How to Get From Barcelona Airport to City Centre by Train, Bus, Taxi, Shared Shuttle & Private Transfer

For most travellers, the Aerobus is the sweet spot between cost and convenience. It is a dedicated express Barcelona airport bus that runs 365 days a year.

• At Terminal 1: Head to the ground floor (Arrivals level). Walk outside and look for the bright blue buses. The stop is directly in front of the terminal building.
• At Terminal 2: The stops are located outside the "Technical Block" (between T2B and T2C). Follow the signs for "Bus" or "Aerobus".

• Online: You can buy tickets in advance on the official website or app.
• At the stop: There are ticket vending machines (card/cash) at the stop.
• On board: You can buy a ticket from the driver (cash–try to have small change or pay by card).
• How much does an Aerobus ticket cost?: Approx. €12.25 (Single) / €18.50 (Return).

The service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year (including weekends and public holidays). The frequency depends on the time of day:

• 05:00 to 06:40: Every 10 minutes
• 06:40 to 21:55: Every 5 minutes
• 21:55 to 00:35: Every 10 minutes
• 00:35 to 05:00: Every 20 minutes

• Take line A1 if you are at Terminal 1.
• Take line A2 if you are at Terminal 2.
• Sit back for about 35 minutes. The bus terminates at Plaça Catalunya, with stops at Plaça d’Espanya and Gran Via-Urgell.

If you are travelling on a shoestring budget, the Bus 46 (Operated by TMB) is your best friend. It serves as a reliable link between the city’s major transport hubs and both airport terminals.

• At Terminal 1: Turn left upon exiting Arrivals; the stop is located just past the Aerobus stop.
• At Terminal 2: You can catch the bus outside Terminal 2B and Terminal 2C.

Unlike the express Aerobus, this route makes several convenient stops along the way.

➡ City start/end: Plaça d’Espanya (connecting to Metro L1 & L3) and Av Paral·lel.

➡ Along the way: It travels via Gran Via, stopping at Plaça Europa (connecting to L9) and Hospital de Bellvitge (connecting to L1).

➡ At the Airport: It stops at Terminal 2B, Terminal 2C, and finally Terminal 1.

• How much does a Bus 46 ticket cost?: €2.65 (Single ticket).
• Payment: You can pay the driver (contactless is preferred) or, for the best value, use a T-casual card if you have already purchased one at a tobacco shop or from ticket machines at the station.

• The journey takes approximately 40 to 55 minutes, depending on traffic and the number of stops.
• It is the perfect choice if you are staying near Plaça d’Espanya or the Fira Gran Via area and want to save money for tapas!

If you land after midnight when the metro and train have stopped, do not worry. The NitBus network makes sure you can still get from Barcelona airport to the city centre cheaply and safely.

Depending on where you land, you will need to look for a specific bus number:

• Line N17 (Terminal 1): This is the main night bus for T1. It takes a longer route through L'Hospitalet and El Prat before reaching the airport.

  ➡ Stops at Airport: Terminal 1 Departures (Level 3), Air Shuttle Corridor, and Terminal 1 Arrivals (Level 0).

• Line N16 (Terminal 2): This line runs from Barcelona to Castelldefels, stopping at Terminal 2 along the way.

  ➡ Important to note: Because the bus stops are used for both directions, check the screen on the bus before boarding. Double check that it says "Barcelona" or "Pl. Catalunya" and not "Castelldefels".

  ➡ Stops at Airport: Cargo Terminal, Terminal 2B Departures, T2B Technical Block, and T2C (external road).

• Line N18 (Backup / Express): This line connects both terminals (T1 and T2) to the city. It travels from Plaça Catalunya to T1, then to T2, and finally returns to Barcelona.

  ➡ Stops at Airport: T1 Departures & Arrivals, Cargo Terminal, T2B Arrivals, T2B Technical Block, and T2C.

All lines generally run every 20 minutes, though frequency may increase during the summer months. The service operates all year round.

• N17 Schedule:

  • From Terminal 1 to City: 21:55 to 04:50.
  • From City (Pl. Catalunya) to T1: 22:50 to 05:00.

• N16 Schedule:

  • From Castelldefels (via T2) to City: 23:10 to 04:40.
  • From City (Pl. Catalunya) to T2: 23:30 to 05:10.

• N18 Schedule:

  • From Terminal 1 to City: 00:18 to 04:33.
  • From City (Pl. Catalunya) to Airport: 00:05 to 04:50.

• How much does a NitBus ticket cost? The standard fare is (€2.65). You can pay the driver (cash/contactless) or use a valid travel card like T-casual.
• Final stop: All these lines terminate at Plaça Catalunya (Ronda Universitat), dropping you right in the heart of Barcelona.

If you are arriving at Terminal 2, taking the train from Barcelona airport to city is a brilliant choice. The R2 North line (Rodalies) is the budget-friendly speedster that connects you to the main city stations.

• At Terminal 2: Follow the signs for "Renfe" or the train icon. You will walk across a covered bridge that connects the terminal to the station. It takes about 5 minutes.

• At Terminal 1: You cannot catch the train directly. You must first take the free green shuttle bus to Terminal 2, then cross the bridge to the station.

• Stops: The train makes limited stops, making it very fast. Note: "Aeroport" stands for "Airport" on signs and timetables.

  ➡ From Airport to City: Aeroport de Barcelona ➔ Estació Sants ➔ Passeig de Gràcia ➔ El Clot.

  ➡ From City to Airport: El Clot ➔ Passeig de Gràcia ➔ Estació Sants ➔ Aeroport de Barcelona.

You have two main options for buying your train tickets: using the station machines or booking in advance online for peace of mind.

A. Buying at the station

• Vending machines: Go to the orange/red ticket machines in the station lobby. There are five machines at the airport station. They operate in English, German, Spanish (Castellano), Catalan, and French.

• Payment: Machines accept cash (coins and notes of €5, €10, €20, €50) and credit/debit cards. You can buy multiple tickets in a single transaction.

• Staff assistance: If you struggle with the machine, look for staff wearing high-visibility jackets; they are there to help you purchase your ticket.

• How much does a train ticket cost?: A single ticket is roughly €4.90.

  ➡ Tip: If you plan to use public transport in the city as well, it is best to buy a ‘Hola Barcelona’ travel card or a ‘T-casual’ card here, as the airport train journey is included.

  ➡ T-Casual: €12.55. This card includes 10 journeys and is valid on the Airport train, buses, and the Metro (but not the Airport Metro L9 stop). You can share it or use it for the rest of your trip.

  ➡ Hola Barcelona travel card: If you plan to use public transport extensively, this pass gives you unlimited travel on the network, including the airport train.

Trains generally run twice every hour.

• From Barcelona Airport: First train: 05:40 | Last train: 23:38
• From Estació Sants: First train: 05:13 | Last train: 23:09
• From Passeig de Gràcia: First train: 05:08 | Last train: 23:02

➡ Check the official schedule: Operating times can vary during the year. It is best to check the official RENFE website for your specific dates.

B. Advance booking with hoppa

If you prefer to have everything sorted before you land, you can book your train tickets in advance through hoppa.

• Skip the queues: Avoid the stress of figuring out ticket machines after a long flight.
• Easy comparison: Enter your route (e.g., "Barcelona Airport" to "Barcelona Sants") to see all available train times and prices in one place.
• Secure e-tickets: Receive your ticket directly to your email. In most cases, you can simply scan this from your phone to pass through the gates.
• Global coverage: hoppa partners with major rail operators like Renfe Viejeros and TMB, meaning you get official prices with no hidden fees.

• Pass through the turnstiles and go down to the platform.
• Trains run every 30 minutes.
• Get off at Barcelona Sants (for high-speed connections) or Passeig de Gràcia (for the city centre/Gaudí architecture). The ride takes roughly 20-25 minutes.

For a stress-free arrival where you don't need to lift a finger, a private transfer with hoppa is the gold standard. With hoppa, you get professional drivers who ensure you travel safely and efficiently to your destination.

Regardless of whether you book in advance or on the go, booking with hoppa is simple:

• Visit the hoppa website or download the hoppa app.
• Enter your pick-up and drop-off points.
• Choose your vehicle type. Options include cars (great for solo travellers/couples), SUVs & MPVs (ideal for families needing extra luggage space), or minibuses & coaches (perfect for larger groups).
• Add any extras you might need, such as child and infant seats, wheelchair accessible vehicles, or extra luggage space for sports equipment.
• How much does a private transfer from BCN Airport to the city centre cost? Starts from just £31 per private car (4 people).

Confirm your booking. Paying is as simple as can be. You can use a range of major credit and debit cards, as well as online wallets. Whichever method you prefer, you can rest assured that your booking is secure and encrypted.

We want to make your journey as stress-free as possible.

• Once you’ve booked, you´ll receive an e-ticket via email, and this document contains all the necessary information you need for your trip, including clear instructions on where to meet your driver.
• If you have any questions, you can reach our 24/7 support team via the contact details provided in your e-ticket.

Once you’ve met your driver, sit back and relax. hoppa´s trusted partners provide professional drivers who will get you to your destination safely and on time, taking the most efficient routes possible.

If you want the ease of being dropped at your hotel door but want to save money, the hoppa shared shuttle is an excellent choice for transfers from Barcelona airport.

• Visit the hoppa website or download the hoppa app.
• Enter your travel details, including your pick-up and drop-off points.
• Select "Shared Shuttle" when choosing your vehicle type.
• Lock in your price and confirm booking for your shared shuttle from Barcelona airport to the city centre securely.
• How much does a shared shuttle from BCN Airport to the city centre cost? Starts from just £8.61 per person.

• Just like with private transfers, you will receive clear instructions on where to meet your driver or representative at the airport (usually a specific desk or meeting point in Arrivals), all included in your e-ticket.

• Note: As it is a shared service, you might have to wait up to 45 minutes for other passengers to arrive and board.
• You will travel in comfort with professional drivers who will drop you off at your hotel or a designated nearby point.

Sometimes, you just want to jump in a car and forget about stress, waiting in line for a long taxi queue. You have two main choices here: the traditional taxi rank or the modern ride-hailing style service.

Grabbing a taxi from Barcelona airport requires no prior planning.

• At Terminal 1: Go to the ground floor (Arrivals). Walk out the main doors and follow the "Taxi" signs.
• At Terminal 2: There are ranks outside T2A, T2B, and T2C.

➡ In case you need more information or support, the official taxi service booth is on the ground floor of T1.

• How much does a local taxi from BCN Airport to the city centre cost?: Taxis in Barcelona run on a meter. Expect to pay between €35 and €45 to the city centre.
• Supplements: Please note that there is an official airport supplement of €4.50 added to the final fare. The minimum fare for any trip leaving the airport is €21.00.

If you prefer using an app to waiting in line, you can easily book an airport taxi on the go, right in the palm of your hand, with hoppa.

• Download the hoppa app before you land.
• Enter your details and choose "Ride Now" to book a car on the spot.

• On-demand bookings will include a text message with a web link to track your driver in real-time.
• The app will give you clear instructions on where to meet your driver.

• Enjoy safe payment methods. Everything is handled securely via the app using your credit card or online wallet, so you don’t need to worry about cash.

The L9 Sud line connects the airport to the city network, but it acts more like a connector line than a direct route to the tourist centre.

• At Terminal 1: The station ("Aeroport T1") is on the ground floor, near the bus station.
• At Terminal 2: The station ("Aeroport T2") is next to the train station, accessible via the walkway.

• Where to buy?: Go to the vending machines at the station.
• How much does it cost?: €5.70 (You must select the "Billete Aeropuerto").

➡ Important note: Standard single tickets, T-casual, and T-grup cards are NOT valid for airport entry/exit.

➡ Passes: The journey is included if you have a Hola Barcelona card, Barcelona Essentials Pass, or City Pass.

The Orange L9 Sud Line stops at both terminals. The ride takes about 30 minutes, but because it skirts the edge of the city, reaching central spots like Las Ramblas usually takes around 50 minutes total with transfers.

➡ To Plaça Catalunya: Take L9 to Torrassa, then switch to the Red Line (L1).

➡ To Sagrada Família: Take L9 to Collblanc, then switch to the Blue Line (L5).

➡ To Zona Universitària: Stay on L9 until Zona Universitària, then switch to the Green Line (L3).

• Frequency: Trains arrive roughly every 7 minutes.
• Hours: 05:00–00:00 (Mon-Thu & Sun), 05:00–02:00 (Fri), 24 Hours (Sat).
• Luggage: There is no dedicated luggage storage on the trains.
• Return Trip: Remember to keep your ticket or buy a new "Airport Ticket" to exit the station when returning to the airport.