When it comes to visiting Barcelona, one of the best places to get in or out of the city is via the Barcelona Airport. However, like most airports, this one is also not within the city. It’s outside of Barcelona, which means it’s very important to figure out how to get back to the city, or how to go from the city to the airport. There are multiple options to consider here, each with some interesting approaches.
Take the Aerobus
The airport express bus is great, and it’s also rather inexpensive. Many consider it to be the best way to get from Barcelona Airport to the city or vice versa. It’s also very frequent, you can take one every 5-10 minutes, so there’s not a huge waiting time here. It also takes you directly to Placa Catalunya, which is right in the city center.
The Aerobus also has luggage space, USB chargers and wi-fi, so it delivers a rather comfortable experience for you to enjoy. It costs you 6.75 euros for one way, or 11.65 if you also want to come back, it’s valid 15 days. Tickets can be acquired on board, online or from vending machines.
Metro line L9 Sud
If you take this metro line, it will take you to the Terminal 1 or 2. It’s also a very common way to reach the city or go to the airport from the city. It costs you 5.50 euros to get a metro ticket. Or if you get the Hola BCN, that will be free of charge. Why should you get the metro towards the Barcelona Airport?
Well, it’s predictable, it gets you there without a hitch, and you can avoid any travel delays that way. The trains are also very modern, air-conditioned, so the experience itself is rather excellent. With that in mind, it doesn’t go right to the center, instead you need to transfer. But in the end, it can still be a solid option to keep in mind.
Renfe R2 Nord Train
It takes you only to the Terminal 2, and it only goes every 30 minutes. It’s 4.60 euro one way, and it does take around 25 minutes to reach the Sants station. With that in mind, it will give you access to some of the major train hubs, regional destinations and everything else you are interested in. With that being said, it’s totally worth considering, especially if you want to take the train to any destination.
Taxi
Taking the taxi isn’t always the best approach due to how expensive it is. That being said, it can end up costing you up to 40 Euro just to reach the airport from the city. There’s an airport and luggage surcharge, too, which is a thing to keep in mind. Even then, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes to get from the city to the airport or the other way around, so that’s a thing to keep in mind here.
Ride sharing apps
An alternative to taxis is to take some of the ride apps like Uber or Cabify. The thing here is that it might cost you even more than a taxi. However, some taxis might be scammers and they will take the long route, so it depends. That being said, ride sharing apps are great because you usually have English speaking drivers, a guaranteed pickup and many other perks. That’s why these are totally worth taking into consideration, especially if you enjoy the ride sharing experience.
Taking the bus
Yes, the TMB Bus 46 is a good option and it costs you 2.55 Euro. That being said, it does take up to 50 minutes to get from the city to the airport. But if you’re not in a rush and want to save money, it is one of the better options to consider here. It also operates from 5 AM to almost midnight, which could be very handy. These busses are there every 15-20 minutes, so it’s a great idea to check them out, and results can be very good.
Speaking of busses, there’s the night bus N16 or N17, which can be an option if you want to travel during the night. It’s not the best option for most people, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.
Get a car rental
With that in mind, there are car rentals that you can take to the airport, you can also do some day trips and so on. If you do want to rent a car, the important thing to consider here is that parking is expensive and rather limited within the city. But yes, some people prefer to have their own car, and that could be a very good option to travel.
Money-saving tips if you want to get from the Barcelona Airport to the city
- Getting the Hola Barcelona card is usually a great option because you get unlimited rides from 2 to 5 days. It might cost a bit, but in the end, if you want to visit the city you’ll be traveling a lot. And if you go with this route, you can save quite a bit of money.
- In case you have a longer stay, the T-Casual card is better, since it covers the metro, trams, busses and also the RENFE suburban trains.
- A good rule of thumb is to have your hotel/accommodation near a train or metro station. It’s going to save you time, and there’s no need to rush.
- Free transfers can be great because you don’t have to pay anything, and the 75-minute window is usually very generous here.
Conclusion
Getting to the Barcelona Airport from the city or vice versa needs a bit of planning. There are different options to consider, as you can see. But they are all great, and it’s up to you to find the right one to fit your requirements. That being said, all of these are wonderful and you should consider giving them a try. Of course, some are cheaper and others are more expensive. It always comes down to the comfort you expect, and the overall results, but the outcome can be great!