Barcelona Airport

Barcelona airport, also known as El Prat Airport is 13km South West of the city and easily accessible by taxi, bus and train (but not metro. More info below). The airport's two terminals (T1 and T2) serve over 30 million air passengers a year, and unlike many major city airports getting past security, passport control and customs is relatively brief and painless - so you'll be on the beach in no time! As you might expect from any modern aeronautical facility, Barcelona airport has ATMs, bureaux de change, left luggage/security lockers, and plenty of restaurants and shops to while away any waiting times. WiFi hotspots are also available at T2 although you will have to pay for the privilege.

Getting to/from Barcelona Airport to City Centre



By Private or Shared Transfer

There are a number of companies who will offer to take the minor stress of getting from El Prat to either your hotel/apartment or other destination (the cruise port being a popular one!) by organising your airport transfer for you. Not always as cheap as navigating your own way there, many travellers prefer the peace of mind of having an English-speaking driver meet them at arrivals to make sure nothing goes wrong on the day:

BCN Travel
If you're looking to book a private transfer then we can recommend this reliable local-based travel agent and tours specialist. To reserve a vehicle simply go to the reservations page of their website, where you can book either a car (4 seats), van (7 seats) or mini-bus (12 seats) and you could end up paying as little as 8 euros per person if you're a large group. If you want an even more economical option book a shared transfer.

Barcelona Airport Taxis
A classic case of a company that "does what it says on the tin", this highly professional outfit will have a driver with your name on it waiting in arrivals come rain or shine - or 5 hour delays - for when you touch down. They even monitor flight arrival times to make sure you're not left waiting in the cold (...ok, this being Spain you'll be waiting in the warm more likely, but still!). Reserve now, pay nothing up front, simply settle with the driver on the day. Check their website for rates.
www.barcelonaairporttaxis.com

By Taxi

Grabbing a cab is the quickest and easiest method of transport to get from El Prat to Barcelona city centre. How much does a taxi cost? At last count 30-35 euros. Everything should be done on the meter so you're unlikely to be ripped off, although knowing a bit of Spanish will certainly help avoid any embarrassing situations. Journey time 20-30 mins.

By Bus

An express bus service called the Aerobus runs from Plaza Catalunya to Barcelona airport and vice versa at regular intervals - every 10 to 15 minutes - and is definitely a cheaper alternative to a taxi, especially if you're flying solo. It runs from 5.30am to 1am seven days a week. The Aerobus 1 takes you to Terminal 1 and, you guessed it, the Aerobus 2 takes you to Terminal 2. Tickets currently cost just over 5 euros. You can see a more detailed timetable by clicking on this link - you need to scroll down right to the bottom as there a number of other bus lines you don't care about first!

By Metro

Sorry not possible, but see below for getting there by train...

By Train

You can board a train to the city centre from 'Aeropuerto' train station just five minutes walk from T2. They are not as regular as the buses (approx. every 30 mins) or as convenient for luggage but on the plus side a ticket is just over 3 euros and journey time just 18 mins. The train calls at central stations Sants, Passeig de Gracia and Clot and you can check the timetable here. Similarly you can do the same journey in reverse to arrive at El Prat. Nota bene: you can change onto the metro at any of these stations.

Finally, should you ever find yourself at the wrong terminal at Barcelona airport fear not - free and regular shuttle buses will ferry you on your way to your flight. If there is any information missing on this page, please comment below and we'll endeavour to answer all your questions! Click onto our listing for the airport in our Services section to see the exact location of El Prat Airport on a map.

Booking Flights & Other Airports

Need more info? Needless to say we've got some wise advice on booking flights to Barcelona for you to check out which could save you a bob or two. Meanwhile if you're flying into Reus, then head to our guide on getting from Reus Airport to Barcelona. Similarly if you're flying to Girona, then we have an article on getting from Girona airport to Barcelona too!