A Guide to Transport in Barcelona

A Guide to Transport in Barcelona

It can be a daunting task, making your way in and around a new and unfamiliar city. Different modes of transport often operate in particular ways that, unless you’re a local and used to it, can cause a few of your internal fuses to blow when traveling. It can be challenging to figure out how to use the metro in Barcelona

Thankfully, Barcelona is easy to navigate around – once you know a few things. To help make your journey through BCN as easy as chilling on the beach, we’ve got some helpful information about transport in Barcelona for you. From subway and buses to trams and ride-sharing, the city of Barcelona boasts a wide range of affordable and convenient ways to reach even the most remote spots and explore the top things to do in Barcelona

 

Getting from Barcelona Airport to the City Centre


The best and quickest public transport to get into the Barcelona center from the airport is the RENFE Train. After three stops you’ll be in Sants Estacio, the main train station, and the fourth stop is Passeig de Gracia. Journey time is around 25-28 minutes. If you need to go from one terminal to another, get on metro line l9 sud which runs every seven minutes. 

Aerobus is another option of how to reach the city from the airport. Operating every day and running every 30 minutes, aerobus is a convenient transportation for visitors that will take you all the way to Placa Catalunya. The price for a single ticket is €11.75 per person, while a two-way ticket will cost you €16.75.

There are also Metro lines to and from the airport to Barcelona city center; but for the best value, the smart option is the RENFE train because you can use what’s called the T-casual which is valid for ten single journeys on the trams, buses, and Metro in Barcelona, but not on the Metro lines serving the airport. 

The T-casual card starts at just €12.55 and you can buy one at any rail and metro station, tram stop, and in Tobacco shops; but we recommend getting it right next to the train station at the airport so you’re already saving money from your very first journey.

If you intend to make five journeys or more in Barcelona (you will), it is the best value means of using public transport. It can be used by more than one person each time too, so it’s ideal for a couple of friends traveling together, and it doesn’t count changing lines as separate journeys. There are different T-casual cards for different zones, but get a Zone 1 public transportation card as this covers all of the main city center and the vast majority of tourist attractions in Barcelona.

 

Getting around Barcelona City Centre


Now when you made your way into the city of Barcelona, let’s investigate how to get around using the vast system of public transportation. In this section, we will discuss how to use the metro in Barcelona, how to get a hang of buses, and which car-sharing apps are available.

 

Barcelona Subway


Barcelona offers a fast and convenient subway system with 12 lines spanning across the city. The metro trains run every two to four minutes during the day, depending on the traffic, and every ten minutes at night. A single-ride Metro ticket costs €2.40 so, again, the T-casual ticket is the way to go, offering a much better deal on your dime. 

Let’s take a look at the Barcelona metro working hours. The trains run from Monday to Thursday from 5:00 am to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 am to 2:00 am, and on Saturday they operate all day and night. It also runs 24 hours on the eve of most public holidays and fiestas – partying ‘til dawn is always an option in BCN!

Barcelona Subway Map

But how to use the Barcelona metro? The Metro in Barcelona is easy to use once you get the hang of it. There are wall maps of the Metro system at the entrances to all stations and free Metro maps at the ticket booths, so planning journeys and trips around the city is quite straightforward. To estimate journey times, average around 2.5 mins between stops.

 

Buses in Barcelona


Buses are a good option as well for getting around Barcelona, with several lines and connections spanning the city center. There are free bus maps and timetables available at transport stations and stops, but the most convenient way of planning bus journeys in Barcelona is by using Google Maps to check time and route. The regular buses run from 5 am to 10 pm, but no worry, the city generously provides night buses for those night owls. 

After midnight there are night bus lines connecting essentially all of the city. These buses are indicated by the letter ‘N’ preceding the route number and are referred to as nitbus. You can use a T-casual ticket on buses or buy a single ticket (2.40€) on board.

So, how to pay for a bus in Barcelona? Note, if buying a ticket on board, you pay the bus driver directly and in cash only as card payment cannot be made on buses in Barcelona. It’s best to have exact change or small denominations of cash as often the driver will not have sufficient change for larger notes, in which case you are not permitted to purchase travel.

 

Trams in Barcelona


The Barcelona Tram system is relatively under-used; perhaps a testament to the effectiveness of the metro and bus lines which are most popular among locals and visitors. You likely will not end up using the tram in Barcelona, the routes are a little fewer than the metro and bus offers and are less frequent too, but it is a really nice way to travel around Barcelona and see the city, especially as it also covers parts of the city that the metro or bus routes do not.

Unlike buses and subway, the tram in Barcelona costs €2.20 for a single ride and you can also use your T-casual card. If buying a single ticket, you buy at the machine at the tram stop before boarding. These are touch-screen, and available in English. Please note that you can pay with a card and coins, but not paper bills. Change is provided, but cash payment can only be made using coins.

If you haven’t gone through a barrier at the tram station, thus validating your ticket, you will need to validate the ticket in one of many machines in the tram car itself when you board.

 

Taxis in Barcelona


Taxi prices in Barcelona are relatively cheap compared to other European cities; but, as in any city, always be careful that you don’t get ‘taken for a ride’ when using taxis in Barcelona. It’s good to have a general idea of the estimated journey time between your point A and desired point B as well as an idea of the cost before you get into a taxi. Ask locals, or the reception staff at your hostel or hotel, for guidelines, and get an estimate from the driver before committing. Finally, always be sure that the taxi driver switches on the meter.

The best way to use taxis in Barcelona, and indeed in numerous cities around Europe, is the MyTaxi app. It lets you book official taxis, pay through the app, and keep records of the actual journey and additional charges so you can always report suspect journeys. Other ride-sharing options include Bolt, Cabify, FreeNow, and, of course, Uber. Although the app was shortly banned in the past, the legal dispute is over and the app is available in the country of Spain. Hailing taxis the old-fashioned way is also an option but it could be less safe due to the lack of supervision.  

Of course, some travelers might like to consider renting a car in Barcelona. This is really not necessary if you intend to stay in Barcelona City center and the surrounding districts as the city is so well served with connections. Car rental is a good idea though if you plan to take some day trips from Barcelona to other worthy locations, such as Girona, Montserrat, Costa Brava, or the Cistercian Route, and prefer to do so at your own pace and in your own time, rather than rely on trains and buses.

 

Cable Car


Additionally, Barcelona provides a convenient and picturesque cable car Telerefic route to reach the summit of Mount Montjuic. You simply cannot miss out on this incredible ride that offers the best views of the city’s skyline and the majestic mountain. 

The ticket costs €10.20 per person for a one-way trip and €14.20 for a round trip. Children under 12 years old receive a modest discount: a one-way journey will cost you €7.30 and a two-way trip €10.20. Children under 4 can ride for free. Keep in mind that cable cars, also known as funiculars operate from 10 am to 7 pm in the summer and spring, and to 6 pm in the months of winter and fall, so plan your trip accordingly. 

Cable Cars

Tourist Buses


Finally, you can also use the city’s vast network of double-decker sightseeing buses, running across the center. Although not strictly part of Barcelona's transportation system, they can carry you from one location to another while offering a guide. These hop-on hop-off buses allow visitors to get from one tourist destination to another directly, without taking long detours by subway or regular buses. 

 

Some Local Tips on Using Transport in Barcelona


Finally, let’s explore some secret local tips on getting around the city. In this section, you will learn additional tricks that will help you save your hard-earned money without jeopardizing comfort. If ever in doubt, use smou, a local Barcelona app with insights and tips on how to find your way across the city. 

 

You Can (and Should) Walk


Most Barcelona tourist attractions are easily reachable from one to the next, especially by subway, tram, or bus. Indeed, many of them are all within walking distance, as you’ll discover on the excellent free walking tours of Barcelona. Indeed, we do recommend foregoing the convenience of Barcelona public transport when you only need to go to a few stops and walk instead. There’s no better way to feel the pulse of the city than on foot.

 

Bicycles


Renting a bicycle is another way to explore this cycling-friendly city brimming with bike lanes. Unfortunately, the popular bicing and other public bicycle services are only available to residents and cannot be used by tourists. However, there are numerous other bike rentals that you can use to enjoy a windy and calming ride through the city. With an average cost of €15 per day, cycling is an affordable yet fun method of getting around Barcelona. 

 

Electric Bikes and Scooters


Electric bikes and scooters are super popular in Barcelona and Spain as a whole, offering numerous locations for rent. Locals would argue it’s the best way to get around Barcelona! For example, you can rent a scooter at GOMEEP or REBY, two notable and reputable shops in the city. The rental price varies depending on the season and type of vehicle, ranging from €10 to €30 per day. If you’re planning a trip outside the city or simply want to fit in with the crowd, scooter can be a great option for you. 

Another alternative is YEGO, an electric scooter rental company offering easy access across the city. You simply log in to the YEGO app, enter your data and payment options, and enjoy your fast scooter ride. The scooter will come with insurance, a helmet, and a fully-charged battery, allowing you to immediately start your adventure.

 

Barcelona Card


If you’re staying in Barcelona for a few days and plan on traveling across the city to investigate its endless landmarks and hidden gems, consider acquiring a Barcelona card, or Hola BCN card. Providing unlimited access to the city’s entire public transportation system, the card also offers free admission to more than 25 Barcelona museums and galleries as well as skip-the-line perks. Additionally, you will take advantage of numerous discounts to over 70 various tours, shows, nightlife venues, and even dining experiences, making it an invaluable purchase. 

The costs depend on the type of card you require: while a three-day pass costs €55, a five-day card is €77. For the price, you will receive unlimited free travel on subway, buses, FGC trains, trams, and even airport shuttle. 

 

T Casual 


The aforementioned T Casual is the renewed version of the T-10 card that offers 10 trips using the city’s public transportation system. If you’re not interested in museum admission discounts and simply want a transport card to quickly travel across the city, the T Casual is the great alternative. 

The T Casual card comes with ten trips and can be used on metro, buses, trams, and trains, barring the airport shuttles. The price depends on the zones, with zone 1 costing only €12.55 which is more than enough to cover all the notable sightseeing destinations. Keep in mind that the card is registered to the buyer and cannot be transferred to other passengers. 

If you’re staying longer than five days and would like a multi-person ticket, consider T-familiar, a part of the T-mobilitat network offering eight rides over the span of 30 days.