Barcelona Airport - Transfers, Car Hire, RENFE Train, Shuttle and Taxi
Getting Around - Included in this section Flights > Guide to Cheap Flights > Barcelona Airport TransfersBarcelona Airport is situated eight miles outside of the city in the region of El Prat de Llobregat. Travel from the airport to the city centre takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes depending on what means of transport you are using and the time of day that you are traveling. Below we look at transfers to and from the airport.
Barcelona Airport Transfers - Public
One of the most popular means of traveling to Barcelona from El Prat de Llobregat airport is on the RENFE airport train. The train runs every thirty minutes until roughly 10.30pm between the Aeropuerto stop and Placa Catalunya and Sants stations. From these two stations, passengers will have access to the Barcelona metro which runs throughout the city. Barcelona Sants station also has a national rail services that runs between Barcelona and destinations throughout Spain, so if you are planning on continuing your journey further than Barcelona it is advisable to get off at Barcelona Sants station rather that Placa Catalunya station. The entire trip takes approximately 25 minutes and a single ticket costs in the region of €2.30.
Another economical and comfortable way to travel into the city is via the airport shuttle bus. The Aerobus runs at regular intervals until midnight from the airport to Placa Espana and Placa de Cataluna in the city centre. A single ticket on the bus costs in the approximately €3.50 and the trip into the city takes approximately 30 minutes. The bus runs from all three of the terminals at Barcelona Airport, so there is no need to travel between terminals as is the case with the train.
If you arrive late at night or simply wish to avoid the hassles of general public transport, taxis to and from the airport are convenient and reasonably priced. A trip into the centre of Barcelona should cost you in the region of €20, although a small airport and luggage surcharge may apply in some cases. The airport taxi rank is situated just outside the airport's main exit and the taxis operate around the clock, so even if you arrive on a late night or early morning flight you should still have no trouble getting to your hotel.
Car Hire From the Airport
Finally, if you prefer to take care of your own transport needs or are planning on traveling to more remote destinations, you can hire a car from one of the car hire companies located in terminal B of the airport. As a general rule however, it is better to stick to taxis and public transport as roads within the city are busy and often poorly marked. If you want to see the sites of the city in your own time it is better to walk or hire a bicycle from one of the many bike hire companies situated throughout the city.
Barcelona - Weekend Break
