VISITING

Getting around

January 1, 2012

Public transport in Barcelona generally works very well, consisting of metro, bus, tram and train. Taxis are also a popular option, often proving cheaper than in other places although rates have risen steadily in recent years. More problems are encountered by private vehicle drivers, with parking and traffic jams both troublesome.

BUS

Buses are a commonly used mode of transportation in Barcelona and a good alternative to the city’s metro (underground) system. Buses can be used to reach most destinations around the city—with multiple buses on separate routes often sharing stops, make sure you check the destination posted on the bus’s front screen before you get in; you can also check the bus schedule, map and separate line routes at the bus stop.

Thanks to the internet, the bus service is becoming increasingly easier to use as you can go to www.emt-amb.com (Entitat Metropolitana del Transport) to check schedules for Barcelona buses as well as those in neighbouring cities. The site www.tmb.net (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) is also a reliable resource for checking bus routes and schedules, and offers an easily-navigable tool to plan your own trip using the bus line as well as a ‘Where Am I?’ feature that allows you to type in your location and provides you with directions to the nearest bus/metro stop. Both websites are available in Castilian and English and offer additional information on tickets, nightbus (Nit Bus) schedules and maps. And if your mobile phone isn’t already loaded down with email and twitter updates, you can use iBus, a tool from tmb.net that tells you when the next bus will arrive via text message (NB. this service has to be paid for).

Tickets—Tickets for the buses are easy to use, relatively cheap and can be used for the metro system, Renfe trains and FGC trains as well. You can purchase tickets at any electronic kiosk in metro stations as well as in lottery shops, tobacconists newsagent kiosks, and Servicaixa machines. When you get on the bus, validate your ticket in one of the machines positioned just behind the driver. It will show the time, date and number of journeys remaining on your ticket.

Prices are the following (for 2012 and for Zone one, which covers all of Barcelona):

• Single journey: €2 (Only available to purchase at the transport outlets—on bus, at metro station, etc.)

• T-10 (10 journeys that can be used by up to 10 people): €9.25

Tag Topics: Barcelona airport, Visiting Barcelona

January 1, 2012

Latest Comments

Re: Time from airport to Plaça Catalunya

Thanks for your query. It depends on a lot of different issues - whether you have to wait for luggage, which terminal you arrive at, if you're looking for a cheap way into the city or are happy to pay for a taxi (about €25). If you get a taxi and everything is on time, with not too much waiting around for passport control and suitcases, you should be fine. However, if you want to get a bus or train (both of which go to Plaça Catalunya), it might be more difficult to get there for that time. The journey from the airport into the centre of Barcelona isn't long, though, so you shouldn't arrive much later than 7.45. Good luck with your trip.

Posted by Hannah (Metropolitan) April 18, 2011 10:56:36
Time from Aeroport to Pl.Catalunya

Hello ,
My plane will land at 18.15 . Can you tell me if I can reach at Pl Catalunya until 19.45 ?
Thank you

Posted by On April 16, 2011 16:31:43
Airport travel query

Hi Paul - In response to your question, you can either take a cab which will cost around €30 or here is the Barcelona Transport website link: www.tmb.cat.
It has a journey planner and you can change the language to English if needed.

Hope that helps, Katy (Metropolitan

Posted by Katy (Metropolitan) February 10, 2011 13:14:42
How to get from the Airport to Ciutadella?

Hi,

What's the best way of travel, if you need to get to the Ciutadella/Port Olympica/Barceloneta region?
Metro, Bus, Taxi or a combination?

Paul

Posted by Paul February 10, 2011 12:27:49