How to get to/from Barcelona Airport?
Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN) is located very near the city centre. The airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). Terminal 2 is further divided into sections A, B, and C. Most major international carriers use T1, while many low-cost airlines operate out of T2. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals, which is useful if you accidentally arrive at the wrong one.
Upon arrival, you can easily jump into a taxi. The cost to the city centre is normally around 35–45 Euro, depending on your final destination and luggage, with a minimum airport fare of 21 Euro. If you prefer a more tailored experience, you can book a private transfer from the airport here to have a driver waiting for you in the arrivals hall.
The most popular way to reach downtown besides a taxi is the “Aerobús.” It runs every 5–10 minutes and takes you directly to Plaça de Catalunya. The current price is 7.25 Euro for a single ticket or 11.65 Euro for a return. You can also use the Metro Line L9 Sud, which connects both terminals to the city’s metro network, though you will need a special airport ticket (5.50 Euro) unless you have a tourist travel pass.
For a cheaper alternative, use public bus number 46. It is less frequent than the Aerobús but only costs the price of a standard single ticket (2.55 Euro) or a journey on a multi-trip card. It terminates at Plaça d’Espanya. For those arriving at Terminal 2, the R2 Nord train is another excellent budget option, connecting directly to Passeig de Gràcia in the city center.
Are there several airports in Barcelona?
While El Prat is the main airport, two other airports are often marketed as “Barcelona” by low-cost carriers, even though they are located significant distances from the city.
- Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO): Located about 100km north of Barcelona. The most common transport is the Girona Airport Bus (Sagalés), which timed with flight arrivals and takes about 75 minutes to reach Barcelona Estació del Nord. A taxi from here can cost over 140 Euro.
- Reus Airport (REU): Located about 105km south of Barcelona. Similar to Girona, a dedicated shuttle bus connects the airport to Barcelona Sants or Passeig de Gràcia, taking approximately 90 minutes. You can also take a taxi to the Reus train station and catch a regional train into Barcelona.
