Transport Options for El Prat Barcelona Airport City Centre
The pros, cons & costs of the multiple methods for connections between downtown Barcelona and El Prat Barcelona airport terminals 1 and 2 in 2026
Summary of Travel Options to & from Barcelona Airport
Barcelona Airport, also known as El Prat Airport or Josep Taradellas Airport is Catalonia's largest Airport with Catalunya having secondary regional airports in Girona and Reus.
Barcelona airport consists of two terminals, T1 and T2.
Transfers between Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) is via:
- Free Terminal transfer shuttle bus
- Barcelona Metro
- Taxi if in a hurry, minimum fare 21 Euros
Is there a monorail or tram between T1 and T2? No. Make sure you go to the correct terminal or you will need to use a shuttle bus (with stops outside of T2B (below the bridge) and T1 (outside level 0). Allow up to 20 minutes for the shuttle bus between terminals taking into account passenger loading times. The Metro which has stations outside of T1 and T2 (20 minutes including walking time.) The airport terminal transfer Bus is free, the Metro is not.
Terminal 1 is the new modern building shaped like an aircraft. Most long distance international flights depart from here as well as the national carriers of Spain and other countries.
Terminal 2 is where the European low cost / budget carriers operate from. The building dates from the 1970s and is divided into three main zones for departures and arrivals T2A, T2B and T2C. Travel between the zones of terminal 2 is walking via an internal atrium, distance 1Km approximately.
This Link Shows the terminal for each airline operating out of Barcelona airport. Verify with your carrier if in doubt.
Getting to and from Barcelona Airport
The most common and recommended transport methods between Barcelona Airport and Barcelona city centre, from cheapest to most expensive, are:
- R2 SUD Rodalies Train
- TMB metro Line 9 Sud
- AeroBus
- Taxi
Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by Renfe Rodalies Train
- Pro: Only rail service to go to the centre of Barcelona.
- Pro: Cheaper (1.135 Euros) if used as 1 trip of a T-casual Zone 1 ticket. (10 trips for 11.35 euros)
- Pro: 30 minute train ride to passeig de Gracia.
- Con: Only goes to Terminal T2. Use free transfer bus between T1 and T2 (20 mins journey)
- Con: Trains every 30 minutes from 05:15 to 23:15 daily.
Renfe (National train operator) runs a train service from Central Barcelona to the airport.
The Renfe Rodalies train to the Airport is my preferred choice but only if I am flying from terminal T2.
Renfe Rodalies (R2 NORD line) trains to and from the airport pass via Barcelona-Sants and Barcelona-Passeig de Gracia in the centre of Barcelona.
To connect with regional, AVE, and other Rodalies lines change at Barcelona-Sants.
To check train times use this Link.
Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by TMB Metro
TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) runs a Metro service to and from Barcelona Airport via the L9 Sud line. The Metro L9 Sud is my preferred transport choice, BUT ONLY if I am flying from Terminal 1.
- Pro: Goes to both Terminal T1 and T2.
- Pro: Trains every 5–8 minutes from 05:00 until midnight, and later at weekends.
- Pro: 2‑day, 3‑day, 4‑day and 5‑day unlimited travel passes within the Barcelona Metropolitan Area, called Hola BCN, can be purchased and include return trips to Airport T1 and T2 via the Metro network.
- Con: The airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stations are not part of the Zone 1 fare system, so if you are not using the Hola BCN travel card, a Metro single journey ticket to/from the airport must be purchased for €5.15.
- Con: The Metro L9 Sud to and from the airport does not pass through the centre of Barcelona but travels via the outskirts of south Barcelona, terminating at Zona Universitària. To reach the city centre, change to the Blue (L5) or Red (L1) Metro lines from L9 Sud.
The Hola BCN cards are valid for the time period purchased, starting from the moment of first use in a ticket machine at a Metro station, bus, tram or train station. For example, you can buy the ticket several days before you first use it and it will still be valid for the number of hours you purchased. The countdown only starts once you first validate the ticket.
- 2 days (48 h): €15.75
- 3 days (72 h): €22.95
- 4 days (96 h): €29.97
- 5 days (120 h): €36.72
Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by Chauffeur
it is also possible to book a 4, 6 or 7 seat private car to drive you to and from the airport from your hotel.
Note: when booking airport pick up allow time to clear customs and baggage reclaim because the driver can only wait one hour outside the airport as per airport regulations.
- Pro: Goes to both terminal T1 and T2
- Pro: Door to door service
- Pro: No waiting in a long queue for a taxi outside the airport terminal in sweltering heat.
- Con: More Expensive than Train, Metro or AeroBus
Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by Taxi
- Pro: Door to door direct service.
- Pro: For flights that are early or late when public transport is infrequent, order a taxi in advance.
- Pro: Journey time of 20 to 30 minutes.
- Pro: for more than 4 people, people carrier vehicles and wheelchair enabled vehicles are available. ask the taxi assistant at the airport taxi rank.
- Con: Taxi pick up or drop off has additional fees applied: 4.30 Euros supplement for airport.
- Con: Minimum journey to airport is 21 euros even if your only going a few Kms.
- Con: Expect to pay around 35 euros (including supplemental fees) from the Airport to The centre of Barcelona by taxi.
Barcelona's official taxi's are the black and yellow cabs and both terminal T1 and T2 have a taxi pick up and drop off service to and from anywhere in Barcelona Metropolitan and the suburbs.
Taxi is my preferred choice when I have elderly relatives visiting or if I am travelling to the airport with two or more people to share costs.
Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by AeroBus
Barcelona Aerobús provides excellent transport links between Barcelona El Prat Airport and Barcelona Plaça Catalunya. Avoid the hassle of navigating the public transportation system before or after a long journey — instead, relax and enjoy the views of Barcelona from the comfort of your seat.
- Pro: Two routes: one for T1 and the other for T2.
- Pro: Modern fleet of air‑conditioned buses.
- Pro: Direct transport service from the centre of Barcelona (Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Espanya) to Airport Terminal T1 or T2.
- Pro: Buses have space for luggage and pushchairs.
- Pro: Buses have wheelchair access ramps.
- Pro: Journey time of 30 to 35 minutes, with free Wi‑Fi and USB charging at every seat.
- Pro: Purchase a one‑way or return ticket online in advance — no need to queue at ticket machines.
- Con: It is a bus!
€10.57 for a one‑way journey to or from Barcelona El Prat Airport and Plaça Catalunya in the centre of Barcelona.
€16.62 for a return journey to and from Barcelona El Prat Airport and Plaça Catalunya in the centre of Barcelona.
Getting to & from Barcelona Airport Low Cost Options
There are a range of commuter bus routes that operate during the day and night to and from the airport, and these can be used with a T‑Casual card or a single fare of €2.40. Note that these buses stop frequently and can take up to an hour or more to reach the airport.
TMB route 46 bus from Plaça Catalunya to Airport T1 and T2.
Night Bus N18 from Plaça Catalunya to Airport T1 and T2.
Note: These buses are not my recommended transport option for getting to the airport due to the long journey time and frequent stops. The cost is the same as the R2 Rodalies train line and only about €3–4 cheaper than the Aerobús or Metro.
Parking Options at Barcelona Airport
- If you are picking up arriving passengers from Barcelona Airport, there are two options at both terminals:
- The express pick-up areas outside T1 and T2
- The general car parks
The express pick up areas outside of both terminal buildings are short stat only of about 10 minutes or less. If you stay longer you will be asked to move on and you can park in the short stay parking area.
At the Airport parking areas, the first 10 minutes is free of charge in the car park to drop off or pick up passengers. From minute 11 onwards you will be charged to exit the parking area.
Long Stay Barcelona Airport parking
- There are multiple companies that offer long stay parking at Barcelona Airport.
- Aena Official Airport Parking
- Aena Official Airport ParkingParkos
- Long Stay Airport Parking
- parkimeter
If you are asked to leave your car keys with the long term parking provider, insist that the Odometer KM's of the vehicle are recorded on the form at time of drop off. Also take a photo of the odometer Kms.