Getting there
How to get from Barcelona airport to the city centre (and back)
El Prat airport is about 15 kilometres from central Barcelona and there are five ways to cover the distance: Aerobus, metro, commuter train, city bus and taxi. Which suits you best depends on where you're going, what time you arrive and how much luggage you have.
| Transport | To the centre | Price | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobus A1 / A2 | 30-35 min to Plaça Catalunya | €7.75 | 24/7, every 5-10 min by day | Direct, no changes and room for luggage |
| Metro L9 Sud | 45-55 min, with a change | €5.90 | Metro hours | Reaches many neighbourhoods with one change |
| R2 Nord train | 20 min to Sants, 27 to Passeig de Gràcia | about €5.50 | Every 30 min, 5:40 to midnight | Fast to Sants; leaves from T2 only |
| City bus 46 | 35-45 min to Plaça Espanya | €2.90 | Daytime; at night, N16 and N17 | The cheapest, but slow with many stops |
| Taxi | 25-35 min, depending on traffic | approx. €30-40 | 24/7 | Door to door; pricey if travelling alone |
Approximate prices for one adult, single journey. The taxi fare is an estimate to the centre based on the official 2026 rates.
Our recommendation for your situation
- Going to the centre, the Eixample, the Gothic Quarter or Montjuïc: Aerobus. Direct, frequent and with room for your suitcases.
- Catching a train at Sants: the R2 Nord train from T2, or the Aerobus to Plaça Espanya and two metro stops. See from the airport to Sants.
- Boarding a cruise: Aerobus to Plaça Catalunya and the port shuttle, or a fixed-price taxi. See to the cruise port.
- Arriving in the early hours: Aerobus (every 20 minutes all night) or taxi.
- Staying away from the centre, near an L9 or L1 stop: the metro may save you a change.
- Four of you with lots of luggage, or heading to the outskirts: a taxi may work out cheaper.
Aerobus: the most direct route to the centre
The A1 (Terminal 1) and A2 (Terminal 2) lines stop at Plaça Espanya, Gran Via - Comte Borrell, Plaça Universitat and Plaça Catalunya. They run 24 hours a day, leave every 5-10 minutes during the day and a single ticket costs €7.75. All the information is on Aerobus Barcelona.
Metro L9 Sud
It has stations at T1 and T2, but doesn't reach the centre: you have to change (for example to the L1 at Torrassa or the L3 at Zona Universitària). In total, about 45-55 minutes to Plaça Catalunya. It requires the €5.90 airport ticket. More on metro to the airport.
R2 Nord train
It leaves every 30 minutes from Aeroport station, next to T2, for Sants (about 20 minutes), Passeig de Gràcia and El Clot. Very handy for connecting with high-speed AVE trains. From T1 you first need to take the shuttle. More on train to the airport.
City bus 46 and night buses
TMB route 46 links both terminals with Plaça Espanya for the price of a standard ticket, making many stops. At night, there are the N16 and N17 Nitbus services. More on city and night buses.
Taxi
There are ranks outside both terminals. With the 2026 fares, a trip to the centre usually costs €30 to €40, including the €4.60 airport supplement. More on taxi from the airport.
Frequently asked questions
What's the fastest way to get from the airport to the city centre?
To the historic centre (Plaça Catalunya), the Aerobus, which takes 30 to 35 minutes with no changes. To Sants station, the R2 Nord train, which takes about 20 minutes from T2. A taxi can be slightly quicker outside rush hour, but costs several times more.
What's the cheapest option?
City bus 46 with a single TMB ticket (€2.90) or the T-casual, but it takes longer and drops you at Plaça Espanya. If several of you are travelling with luggage, the Aerobus is worth it for comfort and time.
Which transport runs in the early hours?
The Aerobus, which runs 24 hours with a bus every 20 minutes at night; the N16 and N17 night buses; and taxis. The train doesn't run overnight and the metro only stays open all night on Saturdays.
Can I use the T-casual to get to the airport?
It's valid on city bus 46 and on the R2 Nord train, but not at the airport stations of metro line L9 Sud, which require the airport ticket. Nor is it valid on the Aerobus, which has its own tickets.