Transport Options for El Prat Barcelona Airport City Centre

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 is located 18Km (11 miles) from Central barcelona next to El Prat de Llobregat town.

Barcelona airport consists of two terminals, T1 and T2.

Is there a monorail, tram or internal airport shuttle between T1 and T2? - NO

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

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.

You could also use the Metro to transfer between terminals, which has stations outside of T1 and T2, but I would also allow 20 minutes of time to enter the station, descend to the platform and make the 3 minute journey. The airport terminal transfer Bus is free, the Metro is not.

What Terminal do I need at Barcelona Airport?

Terminal 1 is the new modern building shaped like an aircraft. Most long distance international flights depart from here as well as the national (premium/flag) 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 a long internal atrium, distance 1Km approximately.

Check your booking before traveling to to the airport to ensure you go to the right terminal and avoid potentially missing your flight. Also, This Barcelona Airport 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

Renfe (National train operator) runs a train service from Central Barcelona to the airport.

• 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.

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 so the RENFE train is the best and most direct service from the airport to downtown Barcelona.

To connect with regional, AVE, and other Rodalies lines change at Barcelona-Sants.

To check train times consult the Rodalies timetable.

Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by TMB Metro

TMB (Transports Metropolitans Barcelona) runs a metro service to and from Barcelona airport to the outskirts of south Barcelona via L9 SUD. 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 till 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 which include return trips to the airport T1 and T2 via the Metro network.
• Con: The airport terminal 1 and 2 stations are not part of the zone 1 fare system so if not using the Hola BCN travel card, A metro single journey ticket to/from the airport needs to be purchased for € 5.15 euros.
• Con: the metro L9 SUD to and from the airport does not pass by the centre of Barcelona but via the outskirts of south Barcelona terminating at Zona Universitaria. To get to the centre change onto the blue or red metro lines from L9 Sud.

Getting to & from Barcelona Airport by Chauffeur

it is also possible to book a 4, 6 or 8 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

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.

• 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 (including supplemental fees) from the Airport to The centre of Barcelona by taxi.

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 Aerobus provides great 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 busses
• Pro: It is a direct transport service from the centre of Barcelona (Plaça Catalunya and Plaça España) to the 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 and the busses have free WIFI and USB charging onboard on every seat
• Pro: Purchase a One-way or return ticket online in advance so no wasting time at ticket machines
• Con: It is a bus!

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 that can be done as a trip on the T-casual card or single fare of 2.40 euros. Note that these busses stop frequently and could take up to one hour or more to get to the airport.

TMB route 46 bus from Plaza Catalunya to Airport T1 and T2.

Night Bus N18 from Plaza Catalunya to Airport T1 and T2.

Night Bus N17 from Plaza Catalunya to Airport T1.

Night Bus N16 from Plaza Catalunya to Airport T2.

Note: These busses would not be my recommended transport option to get to the airport because of the long journey time and frequent stops. The cost is the same as the R2 Rodalies train line and only about 3-4 euros cheaper than the Aerobus or Metro.

Car pick up & Parking 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
• ParkVia
• 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.

Documents for Transport Options for El Prat Barcelona Airport City Centre

Click on any one of the 5 PDFs to view in full screen and download.