On this page, in addition to information about the means of transport to get around Barcelona, we explain what the most interesting transport cards are for visitors, such as the Hola BCN card, which offers unlimited travel and includes the journey from the airport to the city by metro.
Barcelona has a very effecient underground tranport network (metro) which is extending more and more and an important bus service system. Besides this there are other means of transport like the tram, the funicular and the cable car, the last two more like tourist attractions. The city has also a large number of taxis. You can stop a taxi in the street only by sticking your arm into the street or at taxi ranks which you will find in main squares or at bus and train stations.
Transport card Hola BCN!
The ideal card for the visitor of Barcelona. With the card Hola BCN! you can travel unlimited in Barcelona city and the metropolitan area by public transport: metro, bus (TMB), tram, urban railway (FGC) and zone 1 of suburban trains (Rodalies de Catalunya), which includes the metro and the train to Barcelona airport. There are 4 types (2, 3, 4 and 5 days):
The Hola BCN + the AEROBUS
If you arrive at Barcelona airport and prefer to take the AEROBUS instead of the metro to get to the city, consider the Barcelona Transport Pass, which includes the Aerobus ticket, the Hola BCN card and the POPguide Audiguía App, with more than 100 points of interest in the city.
Metro and bus tickets and integrated transport cards
The price for an individual ticket for the metro and the daytime bus is 2,40 Euros (price 2023). The tickets for the bus can be bought on the buses and the tickets for the metro in the metro stations, from machines or the ticket offices. The tickets for a single journey can only be used for 1 journey with the metro or bus.
There are several types of multi-journey cards that can be used in various means of transport (see section "the metro" above).
The T-casual card
The T-casual (10 journeys) is priced at 11.35 Euros (zone 1, 2023 fare) and it is valid for the metro, FGC, urban daytime buses (tmb), tram, suburban trains (Renfe Cercanias Zone 1) and Montjuïc funicular. The T-casual card can be used on more than one means of transport and all be counted as a single journey provided that your journey is less than 1 hour and 15 minutes, for example changing from the metro to a bus, or bus to funicular. The T-casual ticket can be bought in the metro stations, from machines or the ticket offices and in the FGC stations and newspaper kiosks. You can also buy online (you will have to register first) and collect using a code at the points of sale. However, the online sales process can be complicated for non-residents in Barcelona, and it is easier to buy cards at points of sale.
To consider
- The T-casual is single-person. This card can be used by several people but not on the same journey, that is, it can only be validated once for each journey.
- The T-casual card does not work for the metro stations of the Barcelona airport and cannot be bought or collect at the selling machines of these stations. If you want to buy it at the airport, you have to go to the vending machines of the train station at the T2 terminal.
- Buying the 1-zone T-casual you can visit all Barcelona day and night, and travel on the airport train, bus 46 and night buses (N16, N17 and N18).
The T-usual card
This transport pass is more appropriate for the inhabitants but if you come to Barcelona for a stay of 2 to 4 weeks, and you are going to use the subway and the bus a lot, you can do well. Its price is €40.00 (zone 1, rate 2022), although it is currently subsidized and costs €20.00 (zone 1, rate 2023). With the T-usual you can make an unlimited number of journeys on the same means of transport valid for the T-usual, for 30 consecutive days from the first validation. It can be purchased at the points of sale described in the T-casual and online. However, the online sales process can be complicated for non-residents in Barcelona, and it is easier to buy cards at points of sale.
To consider
- The T-usual is unipersonal and non-transferable. When you buy it you will have to indicate your ID, NIE or passport number, which will be printed on the card.
- The T-usual card is valid for the metro stations of the Barcelona airport.
- Buying the 1-zone T-usual you can visit all Barcelona day and night, and travel on the airport train, bus 46 and night buses (N16, N17 and N18).
Other cards: for 1 day and for groups
There are other cards that you can consider to getting around Barcelona and that will allow you to move around the city:
- The T-dia can be interesting if you are going to spend only one day in the city, you arrive at the El Prat Josep Tarradellas airport and you want to go by subway to the city from the airport. The T-dia costs € 10.50 (1 zone, 2023 fare) and in addition to a round trip to the airport by subway allows unlimited journeys for 24 hours on public transport. It is one-person and can be purchased online upon registration.
- The T-grup is a multi-personal card with 70 journeys to make in 30 days. It has a price of € 79.45 (1 zone, 2023 fare). It is not valid for airport subway stations and can be purchased online upon registration.
- The T-familiar is another multi-personal card that allows 8 journeys for 30 days. Its price is € 10.00 (1 zone, 2023 fare). It is not valid for airport subway stations and can also be purchased online upon registration.
Remember, the price of the metro ticket if you are coming or going from the airport is different and the T-usual card is not valid.
The T-mobilitat card (for residents of Barcelona and the metropolitan area)
The T-mobilitat card is a new ticket and season ticket validation system for public transport in Barcelona and 35 other municipalities in its metropolitan area. T-mobility allows you to travel with contactless technology. Validation can be carried out using a card or with an app. Both the card and the app are like an account in which you can buy and add single tickets or season tickets. At the moment, this system allows you to add T-casual, T-usual, T-familiar and T-jove cards. The most important thing is to keep in mind that you can continue buying tickets and transport passes without having to have T-mobility.
To use the T-mobilitat system, you first have to register as a JoTMBé user and from there you can recharge your card or your app.
+ Information about T-mobilitat
The metro of Barcelona
There are 11 metro lines in Barcelona. Eight lines are run by the city transport authority (TMB) that and are recognized by the badge:
and other 3 urban lines, run by the Catalan government (FGC), and are recognized by the FGC badge:
There is a free transfer between the Metro lines and the FGC lines, as well as with the funicular of Montjuïc, the tram (Tram), the suburban trains and all the urban buslines (operating during the day and night); all this within the zone 1 (see zones) and with the integrated transport card (the most common are the Hola BCN card for visitors, and the T-casual and T-usual for the inhabitants, although the latter two can also be used by visitors, view section "integrated transport card").
Barcelona metro timetable 2023
- From Monday to Thursday: 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
- Friday and holiday eves: 5:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: continuous service from Saturday at 5:00 a.m. to Sunday at 12:00 a.m.
- Holidays during the week: 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
- Christmas (December 24): 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Mas Blau, Mercabarna and Parc Logístic stations (L9 Sud) and ZAL | Riu Vell, Ecoparc and Port Comercial | La Factoria (L10 Sud) open every day of the year from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., except on December 24 when they close at 11:00 p.m.
Keep in mind that the last hour indicated is the time at which the last trains leave from the beginning and end of each line. Normally, if the doors of the stations are open means that the last train has not yet passed through that station.
Other nights with continuous service for 2023:
- Verbena de San Juan (from 23 to 24 June)
- Fiestas de la Mercè (from 23 to 24 September)
- New Year's Eve (December 31 to January 1)
Another interesting information: The Metro of Barcelona is still working on the stations with lift accesses for disabled people, but most of the stations are completely or partially adapted. Here you can see the stations not adapted yet.
Metro map
The bus of Barcelona
Barcelona has a large modern bus fleet that cover the entire city. The urban buses during daytime and nighttime (the day buses are red and white, the night buses and interuban buses are yellow and black) can be used in combination with other means of transport (see section "The metro" above).
Day buses usually start their service at 5:30 am and end at around 10:30 pm. The nights buses between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. In most stops there is a digital panel that indicates the time it will take the bus of each line to reach that stop.
Schedule of each bus line
Buses adapted for disabled
Travelling by bus after 22:30 (NitBus) and travelling to a suburban area
Tourist Bus
The tram of Barcelona
There are 2 lines of the tranvía (called Tram) in Barcelona (Trambaix and Trambesòs) that are divided in 3 lines each. The Trambaix starts in the Plaza Francesc Macià and connects with small towns like Cornellà and Sant Feliu in the county of Baix Llobregat. The Trambesòs starts in the Ciutadella Park and Vila Olímpica and runs to Badalonà and Sant Adrià del Besòs. Remember that the tram is integrated into the global transport system, so you can use the integrated cards. More information about the tram.
Barcelona has another tram, the tramvia blau (blue tram). It is a historical streetcar with only 1 wagon that runs from the Avinguda del Tibidabo, betwenn the plazas John F. Kennedy and Doctor Andreu. At the plaza Doctor Andreu connects with the Funicular railway to the Tibidabo. Time tables and prices.
Funiculars and cable cars
Barcelona has 2 funiculars: the Montjuïc and the Tibidabo funicular. The Montjuïc funicular runs from the metro station Paral.lel (L2 y L3), in the Avinguda del Paral.lel to the Monjuïc mountain, close to the Miró Foundation and the Olympic stadium. It is an integrated transport ( integrated transport card). The Tibidabo funicular railway runs from the plaza del Doctor Andreu (with excellent views over the city) to Tibidabo amusement park.
There are 2 cables cars on the Montjuïc mountain. One goes up to the Montjuïc castle and the other down to the Barceloneta quarter, next to the beach, crossing above the port and the World Trade Center. Both journeys with impressive views over the city.
The taxis of Barcelona
Barcelona taxis are easily spotted with their yellow and black color. A green light and the sign "libre" indicates that the taxi is available. There are taxi ranks where they wait for passengers, for instance at Plaza Catalunya near to Las Ramblas. However the simplest way is to wait until you see one with a green light, then stick out your arm. It is normally easy to find taxis except sometimes Friday and Saturday nights in the very centre of Barcelona (Ramblas, Gótico, Plaça Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia). There is a maximum of 4 passengers per taxi. Travelling with dogs depends if the taxi driver accepts them.
Taxis operate 24 hours a day. The average price of a journey is Euro 12,00 and the minimum price is Euro 2,55. Some of the taxi ranks (airport, train stations, at night...) and services (luggage, dogs) have extra charges. Only pay according to the meter, taxis cannot charge a fixed fare. There are also 2 closed rates: the so-called T3, which can only be obtained from the apps of various taxi companies, and the T4, the rate from the airport to the port of Barcelona, which is €39.00.
Taxis can be called by phone. The service is usually fast and reliable. If you need a taxi from a restaurant the staff will usually call for you.
Compulsory and free transport in Barcelona taxis
- Suitcase < 55 x 40 x 20 cm
- Wheelchair
- Guide dog
- Children's chair
- Card payment
- Receipt
Comments
BUS ticket PAID and bus driver refused i give acces AS NO MASK !
As we paid 2 tickets on saturday31st PLACA de CATALUNYA to get to GRUEL PARK the BUS DRIVER ( it was 14.40 H) refused to let us get to places Because we has no MASK ....no masqueria ! it as ILLEGAL and totally UNFAIR this poor fifty yeras old man didn't want to let us HIM BUT He got the monney first ! we used BUS on the same morning and later on when BACK from GRUEL PARK ! this man is paid with tourists' visits ! he was not allowed to BLOCK us after PAYING the tickets ! i will NO LONGER USE BARCELONA BUS on cataluya PLACE and will remmeber all my life long that kind of stupid and illegal man ! please note CATALUNYA PLACE time 14.40 bus to get to GRUEL PARK....and that kind of ....NO MAN KIND .................i wish he 'll get FIRED !
About bus in Barcelona and wearing mask
Hello Pascale,
The only thing we can say to you is that wearing masks in the public transport is still mandatory in Spain.
Best regards,
In reply to BUS ticket PAID and bus driver refused i give acces AS NO MASK ! by PAscale BONIS (not verified)
T-USUAL
Hi,
great webpage, thanks. :) I just want to ask what you mean by "This transport pass is more appropriate for the inhabitants but if you come to Barcelona for a stay of 2 to 4 weeks, and you are going to use the subway and the bus a lot, you can do well. Its price is € 40 (zone 1, rate 2021). "?
As far as I can see it's cheaper for a short week in Barcelona than buying Hola Cards for 6 days, and includes the same.....? Am I right? :) Thank you for your answer in advance.
Hola Barcelona and T-usual
Hello Edit, if you are going to use public transport intensively for up to 5 days, Hola Barcelona is a little cheaper. For 6 days of intensive use it is better to buy the T-usual. To put it more clearly, in 7 days of intensive use the T-usual is better than buying 1 Hola Barcelona for 5 days and 1 Hola Barcelona for 2 days. What we say about the 2-3 weeks is because in that time it is very likely that the T-usual will be amortized, because the question is not only in comparing the Hola Barcelona with the T-usual, but those two cards also with the T -casual that is 10 trips and costs € 11.35. It may be that someone who is going to be in Barcelona for a week has enough with 2 T-casuals. What is certain is that if you are going to make more than 35 trips in 6 days, what interests you the most is the T-usual. Keep in mind, therefore, that the T-usual requires you to indicate your ID number and that only you can use it.
We hope we have explained ourselves well and have not messed you up more.
Greetings,
In reply to T-USUAL by Edit (not verified)
Hello
Hello
I want to take the train from Barcelona- Sants to Ribes de Freser on JUNE 24 (SAN JUAN) will it be possible or the trains will be CLOSED ????
From Barcelona Sants to Ribes de Fresser
Hello Maria,
According to the information by Renfe website first train on 24/06 from Barcelona Sants Estación to Ribes de Fresser is at 07:01 am and the last one at 6:57 pm. More information here.
Best wishes,
In reply to Hello by Maria Mitri (not verified)
Airport to Catalunya
Hello - I would like to know what's the best way and price to get to Catalunya from Airport? Thank you.
From Barcelona airport to Plaça Catalunya
Hi Cait,
We understand you want to go to Plaça Catalunya (Catalunya square). The best and fast way to get it is to take the AEROBUS. You have information about prices on this page.
Have a nice stay in Barcelona!
In reply to Airport to Catalunya by cait (not verified)
Olympic Stadium
Hi, we are going to the Olympic Stadium in May and need to know the best way to get
to the stadium, we are staying near Las Ramblas
Olympic Stadium from Las Ramblas
Dear Trevor,
You have 2 possibilities: metro + bus or metro + funicular railway. Time is similar but you have to walk a bit more with the second option. The metro line is L3, stations in Las Ramblas, Liceu and Drassanes, also in Plaça Catalunya. Go to Espanya station, there, next to the 2 towers take the bus 150. The other option, L3 metro line until Paral·lel station and in the same station you can take the funicular. In both cases if you use a T10 or Hola BCN it is necessary only one journey.
Have a nice stay in Barcelona!
In reply to Olympic Stadium by Trevor (not verified)
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