Barcelona Airport Transport: How to Get from BCN to City Center in 2025 (And What I Think is Best)

My husband and I kicked off our 2.5-week summer honeymoon in Barcelona, and before our trip, I literally spent HOURS researching all possible transportation options from the Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to the city center – taxis, trains, and especially the buses. After weighing all the factors for Barcelona Airport transport, we decided the Aerobús was our best bet, and we weren’t disappointed! The buses were reliable, cost-effective, and got us right where we needed to go. In this guide, I’ll share our firsthand experience with Barcelona Airport transport, including buses, plus everything I learned about the other options during my research. I’ll break down what you’ll pay, travel times, comfort levels with luggage, and overall convenience – because I want your Barcelona adventure to start smoothly right from the airport, just like ours did!

Big Picture Overview of Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) and Transport Options

Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is Spain’s second busiest airport, located about 15 km (9 miles) southwest of Barcelona’s city center. It has two terminals (T1 and T2), each offering multiple transfer options:

If you know what airline you will be flying in on, you can find your arrival terminal here.

Taking a Taxi from Barcelona Airport: Cost, Time & Convenience

Where to Find Official Taxis

Official Barcelona taxis are black with yellow doors and can be found at designated taxi ranks outside Terminals 1 and 2. As you are walking through the terminal, it is likely that you will be offered rides by various unlicensed taxis or other drivers inside the terminal. Continue walking towards ground transportation and follow the signs for the designated taxi area, where you will wait in line and a staff member will assist you when it’s your turn. Please note that you are not permitted to flag down a taxi anywhere outside the specified taxi queue.

• Standard fare to the city center: €30-€40
• Additional charges may apply: Click for details
• Van supplement: €4.50
  • Most taxis have capacity for up to 4 passengers, but it is possible to get a van for up to 6 people.
  • If you would like a van from the airport into town, be sure to let the staff member at the taxi line know and be aware that additional wait times may occur.
• Estimated travel time: 20-30 minutes
• Pro tip: Most taxis have credit/debit machines in them, but some drivers may not have functioning machines. Before you get in the taxi, it is best practice to ensure that they are able to accept credit cards if you plan to pay that way. You can simply say, ’¿acceptas tarjetas?’ to ensure that they have a functioning credit card machine.

Pros & Cons

Ride-Hailing Alternatives

• Uber: Available in Barcelona (and I frequently checked pricing out of curiosity), but I found them to oftentimes be more expensive than taxis. We did not use Uber at all while we were here.
• Cabify & Bolt: Popular alternatives with upfront pricing.
• FREENOW: An app-based service available across Europe where taxis that are available and nearby can be booked via the app, similar to Uber or Lyft, but connects to actual taxis. You can schedule rides up to 4 days in advance, which could be beneficial if you need a larger vehicle. We have used this service (specifically in Germany), but if you plan to take a taxi from the airport, it’s probably just as convenient to just go directly to the taxi rank. Pricing is similar to taxis, but may be slightly more.

Airport Buses in Barcelona: Affordable & Efficient?

Aerobús: The Fastest Bus Option

Aerobús is a dedicated airport shuttle running between BCN (T1 & T2) and Plaça Catalunya 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. We purchased our tickets online in advance. Because tickets are valid for 90 days from the date of purchase and they do not have a specific date/time on them, this made our trip through the airport smooth and easy, as we only needed to look for signs for ground transportation to the bus when we were ready to leave the airport. If anyone ever asks my preferred mode of transportation from the Barcelona Airport, this is it (unless they have a strong aversion to public transportation, but even then, it’s just as easy to catch, if not easier, than a taxi). Plenty of bag space and very convenient yet inexpensive!

“Aerobus!” by Leonora (Ellie) Enking is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Aerobús Details & Logistics

• Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes from 5 am until 12:35 am; every 20 minutes between 12:35 am and 5 am
  • Because the bus comes so frequently, it is very rarely full, but if it is, another bus will come soon.
  • We took the bus from the airport in the peak season (around lunchtime in late June) and there were only 4-5 other people on the whole bus!
• Travel time: 30-35 minutes
• Cost: 7.45€ one way, 12.85€ round trip
  • Children under 4 years old travel for free
• Where to buy tickets: We purchased our tickets online in advance and had the QR codes on our phones ready to be scanned by the driver, but the kiosks were easily visible as we were walking towards ground transportation.
  • Online: May print in advance or present the digital version (QR code) on your phone. I would definitely recommend doing this!!
    • Can purchase on the website or the app
  • Self-service ticket machines (blue kiosks): Located near the Aerobus stops; accept both cash and credit card
• Where to board: Whether you fly into Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, follow the signs towards the arrivals hall (ground transportation) with buses on them (some signs may have the Aerobús logo as you get closer). When you get outside, there will be clearly marked signs for the A1 line (from Terminal 1) or the A2 line (from Terminal 2). There is almost always a blue Aerobús waiting outside (see photo above).

• Luggage: When you get on the bus, you’ll find that there is plenty of designated space for luggage on the bus. The Aerobús website also notes that wheelchairs (yes, these buses are wheelchair accessible!!), strollers/buggies, and bicycles are permitted, as long as there is space available.
• Technology: All Aerobuses have Wifi and USB chargers at the seats.

Pros & Cons

Public Transport Buses: Budget-Friendly but Slower

If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) Bus Line 46 and night buses N17 & N18 serve the airport.

• If you would like to browse the Bus Line 46 route to see which stop is closest to where you are staying, you can access it directly here.
• Cost: 5.70€ (regular one-way bus ticket is 2.65€, but travel to and from the airport adds a premium)
• Travel time: 45-60 minutes
• Best for: Budget travelers and those with flexible schedules

Taking the Train from Barcelona Airport: Best for Budget Travelers?

R2 Nord Line: The Best Train Option

The R2 Nord train line is a Barcelona Airport transport option that connects the airport to Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, and Clot-Aragó.

• Frequency: Every 30 minutes
• Travel time: 20-30 minutes (or longer if requiring transfers)
• Cost: €4.90 one way
• How to buy tickets: Find a RENFE Train Ticket machine/kiosk in Terminal 2B or may be purchased in advance
• Where to board: Just outside Terminal 2 near the car park. There is a pedestrian bridge that connects the terminal to the train station. According to the Barcelona Airport website, it should take approximately 5 minutes to get from baggage claim to the train station. Follow the signs for the Renfe train.
  • If you fly into Terminal 1, you will need to take a shuttle to the train station
• More Route Info
  • Stops in Barcelona: Barcelona Sants > Passeig de Gràcia > Clot-Aragó
  • Please note that the R2 has 3 sublines, so if you are taking the train TO the airport from Barcelona, do not take the plain R2 or R2 Sud lines (they do not stop at the airport). Only R2 Nord stops there.
  • Keep in mind that hours are somewhat limited (at the time of writing this post, the first train leaves the Aeroport Station at 5:42 am and the last one departs at 11:38 pm)

Pros & Cons

Comparing Airport Transfers: Which One Should You Choose?

After extensive research and personal experience, here are my recommendations for Barcelona Airport transport based on your travel style and needs:

Tips for a Smooth Barcelona Airport Transfer

• Only take official taxis with a yellow & black design
• Buy tickets for your Barcelona Airport transport in advance to lessen the ‘tasks’ you need to do after getting off the plane (Think: Aerobús)
• Have helpful apps downloaded before travel: Moovit, Google Maps, TMB Barcelona (real-time updates are helpful!)
• Traveling with big bags? Taxis or Aerobús are the best options
• Consider public transportation cards (like T-Casual or the Hola Barcelona Travel Card) for unlimited rides if this may be of benefit for you.
  • We considered purchasing one of these, but prefer to explore the city by foot, so we opted against these.
  • I’ll write a future blog post on Barcelona by foot

Conclusion: Choose the Best Barcelona Airport Transfer for Your Trip

Barcelona is an exciting city waiting to be explored, and choosing the right airport transfer can help start your trip on the right foot. Whether you prioritize speed (taxi), affordability (bus/train), or convenience (Aerobús), there’s a perfect option for every traveler. We found the Aerobus extremely easy and a straight shot to where we were staying near Plaça Catalunya. I would highly recommend this bus to almost anyone flying into Barcelona who is not afraid of public transportation. Booking your ticket ahead will minimize any travel-related stress when you’re recovering from the jet lag. For those who would prefer to avoid public transportation, taking a taxi is also an easy route if you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars. Most importantly, enjoy your time in Barcelona!