T
he El Prat Airport is one of the biggest and the busiest in Catalonia. It is located 12 km from the city center in an area called El Prat del Llobregat.
Josep Tarradellas is the patron – do not be surprised if you see his name as the description (it happens sometimes and creates a lot of confusion). He was a politician as it often goes. This one happened to get a nickname of “the citizen of Catalonia”. His is the story of a fight, banishment, fleeing, returning home and unification of the region.
The airport is popular for a good reason. Barcelona is visited by more than 7 million tourists each year. Before going to the city they can use the shops and restaurants of the area. There is even a hairdresser salon there, a spa, and a chapel in Terminal 1.
How do you get to the city center? There are RENFE trains and a metro station. Furthermore – a special, fast bus connection and some regular bus stops (these serve mostly for the guests who want to go to the suburbs).
Before we start you need to know the most important thing. Barcelona has an integrated public transport system. It means that one ticket will allow you to travel on the metro, busses, trams, and trains.
What does it mean for us? If we do not plan to take Aerobusem or the taxi, it may be worth buying something that will cover all our stay in Barcelona.
Hola Barcelona!
The T-Dia ticket has the airport included, but it is a 24-hour ticket so… it is better in the city, but you will read more about it in the “Move around” article.
Hola Barcelona Travel Card seems to be more useful and interesting. It allows you unlimited travel on all the public transport in the time period of 48h, 72h, 96h, or 120h (including the airport connection and the funicular to Montjuic).
Metro L9
There are two L9 lines with an additional “north” and “south” description. The orange South line connects the airport with the Barcelona city cenet. it stops on both terminals every 7 minutes. In the case of Terminal 2 – the station is situated behind the parking, but is connected with the building by a special passage (bigger map here). Terminal 1 is smaller and the station is easier to find. It is also less of a walk (the same passage to the metro has the bus stops at the ground floor level).
From L9 you will have to change to L1, L5, or L3 – everything depends on your destination (check the metro map). The ride should take about 30 min.
You can buy the tickets in the red-grey automatic machines on the stations – it is the easiest and the fastest way (you can pay with cash or credit card). The airport has an additional option – at the RENFE/metro station, an attendant can help you with the whole process and give directions if you are in need. Also… remember about Hola Barcelona card…
Prices
one-way – 5,15€
Works everyday from 5 AM till midnight, on Fridays and Saturdays – all night.
RENFE R2 (Nord Line)
The train station, also for the metro, is located about 200 meters from Terminal 2 and linked with it by a passage (you can see it on a map above). The T1 has everything close to the main hall – just follow the signs.
In case of any problems or mistakes – there is a shuttle bus linking both terminals. It stops right at the main door.
You can buy the tickets in the automatic machines at the airport or at the entrance to the train station. In the city? – at any metro station.
Prices
one-way – 5,15 €
The trains come every 30 minutes between 05:42 AM and 11:38 PM.
It is better to have some extra time on you because RENFE trains are often running late.
Aerobús
It is the fastest way to get out – direct connection to the city center leaves every 10 minutes (every day). It trip takes about 35 minutes.
THere are bus stops on both T1 and T2. The terminal stop in the city is Pl.Catalunya. Other interesting stops are Sepúlveda-Urgell, Pl. Espanya, Gran Vía-Urgell i Pl. Universitat – sprawdź na mapie.
Prices
one-way – 5,90 €
both ways – 10,20 €
Take note that this is a private company. your integrated tickets won’t work here. You can buy everything online. Every bus stop has blue automatic machines, so you can also buy your tickets at the airport. The busses are quite visible and will help you to locate the right place. Just look for the right colors and the Aerobús logo.
Normal buses
There is a lot of regular buses going from the airport to various parts of the city.
The only direct line to Barcelona is the L46 bus – it goes to Plaça Espanya and stops on both terminals.
The night buses go to Plaça Catalunya. These are N16 (from T2), N17 (from T1) and N18 (from T1 i T2).
Prices
Ticket 90 minutes – 2,40 €
You can buy the tickets in red-grey machines belonging to TMB (Transport of Barcelona Company) or with the bus driver. Multi-journey tickets may be more practical, but there are single tickets – no worries.
Line L77 and PR1 take you to a train station, where you need to interchange to the metro. They both stop at T1 and T2.
Other buses go to the suburbs and other cities. You can read more about it here.
Uber or a taxi?
Getting to the center of Barcelona in a car takes between 20-40 minutes. You will spot the taxis easily – they are all black and yellow and there is only one company.
The general price is between 25-40 €. It all depends on the time of the day and of the week.
Usually, when you go to the airport you start with 4,30€ and then for every kilometer you travel. But there is a flat rate for the journey to Barcelona port – 39 €.
Prices
€/km (t1): 1,18 € *
€/km (t2): 1,41 €**
€/hour – 22,60 €
* Week-days from 8 AM to 8 PM
** week-days, weekends and holidays from 8 PM to 8 AM
Watch out! UBER is illegal in Barcelona.
Rent a Car
You can find the offices in both terminals.
Look for them on the ground floor in the T1, they are right after the hall where you take your luggage. In T2 they are located close to exits from the main hall (also close to the customs offices). You can also check the map above.
Enjoy your stay!