The bus in Barcelona is a very good option because that's how you can visit the city. Buses are very punctual!
Another thing is that they never stop: night buses will take over any journeys you have to make during the day. night.
Arrival by bus: if you're looking to travel to Barcelona by bus from France, you can go to here.
A well-thought-out organization of buses in Barcelona: the letters H, V, D and N.
The city's buses have letters and numbers.
Knowing that the first letter is either a V (vertical), an H (horizontal) or a D (diagonal) makes it easier to find your way around. Buses cross the city in all directions. Also, a bus beginning with the letter N is a night bus (Nitbus).
In general, buses run in both directions, but in neighborhoods such as L'Eixample or Gràcia, buses only run in one direction.
With a simple smartphoneGoogle Map will show you the route you can take, very easily.
During the day, it's rare to have to wait more than a few minutes for a bus, and connections are very well organized.
A well thought-out bus system in Barcelona, except when it's raining!
Barcelona is a Mediterranean city.
A city that's generally hot and unfortunately unsuitable when it rains heavily.
Even if this improves over time, be sure to increase your travel time according to the weather. If it's raining, bus routes can be heavily congested. disturbed.
And in some cases, this will be exacerbated if the metro are flooded. The population will have no choice but to use the overcrowded buses.
In short, if you notice heavy rain, increase your travel time quite considerably.
Don't hesitate to buy a ten-route card which will cost you 10.20 euros.
A single trip (Bitllet senzill) costs 2.20 euros.
The best way to discover Barcelona? Our guided tours in French!
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In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of Barcelona (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
You are then entitled to all the connections you want for 1h15. Day tickets are also available for 8.60 euros.
It's up to you to decide advantage…
When you enter the metro station, there are machines at your disposal.
You can pay with your bank card or in cash. You can choose between a single ticket or a ten-trip ticket (T-10).
You can choose your language on the machines to have the instructions in French.
How do I validate my bus ticket?
The buses are equipped with small machines to validate your ticket. These machines are usually located at the entrance, next to the driver.
There's not necessarily a machine in the middle of the bus. Don't forget to return to thefront of bus otherwise you won't be able to validate your ticket.
You can buy a ticket from the driver, but the single ticket will cost 2.20 euros.
What if I don't pay? Fines are expensive in Barcelona and there are quite a few checks. 100 euros for a non-validated ticket.
Aerobus: the bus that links the airport to Plaça de Espanya and Plaça Catalunya
When you leave theairport At El Prat, all you have to do is pass through the entrance gates and, as soon as you're outside, head left. You'll see sky-blue buses marked A1 and A2.
If you arrive in Barcelona, both buses are available.
In one twenty minutes and for 5.90 euros (10.90 for a round trip), you'll arrive at Plaça de Espanya, with its recognizable bullring and view of Montjuic.
From here, you can join the green and red metro lines. A few minutes later, the aerobus will take you to Plaça Catalunya, the city's nerve center, where the subways, organized in a star formation from Plaça Catalunya, will take you wherever you want to go. Plaça Catalunya is the tourist hub, the departure point for the Ramblas and the old town with its different districts: Gothic, Born and Raval.
The aerobus operates every day of the year, but stops between 1 and 5 am.
Night buses in Barcelona: Nitbus
When the metro is not running, i.e. every night from midnight to 5 a.m. (Monday to Thursday, Sundays and public holidays) or from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. (Fridays), night buses are available. a good option.
In general, they pass by every 10-20 minutes.
The fare is the same as for the daytime bus, and you can pay with your card, which you have to validate in a small machine near the driver.
Are night buses safe?
I take the night bus home almost every week and I'm always impressed by how well the system works. well-organized. It's almost door-to-door!
Except in the old town districts, which are too cramped for a bus to get through...
Buses are always crowded and people are very respectful. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, near discos and trendy bars, the buses are full. The party goes on even on the buses, where you can meet new people.
Barcelona is a big city and getting around is extremely easy by public transport.
Visit metro is very well thought out and the bus roam the city in all directions, day and night.
However, taking your car has many advantages...
If you have a full schedule or would like to visit the surrounding area and get some fresh air from the big city...
What to see in Barcelona by car
That's right, less than an hour from Barcelona, you'll find a wealth of wonders...
In particular the city of Sitges with its magnificent beaches...
Or Tossa Del Mar further north...
I also recommend smaller towns like Vic or Figueres...
The car is also a much more economical option. to the beautiful mountain of Montserrat.
Or to visit Cava bodegas in the heart of Catalonia.
If, on the other hand, you don't really want to stray far from the city center, I'd advise you not to bother with a car because... Parking is easy, but it costs money!
Where to rent a car?
Directly from the airportIt's easy to rent and saves you the costly journey from cab if your plane takes off or lands in the middle of the night...
Several companies operate from the airport, including Sixth, Avis, Europcar...
And renting by the day can be very economical!
To be seen with the price of parking, which can rise very quickly...
What about traffic in Barcelona?
Barcelona is a large city with a population of one and a half million.
However, traffic is well organized.
The best way to discover Barcelona? Our guided tours in French!
In the space of just 3 hours, we show you the the best of the historic center of Barcelona (must-sees + secret spots) with a French-speaking guide just for you.
In the city, it is possible to park on the streets by paying a few euros in parking meters.
There's a lot of surveillance, and watch out for fines!
The parking spaces are identified by their green and blue lines painted on the floor.
During the day, spaces are relatively available when they are not reserved for local residents. By 8pm, most spaces are reserved for local residents.
Free parking at Montjuic and Horta
Today's urban policy is to keep cars out of the city center.
As a result, of parking lots are free on the outskirts of town.
The closest option to the center is to park on the hill of Montjuic.
Otherwise, the Zona Universitaria or in the Horta district are also equipped with free parking facilities.
The problem of vandalism and theft...
But be careful, theft and vandalism are unfortunately commonplace...
Especially when it comes to foreign plates.
Be careful not to leave anything of value in your car.
Another possibility is to go to or book a hotel with parking!
The right plan: Parclick!
Parclick gives you real-time parking information for your vehicle.
It also allows you to book in advance.
An option that can save you a lot of money.
So it's best to plan ahead, and reserve a parking space in Barcelona before you arrive. To do this, I recommend you use Parclick websiteThis is a network of more than 30 parking lots in most of Barcelona's districts at very affordable rates.
It's a real time-saver and a real relief, so you don't have to stress out during your stay.
Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas airport is generally referred to simply as Barcelona airport. It is also called Barcelona El Prat airport, because it is close to a town called El Prat de Llobregat. It is Barcelona's main international airport.
The best way to find the right airport is to use the IATA code assigned to each airport. In this case, BCN is the airport code for Barcelona El Prat.
Barcelona airport has 2 terminals and is the second largest airport in Spain, after Madrid-Barajas. Barcelona El Prat airport is a 25-minute drive from the center of Barcelona. It is well connected to the city center by public transport such as bus, train and metro.
How to get from Barcelona airport to the city center
As I mentioned, Barcelona El Prat airport is well connected to the city by public transport as well as by numerous cabs waiting outside the airport.
The best way to get from the airport to Barcelona depends on your budget and where you're staying. To get to the city center, you can take a cab or a private transfer. It is also possible to take the train from the airport's Terminal 2.
A aerobus is at your disposal. It will get you to Plaça de Catalunya in no time. And if you don't have much luggage, you can get there by metro.
Other airports near Barcelona
Some low-cost airlines like Ryanair classify other airports as "Barcelona", even though they are much further away. Girona and Reus are the two other Catalan airportssometimes called Barcelona. When you travel to Barcelona, the airport you reach depends on the airline you use and where you're staying.
Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO)
Girona airport is close to the city of Girona, just over an hour's drive northeast of Barcelona. Girona's IATA code is GRO, and this is probably the best airport to use if you're staying on the Costa Brava north of Barcelona or in the northern regions of Catalonia.
During the winter season, the number of flights is reduced, so you can have difficulty in finding suitable flights to Girona. In summer, flights are more frequent, with direct services to various European cities. Airlines such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2 offer flights to and from Girona airport.
Reus International Airport (REU)
Reus International Airport is located south of Barcelona, close to the towns of Reus and Tarragona, about an hour and a half's drive from Barcelona city center by car. The IATA code for Reus is REU.
I wouldn't recommend flying to Reus airport if you're staying in Barcelona, as it can take around 3 hours by public transport to reach the center of Barcelona. However, if you're staying in the Costa Daurada region of Catalonia, close to Tarragonaof PortAventura World or the seaside resorts of Salou or Cambrils, this is probably the best airport for you.
Like Girona, there are fewer flights available to Barcelona Reus in winter, but in summer you can find flights with airlines such as Jet2 and Ryanair. from several airports in Europe.
Choose the right Barcelona airport!
After reading this article, you should have enough knowledge about Barcelona airports to be able to choose the best option for you, but it's worth repeating just in case! Usually, Barcelona El Prat is the best optionIt's the closest airport to Barcelona city center, but you may want to try other options.
Always remain flexible
You can save a lot of money on flights to Barcelona if you can be flexible about when you want to travel. The busiest periods include vacations like Christmas or school vacations, and flights from Friday evening to Sunday are always more expensive than on weekdays, as many people want to spend a weekend in Barcelona.
Try to visit Barcelona during the off-season or shoulder season rather than the summer vacations, and fly mid-week if you can.
Check flight times carefully
Sometimes the cheapest flight prices can actually cost you more once you factor in how to get to and from the airport. Very early or late flights may mean you have to take a cab to get to the airport instead of taking the bus or public transport, which can end up costing more than a later flight.
Now you know everything you need to know about Barcelona's different airports. During your stay, I advise you to choose according to where you'll be staying in Catalonia. This way, you'll be able to to make the most of your stay.
The best transport passes for short stays in Barcelona
Barcelona's integrated transport system is operated by TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona), which includes metro, bus, streetcar and commuter train services. TMB offers a tourist card called "Hola BCN!"card, allowing unlimited travel in zone 1. To obtain this card, you need :
14 € for 2 days
20,50 € for 3 days
26,50 € for 4 days
32 € for 5 days
The advantages of this travel card are that it includes travel to and from the airport. However, there are cheaper options for short stays.
In fact, you can buy a T-10 ticket in any metro or train station. It entitles you to 10 journeys in zone 1 for €9.95. Please note that the T-10 does not include journeys to and from the airport on metro and train services, but it does include journeys to and from the airport. on local bus services.
Another advantage of the T-10 is that it's a mutual ticket: you can simply validate it for each person making the journey, and you're on your way. this number of trips will be deducted. Children under 4 don't need a ticket, but all other passengers must validate their journey.
Barcelona transport pass: travel cards for long stays
If you're staying in Barcelona for a month or more, there's a wide variety of transport passes available. You can choose a ticket offering a defined number of journeys, or unlimited journeys over a defined period. There are also tickets for families, seniors and young people.
T-10 tickets
As explained above, the T-10 is an individual or mutual ticket that allows a total of 10 trips for €9.95. If you're a frequent user of the integrated transport system, a more cost-effective option might be the T-50/30, which costs €42.50. This allows you to make up to 50 journeys within 30 days of the ticket validation date. This ticket is for individual use only and includes travel to and from the airport by train and metro.
If you always travel in a group, the T-70/30 may be a better option. At a price of €59.50This ticket allows up to 70 journeys over a period of 30 days from the date of validation. This is a multi-person ticket that can be validated more than once during the same trip.
The T-Mes transport pass in Barcelona
The T-Mes card unlimited travel within a specific fare zone for a period of one month from the date of validation. It can only be used by the person purchasing the ticket, and must therefore be validated by a passport number at the time of purchase. The T-Mes is available from all metro and subway stations and costs €52.75 for a trip in zone 1.
Special rate subscriptions
Children under 15 in Barcelona can travel free of charge with a T-12 card. The T-Jove card offers unlimited travel for under-25s for 90 days for €105. There is also a reduced T-Mes FM/FN fare for large and single-parent families, and dealers can purchase a T-4 card. which offers 10 journeys for €3.90.
With all these options, you should be able to travel quickly and efficiently throughout Barcelona. You'll also be able to travel, make substantial savings on your transport costs!
To the south of the city, Trambiax is made up of three lines (T1, T2 and T3) from Plaça Francesc Macià to Espluges de Llobregat, Cornellà de Llobregat, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí and Sant Just Desvern.
To the north, the Trambesòs (lines T4, T5 and T6) runs from the Parc de la CiutadellaIt runs through the Sant Martí district to Badalona and Sant Adria de Besòs.
It's a popular means of transport for tourists and locals alike. Every day, thousands of people use the streetcars to get around the city. If you'd like to diversify your means of transportIt's the perfect alternative to the Barcelona metro or bus.
Fares for Barcelona's public transport system are based on in six zones. Both tramway networks are located in zone 1.
Timetables and opening hours of Barcelona's tramway system
Streetcars run during specific periods. During rush hour, streetcars depart every ten to fifteen minutes, dropping to every thirty minutes in the early morning and evening.
You can also use the tramway:
Monday to Thursday 5 a.m. to midnight
Friday and Saturday 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Sunday 5 a.m. to midnight
The day before public holidays 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.
How much do tickets cost?
One-way tickets for the streetcar currently cost €2.40. You can buy them from vending machines at streetcar stations.
You can save money and time by purchasing a multi-trip ticket such as the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.
The Barcelona Card offers free entry to museums and popular tours, as well as unlimited use of public transport in zone 1.
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au-dessus du distributeur de tickets, un écran LCD indique l’heure d’arrivée du prochain tram. En outre, il existe des cartes du réseau de tramway et du système de métro et de train urbain pour to help you find your way around the different lines.
Don't forget to validate your ticket!
When you enter the streetcar, you must validate your ticket using the machines located near the doors. Failure to do so means you're traveling without a ticket.
Insert the ticket into the slot at the top of the machine, with the arrow pointing downwards and the printed side of the ticket facing you. Once inside the machine, the ticket is stamped. A green LED next to the ticket slot lights up. The machine beeps before returning the ticket, indicating validation. You must keep your ticket for the duration of your trip and present it to inspectors on request.
If the red LED lights up, the ticket has not been validated correctly. This happens on damaged or expired tickets. The most frequent cause of ticket rejection is it has been inserted incorrectly. Check orientation as described above and try again.
What to do with invalid or damaged tickets
If the machines inside the streetcar repeatedly reject your ticket, it has expired. Unfortunately, when this happens, your only option is to leave the streetcar and buy another ticket from the machine at the station.
Damaged tickets can be replaced free of charge by staff at customer service offices and ticket offices in metro and train stations. The Plaça de Catalunya is the most convenient for this kind of exchange.
Is a streetcar ticket also valid for the metro, train or bus?
A single streetcar ticket allows you to transfer from one streetcar line to another within the same journey for a period of thirty minutes after the first validation of the ticket. When transferring from one streetcar to another, you must revalidate your ticket as you board the streetcar.
Single streetcar tickets cannot be used when travelling in metroin bus or in train.
If you have purchased a multi-trip ticket, you can transfer between different modes of transport within the same trip.
The history of streetcars in Barcelona
Barcelona's first tramway service was inaugurated in 1872 and ran between Las Ramblas to Plaça Lesseps. The first streetcars were horse-drawn, but were replaced by steam streetcars as the network expanded.
Steam streetcars were both noisy and dangerous. Apparently, they were involved in so many accidents that locals referred to the lines by nicknames such as "the guillotine" and "King Herod".
The first electric tramway, inaugurated in 1899, benefited from new lines running as far as Badalona and Tibidabo theme parkwhich opened its doors in 1905.
Two years later, the first buses began to run and a price war began between the two public transport operators.
The arrival of the metro, the end of the tramway
In the 1920s, work began on Barcelona's metro system. Streetcars slowly declined until only one line remains.
For over thirty years, Barcelona's only tramway was a tourist attraction called the El Tramvia Blau (The Blue Tram)along Avinguda Tibidabo.
Barcelona's current tramway system dates from 2006. Unlike the old steam streetcars, modern electric streetcars are silent. They're also one of the most environmentally-friendly ways of getting around the city.
Now you know everything there is to know about streetcars in Barcelona. On your next trip, I advise you to diversify your means of transport and to enjoy a streetcar ride.
La Rodalies is an urban and intercity train line serving the Barcelona area. Intercity services are also available to Lleida, SitgesTarragona and Girona. As you can see, there are a wide variety of trains in Barcelona!
If you want to discover more of Spain during your stay, the best way to visit other cities is often by train. Trains in Barcelona offer an easy way to get out of the city. The Rodalies is a fast line that takes you to your destination in record time. Thanks to this train, you save time on transport and can fully enjoy the city you want to visit. Once there, you can rent a vehicle if you wish to get around freely in any of the towns served by Rodalies.
As with other trains, trips on the Rodalies are accessible from Barcelona Central Station.
Take the Catalan train company Renfe
If you want to cover longer distances, you opt for for Renfe trains. These trains will enable you to visit a more distant city for a weekend, for example, with friends or family. You can find more information on timetables and routes at the company's official website.
The list of destinations served by Renfe is immense. With this train, you can literally go anywhere you want. If you want to get away from Barcelona and spend some time in Madrid, this is the train for you. It's the perfect way to move outside Barcelona's city limits.
Train to Barcelona: AVE, the Catalan high-speed train
Alta Velocidad Española is one of Spain's fastest trains of Europe, with a maximum speed of 330 km/h on certain sections of the Spanish rail network. What's more, Renfe's long-distance high-speed service is capable of connecting the 600 kilometers between Madrid and Barcelona in just 2 hours and 45 minutes. Perfect if you want to linking the two cities in record time.
Which stations give you access to trains in Barcelona?
As there are many different stations in the city, you'll be able to get to one of them quickly, wherever you are. You'll always be able to find a train to your destination. Alone or accompanied, as a couple or with the family, there's always a train to catch. a solution and a station adapted to your needs nearby.
Barcelona's most important stations include :
El Clot-Aragó This station serves regional and Rodalies trains.
Estació de França This station links Paris and Madrid.
Sants This is a well-known station, as almost every train ends up passing through or departing from here.
Travelling by train in Barcelona is a quick and comfortable way to explore outside the city. at a reasonable price.
Thanks to Catalonia's rich rail network, the most beautiful places in Catalonia are just a short train ride away. The good news is that all these unexplored places are within easy reach of Barcelona or Girona. Bon voyage!
