Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is located around 15 kilometres from Barcelona city centre. In this guide, I explain all the options to get to Barcelona, including the Aerobus, metro, train, public bus, taxi and private transfers, with prices, travel times and my recommendations as a local guide.
The airport is divided into two terminals (T1 and T2), located approximately 4 kilometres apart. A free shuttle bus service connects both terminals and runs continuously throughout the day and night.
Both T1 and T2 are connected by metro and buses, but the train only serves Terminal 2.
Barcelona Aerobus
The Aerobus is the most comfortable and popular option for travelling from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport to the city centre. It is a direct bus service connecting both airport terminals with Plaça Catalunya, right in the heart of Barcelona.
There are two lines:
- A1 line: departs from Terminal 1 (T1).
- A2 line: departs from Terminal 2 (T2).
Both lines stop at:
- Plaça Espanya
- Gran Via – Urgell
- Plaça Universitat
- Plaça Catalunya
When travelling from the city centre to the airport, there is also a stop at Sep̼lveda РUrgell.
Timetable
The Aerobus operates every day of the year, with buses running approximately every 10-15 minutes.
Price
- Single ticket: €6.75
You can buy tickets online or directly from the ticket machines located at the airport stops.
My local tip:
If it is your first visit to Barcelona and you are staying in areas such as Eixample, the Gothic Quarter, El Born or near Plaça Catalunya, the Aerobus is usually the most convenient option because of its direct route and comfort. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, children, or arriving at a difficult time, a taxi or private transfer may be a better choice.
Metro
The L9 Sud metro line connects Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El-Prat Airport with Barcelona’s metro network. It is an affordable option, although it is usually slower than the Aerobus because you need to make transfers to reach the most central areas of the city.
The airport metro stations are:
- Aeroport T1
- Aeroport T2
The line connects with other important metro lines:
- Torrassa (L1) → connections towards areas such as Plaça d’Espanya and the city centre.
- Collblanc (L5) → connections towards areas such as Sants and Passeig de Grà cia.
- Zona Università ria (L3) → connections towards the city centre and other areas of Barcelona.
Price
The airport metro ticket has a special supplement and costs €5.90. This ticket is specifically required for journeys to or from Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 and is not included in regular single tickets.
If you choose this option, you can buy a single airport metro ticket for your airport journey and then use other transport tickets to move around the city. Remember that the T-Casual ticket is not valid for the airport metro stations.
You can also use the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which includes airport transfers and unlimited public transport for several days.
Approximate travel time
Getting to central Barcelona can take around 45-60 minutes, depending on your final destination and the number of transfers required.
My local tip:
The metro can be a good option if your accommodation is close to a station on the L9 Sud line or if you want to save money. However, for most first-time visitors arriving in Barcelona with luggage, I would usually recommend the Aerobus or the train instead.
Make sure you take the L9 Sud, as there is also an L9 Nord line, which does not connect to the airport.
Rodalias de Cataluña (train)
If your flight arrives at Terminal 2 (T2), the train is one of the most convenient and affordable options to get to Barcelona.
The train station is located a few minutes’ walk from T2, connected to the terminal by an elevated walkway. If you arrive at Terminal 1 (T1), you will need to take the free shuttle bus between terminals to reach the station.
The R2 Nord commuter train line connects the airport with several important stations in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Sants → connections with other train services and metro lines L5 and L3.
- Passeig de Grà cia → ideal for areas such as Eixample, Passeig de Grà cia and Plaça Catalunya.
- El Clot-Aragó → connection with metro line L1.
The journey to central Barcelona takes approximately 25-30 minutes.
Price
The train journey from the airport is included in Barcelona’s integrated transport tickets.
If you have a valid T-Casual ticket for the required zones, you can use it on this Rodalies de Catalunya train service.
You can also use the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, which includes public transport for several days.
Important: The T-Casual ticket is not valid for the L9 Sud airport metro stations, but it can be used on the Rodalies train from the airport station at T2.
My local tip:
The train is especially recommended if you are staying near Sants, Passeig de Grà cia or Eixample. If it is your first visit to Barcelona and you are travelling with a lot of luggage, the Aerobus is usually easier because it takes you directly to the city centre.
Buses
The bus line 46 connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport with Plaça Espanya, one of Barcelona’s main transport hubs.
It is an affordable option to get to the city, although the journey is slower than other alternatives such as the Aerobus or the train.
Timetable and frequency
- Runs approximately every 15-20 minutes.
- Journey time: around 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Price
- Single ticket: €2.65
My local tip:
It is a good option if you are travelling on a budget and you are not in a hurry. If it is your first visit to Barcelona or you are travelling with luggage, I would usually recommend more direct options such as the Aerobus or the Rodalies train.
Night bus (NitBus)
If your flight arrives at night, you can use the night bus services to reach the centre of Barcelona:
- N16: connects Terminal 2 (T2) with Plaça Catalunya.
- N17: connects Terminal 1 (T1) with Plaça Catalunya.
- N18: connects both terminals (T1 and T2) with Plaça Catalunya.
Timetable and frequency
- Operates mainly during the night-time period.
- Usual frequency: every 20 minutes.
- Journey time: around 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Price
- Single ticket: €2.65
My local tip:
It is a good alternative if you arrive late at night and want to save money. Keep in mind that it is slower than the Aerobus or a taxi, and depending on where you are staying, you may need to combine it with another form of transport.
Taxi
A taxi is one of the most comfortable options for travelling from the airport to your accommodation, especially if you are travelling with luggage, children, or arriving at a time when public transport options are more limited.
The journey to the centre of Barcelona usually takes around 25-35 minutes, depending on traffic, and the approximate cost is around €45.
Official Barcelona taxis are yellow and black, and you will find clearly marked taxi ranks at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
You can also book a taxi through apps such as FREE NOW.
Check the official Barcelona taxi fares here.
My local tip:
If you are travelling with a group, carrying a lot of luggage, or arriving late at night, a taxi can be worth it because it takes you directly to the door of your accommodation. For solo travellers or those with little luggage, there are usually cheaper options such as the Aerobus or the train.
Cabify &Uber
The use of VTC services is prohibited in Barcelona, to use their services you would need to book a reservation 60 min in advance.
