Public Transportation in Barcelona

It is very convenient to take a tourist tour in Barcelona, its tourist center is relatively small and in fact you should visit most of the main areas and attractions of the city on foot. Moreover, the metro and bus systems of the city are very efficient and inexpensive. Furthermore, the city is connected to the railway system of the whole of Spain.

Trams in Barcelona

In addition to the metro and buses, Barcelona has an exceptional system of trams.

The tram system in Barcelona operates 6 different lines which travels throughout the city. Many of the tram stations are connected with the metro and subway stations, which makes traveling in the city a lot easier. On each train there are six doors, four of them are adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, who also have a reserved area inside the tram. For additional information visit the official website.

Barcelona Airport El Prat

Barcelona’s airport is situated in the town of El Prat de Llobregat near Barcelona (it is about 12 kilometers from the city). It has two terminals and it is considered to be the main airport in Catalonia and it is the country’s second largest airport. It is easy to arrive to the city from the airport or to get to El Prat from Barcelona, you can use Aerobus which connects this two important places (for additional information – Arrival from Barcelona Airport to the City).

Taxi in Barcelona

One can find dozens of taxi stations and hundreds of taxis around Barcelona. There are two kinds of taxis in the city: car for 4 people and vehicles for 6 travellers.

The most evident advantages of a taxi are convenience and speed (no stops). In addition to these, if you visit Barcelona with a large group or with your family you can take a taxi at a reasonable price because in Barcelona you pay for a taxi and not relative to the number of passengers (for additional information – Kids and Families in Barcelona). Moreover, you can get help from taxi drivers, most of whom are courteous and nice.

Taxi fares in Barcelona (as of 2017)

• Standard rates start at € 2.50, each additional kilometer is 1.10 €.
• On arrival from the airport to the city center you must add a tax of 10 € .
• Traveling from the city center to the airport of Barcelona there is a tax of 3.10 €.
• Traveling from the city center to the port means a tax of 2.10.€

Barcelona‘s taxi website: http://www.taxibarcelona.cat

Trains in Barcelona

In Barcelona operates two railway companies, one is the FGC suburban railway, the other is the Renfe Operadora railway.

FGC Train

The FGC operates in the urban areas and in the suburbs (Terrace, Montserrat, and Figueres, a town famous mainly for Dalí Theatre and Museum) of the city.

Barcelona‘s suburban train stations are Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça de Catalunya.

You can find detailed information about hours of operation, ticket reservation, and maps on the official website. To download the map click here.

Renfe Railway

Renfe Operadora is a company owned by the state. Trains of this company are moving outside Barcelona. Their central station is Plaça de Catalunya. These trains connect Barcelona with all cities in Spain. Moreover, they provide connection with trains traveling toward France, Portugal and many other European cities.

Tips and Recommendations

• For those who plan to spend their holiday only within Barcelona it is not advised to rent a car because similar to other large cities, the streets are relatively crowded, most of the central streets are closed, the parking options are limited and sometimes quite expensive. But if you would like to leave the city and take a tour in Catalonia or visit also Madrid and Andalusia, renting a car would be a good solution (for additional information – Car Rental in Barcelona and Car Rental in Spain).
• Metro lines travel throughout the city and it is highly recommended. This is one of the most accurate and fastest metro systems in Europe.
• How to get from the airport to the city? For individuals and couples it is not recommended to take a taxi. Buses are available on a regular basis and at a reasonable price. Additionally, the Barcelona Tourist Bus departs from the airport, it is cheap and stops at two main parts of the city: Plaça d’Espanya and Plaça de Catalunya. You can also use the train which provides a convenient travel.
• The most economical and healthiest but the less frequently mentioned solution is a bicycle tour around Barcelona. Of course it is not suitable for everyone but it can be an enjoyable and pleasant program, mainly for those who are keen on sports.
• Important note about the T-10 ticket – its material is not very durable, so please be careful not to damage it. If the card is damaged you can replace it. In this case we recommend to go to the bus driver because at the metro stations you do not have a chance to find a manned office and it is a bit complicated to work with the automatic machines.

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