With the sun shining and spring finally here, there´s no better way to get to know Barcelona than with a bike tour of the city. You´ll be able to see and experience parts of the city unseen by bus tours with a guide explaining the deeper insights of Barcelona and the secrets of the different neighborhoods and quarters. The bike tours are great for families and kids of all ages with plenty of stops at the city´s best restaurants and bars to grab a refreshment or snack on the way. The bike tour is a great way to see all the most famous sites in Barcelona, such as the Sagrada Familia and the sunny beaches as well as some lesser known attractions. There are a variety of tour options, varying in length and area, but each one gets you around faster than on foot and more in depth than on a tour bus.  Book your apartment in Barcelona today and sign up for a  tour to get to know the best of this amazing city!

Barcelona is a great city for walking. It's wide boulevards and narrow back for alleys offer countless hours of aimless wandering. However, Barcelona is also diverse geographically and many of the main sights and attractions are located quite far away from each other. This is where the efficient and expansive Barcelona public transportation system comes into help.

Featuring four main modes of transport: metro, bus, commuter trains, and trams; the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) offers cheap and safe mass transportation 24 hours a day. This guide will give a brief overview of these transport systems and how to make the best use of them. Believe me; this guide will come in handy whether it's so hot outside you can't take another minute of walking without drowning in a pool of your own sweat, it's pouring rain, or you simply want to get from one part of the city to another quickly and easily.

Barcelona's quick and efficient metro system

General info

Opening hours for the metro, commuter trains, normal bus lines, and trams are Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 am until midnight; Friday from 5:00 am until 2:00 am; and Saturday the system is open 24 hours. There are night buses (called Nitbus) that run all night every night. All night buses begin or end in Pl. Catalunya. Always check inside the stations, as hours may be extended for special events and festivals happening in the city. All of the different modes of transport operate with an integrated ticket system, which means tickets may be purchased anywhere and used on any transportation within the city of Barcelona. Individual tickets for zone 1 (Barcelona metropolitan area) may be bought for 1.35€, but the best value for most visitors is to purchase a T-10 ticket, which is valid for 10 rides and may be shared for 7.70€. The day tickets are generally not worth the money. Your ticket entitles you to make transfers within 1 hour and 15 minutes of its initial validation, as long as you don't return the direction from which you came. If you are taking the commuter trains outside of the city, check the zone map to find out the type of ticket you need to purchase.

Metro

The easiest public transport option to use, the underground train network is made up of 5 major lines each indicated with a number and a color (L1, red; L2, purple; L3, green; L4, yellow; L5, blue). All lines connect with each other line at at least one station, making transfers easy. Stops are located near all major attractions, and in general you are never more than 15 minutes walking away from a metro stop anywhere in the city. During peak hours, trains run every 2-3 minutes; but on weekends and off hours waits may be longer- between 5 and 10 minutes. A map of the subway system is available here.

Commuter trains
Run by two companies; Renfe (the Spanish national rail company) and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), which is the Catalan government's train network; offer both urban and suburban service- connecting the urban center with the small cities outside of Barcelona, as well as the more remote districts of the city itself. Renfe's Rodalies commuter train service can take you to the airport (from Sants station, and other city center stations) and to some great beaches outside the city (Sitges, Platja de Castelldefells, Montgat, amongst others). The FGC serves the quiet, Parte Alta (uptown) of Barcelona, as well as the cities in the interior of Barcelona province. FGC can also take you to Montserrat, Vic and other sights mentioned on this blog.

Buses
The bus network is vast and extensive. For all intensive purposes it is much simpler to use the metro system. However, if you do have the urge to take the bus, simply ask for a map on the bus or in any metro station with an attendant, and you can rather easily plan your routes. The waiting times for buses varies from 5-30 minutes depending on the line and time of day. We do, however, recommend the Nitbus (night bus) service which offers all night service every day of the year. All night buses start or end in Plaza Catalunya, so it is simple to take a bus to your Barcelona apartment from the city center.

Trams
There are two tram networks, though the one you are most likely to use as a visitor are the two lines which serve the beach area of the city. From the metro stop Glories or Marina (L1) you can catch trams that will drop you off near Poblenou, the Forum, the Diagonal Mar shopping center, and many of the city's beaches. The tram is a convenient way to get around this part of the city where metro stops are more scarce.

One of the most common inquiries we receive at ComeToBarcelona is about how to arrive to the city from El Prat (BCN) Airport. The transfer from the airport to the city center is confusing for many visitors because the airport is not actually located in the city of Barcelona itself, but rather in the neighboring city of El Prat de Llobregat.

Landing in Barcelona's El Prat (BCN) Airport

However, that doesn't mean you should be worried about finding your way to the city upon arrival. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of options available for transportation to and from the airport. This article will provide you with the inside scoop on how to get in to the city, and back to your plane, in the manner most convenient for you.

ComeToBarcelona recommends the following modes of transport for travelling between the city and the airport: 

Train

Renfe, the Spanish national rail system, offers twice hourly service to and from the airport with stops at the stations Clot-Arago, Passeig de Gracia, and Sants Estació (the city's main train station); all of which are located in or near the city center. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes and tickets may be purchased at the machines located inside each station. Trains generally run from 5 A.M. until midnight, though be sure to check the schedule as timetables may vary on holidays or during special events. Also, beware that this is a very popular service and during peak times the trains may be extremely crowded. 

Aerobus

The Aerobus is an express shuttle which serves as the main bus connection between BCN airport and the center of Barcelona. Running every 15 minutes, the bus makes stops at Plaça Espanya, Gran Via, and Plaça Catalunya (the heart of the city). Tickets are 4.25 € per person each way, and may be purchased on board the bus. However, be sure to check the schedule as the bus does not run early in the morning or late at night, and there are two different routes (one serving Terminal 2 and the other serving the new Terminal 1). 

Taxi

Taxis are an extremely common, if more expensive, way to get to and from the airport. There is a taxi stand at the exit of the airport if you wish to take a taxi upon arrival. Within the city, look for a taxi stand on the street or simply hail any passing cab that has it's green light turned on. One should note that there are supplemental charges for entering or leaving the airport, as well as for each piece of luggage brought on board. With a cab the transfer should take about 20 minutes, though travel times may vary depending on the time of day and the corresponding amount of traffic! 

Private Transfer

For those who wish to avoid the hassle of standing in line for a taxi, or hauling their suitcases to and from the bus or train stops, we recommend arranging a private airport transfer prior to your arrival. Private transportation will provide you with door to door service and make your trip as simple as possible. Simply arrive, pick up your bags, and get in the car that's waiting for you.

If you are looking for private transport at a low price, you can make your booking directly with us here. This service is provided by our affiliate, Viator, and comes highly recommended both by us, and by our clients who have used it.

For the most discerning traveller, there is always the option of arranging a private car with chauffeur for all of your transportation needs, including going to and from the airport. Our affiliate, Cars Deluxe, is the best and most experienced high-end private transport company in Barcelona. Their fleet is entirely comprised of brand new Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Make your reservation here to experience the ultimate in luxury transport when you come to BCN.

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