How to get to Barcelona Airport

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is well connected to both the city of Barcelona and the wider metropolitan area. You can get there by metro, bus, commuter train, taxi, private transfer or car. The best option mainly depends on which terminal you are flying from, what time you need to arrive, and whether you care most about price, speed or convenience.

In this guide, we explain how to get to Barcelona Airport by metro, how to reach the airport by bus, which are the closest train stations, how much a taxi from Barcelona Airport to the city center costs, how many terminals the airport has, and what transport connections are available at each one.

How many terminals does Barcelona Airport have?

Barcelona Airport has two passenger terminals: T1 and T2. T2 is operationally divided into T2A, T2B and T2C, but for transport purposes it is usually treated as one single terminal, T2.

How the terminals are laid out

T1 is the main terminal and is separate from T2.
T2A, T2B and T2C are all part of the T2 terminal complex.
There is a free 24-hour shuttle bus between T1 and T2.

Transport connections at each terminal

Barcelona Airport metro stations

Aeroport T1: metro station at Terminal 1.
Aeroport T2: metro station at Terminal 2.

Barcelona Airport train station

The train station is located at T2, on floor 0.
T1 does not have its own Rodalies train station; if you arrive by train and your flight leaves from T1, you will need to take the free shuttle bus.

Barcelona Airport bus stops

There are bus stops at both T1 and T2.
The Aerobús connects Barcelona city center with both T1 and T2.
There are also metropolitan and intercity bus lines, as well as night buses.

How to get to Barcelona Airport by metro

To reach the airport by metro, you need to take Line L9 Sud, which connects Zona Universitària with the airport terminals.

Barcelona Airport metro stops

Aeroport T1, at Terminal 1.
Aeroport T2, at Terminal 2.

Which airport terminal should you choose if you travel by metro?

If your flight departs from T1, the correct stop is Aeroport T1.
If your flight departs from T2, the correct stop is Aeroport T2.

Metro connections to Barcelona Airport

The L9 Sud line does not go through Barcelona’s historic city center, but it connects with other useful parts of the network. Along the route, you can change to other lines at stations such as Can Tries | Gornal, Torrassa, Collblanc and Zona Universitària.

Barcelona Airport metro timetable

Monday to Thursday and public holidays falling on weekdays: 5:00 am to 12:00 am.
Fridays and public holiday eves: 5:00 am to 2:00 am.
Saturdays: continuous service all night.
Sundays: until 12:00 am.
December 24: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Barcelona Airport metro ticket

It is worth checking before you travel which ticket or travel pass you can use, because not all standard integrated tickets are valid for the airport metro stations. Access to Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 has specific fare conditions.

How to get to Barcelona Airport by bus

The bus is one of the easiest ways to get to the airport, especially if you are coming from central Barcelona or traveling very early in the morning.

Aerobús Barcelona Airport

The best-known service is the Aerobús, which links Barcelona city center with the airport. It has two main lines:

A1: Barcelona - Airport T1.
A2: Barcelona - Airport T2.

Main Aerobús stops

The Aerobús connects the airport with central Barcelona, with Plaça Catalunya as its main reference point, along with other key stops on the route.

Aerobús timetable

The Aerobús runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It is especially useful if your flight leaves early in the morning or lands late at night.

Aerobús frequency

A1 to T1: approximately every 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day.
A2 to T2: approximately every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Other bus lines to Barcelona Airport

In addition to the Aerobús, Aena lists several metropolitan and intercity bus routes stopping at the airport. Some of the most useful are:

Line 46, linking Plaça Espanya with the airport and stopping at both T1 and T2.
Line N17, a night bus between Plaça Catalunya and T1.
Line N18, a night bus between Plaça Catalunya and the airport, with a connection to T1 and a stop at T2 towards Barcelona.
Line PR1, connecting the airport with El Prat de Llobregat Renfe station.
Line L77, useful for metropolitan connections, with stops at the airport.

Barcelona Airport bus schedules

Aerobús: 24 hours.
Night buses N17 and N18: overnight service.
Line 46 and other metropolitan routes: timetable varies depending on the specific line.

How to get to Barcelona Airport by train

If you prefer the train, the available option is Rodalies de Catalunya on the R2 Nord line.

Barcelona Airport train station

The airport train station is located at Terminal T2, floor 0. If your flight departs from T1, you will then need to take the free shuttle bus between terminals.

Train line to Barcelona Airport

The train line serving the airport is the R2 Nord, running between Aeroport and Maçanet-Massanes.

Best train stations for getting to Barcelona Airport

The most practical stations for airport connections are usually:

Barcelona Sants
Passeig de Gràcia
El Clot-Aragó
El Prat de Llobregat

If you are flying from T2, the train can be one of the most direct options. If you are flying from T1, you will need to add the internal transfer between terminals.

Barcelona Airport train timetable

Rodalies train schedules can change due to engineering works, service disruptions or timetable adjustments. For that reason, it is a good idea to check the latest schedule on the day you travel if you choose this option.

How much is a taxi from Barcelona Airport to the city center?

Unlike Madrid, in Barcelona there is no single fixed taxi fare from the airport to the city center. Taxis operate using a meter, plus any applicable supplements.

Barcelona Airport taxi surcharge

Taxi services include an airport supplement for journeys starting or ending at the airport.

Minimum fare from the airport

When the journey starts at the airport, there is a minimum fare of 21 euros including all supplements.

Typical taxi fare from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona

In practice, the final price depends on your exact destination, traffic conditions, the time of day and the fare band in force. So although the minimum fare from the airport is 21 euros, a taxi ride to central Barcelona will often cost more than that.

How to get from T1 to T2 at Barcelona Airport

The airport has a free shuttle service between terminals T1 and T2, which is especially important because the metro serves both terminals, while the train only goes directly to T2.

Free shuttle bus between terminals

Connects T1 and T2.
Runs 24 hours a day.
Operates every day, including public holidays.

Best way to get to Barcelona Airport

Cheapest option

In most cases, the cheapest way to get to the airport is usually the train or some local bus routes, depending on where you are coming from.

Most convenient option from the city center

If you are leaving from central Barcelona, the Aerobús is often one of the most convenient choices, as it offers a direct connection to the airport and runs all day.

Best option for T2

If your flight leaves from T2, the R2 Nord train can be an excellent option, as it goes directly to that terminal.

Best option for T1

If your flight leaves from T1, the Aerobús A1, Metro L9 Sud or a taxi are usually the easiest choices.

Best option at night

During the night and early morning, the most practical choices are usually the Aerobús, the night buses or a taxi.

Useful tips for getting to Barcelona Airport

Always check whether your flight departs from T1 or T2.
If you travel by train, remember that the station is at T2.
If your flight leaves from T1 and you arrive at T2, allow extra time for the free shuttle bus.
If you use the metro, check in advance which ticket is valid for the airport stations.
If you are traveling very early or late at night, the Aerobús and night buses are usually the easiest options.

FAQ: getting to Barcelona Airport

Which metro line goes to Barcelona Airport?

The metro line serving the airport is L9 Sud.

Which metro stations are at Barcelona Airport?

There are two: Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2.

Is there a direct train to Barcelona Airport?

Yes, via the R2 Nord, but the station is located at T2.

Which terminal at Barcelona Airport has the train station?

T2.

How many terminals does Barcelona Airport have?

It has two main terminals: T1 and T2.

How do you get from T1 to T2 at Barcelona Airport?

By taking the free shuttle bus, which runs 24 hours a day.

How much is a taxi from Barcelona Airport to the city center?

There is no single fixed fare to the city center. Taxis use a meter, include an airport supplement, and there is a minimum fare of 21 euros if the journey starts at the airport.

Does the Aerobús run at night?

Yes. The Aerobús runs 24 hours a day.

Which Aerobús should I take for T1?

A1.

Which Aerobús should I take for T2?

A2.

Summary: how to get to Barcelona Airport

If you want an easy option from central Barcelona, the Aerobús is usually one of the most practical choices. If your terminal is T2, the R2 Nord train can be very direct. If you prefer public transport within the city network, Metro L9 Sud connects with both T1 and T2. And if you want a door-to-door transfer with no changes, a taxi remains the most convenient option.

Before heading to Barcelona Airport, you can check the Barcelona Metro map or the Barcelona commuter rail map.