General Information

Barcelona is a city visited by thousands of tourists, especially during the summer season. For the vast majority of these visitors, the first stop will be at El Prat, the international airport of Barcelona. There is a significant number of options available to every visitor in regards to the transportation method used to and from this airport (for additional information – Barcelona Airport Transfer).

Barcelona has a really efficient public transportation system, operated by TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona), therefore taking a TMB bus at El Prat is common and popular among tourists.

You can find detailed information about this service below.

What is TMB Airport Bus?

TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) carries travellers between Plaça d’Espanya and the airport of Barcelona, and vice versa, between 5:30am – 00:00am. It has stations at both terminals, T1 and T2.

There are numerous buses operated by TMB available, regardless of the time of the day. During the day-time hours, you need to look for bus number 46, while during the night, buses N16 (from Terminal 2) and N17 (from Terminal 1) carries passengers to their place of destination (for additional information – Visit Barcelona at night).

Advantages and Benefits of TMB Airport Bus

During the day-time hours, TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) can be considered the cheapest transportation method between El Prat and the city. In contrast with Aerobus Barcelona, it belongs to the Integrated fare system, which means that different transportation tickets are accepted on the bus. Additionally, Barcelona Card also includes this transportation service, helping every visitor to make the best out of their trip to Barcelona.

Although traveling by TMB has many advantages, there are a few disadvantages, as well. Most of the time, public buses are overcrowded, which is definitely not the best way to begin a relaxing and stress-free holiday. Moreover, the public bus can be problematic if your hotel is situated in a less central district, because the route of Bus 46 (similarly to other public buses) does not reach those areas.

Aside of these, together with the train, the public bus is the slowest transportation method that travels from El Prat to Barcelona. Due to the numerous stops and heavy traffic, the approximate duration of the journey is around 40-45 minutes to and from Terminal 2, and approximately 55 minutes to and from Terminal 1 (for additional information – Trains From Barcelona Airport).

In contrast with the personalized transfer options, you might have to wait for the bus to arrive for a longer period of time. This will add another 15-20 minutes to your journey. However, a great number of tourists have a positive experience with the TMB Airport Bus, the fastest traveling time being 25 minutes from T2, and 35 minutes from T1.

The possibility of a strike is higher in the public transportation network and it can sometimes disrupt this service without prior notice. This means that privately-owned Aerobus, taxi and transport companies are secure and reliable options, in comparison to the public transportation network (for additional information – Barcelona Airport Private Transfer, Shared Transfer and Barcelona Airport Taxis).

Who is it recommended for?

TMB Airport Bus is recommended for every tourist who plans to travel from El Prat to the centre of Barcelona, or vice versa, during the day-time hours; the journey will take longer, but it is an affordable option for traveling in and out of the airport. Night-time travellers can use this service, as well, by choosing one of the night buses available at the airport (for additional information – Airport Night Bus: NitBus N17 and Visit Barcelona at night).

This service is particularly advantageous for disabled passengers, since it is a cheap and accessible transportation method (for additional information – Accessibility of TMB Airport Bus (Number 46), Accessibility of Barcelona Airport Transfer and Accessibility in Barcelona).

TMB Airport Bus can be a suitable option for families, as well, because children younger than 4 years of age can travel for free (for additional information – Barcelona for free). Nevertheless, a large family that carries large baggages might want to avoid using this service. They (but also every tourist carrying large baggages) should rather get on Aerobus Barcelona, which has a separate luggage compartment, or on a private transfer or a taxi (for additional information – Luggage Restrictions on TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) and Kids and Families in Barcelona).

Even though taking the public bus is recommended in order to reach the center of the city, especially during the day-time hours, it might not be the best option for those tourists who are staying in a less central district of Barcelona. Therefore, if your hotel is near Sants train station (Estacio de Barcelona-Sants) or Passeig de Gracia, it is advised to take a train from the airport, because you will arrive at your destination quicker than by Bus 46 (for additional information – Hotels near Sants and Hotels near Passeig de Gracia).

Route of TMB Airport Bus 46

Unlike Aerobus Barcelona, Bus 46 also stops in the small towns around Barcelona. Below you can find information regarding all the stations.

The route between Plaça d’Espanya and El Prat:

1. Av Paral·lel – Llançà
2. Paral·lel – Av Mistral
3. Pl Espanya – Centre Comercial Las Arenas
4. Gran Via – Farell
5. Gran Via – Moianès
6. La Campana
7. Gran Via – Ildefons Cerdà
8. Ildefons Cerdà – Ciutat de la Justícia
9. Av Granvia – Alhambra
10. Av Granvia – Natzaret
11. Pl Europa
12. Amadeu Torner
13. Av Granvia – Can Tries
14. Av Gran Via – Rambla Marina
15. Av Gran Via – Av Mare de Déu de Bellvitge
16. Av Granvia – Hospital de Bellvitge
17. Aeroport – Mercaderies (Sentit Terminal T1)
18. Aeroport – Terminal T2-A B (Sentit Terminal T1)
19. Aeroport – Terminal T2-B (Sentit Terminal T1)
20. Aeroport – Terminal T2-C (Sentit Terminal T1)
21. Av de l’Aeroport (Sentit T1)
22. Accés a l’Aeroport – Aparcament empleats T1
23. Aeroport – Terminal T1

The route between El Prat and Plaça d’Espanya:

1. Aeroport – Terminal T1
2. Felip Díaz Sandino (Sentit T2)
3. Felip Díaz Sandino – CLASA
4. Aeroport – Mercaderies
5. Aeroport – Terminal T2 AB
6. Aeroport – Terminal T2 B
7. Aeroport – Terminal T2 C
8. Av Granvia – Cotxeres TB
9. Av Granvia – Hospital Oncològic
10. Av Granvia – Ctra Antiga del Prat
11. Av Granvia – Miguel Hernández
12. Amadeu Torner
13. Pl Europa
14. Av Granvia – Física
15. Av Granvia – Bloc I. Cerdà
16. Gran Via – Radi
17. Gran Via – Química
18. La Campana
19. Gran Via – Mandoni
20. Gran Via – Santa Dorotea
21. Pl Espanya – FGC
22. Av Paral·lel – Llançà

At El Prat, Bus 46’s station (Terminal 1) is situated outside the arrivals gate. At T2, you need to go into the underpass to take bus number 46. In order to find it, you have to follow the bus sign.

At Plaça d’Espanya, you need to wait for Bus 46 at the first bus station, situated on the right side, following Avinguda del Paral-lel’s route.

Timetable of TMB Airport Bus 46

TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) runs on the same year-round schedule. The first bus starts at 5:30, while the last journey begins at 23:50. The only exception is the 24th of December, when the last bus is launched at 22:00 (for additional information – Sundays in Barcelona and Public Holidays in Barcelona).

Bus 46’s schedule is strongly influenced by the traffic, therefore unexpected changes can always occur.

You can find a route map of Bus 46 on the official website of TMB, as well as detailed information in regards to every stop, such as the frequency of this service, the estimated arrival time of the next bus and a list that covers the other transportation methods (metros, trains or buses) that are available near that station.

In addition to this, you can download a few applications, such as TMB iBus Next Bus, Barcelona journey planner and JoTMBé, which will help you plan and organise your public transportation journey.

You can also subscribe to the Alert service of TMB in order to receive important information (via e-mail) about all the possible changes related to the bus lines.

If you do not have internet access but you are already inside the city, you can find the route of every bus right inside the bus stops.

Tickets for TMB Airport Bus 46

It is not necessary to purchase a ticket for TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) in advance, since they are available at all times. You can easily buy a ticket at the airport or inside the city (for additional information – Order Tickets for TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) in Advance).

Aside of the tickets issued by TMB, you can travel on Bus 46 using Barcelona Card and any other transportation ticket included in the Integrated fare system of the city; for example T-10, T-12, T-Day, T-Month, T-Familiar, Barcelona Transport Card (for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days); etc. The most profitable option for a short holiday would be the T-10 Transport Ticket (for additional information – TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) and T-10 Transport Ticket).

Customer service of TMB

If you need to contact TMB for assistance, in case you want to make a complaint/suggestion to an operator, you are required to fill out the following form online (you can also fill out complaint forms personally, at the metro stations or at Punt TMB information and customer service centers).

If you have left something behind on a bus, you can contact TMB’s Customer Service by filling out this form. You are required to wait at least 2 days from the day your item went missing before contacting the Lost Property operators.
If the item you previously lost is found, you can collect it with your ID card at Punt TMB Diagonal.

You can also contact the customer service via phone on the following number: 902 075 027; it is available daily, between 8.00 – 21.00. Additionally, you can send them an email at: tmb@tmb.cat, or visit their Twitter page and send a message using this social media channel: https://twitter.com/TMBinfo.

Aside of the above-mentioned options, you can visit one of the three Punt TMB information and customer service centers established around the city. You can read detailed information in regards to this on the following link.

Tips and Recommendations

• TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) is mainly recommended for those tourists who travel from El Prat to Barcelona or vice versa, and do not want to invest a significant amount of money on the transportation method.
• TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) El Prat only picks up tourists from El Prat and it does not have any station at Girona/Costa Brava airport (GRO) or at the airport of Reus (REU)!
• TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) only operates during the day-time hours, from 5:30 – 23:50. During the night-time, you can travel by Bus N16, if your flight arrives at or starts from Terminal 2, or by N17 in case you travel to or from Terminal 1 (for additional information – Airport Night Bus: NitBus N17 and Visit Barcelona at night).

• This attraction is suitable also for people with disabilities who travel to Barcelona, it is fully accessible and wheelchair-friendly (for additional information – Accessibility in Barcelona).

• If you are traveling with your family, it is important to note that kids younger than 4 years of age can travel by TMB for free (for additional information – Barcelona for Free).
• However, Aerobus Barcelona, airport private transfer and taxis are more suitable for groups and tourists that carry large baggages and did not book a hotel in the central area of the city (for additional information – Luggage Restrictions on TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) and Kids and Families in Barcelona).
• If you booked a hotel near Sants train station (Estacio de Barcelona-Sants) or Passeig de Gracia, it is advised to take a train from the airport, because you will arrive at your destination quicker than by Bus 46 (for additional information – Hotels near Sants and Hotels near Passeig de Gracia).
• The possibility of a strike is higher in the public transportation network, therefore privately-owned Aerobus, taxi and transport companies are secure and reliable options, in comparison to the public transportation network (for additional information – Barcelona Airport Private Transfer, Shared Transfer and Barcelona Airport Taxis).
• Do not confuse TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) with Aerobus Barcelona. The latter one is operated by a private company and, although it can quickly take you to your destination, it is also more expensive (for additional information – Aerobus or Public Bus?).
• It is easy to distinguish Aerobus from TMB Airport Bus (Number 46); the first one is painted in blue, with its name written across the vehicle, while the second one is painted in red, with the number 46 visible both on the front and on the side of the vehicle.
• In order to find TMB Airport Bus’ station (Number 46) at El Prat, you just need to follow the bus signs.
• The duration of the bus journey depends on the traffic, the terminal your flight arrives at/departs from (T1 is farther away from Barcelona, than T2), the location of your hotel, the destination of the other passengers, etc.; usually, the fastest traveling time is between 25-60 minutes.
• On the 24th of December, the last bus starts its journey at 22:00 (for additional information – Public Holidays in Barcelona).
• It is not necessary to purchase a ticket for TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) in advance, as they are available at all times. You can easily buy them at the airport or around the city (for additional information – Order Tickets for TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) in Advance).
• If you have a Barcelona Pass, you are entitled to a Barcelona Transport Card which includes TMB Airport Bus (Number 46). Moreover, Barcelona Card provides you with a free travel option.
• However, city attraction passes are not recommended, if you are only interested in traveling by public transportation. If that is the case, a T-10 Transport Ticket would be a much more profitable deal for you (for additional information – T-10 Transport Ticket).
• TMB Airport Bus (Number 46) does not stop at every station that appears in the bus’ route plan. If you want to get off, you need to signal the driver by ringing a bell. You can also ask the driver to inform you when the bus will approach your destination.
• Smoking is not allowed when traveling by TMB Airport Bus (Number 46).
• You cannot bring your bicycle inside TMB Airport Bus (Number 46)
• Guide and patrol dogs are allowed to travel by TMB Airport Bus (Number 46). Domestic animals are also allowed, as long as they are in a cage or carrier, and do not disturb other travellers (for additional information – Accessibility of TMB Airport Bus (Number 46)).

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