Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) to Barcelona
The Aerobus is the simplest direct link from both terminals to Plaça de Catalunya in about 35 minutes. The cheapest options are the R2 Nord train from T2 or the city bus 46 from both terminals.
Best for most people: Aerobus. It leaves from outside both terminals every few minutes, has luggage space and drops you at Plaça de Catalunya in the heart of the city.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| airport bus Aerobus A1 from T1 or A2 from T2 to Plaça d'Espanya, Gran Via/Urgell and Plaça de Catalunya | about 35 min | every 5–10 min | about €7 single, cheaper return | about 05:00–01:00 | Contactless cards accepted on board. Check you board the bus for your terminal on the way back. |
| train Rodalies R2 Nord from the T2 station to Sants, Passeig de Gràcia and Clot. From T1 take the free shuttle bus to T2 first | about 20–25 min to Sants, 25–30 min to Passeig de Gràcia | every 30 min | about €4–5 single; T-casual travel cards are valid | about 05:40–23:40 | Allow 15 min extra for the shuttle from T1. |
| metro Line L9 Sud from stations at T1 and T2, changing to other metro lines (e.g. at Torrassa or Zona Universitària) | about 35–50 min to the centre | every 7–10 min | about €5.50 for the special airport ticket | about 05:00–24:00, later on Fridays and all night on Saturdays | Slower than the Aerobus once you count the change; standard T-casual is not valid from the airport stations. |
| city bus TMB bus 46 from both terminals to Plaça d'Espanya; NitBus night buses link the airport to Plaça de Catalunya | about 35–45 min | every 15–25 min | about €2.55 single, or one trip on a T-casual | day bus roughly 05:00–23:50; night buses after that | Cheapest option but crowded with luggage at peak times. |
| taxi Official black-and-yellow taxis from the marked ranks outside Arrivals | about 20–35 min | about €35–45 to the centre including the airport supplement | 24 h | Metered fares; card payment widely accepted. Ride-hailing apps operate via licensed drivers. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Other airports
- Girona-Costa Brava (GRO), about 90 km north, used by some low-cost airlines; long-distance buses link it to Barcelona Nord in about 1 h 15 min.
- Reus (REU), about 100 km south-west, mainly seasonal charter and low-cost flights.
Tips
- Check your terminal before you return: T1 and T2 are about 4 km apart.
- Watch your bags on the Aerobus and at Plaça de Catalunya, a known pickpocket area.
- A T-casual (10 trips) bought in the city covers the R2 train and bus 46 but not the airport metro stations.
- If you arrive after midnight, a taxi is usually the easiest choice.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Barcelona airport to the city centre?
Expect about €35–45 to central Barcelona, depending on traffic, time of day and your exact address. The fare is metered and includes a fixed airport supplement. Use only the official black-and-yellow taxis at the marked rank outside Arrivals. Most taxis accept cards, but it is worth confirming before you set off.
Is there transport from Barcelona airport at night?
The Aerobus runs until roughly 01:00 and starts again around 05:00. Between those times, NitBus night buses connect the airport with Plaça de Catalunya, and taxis wait at the ranks all night. The metro runs late on Fridays and through Saturday night, but check last departures before relying on it.
Which is cheaper, the Aerobus or the train?
The R2 Nord train and bus 46 are cheaper, especially with a T-casual travel card. The Aerobus costs more but is direct, frequent and leaves from both terminals. The train only leaves from T2, so T1 arrivals must first take the free shuttle bus, which adds time.
How long does it take to get from El Prat to Plaça de Catalunya?
About 35 minutes by Aerobus, around 25–30 minutes by R2 train to Passeig de Gràcia, and 20–35 minutes by taxi without heavy traffic. The L9 metro is slower once you include the change. Rush hours on weekday mornings and evenings can add 10–20 minutes by road.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.