The airport
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat is Spain's second-busiest airport by passenger numbers: more than 55 million in 2024. It's in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat, about 15 km by road from central Barcelona, and has two separate terminals, T1 and T2.
- IATA / ICAO code
- BCN / LEBL
- Distance to the centre
- About 15 km
- Terminals
- T1 and T2 (T2A, T2B, T2C)
- Operator
- Aena
- To the centre by Aerobus
- 30-35 minutes
Arrivals
Arriving at Barcelona-El Prat step by step: baggage reclaim, leaving the terminal, where to catch the Aerobus and how to get to the city centre.
Departures
How early to get to Barcelona airport, which Aerobus to take for your terminal, check-in, security and tips so you don't miss your flight.
Terminal 1
Barcelona-El Prat Terminal 1: airlines, arrivals and departures floors, the A1 Aerobus stop, metro L9 Sud, taxis and services at T1.
Terminal 2
Barcelona-El Prat Terminal 2: the T2A, T2B and T2C buildings, low-cost airlines, the A2 Aerobus stop, R2 Nord train, metro and taxis.
Services
Services at Barcelona-El Prat airport: free Wi-Fi, terminal shuttle bus, assistance for reduced mobility, left luggage, lost property, food and parking.
Getting there
Every way to get from Barcelona airport to the city centre and back: Aerobus, metro L9, R2 Nord train, bus 46 and taxi, with prices and journey times.
Two terminals, 4 kilometres apart
The first thing to know about Barcelona airport is that its two terminals aren't next to each other: T1 and T2 are separate buildings, several kilometres apart by road. You can't walk from one to the other; a free shuttle bus links them in about 10-15 minutes.
- Terminal 1: the newest and largest, opened in 2009. It's used by Vueling, Iberia, the airlines of the major alliances and almost all intercontinental flights.
- Terminal 2: the original terminal, divided into T2A, T2B and T2C. It's used mainly by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet.
Each terminal has its own Aerobus line: the A1 goes to T1 and the A2 to T2. That's why it's important to check your boarding pass to see which terminal you're flying from.
How to get from the airport to central Barcelona
The airport has good transport links. The main options are:
- Aerobus: direct to Plaça Espanya and Plaça Catalunya in 30-35 minutes, 24 hours a day, for €7.75.
- Metro L9 Sud: stations at T1 and T2, with a change to reach the centre.
- R2 Nord train: from the station next to T2 to Sants and Passeig de Gràcia.
- City bus 46 and the N16 and N17 night buses.
- Taxi: ranks outside both terminals.
We compare them on time, price and comfort in how to get from the airport to the city centre.
Flight status
To find out whether a flight is arriving or leaving on time, check the arrivals and departures information on the official Aena website or in your airline's app. If you're picking someone up, our arrivals page explains where they'll come out and how long it usually takes.
An airport that never closes
El Prat operates 24 hours a day, although activity drops off considerably overnight and some shops and restaurants close. If your flight arrives at night, the Aerobus is still running: a bus leaves each terminal for the centre every 20 minutes.