Barcelona Airport to the city: Aerobús, metro, train, taxi
The Aerobús is the straightforward choice: it runs 24 hours, goes to Plaça de Catalunya and costs 7.75 euros. The R2 train at 2.90 euros is cheaper but only serves Terminal 2, and the metro does not reach the centre without a change. Which terminal you land in decides most of the rest.
- Cheapest
- €2.90Rodalies R2 Nord · 55 min
- Fastest
- 35 minBarcelona taxi · €28–€40
- Taxi
- €28–€40Barcelona taxi · 35 min
Rodalies R2 Nord: €5.80 for the group, about 55 min. No booking needed.
Train
Rodalies R2 Nord
55 min
For the group€5.80
Rodalies R2 Nord
Rodalies de Catalunya · Terminal 2 only, to Sants and Passeig de Gràcia
- Per person
- €2.90
- Door to door
- 55 min
- Runs
- 05:40–23:38
- Frequency
- every 30 min
- Board at
- Aeroport station, on a footbridge about 200 m from Terminal 2
- Suitcases
- Fine
Bus
Aerobús (A1 and A2)
45 min
For the group€15.50
Aerobús (A1 and A2)
Aerobús BCN · direct to Plaça de Catalunya, 24 hours
- Per person
- €7.75
- Door to door
- 45 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- every 5 to 10 min
- Board at
- A1 outside Terminal 1 arrivals (level 0); A2 at Terminal 2 (stops at T2B and T2C)
- Suitcases
- Fine
Taxi
Barcelona taxi
35 min
For the group€28–€40estimate
Barcelona taxi
Metered · official rank outside arrivals
- Per person
- €28–€40 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 35 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Rank outside arrivals
- Board at
- Taxi rank outside the arrivals exit of Terminal 1 or Terminal 2
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Bus
Bus 46
70 min
For the group€5.80
Bus 46
TMB · slow city bus to Plaça d'Espanya
- Per person
- €2.90
- Door to door
- 70 min
- Runs
- 05:40–23:50
- Frequency
- every 20 to 30 min
- Board at
- Stops at both terminals (final stop at Terminal 1, and T2B and T2C)
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Metro
Metro L9 Sud
65 min
For the group€11.80
Metro L9 Sud
TMB · airport ticket, change at Zona Universitària
- Per person
- €5.90
- Door to door
- 65 min
- Runs
- 05:00–00:00
- Frequency
- every 7 min
- Board at
- Aeroport T1 or Aeroport T2 metro station, a short walk from arrivals
- Suitcases
- Awkward
Private car
Pre-booked private car
40 min
For the group€42estimateCheck price
Pre-booked private car
Fixed price, driver waits in arrivals
- Per person
- €42 per vehicle
- Door to door
- 40 min
- Runs
- 24 hours
- Frequency
- Pre-booked
- Board at
- Meeting point inside arrivals, given in your booking
- Suitcases
- Carried for you
Every option in detail
BusAerobús (A1 and A2)
- €7.75
- 45 min
- 24 hours
- → Plaça de Catalunya, via Plaça d'Espanya, Gran Via-Borrell and Plaça Universitat
A single is 7.75 euros and a return is 13.30 euros, and children under 4 travel free. Buy at the machines in the terminals or online, or pay the driver by card or cash (change up to 20 euros). The A1 from T1 runs every 5 minutes between 07:15 and 22:30, the A2 from T2 every 10 minutes for most of the day. The ride takes 30 to 35 minutes and there is a luggage area inside, so it suits anyone with suitcases.
MetroMetro L9 Sud
- €5.90
- 65 min
- 05:00–00:00
- → Zona Universitària (L3), then L3 to Plaça de Catalunya
You need the Airport ticket at 5.90 euros. The ordinary 2.90 euro single, the T-casual and the T-grup are not accepted at the two airport stations, so buy at the machine before the gates. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card and the T-usual do work. L9 Sud takes about 32 minutes to Zona Universitària, and from there you change to L3 for Catalunya. You can also change at Torrassa for L1, but with suitcases the two transfers make this the slowest of the rail options.
TrainRodalies R2 Nord
- €2.90
- 55 min
- 05:40–23:38
- → Barcelona-Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, Estació de França
A one-zone single at 2.90 euros covers the whole trip, bought at the machines in the station. Trains reach Sants in about 20 minutes. For Plaça de Catalunya, get off at Passeig de Gràcia and take L3 one stop, or walk about 10 minutes. From Terminal 1 you first need the free shuttle bus to T2, so this option fits T2 arrivals far better. Trains leave at about 08 and 38 minutes past the hour.
BusBus 46
- €2.90
- 70 min
- 05:40–23:50
- → Plaça d'Espanya (metro L1 and L3)
A single costs 2.90 euros and the bus takes 35 to 40 minutes to Plaça d'Espanya. It does not go to Plaça de Catalunya, so add a metro ride on L1 or walk about 25 minutes. Buses run from 05:40 to 23:50. It is as cheap as the train, but the stairs and the extra change make it the option to pick only when the Aerobús and the R2 do not suit your terminal or your luggage.
TaxiBarcelona taxi
- €28–€40 per vehicle (estimate)
- 35 min
- 24 hours
- → Door to door, central Barcelona
The meter starts at 2.80 euros, then runs at 1.35 euros per km on weekdays from 08:00 to 20:00 and 1.66 euros per km in the evening, on Saturdays and on public holidays. A 4.60 euro airport supplement is added, and there is a 21 euro minimum for any trip from the airport. A ride to Plaça de Catalunya usually lands between 28 and 40 euros depending on traffic, and a vehicle with five to eight seats adds 4.60 euros. Use the rank only and ask for the meter.
Private carPre-booked private car
- €42 per vehicle (estimate)
- 40 min
- 24 hours
- → Your hotel or address
A standard pre-booked car starts at about 42 euros for the daytime (08:00 to 19:59) and 45 euros at night, for up to three passengers. The price is fixed at booking and the driver tracks your flight, so there is no rank queue after landing. It costs a little more than the middle of the taxi range, but you know the figure in advance.
The same trip in a different situation
Arriving late at night
The Aerobús is the one reliable public service for a 00:30 arrival, because it runs 24 hours. From T1 the A1 leaves every 20 minutes between 01:05 and 05:35, and the A2 from T2 every 20 minutes after 23:00. The R2 train has gone (last departure 23:38), bus 46 stops at about 23:50, and the metro's last train from the airport is at midnight Sunday to Thursday. On Friday the metro runs until 02:00 and on Saturday night it runs all night. The NitBus N17 and N18 also run between 22:00 and 05:00 to Plaça de Catalunya. A taxi from the rank is always available, and at night the meter runs at the higher 1.66 euro per km rate.
See the comparison →4 people, 4 suitcasesTravelling as a group of four
Four people on the Aerobús pay 31 euros in total. A taxi takes four with luggage for 28 to 40 euros and goes to the door, so it is usually the better deal from the second or third traveller onwards. The R2 train is 11.60 euros for four, but it only works from Terminal 2 and ends at Passeig de Gràcia or Sants. The metro airport ticket makes four people 23.60 euros before the transfers. A pre-booked car at 42 euros takes about three, so four people need a second car or a taxi.
See the comparison →Practical tips
- T1 and T2 are separate buildings, so check your terminal before you look for transport. The R2 train serves T2 only, and the A1 Aerobús serves T1 while the A2 serves T2.
- A free shuttle bus runs between the terminals 24 hours a day if you landed in the wrong one for the train.
- The ordinary 2.90 euro metro single is not valid at the airport metro stations. Buy the 5.90 euro Airport ticket or you will have to pay again at the exit gate.
- The Aerobús is simplest to pay for by card on board. Check the sign on the bus: A1 is Terminal 1 and A2 is Terminal 2, and both end at Plaça de Catalunya.
- Taxis from the airport have a 21 euro minimum and a 4.60 euro supplement built in. Do not agree a flat price with anyone offering a lift inside the terminal.
- Going back to the airport, the Aerobús picks up at Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça Universitat and Plaça d'Espanya, so you can board near your hotel.
Questions travellers ask
How much is the Aerobús from Barcelona airport to the centre?
A single is 7.75 euros and a return is 13.30 euros, valid for 90 days. The ride to Plaça de Catalunya takes 30 to 35 minutes and the bus runs 24 hours a day.
Is there a train from Barcelona airport to the city centre?
Yes, the R2 Nord runs from Terminal 2 to Sants and Passeig de Gràcia every 30 minutes, from 05:40 to 23:38. A one-zone single costs 2.90 euros. It does not serve Terminal 1 directly.
Does the metro go from Barcelona airport to Plaça de Catalunya?
Not directly. Line L9 Sud runs from both terminals and you change at Zona Universitària to L3. You need the 5.90 euro Airport ticket, and the whole trip takes about an hour.
How much is a taxi from Barcelona airport to the centre?
Expect 28 to 40 euros on the meter to Plaça de Catalunya. The fare includes a 4.60 euro airport supplement, and there is a 21 euro minimum for any trip from the airport.
What is the cheapest way from Barcelona airport to the city?
The R2 train and bus 46 are both 2.90 euros per person. The train is much quicker but only leaves from Terminal 2, and bus 46 stops at Plaça d'Espanya rather than Plaça de Catalunya.
