Barcelona Airport (BCN), also known as Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, is the main international airport of Barcelona and is located about 14 km southwest of the main city center. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Barcelona by Public Bus, Express Bus, Metro, Taxi, Private Transfer or Uber.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Barcelona Airport (BCN) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and official links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from BCN airport to downtown

Overview of all transfer options from Barcelona Airport to the City Center (Plaza de España, Plaça de Catalunya)

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Public Bus	45 Min.	2,65 €	Details
	Express Bus	35 Min.	9,00 €	Details
	Metro	50 Min.	5,70 €	Details
	Taxi	25 Min.	30‑40 €	Details
	Private Transfer	25 Min.	40 €	Details
	Uber	25 Min.	30 €	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• This page contains affiliate links – your price remains the same, we receive a small commission. Thank you for your support.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Public Bus

Timetable here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

45 minutes

Cost:

2,65 € pp

Description:

Public bus line ’46’ from Barcelona Airport (Bus stop in front of Terminal 1 & 2) to “Plaza de España” in the city center of Barcelona, here you can change to metro lines ‘L1’ and ‘L3’

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Express Bus (AD)

Timetable and tickets ↗

Travel time:

35 minutes

Cost:

9,00 € pp

Description:

Aerobús line ‘A1’ (Bus stop at Terminal 1) or line ‘A2’ (Bus stop at Terminal 2) from Barcelona Airport (BCN) to “Plaza de España”, “Plaça de la Universitat”, “Plaça de Catalunya”. Few stops and free WiFi

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Metro

Timetable here, tickets on-site ↗

Travel time:

50 minutes

Cost:

5,70 € pp

Description:

Metro line ‘L9 Sud’ from Barcelona Airport (Station “Aeroport” in front of Terminal 1 & 2) to “Torrassa Station”, change here to Metro line ‘L1’ to “Plaça de Catalunya”, right in the centre of Barcelona

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Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

30‑40 €

Description:

Taxi from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Taxis in front of Terminal 1 & 2) to the center of Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya or directly to your accommodation in the city center

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Private Transfer (AD)

Book a Welcome Pickup ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

40 €

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Barcelona Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to central Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya or to your accommodation in the city

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Uber

Order an Uber ride ↗

Travel time:

25 minutes

Cost:

30 €

Description:

Uber from Barcelona Airport (pick-up location according to Uber App) to central Barcelona, Plaça de Catalunya or directly to your accommodation

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Barcelona Travel Tips (AD)

    Cheap flights to Barcelona

   Best hotels in Barcelona

   Tours and attractions in Barcelona

   Barcelona City Cards

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Things to know about Barcelona:

1. Barcelona is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
2. With the 1992 Olympic Games, Barcelona got its own 4.5 km long bathing beach
3. Pablo Picasso spent his formative years in Barcelona and studied at its School of Fine Arts