Not sure how to get from Barcelona airport to the city center? In this article we’ll give you all the ways you can get there, each with its own prices and positive and negative points.
1. Getting from the airport to the center by car
This first option is very interesting for those who want more practicality and freedom during their trip. After all, by renting a car in Barcelona you’ll be able to get from the airport to the city center, as well as from one tourist attraction to another whenever you want.
Not to mention the fact that you can travel between other cities in Spain. Especially if you’re going to the country with your family or a group of friends, so you can all share the cost of the rental car and the gasoline, making it much cheaper.
To get a good car rental deal, our first tip is to hire the service in advance and online, as this will help you save a lot of money. To help you with this, there are some car price comparators. See below for some tips:
Use this incredible price comparator
There are some car rental price comparators in Barcelona (and throughout Spain) that are sensational and search all the main car rental companies there, finding the best prices and excellent deals. We recommend one that you can use by going to the website and entering the date of your trip. It then searches for all the best car rental companies in Barcelona.
If you want to do the search, click here on Car Rental Comparator. In just a few seconds, you’ll have all the options for renting a car in Barcelona from the best companies on your screen, and you can choose the cheapest one. You really will save a lot.
More tips: prefer larger and reliable rental companies, such as Europcar, Budget and Avis. Take out basic insurance when booking, which is super important and is usually included in the price. But don’t fall for the companies who, when you pick up the car, try to push extra insurance that isn’t worth it.
2. Getting from the airport to the center by transfer
Another tip for those who don’t want to rent a car in Spain is to book a transfer to make the journey (and/or vice versa). The advantages of a transfer are many: in addition to an appointment with the driver, you’ll have security, comfort for those traveling with a lot of luggage, among others.
The first step to hiring a transfer service is to do some research. We really like this Transfer Finder, which is the largest transfer site in the world. With it, you have three transfer options: one way directly from the airport to the hotel, one way from the hotel to the airport, or both (round trip).
On this site, all you have to do is enter the airport you’re landing at and the destination you want to reach in Barcelona, and you’re done.
3. Getting from the airport to the center by bus
If you want to travel by bus, Aerobús is very good and has two lines, one leaving from Terminal 1 and the other from Terminal 2. The end point of these buses is Plaça Catalunya, which is right in the city center.
These buses run every 5 minutes for 35 minutes and operate every day of the year.
4. Getting from the airport to the center by train
Another option is to take the train, line 2, which connects the airport to the city. This station is located near Terminal 2, so if you disembark at Terminal 1, you’ll have to go to the other terminal. All you have to do is follow the signs with the train symbol, which make the journey much easier.
Sants and Passeig de Gràcia are the stations we recommend for getting as close as possible to the center of Barcelona.
5. Getting from the airport to the center by taxi
One thing that makes a difference for those arriving in Barcelona is that the taxis are all the same color: black with a yellow stripe. However, keep an eye on the minimum fares for taxis leaving the airport. This is usually the most expensive option for getting to the center.
Save money on your trip to Barcelona:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Barcelona cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Barcelona tickets in the cheapest and safest way. You can save up to 40%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Barcelona. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.