How to use Barcelona Metro?
If you want to visit Barcelona, you do need a great way to get around the city and the metro is by far the best option you need to keep in mind. It’s very well designed and with the right approach, you can easily go from one spot to the next within the city in just a couple of minutes.
Like any metro solution, it can be a bit complicated, especially when the Barcelona Metro has 8 lines to choose from. But when you know where you want to go, usually it becomes a lot easier. Plus, it also helps that they have a different number and color. That way, you know what metro you are embarking in, and the experience becomes a whole lot better, which is something to keep in mind.
What are the service hours for the Barcelona Metro system?
The service hours for the Barcelona Metro will vary based on the day, as you can imagine. Here are the things you need to know:
- Mondays to Thursdays, the Barcelona Metro works from 5 AM to Midnight
- Fridays, the service runs from 5 AM to 2 AM
- Saturdays you get 24-hour service
- During Sundays, you only have Barcelona Metro access until Midnight
They do a very good job at sticking to the deadlines and a lot of the time, the metro arrives just as it’s stated on the waiting tables in each metro station. Granted, it’s life, mistakes and issues can arise, but for the most part, everything will be fine here.
The Barcelona Metro lines
There are 8 main lines, and a few adjacent ones as well, numbered from L1 to L11. Ideally, when you want to use the Barcelona Metro, you want to acquire a metro map. You can get a free paper version at the stations, or you can get a mobile app. Regardless, getting around and learning the metro system is not hard, and it will make the process much easier and more convenient.
| Line | Color | Route |
| L1 | Red | Hospital de Bellvitge ↔ Fondo |
| L2 | Purple | Paral·lel ↔ Badalona Pompeu Fabra |
| L3 | Green | Zona Universitària ↔ Trinitat Nova |
| L4 | Yellow | La Pau ↔ Trinitat Nova |
| L5 | Blue | Cornellà Centre ↔ Vall d’Hebron |
| L9S | Orange | Airport ↔ Zona Universitària (L9 Sud) |
| L9N | Orange | La Sagrera ↔ Can Zam (L9 Nord) |
| L10 | Light Blue | Collblanc ↔ Bon Pastor / Gorg |
| L11 | Light Green | Trinitat Nova ↔ Can Cuiàs |
Once you know the Barcelona Metro lines, it becomes a lot easier to narrow down which one suits your requirements. In the end, it’s a lot of fun to explore the metro stations, and getting around Barcelona with the metro is a breeze. Of course, there can be some petty thieves here and there, so taking good care of your stuff and staying safe is crucial here.
How much does it cost to buy a Barcelona Metro ticket?
If you want to use the Barcelona Metro, you will have to buy a ticket. There are multiple options here, you can get it from the TMB app, TMB information desks in large stations, but also via automatic machines as well.
What about the prices of a ticket? A single ticket is valid 75 minutes and it costs you 2.55 Euros at the time of this writing, with prices always being subject to change. A 10-journey ticket is 12.15 euros, an 8 journey ticket that’s shareable and valid for 30 days is 10.70 euros. Unlimited travel for 2-5 days can cost you 17.50 to 38 euros, depending on how many days. There’s also the airport metro ticket which is 5.50 euros, although it is included in the Hola BCN card.
How can you use the Barcelona Metro?
- Naturally, the first thing you want to do is to identify the nearest metro station.
- After that you will need to choose the right direction and line. Here you will see that every line has 2 end points. The signs inside the station will show direction, but also the line color and number.
- Enter the station, and here you can insert the paper ticket, or you can tap the phone/card. In case you transfer, having your ticket handy is very important.
- The Barcelona Metro system has great signage so you do need to follow the signs to transfers or towards the exit. They even have metro maps on the train walls and platforms, something you should consider here.
- Board the train, you will see most Barcelona Metro trains arrive every 2-5 minutes, maybe each 10 minutes during the off-peak time.
- Once you reach the destination, you can exit the station and that’s about it
Things to keep in mind when using the Barcelona Metro
- If you want to avoid a lot of crowds, try to stay away from the metro between 8-10 AM and 5-7 PM. That’s when you will usually encounter the most crowds. After that, there will be fewer people and crowds, which makes the travel experience easier.
- Unlike various metro stations, in the Barcelona Metro you just have to tap in. There is no need to tap out, which is important to keep in mind.
- You are not allowed to eat in the metro, it’s highly discouraged. Drinks are allowed, though.
- The Barcelona Metro is pet-friendly, but if you want to travel with your dog, it needs to have a leash and muzzle. Also, you should travel with your pet during the off-peak hours.
- Are bikes allowed? Yes, they are. However, again, you want to avoid them during the rush hour, because otherwise you can encounter a whole lot of challenges.
As you can see, the Barcelona Metro is a great option to consider if you want to travel through the city. It’s not overly expensive, and you can get to most of the top spots without any worries. That’s why it’s a great idea to give it a shot, as it can help save time and also get you to all the major tourist spots without a hassle!
