The primary airport serving Barcelona, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is more commonly known as El Prat and has the airport code BCN. El Prat is situated 12 km southwest of Barcelona’s city center, and is readily accessible via car, express bus, and train. Rentalcars.com presents the best site for booking rental cars at the Barcelona airport.
Barcelona Airport Transportation
Barcelona Airport to City Center by Car
The most straightforward and swiftest approach to get from Barcelona El Prat Airport to downtown is by private vehicle service. We utilize and suggest Welcome Pickups.
- Travel Duration: 20 minutes, traffic permitting.
- Fare: Around €50.
- Welcome Pickups rides can be prearranged and prepaid, doing away with the need to negotiate fare before or after your trip.
- Welcome Pickups operates out of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and your English-speaking driver will await you at arrivals to guide you to the car.
- Child and infant safety seats are available upon request.
Barcelona Airport to City Center by Taxi
- Travel duration: 25 minutes, contingent on traffic
- Fare: around €35.
- Taxis in Barcelona employ meters to calculate fares based on distance and time spent traveling; expect to pay higher rates for a taxi during weekday rush hours. There are also extra charges for taxi rides after 8pm or on weekends.
- Taxi stands at Barcelona Airport are found outside both terminals, T1 and T2.
Barcelona Airport to City Center by Bus
Aerobus airport express shuttle buses travel all day long between El Prat airport and Plaça de Catalunya, and departs from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- Estimated travel duration: 35 minutes, depending on traffic
- Fare: €5.90 one-way, €10.20 round-trip; cash only, purchase tickets from the bus driver or online in advance.
- The Aerobus departs El Prat daily, every 15 minutes or so, between 5:45am and 11pm.
- There is free wi-fi onboard the Aerobus.
Barcelona Airport to City Center by Train
The Barcelona Airport Train departs daily from Terminal 2, connecting El Prat on the R2 Nord line with the central Barcelona train stations of Bellvitge, Barcelona Sants (Plaça Espanya and Montjuic), Passeig de Gracia (Plaça de Catalunya and the Gothic Quarter), and El Clot – Aragó (Poblenou and northern Eixample).
- Travel Time: Around 20-25 minutes, depending on the station you’re traveling to.
- Fare: €4.60 one way
- At El Prat airport, the train station is situated outside of Terminal 2. From Terminal 1, Terminal 2 can be accessed via a free airport shuttle bus, taking about 20 minutes in total.
- Train tickets can be purchased with credit cards or cash (€) from self-service machines at the airport station.
Barcelona Airport to City Center by Metro
- El Prat Airport is connected to the southern area of Barcelona via the L9 metro south line, with stops at the following stations: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Mas Blau, Parc Nou, Cèntric, El Prat Estació, Les Moreres, Mercabarna, Parc Logístic, Fira, Europa-Fira, Can Tries-Gornal, Torrassa, Collblanc, Zona Universitaria. Travelers wanting to reach downtown Barcelona via metro will need to transfer trains, generally at the Torrassa or Collblanc station. For this reason, we don’t recommend traveling from El Prat to central Barcelona solely by metro.
- Travel Time: 30+ minutes, with transfers.
- Fare: €5.15
- Trains leave El Prat every 7 minutes or so from 5am to midnight Monday through Thursday, 5am to 2am on Fridays, and continuously from 5am Saturday to midnight on Sunday.
- El Prat metro stops are located outside both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- Metro tickets can be purchased with credit cards or cash (€) from self-service machines at the airport station.
The Best Hotels near Barcelona El Prat Airport
Though it is not difficult or very expensive to get from Barcelona Airport to hotels in the city center, travelers with very early flights, or those who are only in Barcelona between flights, might find it more convenient to stay nearer the airport than the city.
- Sleep&Fly – Found within the business district of Terminal 1, this lodging is uniquely positioned as the sole hotel located inside the airport grounds. It offers basic double and triple rooms that are contemporary, comfortable and clean.
- Barcelona Aeropuerto – The premier hotel near the Barcelona Airport. Stylish, modern lodging with a range of rooms sleeping 2-4, including bunk rooms for families. Daily buffet breakfast, and lobby and snack bars. 5-minute drive from Terminal 1, with complimentary airport shuttle.
- Barcelona Airport Hotel – immaculate and tranquil, with chambers that can accommodate up to 5 persons. On-site Mediterranean restaurant, lounge, and seasonal outdoor pool. Situated under two miles from the airport, with free shuttle service.
- Ciutat del Prat – Comfortable hotel with on-site restaurant, indoor pool, fitness center, and daily breakfast buffet. Situated 2 miles from the airport, with free transfer.
For visitors wishing to stay near the airport without relying on a hotel shuttle for transportation, taking the direct RENFE train from the airport to Estació de Sants station may be worthwhile considering the small amount of time and effort required. This will cost 2€ and take approximately 20 minutes, and there are many good quality hotels near the station, such as Barceló Sants Hotel (4-star) and AC Hotel Sants (3-star) – both are a short walk from the station and have 24-hour reception.
