (10-trips-ticket for € 12.15) or Hola BCN Day Ticket
Want to rent a car? You can find great deals on RentalCars. It gets cheaper from El Prat Airport.
Barcelona Must-Have: Practical Spanish Travel Dictionary or Catalan Travel Dictionary, and Barcelona-Guide
Aerobus (Express-Bus)
Departure from: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 35 Minutes (depending on traffic)
Departure Frequency: Every 5 – 10 Minutes
Price: 7.45 € (12.85 € Return-trip)
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Between 11:00 pm and 05:35 am, buses run every 20 minutes.
Stops: Aeropuerto – Plaça España – Gran Via-Comte Borrell – Plaça Universitat – Plaça Catalunya
Tickets: on-site or online here
The arguably easiest option to get from Barcelona Airport to the city center is the bus. From the T1 terminal, this option is usually also the fastest (depending on the traffic). Just follow the signs from the airport to the Aerobus bus stop.
The bus offers enough space, also for suitcases and larger luggage. The Aerobus goes directly to the city center (Plaça Catalunya is the city center of Barcelona). If you purchase a return ticket, you can save another €2.05
Pros
- Fast and easy
- 24-hour service
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
- Only drives you to the center – if your accommodation is outside of the city center, a change of transport (thus, the purchase of another ticket) is necessary.
Bus Line 46
Departure from: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 40 – 55 Minutes (depending on traffic)
Departure Frequency: Every 15 – 20 Minutes
Price: € 2.90 (€ 1.30 per ride with T-Casual Ticket); included in Hola BCN or Barcelona Card
Operating Hours: 04.50 am – 11.50 pm
Stops: Aeropuerto – Plaça España. Check all the stops here
Tickets: In the Bus or T-Casual Ticket, Hola BCN, or Barcelona Card
With this bus, you can reach the city center relatively quickly. The big advantage of the bus is its price. Using the T-Casual ticket, you can get from the airport to the city center for just around €1.30 per ride. Unfortunately, Plaça Catalunya, which is considered Barcelona’s center, is not a stop on this bus route. So it may be that you need to change to another means of transport once you arrive in Barcelona, depending on where your accommodation is located.
If you are traveling with large luggage, you won’t find as much space on bus line 46 as you have in the Aerobus.
Pros
- Super low price
- various stops
- Long operating hours – early morning to night
Cons
- Only goes up to Plaça España
- It needs a bit longer than other means of transport, as there are more stops along the way
- Less space for luggage than Aerobus
Night Bus (Nit Bus) Lines N16, N17 & N18
Departure from: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 40 – 50 Minutes (depending on the traffic)
Departure Frequency: Every 20 Minutes
Price: € 2.90 (€ 1.30 per ride with T-Casual Ticket); included in Hola BCN or Barcelona Card
Operating Hours: Ca. 11.00 pm – 05.00 am; for a more detailed schedule, check here
Stops: Aeropuerto – Plaça Catalunya. You can check all the stops here
Tickets: In the bus, T-Casual Ticket, or Barcelona Card
Basically, these bus lines are the night version of bus 46, except that the night bus goes to Plaça Catalunya. The big advantage of the bus is its price. With the T-Casual ticket, you can get from the airport to the city center for just around € 1.30.
The different lines have different stops, but they all take you to Terminals 1 & 2 of El Prat Airport. The only difference is that the N18 line is usually faster (about 30 minutes) because it stops at fewer stops.
However, this line operates very irregularly in the low season (in some months only on Fridays). You may have to change to other means of transport after you arrive in Barcelona, depending on where your accommodation is located (more night buses are operating within the city center)
If you are traveling with large luggage, the night bus offers less space than the Aerobus does.
Pros
- Super low price
- Various stops
- Runs throughout the night
Cons
- It needs a bit longer than other means of transport as there are more stops along the way (except line N18)
- Less space for luggage than in Aerobus
- Maybe transfers necessary (depending on where your accommodation is located)
Train: Rodalies R2 Nord
Departure from: Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 25 Minutes
Departure Frequency: Every 30 Minutes
Price: € 4.90 (€1.30 per ride with T-Casual Ticket); included in Hola BCN or Barcelona Card
Operating Hours: Ca. 05.40 am – 10.30 pm; You can check the exact schedule here
Stops: Aeropuerto T2 – El Prat de Llobregat – Bellvitge – Train Station Barcelona Sants – Passeig de Gràcia – El Clot Aragó
Tickets: At the ticket machine at the airport (Terminal 2) or T-Casual Ticket, Hola BCN, or Barcelona Card
Probably the fastest (If you are landing in Terminal 2) and, therefore, my favorite option is the train. The train usually runs twice an hour, unfortunately, only from Terminal 2. However, many airlines (such as Vueling) usually fly to Terminal 1.
Between Terminal 1 and 2 runs a free shuttle bus, which takes about 10 – 15 minutes (More on this later in this article). The price for a single train ride is €4.90. With a T-Casual ticket, which you can use all over Barcelona, the trip costs even less than half.
Pros
- Super low price
- Various stops, convenient transfer to the metro at the train stations
- One of the fastest alternatives (apart from waiting times)
Cons
- Only runs from Terminal 2 (If you arrive on T1, a transfer by airport shuttle bus is necessary)
- Longest waiting times (only runs twice an hour)
Metro Line L9 SUD
Departure from: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 30 Minutes until Zona Universitària
Departure Frequency: Every 4 – 7 Minutes
Price: 5.90 € (T-Casual Ticket is not valid here); included in Hola BCN or Barcelona Card
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 05.00 am – 00.00 am; Friday: 05.00 am – 02.00 am; Saturday: 05.00 am until Sunday until 00.00 am
Stops: Aeropuerto T1 – Aeropuerto T2 – Mes Blau – Parc Nou – Cèntric – El Prat Estació – Les Moreres – Mercarbana – Parc Logístic – Fira – Europa/Fira – Can Tries/Gornal – Torrassa – Collblanc – Zona Universitària
Tickets: At the Ticket machine at the airport (the T-Casual Ticket is not valid here), or Hola BCN or Barcelona Card
Another option is the metro. You can use the metro from both terminals. A Billet Aeroport costs € 5.50 each way. (Please note that you cannot use the T-Casual with the metro to or from the airport.)
The metro usually has the shortest waiting times, but it might be necessary to change trains if you want to get to the direct center of Barcelona. You have transfer options to the Barcelona Metro in Torrassa (L1 – Red Line), Collblanc (L5 – Blue Line), and Zona Universitària (L3 – Green Line).
Depending on where your accommodation is located, using the metro is a convenient option. A big advantage of the metro is that it operates longer on the weekend than buses and trains on Saturdays, even throughout the entire night.
Pros
- Short waiting times
- Various stops
- Easy transfer to other metro lines
- Long operating times on weekends
Cons
- More expensive than a regular Metro ticket, bus 46, or train
- Does not go directly to the center
Taxi
Departure from: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 20 – 35 Minutes (Depending on traffic and location of your accommodation)
Departure Frequency: Any time
Price: ca. € 30 – 45 € (Depending on traffic and location of your accommodation; perhaps a night surcharge). You can find more information and prices by clicking here
Operating Hours: Any time
You can, of course, also take a taxi. Taxis are available at any time of day or night. If you arrive at night, you should expect a night surcharge.
Vicki’s Extra Tip: Note that Uber, Bolt, and Cabify are all available from the airport. However, each app has a different pick-up point, so make sure to check the meeting point before confirming your booking to avoid missing your ride.
The taxi offers the most comfortable transfer from and to the airport as you are driven directly from door to door. Note that the trip may take a little longer during peak hours due to high traffic.
Pros
- Short to no waiting times
- Transport from door to door
- no transfers necessary
Cons
- More expensive than other means of transport
Private Transfer
Departure from: Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
Duration: ca. 20 – 35 Minutes (Depending on traffic and the location of your accommodation)
Departure Frequency: Any time
Price: from €40 /€60 for 3 Pax
Operating Hours: Any time
Make a reservation: There are different trustworthy companies to book your trip with, e.g., here on GetYourGuide
The last option is to order private transport from the airport to the city. So you will be picked up directly at the airport and driven to your accommodation. This way, you save time standing in line for a taxi, as well as for the possible price negotiation. Plus, you can be sure that your driver speaks English and knows exactly where to take you.
Pros
- No waiting time
- Transport from door to door
- no transfers necessary
- No queuing
Cons
- More expensive than other means of transport
Ticket Options – Which ticket is the best for you
T-Casual Ticket – Transport for € 1.30 per ride in all of Barcelona
The T-Casual ticket (formally T-10 Ticket) is a great option for any traveler, and I recommend that you go for it. The T-Casual ticket costs 13 € (+ €1 for the rechargeable paper card) (as of 2026) and offers you 10 trips in any of the various means of transport of Barcelona (metro (except to/from the airport), bus, train, and tram).
After stamping the card, the ticket is valid for 75 minutes. If you need to change your means of transport during these 75 minutes (e.g., from the metro to a bus), no new trip will be charged.
Can I use the T-Casual ticket for airport transport?
You can use the T-Casual ticket to get to El Prat Airport for the following means of transport:
| Means of Transport | T-Casual Ticket valid? |
|---|---|
| Aerobus | No |
| Bus Line 46/ Night Bus | Yes |
| Train | Yes |
| Metro | No |
| Taxi | No |
| Private Transfer | No |
Where can I buy the T-Casual ticket?
You can get the T-Casual ticket at ticket automats in any train station, metro station (subway station) in Barcelona, and at the ticket machines at the airport in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. All the machines can be used in English.
When is the T-Casual Ticket worth it?
The T-Casual ticket is perfect for all travelers who complete at least 6 trips. Therefore, you should purchase this ticket if you will use public transport occasionally during your stay.
However, if you have planned many trips or are not well on foot, you might want to opt for a day pass or similar (check the next paragraphs for more information on those).
Hola BCN Card
The Hola BCN Card is a great way to save money if you travel a lot by public transport. The Hola BCN Card offers unlimited trips by bus, train, metro, and tram within Barcelona (excluding transportation at night). When buying your ticket, you can choose between 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours of operating time, with prices starting at €19 per person.
With this ticket, you stay mobile and can quickly get from one attraction in Barcelona to the next. This is especially worthwhile if you want to see a lot but don’t have much time.
Can I use the Hola BCN Card for airport transport?
With the Barcelona Card, you can use the metro (subway), the public bus lines (line 46, not the Aerobus or night buses), and the train to and from El Prat airport at no extra cost.
| Means of Transport | Hola BCN valid? |
|---|---|
| Aerobus | No |
| Bus Line 46/ Night Bus | Bus Line 46 yes, Night Bus no |
| Train | Yes |
| Metro | Yes |
| Taxi | No |
| Private Transfer | No |
Where can I buy the Hola BCN Card?
The easiest way to get the Hola BCN Card is to purchase it online here before you arrive in the city. Note, however, that you must exchange the voucher at the airport (at the tourism information) or in one of the specified travel agencies downtown before receiving the actual Hola BCN Card. If you like to use it for getting from the airport to the city, you should exchange it at the El Prat Tourist Information Office in Terminal 1 or 2.
When is the Hola BCN Card worth it?
The Hola BCN Card is worthwhile for those who use public transport a lot and want to get from A to B as quickly as possible. It is also suitable for anyone traveling with children, the elderly, or physically restricted.
Extra tip: Decide on a Barcelona Itinerary before buying your ticket. This way, you can calculate how many public transport trips you will need and can be sure the ticket you choose will be the best deal for you.
Barcelona Card
The Barcelona Card gives you free access to Barcelona’s various transport options for the period you choose during your purchase. You have the choice between 3, 4, or 5 days. Besides, the Barcelona Card gives you free entry to many of the city’s museums and discounts at various museums and attractions in Barcelona.
If you’re in town for just 2 days, you can opt for the Barcelona Express Card instead, which also includes many discounts (for more information about the Barcelona Express Card, click here).
With the Barcelona Card to the airport?
With the Barcelona Card, you can use the metro (subway), the public bus lines (line 46 and night buses, not the Aerobus), and the train to and from El Prat airport at no extra cost.
| Means of Transport | Barcelona Card valid? |
|---|---|
| Aerobus | No |
| Bus Line 46/ Night Bus | Yes |
| Train | Yes |
| Metro | Yes |
| Taxi | No |
| Private Transfer | No |
Where can I buy the Barcelona Card?
The easiest way to get the Barcelona Card is to purchase it online here before you arrive in the city. Note, however, that you must exchange the voucher at the airport (at the tourism information) or in one of the specified travel agencies before use to receive the actual Barcelona Card. If you like to use it for transport from the airport to the city, you should exchange it at the El Prat Tourist Information Office in Terminal 1 or 2.
When is the Barcelona Card worth it?
The Barcelona Card is worth it for those who want to see some of Barcelona’s main attractions and museums while using unlimited public transport. Especially if you are traveling with small children or older people, or, for some reason, you don’t want to walk much, this ticket is advantageous.
Shuttle Bus between Terminal 1 & Terminal 2
If you arrive at Terminal 1 and want to use the train from Terminal 2, or if you would like to switch between the terminals for other reasons, there is a free shuttle bus available. Just get out of the main entrance of the airport and follow the signs.
The bus will leave as soon as it’s full. Normally, you only have to wait a couple of minutes for it to leave. The journey takes about 15 minutes (usually, the journey from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 is a bit faster).
From Barcelona Girona Airport to Barcelona’s City Center
Barcelona Girona Airport is located approximately 103 km (64 miles) from Barcelona. For many, it comes as a surprise when they suddenly land just about 100 km from their actual destination. That’s why it’s best to be prepared and know the options on how to get from Barcelona Girona Airport to the center of Barcelona.
Fun Fact: The name of the Barcelona Girona airport is so confusing for us foreigners only because the airport’s actual name is Girona Costa Brava. This name makes way more sense since the airport has nothing to do with Barcelona.
From Girona Airport to Barcelona by Bus
Arguably, the easiest and cheapest way to get from Barcelona Girona Airport to the center of Barcelona is by bus. Bus timetables are adjusted to Ryanair’s arrivals to avoid long waiting times. The bus runs from Girona Airport to the Estació d’Autobusos Barcelona Nord (near Arc de Triomf) and vice versa. The journey takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The tickets can be purchased either on-site or online via tiqets. There is no price difference if you buy tickets online or on-site. Ticket prices vary depending on departure time, ranging from €22 to €25.30 one way.
Vicki’s Extra Tip: If you book your ticket at least 2 weeks in advance, you’ll usually get a lower price.
From Girona Airport to Barcelona by Train
Another way to get from Girona to Barcelona is by train. Depending on the train type, the journey takes between 39 minutes (AVE high-speed) and up to 2 hours (regional train). AVE tickets typically cost €14–36, depending on when you book. Regional train tickets are not available online and must be purchased on-site at the counter or ticket machine at the standard fare.
Please note, however, that all trains only depart from and arrive at Girona city center — not the airport itself. To get between Girona’s city center and the airport, you can take a taxi (approximately €25–30) or Bus Line 607 (€2.80 per person).
From Girona Airport to Barcelona by Taxi
Another option is to take a taxi. Note, however, that this option is not exactly cheap. You should expect to pay at least €130.
From Barcelona Reus Airport to Barcelona’s City Center
Barcelona Reus Airport is not located in Barcelona despite its name. Instead, it is about 106 km (65 miles) away from Barcelona. Like Barcelona Girona Airport, there are not many ways to get from this airport to Barcelona (and vice versa).
From Reus airport to Barcelona by bus
Probably the easiest and cheapest way to get from Barcelona Reus Airport to downtown Barcelona is by bus. The bus runs from Reus Airport to Barcelona Sants Station. The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The departure times depend on the arrival of the plane to avoid long waiting times.
The tickets can be purchased on-site. The provider is called Monobus. You can check their timetable here. A ticket costs €18 and €31.50 for a return ticket.
From Reus airport to Barcelona by train
Another way to get from Reus to Barcelona is by train. Please note, however, that the train only goes to and from Reus city center. For the way between Reus’ city center and Reus’ airport, a taxi or bus has to be taken. A taxi ride costs about 25 € and a bus ride €1.50. You can get to the train station by bus number 50. The journey takes about 10 minutes. (Note that the bus station is not near the train station, which is about 45 minutes walking away from each other.)
From Reus airport to Barcelona by Taxi
Another option is to take a taxi. Note, however, that this option is not exactly cheap. You should expect to pay at least 130 €.
Thanks a lot for this advice! I will take it on for my next trip to Barcelona, I personally love a lot to go when there it’s Champions League season so I can watch the games but I always take a long time at the airport, fortunately, with this advice I will reduce my time in the airport! Again thanks a lot for this article!
Hi Manuel,
Thanks a lot for your comment! I hope next time, you will be faster inside the city then 😉