In Barcelona, there are multiple occasions when you might choose to take the train: for instance, traveling from El Prat airport to Barcelona, going to a beach outside the city, or visiting a place outside Barcelona. However, to get around within Barcelona, the train is not necessary: for that, you have the metro, bus, or tram.
Train Companies
Adif is the manager of the railway infrastructure in Spain, while Renfe is the national Spanish railway company, managing regional trains (Rodalies), medium-distance trains (Tren de Media Distancia), and long-distance trains (Tren de Larga Distancia). Additionally, RENFE operates the high-speed train AVE, which connects Barcelona with Madrid in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
In the area around Barcelona, there’s also the regional train company Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), which provides transportation in and around Barcelona in places where no train or metro is available. For example, you can take the FGC train to Montserrat from Barcelona.
Note: for all train journeys outside Barcelona, separate tickets must be purchased. More information on buying these tickets can be found below.
Regional Trains Barcelona
Regional Trains
The Rodalies and FGC trains are intercity and regional trains that connect Barcelona with other cities in the area. In Spanish, Rodalies trains are also called ‘Cercanías’.
All Rodalies trains start with an “R” (for ‘Rodalia Barcelona’), and the FGC trains with an “S” (for ‘Suburbans’).
You can travel with your public transport card, but be mindful of the zones, as outside zone 1, a different fare applies, and a public transport card valid for those zones is required.
There are a total of 6 zones, and the price varies depending on your destination. Check the railway map below for a complete overview of all routes.
If you’re traveling outside zone 1 just once, it’s better to buy a single or return ticket for your destination at the ticket machine.
Most Common Routes:
- From Barcelona to Barcelona Airport (Terminal 2): R2 Nord from Sants to Aeroport (zone 1)
- From Barcelona to UAB University: S55 and S2 from Catalunya to Bellaterra and Universitat Autònoma (zone 1)
- From Barcelona to Montserrat: R5 and R50 from Espanya to Aeri de Montserrat and Monistrol de Montserrat (zone 4)
- From Barcelona to Sitges: R2 Sud from Sants to Sitges (zone 3)
- From Barcelona to Castelldefels Beach: R2 Sud from Sants to Platja de Castelldefels (zone 1)
- From Barcelona to Colònia Güell and Gaudí’s Crypt: S33, S8, and S4 from Espanya to Colonia Güell (zone 1)
- From Barcelona to Calella: R1 from Sants to Calella (zone 4)
- From Barcelona to Santa Susanna: R1 from Sants to Santa Susanna (zone 5)
- From Barcelona to Blanes: R1 from Sants to Blanes (zone 5)
Mid-Distance Trains from Barcelona
From Barcelona, you can also easily travel by train to other Spanish cities such as Tarragona, Reus, Ribera, Castelló, Valencia, La Plana, Lleida, Girona, Figueres, Cerbere, Manresa, Zaragoza, and Valencia. These cities are all within a maximum distance of 300 kilometers from Barcelona and are reachable within a few hours by train. Here, extra-fast trains operate under the names Regional, Regional Exprés, Media Distancia, Catalunya Exprés, and Avant. Most mid-distance trains depart from Sants Estació and Estació de França.
Long-Distance Trains from Barcelona
From Barcelona, you can also travel far by train, both within and beyond the borders. The possibilities are endless, especially if you combine a long-distance train with other regional trains. Also convenient are the ‘trenhotels’, which are night trains with beds where you can sleep during your journey and wake up in a new city.
Most Common Routes:
- AVE Barcelona – Madrid: from Barcelona to Madrid via Camp de Tarragona, Lleida, and Zaragoza
- Euromed Barcelona – Valencia: from Barcelona to Valencia
- AVE Barcelona – Sevilla: from Barcelona to Sevilla via Camp de Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Ciudad Real, Puertollano, and Córdoba
- AVE Barcelona – Málaga: from Barcelona to Málaga via Camp de Tarragona, Zaragoza, Córdoba, Puente Genil, and Antequera
- Talgo Barcelona – Murcia: from Barcelona to Murcia via Tarragona, Salou, Cambrils, Amposta, Vinarós, Benicarlò-Peñiscola, Benicassim, Castelló de la Plana, Val`ncia, Xàtiva, Villena, Elda-Petrer, Alacant, Elx, and Orihuela
- Alvia Barcelona – A Coruña: from Barcelona to A Coruña via Camp de Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Tudela de Navarra, Castejon de Ebro, Burgos, Palencia, Sahagun, León, Astorga, Bembibre, Ponferrada, O Barco de Valdeorras, A Rúa-Petín, San Clodio-Quiroga, Monforte de Lemos, Ourense, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña
- Trenhotel Barcelona – Paris
Buying Train Tickets in Barcelona
In general, the train is a relatively inexpensive mode of transportation, especially compared to many other countries. Tickets can be purchased on the spot at the ticket machines or station counters, although it is advisable to buy long-distance train tickets online in advance.
Tickets for Regional Trains
Tickets for the Rodalies and FGC intercity and regional trains have a fixed price, and you can buy your tickets at the ticket machines at all train stations on the day of travel (ensure that the machine says “Rodalies” on it). Often, there is also a counter with a staff member who can help you buy your ticket or plan your trip. If you frequently travel on a specific route, it’s more economical to buy a special subscription. For a one-time trip, choose a single ticket. Note: if you take the train but stay within zone 1, you can travel with a regular public transport card and don’t need to buy a separate ticket.
At the ticket machine, you can get one of the following tickets for regional routes. A ‘bitllet senzill’ is valid for a single trip. It costs a maximum of €6.30 to go to places like Sant Vinceç de Calders (zone 6). With a ‘bonotren’, you can travel 10 times within 90 days on the train at a more favorable rate. More information about the rates and other subscription options can be found here.
Tickets for Mid-Distance Trains
Tickets for mid-distance trains (Regional, Regional Exprés, Media Distancia, and Catalunya Exprés) are different from regional ones because these trains are often faster and stop less than regional trains. These tickets can be bought at the counters in the train station on the same day or well in advance via Renfe’s website.
Tickets for Long-Distance Trains
Tickets for long-distance trains such as the AVE, Euromed, and Talgo can vary in price like plane tickets, so it’s advisable to buy them as early as possible online.
You can also buy tickets at the counter in the train station itself, but the most common way now is to purchase your tickets online.
You can often find attractive deals or combination tickets (if applicable) that can save you a considerable amount of money.
When purchasing tickets, note that there is a first class (‘clase preferente’ or ‘primera clase’) and a second class (‘clase turista’ or ‘segunda clase’), resulting in price differences. In long-distance trains, you must sit in the assigned seat number.
For some destinations (such as Tarragona, Lleida, or Sant Vicenç de Calders), different types of trains (regional, mid-distance, and long-distance) run. So, be careful at busy stations like Sants to board the right train. For example: you are not allowed to travel to Sant Vicenç de Calders on a mid-distance train with a regional train ticket.
Train Stations in Barcelona
In a large city like Barcelona, there are, of course, several train stations. However, not all trains stop at every station. You must first determine which train you need and then choose the correct station. Below is an overview of all the train stations and the routes they offer.
Sants Estació
Sants Estació is the largest train station in Barcelona, where all mid- and long-distance trains stop, as well as various intercity and regional trains, including the train to Barcelona Airport (the R2 Nord). It is well connected to the Barcelona metro (L3 and L5) and also has a hotel (Barceló Sants), a tourist office, and a bus station for regional buses.
Trains from Sants Estació
Be careful when boarding at a busy station like Sants to ensure you are on the correct train.
Address: Estació de Sants (Plaça dels Països Catalans)
Metro: Sants Estació (L3 and L5).
Open: Monday to Saturday from 4:30 AM to 12:30 AM. Sunday and public holidays from 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM.
Ticket sales at counters: daily from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Advance ticket purchases also possible Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (note: closed during public holidays).
Catalunya
At Plaça Catalunya, in addition to a metro station (L1 and L3), there is also a train station and the starting point of the FGC trains (L6, L7, S1, S55, S5, S2). Its location as the most central train station makes this one of the busiest and most important transfer points. It is constantly busy with people, so be careful with your belongings and watch where you walk.
Trains from Catalunya
Address: Plaça Estació (at the bottom of Plaça Catalunya)
Metro: Catalunya (L1, L3, L6, and L7)
Open: when trains are running
Estació de França
The second most important station in Barcelona is Estació de França. A beautiful complex in Noucentista style of great architectural value, built for the 1929 World Exposition. Although it’s not as busy as it used to be, it still serves as a station for some regional, mid-distance, and long-distance trains. The nearest metro station is La Barceloneta (L4), within walking distance.
Trains from Estació de França
Address: Avinguda Marquès de l’Argentera
Metro: Barceloneta (L4)
Open: daily from 4:45 AM to 12:00 AM
Ticket sales at counters: daily from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Advance ticket purchases also possible Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Passeig de Gràcia
If you’re traveling from the airport by train to Barcelona and want to head straight to the downtown area, you’ll likely go to the Passeig de Gràcia train station. From here, you can transfer to the metro (L2, L3, and L4) or step outside to admire some of the beautiful Modernist buildings that adorn Passeig de Gràcia.
Note: Passeig de Gràcia is a hub of tunnels connecting various metros and train stations. It’s easy to get lost, so pay close attention to the signs.
Trains from Passeig de Gràcia
Address: Passeig de Gràcia – Carrer Aragó
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, and L4)
Open: Daily from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Ticket sales at counters: Daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Arc de Triomf
Arc de Triomf is a centrally located train station, with a metro connection (L1) and close to the Estació del Nord bus station.
Trains from Arc de Triomf
Address: Avinguda de Vilanova (between Passeig de Sant Joan and Estació del Nord de Barcelona)
Metro: Arc de Triomf (L1)
Open: When trains are running
Clot-Aragó
Clot-Aragó is a smaller train station connected to the Clot metro station (L1 and L2). It’s a convenient boarding point for several regional trains. I personally find it a pleasant station because it’s smaller, quieter, and more manageable than the rest.
Trains from Clot-Aragó
Address: Plaça Canonge Rodó
Metro: Clot (L1 and L2)
Open: When trains are running
La Sagrera- Merididana
Another small and quiet station is La Sagrera-Meridiana, connected to the Sagrera metro (L1, L5, L9, and L10). This is also one of the newest stations in Barcelona, opened in 2011.
Trains from La Sagrera-Meridiana
Address: Avinguda Meridiana, 305
Metro: Sagrega (L1, L5, L9, and L10)
Open: When trains are running
Sant Andreu Arenal
Another small and quiet station is Sant Andreu Arenal, near the Fabra i Puig metro (L1) and the Estació d’Autobusos Fabra i Puig bus station.
Trains from Sant Andreu Arenal
Address: Avinguda Meridiana, 392
Metro: Fabra i Puig (L1)
Open: When trains are running
Sant Andreu Comtal
Not to be confused with Sant Andreu Arenal. The Sant Andreu Comtal station is located in the heart of the Sant Andreu district, within walking distance of the Sant Andreu metro station (L1).
Trains from Sant Andreu Comtal
Address: Plaça de l’Estació
Metro: Sant Andreu (L1)
Open: When trains are running
Torre del Baró
One of the most remote stations, and where you’re unlikely to go often, is the Torre del Baró station. It’s located on the other side of the Collserola mountains, in the lesser-known neighborhoods of Torre Baró, Ciutat Meridiana, and Vallbona. The Torre Baró | Vallbona metro station (L11) is nearby, within walking distance.
Trains from Torre del Baró
Address: Carrer Vallcivera, 3
Metro: Torre Baró | Vallbona (L11)
Open: When trains are running
