There are various ways to travel to Barcelona: by plane, car, bus, train, or even by boat during one of the many cruises that dock in Barcelona. The plane is usually the fastest and easiest way to travel to Barcelona: in just two to three hours, you can fly from most European airports to Barcelona. From the United States flight times to Barcelona are 7 to 12 hours. However if you are within Europe, traveling by car, train, or bus are also options to consider.
Flights To Barcelona Airport
Flying is the quickest way to travel from the Netherlands or Belgium to Barcelona. In just under two hours, you can fly from Schiphol or Brussels to Barcelona. Moreover, a city trip to Barcelona, including flights, doesn’t have to be expensive: many airlines nowadays offer affordable tickets, especially if you fly during the week. Before you book your flight tickets to Barcelona, I’d like to share some useful tips:
- Barcelona is well-connected by air to all the major airports in Europe. Airlines like Vueling, Transavia, Volotea, Wizz Air, EasyJet and Ryanair are popular choices among city travelers.
- Most international airlines fly to Madrid, but some, such as Delta Airlines, KLM, Iberia, Level, and United Airlines, also offer direct flights from overseas to Barcelona.
- The cheapest time to fly to Barcelona is often outside holidays and weekends, especially during the winter months, which are considered the low season.
Airports in Barcelona
Barcelona has one main airport, El Prat Airport, abbreviated as BCN. Barcelona’s airport is located southwest of the city, about 18 kilometers from the center. From El Prat, you can easily travel to the city center, for example, using the Aerobús.
Note: When searching for flights to Barcelona, you might come across offers for flights to Reus or Girona. These airports are not located in Barcelona itself and are about an hour and a half away from the city by special buses. Often, tickets to these airports are cheaper, so they may be worth considering.
While flying to Reus or Girona can be an option, it’s advisable to fly directly to El Prat, Barcelona’s main airport. Once at El Prat, you can quickly and easily reach your hotel by metro, bus, taxi, or train. If you’re taking the Aerobús shuttle bus from the airport to the center, book your tickets in advance at Tiqets.
👉 Read more about Barcelona Airport here.
By Car to Barcelona
One way to save money on your trip to Barcelona, especially when traveling with family or a group within Europe, is to go by car. Driving allows you to carry more luggage than you could on a plane and gives you full control over the pace of your journey.
However, you should consider the additional costs associated with driving, such as toll fees (peajes), overnight stays at hotels along the way, fuel expenses, and parking fees.
Note that once in Barcelona, you’ll need a valid environmental sticker or permit to drive within the city limits. Make sure to apply for this several weeks in advance.
If you choose to drive to Barcelona, be aware of the limited parking options in the city. Ideally, select accommodations that include parking or reserve a parking space near your lodging ahead of time.
By Train to Barcelona
Traveling by train is a very relaxing option, and in some cases, it’s even cheaper than flying. How long the journey takes will depend on your departure point, but to give you an idea: traveling by train from Paris to Barcelona takes only around 6.5 hours. Besides that, the experience of traveling through Europe by train is truly priceless.
Most international long-distance trains arrive at Barcelona’s Sants Estació, which connects to metro lines L3 and L5.
By Bus to Barcelona
Taking the bus is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get to Barcelona. Companies like Eurolines, Flixbus, and Ouibus offer bus trips across Europe for less than €50 per person. However, traveling by bus is significantly slower than other modes of transportation.
Most international long-distance buses arrive at Barcelona’s Sants Estació or Estació del Nord.
By Boat to Barcelona
Barcelona boasts a large port that hosts cruises, ferries, and long-distance ships. Many travelers visit Barcelona to embark on cruise ships bound for the Mediterranean. Additionally, several ferry services operate from Barcelona to nearby cities and islands, such as the Balearic Islands, making the city a popular destination for ship enthusiasts.
Arrival in Barcelona
Upon arriving in Barcelona, you have several transportation options to reach your final destination or accommodation.
There are various bus, metro, and train connections linking Barcelona’s airport to the city. All train and bus stations are located near a metro or bus stop. Additionally, the passenger terminal in Barcelona’s port is close to the old city center, with convenient metro and bus links nearby.
You can also take a taxi. In Barcelona, you can choose between the traditional black-and-yellow taxis or modern app-based services like Uber and Cabify.
Even the more remote airports, such as Reus and Girona, are well-connected to Barcelona via shuttle buses.
For a more luxurious and comfortable arrival, you can opt for a transfer service that takes you from the airport or port directly to the city.
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