After your flight, you’ll arrive at Barcelona Airport — but what’s the best way to get to the city centre? With several transport options available, choosing the right one can feel a little overwhelming. That’s why I’ve put together all the different ways to travel from Barcelona Airport to the centre of Barcelona, so you can easily find the option that suits you best.
The Main Transport Options
🎟️ Check here which tickets are available and how you can travel affordably by public transport.
Option 1. By Aerobús
The Aerobús shuttle buses are one of the easiest and fastest ways to travel from Barcelona Airport to the city centre.
The Aerobús is also much faster than other public transport options because it goes directly to the city centre and has fewer stops along the way. The journey to or from the airport takes only 35 minutes.
There are two Aerobús lines:
- Bus A1 for Terminal 1
- Bus A2 for Terminal 2
To use the Aerobús, you need to buy a separate ticket. You can purchase your ticket online in advance or buy it on the spot. The price per journey is €6.75.
👉 Read more here about travelling to Barcelona city centre by Aerobús.
Tip: Book Your Airport Transfer Now
Option 2. By Metro
Barcelona has an extensive metro network. Within this network, there is also a metro line that takes you to the airport: metro line L9 Sud.
This metro line has two stops at the airport:
- Aeroport T1 metro station for Terminal 1
- Aeroport T2 metro station for Terminal 2
To use this metro line — with the airport as your starting or ending point — you need a special metro ticket called the Bitllet Aeroport. You can buy this ticket at the ticket machines in the metro station and it costs €5.50.
The disadvantage of travelling by metro is that it takes longer. The journey from Barcelona Airport to the city centre usually takes around one hour, including the transfer.
👉 Read more here about travelling by metro.
Option 3. By Taxi
A taxi is a comfortable and fast way to travel from the airport to the centre of Barcelona — especially if you have a lot of luggage or prefer a door-to-door service. The journey takes around 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
At both terminals (T1 and T2), you will find official taxi ranks just outside the arrivals hall. They are easy to recognise by the black and yellow taxis, which are typical for Barcelona. Simply join the queue and always take the first available taxi — this is required by the airport regulations.
The price of a taxi ride from the airport depends on your final destination, but keep in mind that the minimum fare is €20. A taxi from El Prat Airport to the centre of Barcelona usually costs between €30 and €40, including the mandatory airport surcharge. Additional fees may apply for large luggage, journeys during public holidays, at night, or on weekends.
👉 Read more here about travelling by taxi.
Option 4. By Bus
You can also use the regular public buses that travel to and from Barcelona Airport. For example, bus line 46 runs from both terminals to Plaça d’Espanya, where you can transfer to the metro or another bus if needed.
These buses accept regular public transport tickets, such as the T-Casual, T-Usual, Hola Barcelona Travel Card, and Barcelona Card, which can help you save money.
If you do not have a public transport card yet, you can buy a single ticket directly from the driver for €2.55.
👉 Read more here about travelling by bus.
Optie 5. Met de trein
There is also a train connecting the airport with Barcelona: the R2 Nord train line. The R2 Nord departs from the train station at Terminal 2 and connects the airport with Barcelona city centre as well as other destinations in the surrounding region.
Trains run approximately every 30 minutes, and the journey to the city centre takes around 25 minutes. The advantages of travelling by train are its reliability, speed, and the fact that you don’t have to worry about traffic.
It is also an affordable option. If you buy a single ticket, it costs around €4.
If you already have a public transport ticket such as the T-Casual, T-Usual, Barcelona Card, or Hola Barcelona Travel Card, you can also use it for this journey, making the train an even cheaper option.
👉 Read more here about travelling by train.
Option 6. Airport Transfer to Barcelona
Another option is to arrange a private transfer or rideshare service in advance. Several companies offer shared transfers or private vehicles that take you directly from the airport to your destination in Barcelona.
Airport transfers come in many forms: from small shuttle buses to comfortable private cars. They are especially convenient if you are travelling with a larger group or have specific needs, such as a wheelchair-accessible vehicle or a child seat.
You will be picked up directly outside the terminal and taken to your hotel without any hassle.
Booking is easy through apps such as Free Now, Uber, or Cabify. The price depends on the type of journey, the vehicle, and the time of booking, but the fare is always shown in advance in the app.
Option 7. Renting a Car
Renting a car is also an option when travelling from Barcelona Airport. At both airport terminals, you will find the well-known car rental companies where you can pick up your vehicle.
A rental car is especially useful if you are travelling further away or staying outside the city.
👉 Read more here about renting a car at Barcelona Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you have seen, there are several ways to travel from Barcelona Airport to the city (or the other way around). The best transport option depends on factors such as your accommodation, travel time, and budget. Personally, I think the Aerobús shuttle buses are an ideal choice because they take you directly to the centre of Barcelona quickly and at a reasonable price. They operate 24 hours a day, and in my experience, you never have to wait long before you can board.
👋 Don’t forget to book your Aerobús tickets.
The cheapest way to travel from Barcelona Airport to the centre of Barcelona is the regular bus line 46. You can use your normal public transport ticket, which means the journey can cost around €1. If you choose to buy a single ticket directly from the driver, the journey costs €2.55, which is still a very affordable option. Keep in mind that this bus takes you to Plaça d’Espanya, which is not yet the very centre of Barcelona. From there, you will probably need to take the metro or another bus to reach your hotel or final destination.
The fastest way to travel from Barcelona Airport to the city centre is by taxi. Since there are no intermediate stops, a taxi will take you directly and quickly to your final destination. To give you an idea: a taxi ride from Barcelona Airport to the centre takes around 20-25 minutes on average. By metro, for example, the same journey can take around one hour. Personally, I would only recommend taking a taxi when necessary — for example, if you are in a hurry, travelling with a lot of luggage, or simply prefer the convenience of a door-to-door service.
If you choose the fastest option, the taxi, you can reach the centre of Barcelona in around 20 minutes. The second fastest option is the train, which takes you from Terminal 2 to Passeig de Gràcia in approximately 25 minutes. The third option is the Aerobús, which takes you directly to Plaça de Catalunya in around 35 minutes. The total travel time can vary depending on traffic, your final destination, and the transport option you choose.
If you arrive at Barcelona Airport at night, you can use the Aerobús or the night buses that connect the airport with the city centre.
– If you arrive at Terminal 1, you can take the night bus N17.
– If you arrive at Terminal 2, you can take the night bus N16.
These buses run approximately every 20 minutes from the airport to Plaça Catalunya (at the corner of Ronda Universitat).
The journey is included with public transport cards such as the T-Casual, Hola Barcelona Travel Card, and Barcelona Card, but you can also buy a single ticket for €2.55.
Good to know: on Saturdays and public holidays, the metro also runs throughout the night. On other days, the metro operates from 5:00 am until midnight.
