How do I get to downtown Barcelona from Barcelona El Prat airport?

Published on 23 avril 2019

Comment rejoindre le centre-ville de Barcelone depuis l’aéroport de Barcelone El Prat ?

This article summarizes the transport options from Barcelona El Prat Airport to the city center. The travel time from the airport to the city center is between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the time of day and the chosen means of transport.

1. Taxis from Barcelona Airport 🚕

Tel: +34 93 303 303 3033

Traveling by taxi is a convenient way to get from the airport to the city center, especially if you are traveling in a group or carrying a lot of luggage.

You will find a taxi rank outside one of the exits of the main Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (and the 3 buildings of Terminal 2 - T2A, T2B, or T2C).

Look for the sign indicating the nearest taxi rank. Taxis operate all night and there are several hundred of them, so you don't have to worry about not being able to get one.

The journey to the city center will take you between 20 and 30 minutes depending on traffic. If you are traveling from Terminal 1 rather than Terminal 2, this will add an additional 4 km to your journey and take about 5 minutes longer.

Taxi Fare

Terminal 1: 30€

Terminal 2: 35€

2. Aerobus - Express bus service 🚌

Tel: +34 90 210 0104

The Aerobus service is an express bus service that connects Barcelona Airport to the city center. This bus runs every 5 to 10 minutes during its fixed hours.

You can take the Aerobus from outside Terminals 1 and 2. The Aerobus will then take you to the city center where you can get off either at Plaça España or Plaça de Catalunya.

Aerobus Fare

Single ticket: 5.90€

Round trip ticket: 10.20€ (the return ticket is valid for 15 days)

Click here for detailed information on the Aerobus service, including schedules.

Tip: If you purchase the Barcelona Flexi Card, you can choose to include Aerobus tickets in your card. The Barcelona Flexi card is a new type of tourist discount card that allows you to choose the tickets to include on your card so you only pay for what you need.

Click here to learn more about the Barcelona Flexi Card

3. TMB Bus from the airport to the city center (number 46) 🚍

This bus runs during the day from both airport terminals. Bus number 46 leaves from the city center and stops first at T2 and then continues to T1. This bus has more stops than the Aerobus and takes longer to get to the city center, but the great advantage of taking this bus is that you can use the T10 transport ticket on this trip unlike the Aerobus.

TMB Bus number 46

Schedule: 04:50 - 23:50

Bus Fare

Single ticket: 2.20€

T10: 10.20€

4. Taking the metro 🚇

Metro line L9 connects Barcelona Airport to the city center. There are two stops at Barcelona Airport called: Aéroport T1 and Aéroport T2. The airport metro service operates at the same hours as the normal metro network.

Price

Single ticket: 4.60€

5. Arriving at the airport by car 🚗

Barcelona Airport has two terminals - 1 and 2 (T2A, T2B, and T2C). Both terminals have their own parking. There is also a separate parking lot for long stays located between the two terminals.

The T1 parking lot at Barcelona Airport has a nine-story covered parking lot with 11,900 spaces.

While the T2 parking lot (T2A, T2B, and T2C) at Barcelona Airport has 12,500 parking spaces. 7,600 of them are in open-air parking lots and are guarded by security personnel 24 hours a day.

Long Stay Parking at Barcelona Airport

Along the 4 km road that goes from T1 to T2 at Barcelona Airport, you will find the long-stay parking lot. It is 2 km from both terminals. A free shuttle bus connects the long-stay parking lot to T1 and T2.

Tip: If you plan to leave your car in the long-stay parking lot, be sure to arrive at the airport with enough time to get to your terminal. Once at the long-stay parking lot, you will have to wait for a shuttle to take you to the terminal, which will take about thirty minutes.

Blue Valet, Valet service at Barcelona El Prat Airport

If you want to save 30 minutes by avoiding the shuttle or looking for a parking space, opt for Blue Valet, valet service at Barcelona Airport. With Blue Valet, the principle is very simple. You go to the drop-off area of Barcelona Airport where a Blue Valet valet will take care of your vehicle. While you go to check-in, they will park it in one of our private and secure car parks located near the airport.

A few minutes later, you will receive by email a photo inventory of your vehicle. Upon return, your valet will be waiting for you with your vehicle at the drop-off area, you just have to hit the road!

The price? Blue Valet offers competitive prices up to 60% cheaper than airport/train station parking or even a taxi/VTC solution, with a valet service on top!

At Barcelona El Prat Airport, it will cost 30€ for 2 days of parking and 55€ for 7 days of parking, or an average daily rate of 8€ (based on 7 days), including parking, pick-up (and return) of the car by a valet, and all-risk insurance.

Also read | List of shops at Barcelona El Prat Airport

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