Planning a trip to Spain and trying to work out how to get from Barcelona airport to the Gothic Quarter?
I’ve flown in and out of Barcelona twice over the last few months and have tried out a few different ways to transfer from the airport into the city centre.
While I haven’t personally tried all of the methods below, I thoroughly researched each one so that I could make the best choice for my circumstances.
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It works out that getting from Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) to the Gothic Quarter is quite straightforward, and there are several options depending on budget, time, and preference for convenience.
Here’s a rundown of the best ways to make the journey:
1. Aerobús (Shuttle Bus)
This was how I chose to travel from BCN to the Gothic Quarter for the first time. I arrived around 8 pm, and this was an easier option that dropped me very close to the hostel I was staying at.
I liked that I was able to buy my tickets in advance and all I had to do when arriving in a strange airport after dark was to walk straight out, show the staff and jump on board.
Tickets were just a few Euros and the tickets are for any time, so there is no issues if your flight is delayed or early.
One of the downsides is that the bus only stops at three points along the main road into the city, ending up at Plaça de Catalunya.
Depending on where in the Gothic Quarter you are staying, you may have to walk a little.
You can buy one-way tickets, or get a round trip if you are flying out of Barcelona again later – or if, like me, you are making your way back to the airport to pick up a rental car.
- Description: The Aerobús is a dedicated shuttle service that runs between the airport and the city centre. It operates from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- Route: Take the Aerobús to Plaça de Catalunya, which is a short walk to the Gothic Quarter.
- Duration: Approximately 35 minutes.
- Cost: Around €8-10 one way.
2. Metro
The second time I arrived at Barcelona airport it was the middle of the afternoon and since I now knew what to expect I chose to take the cheaper option and catch the Metro.
There are Metro stations at both T1 & T2 and the service runs every 7 minutes for most of the day. It does close between midnight and 5 am on weekdays though.
It was easy to follow the signs in the airport arrivals area to get to the metro station. The machines for buying tickets are easy to navigate and are in English. Use your debit/credit card to buy the ticket you need.
The tickets range from a single trip on the metro to multiday tourist passes, which would be a great option if you are staying for just a few days. You can even pick them up in advance here.
Note – the single ticket price from the airport is more than a normal single metro ticket, so make sure you have the right one.
- Description: Barcelona’s metro system is efficient and well-connected. The L9 Sud line runs directly from the airport to the city.
- Route: Take the L9 Sud to Zona Universitària, then change to the L3 line (green) towards Liceu or Drassanes stations, which are located near the Gothic Quarter.
- Duration: Approximately 50 minutes.
- Cost: From €5.15 for a single ticket.
3. Train (Rodalies R2 Nord)
I did not take the train myself, but it is a popular choice. It does only leave from T2, but there is a free shuttlebus between the two terminals if you need to change.
The R2 train runs every 30 minutes and it will take you right into the city, near the Plaça de Catalunya, where you can either walk to your accommodation or jump on the Metro to get a little closer.
The benefit of the train over the Metro is that it goes directly to the Passeig de Gràcia station, whereas you need to change to get there on the Metro, so if your accommodation is nearby, it’s a quicker, easier and cheaper option.
- Description: The R2 Nord train line connects the airport to the city.
- Route: Take the train from the airport to Passeig de Gràcia station, and then either walk (about 15-20 minutes) or switch to the L3 metro line to get closer to the Gothic Quarter.
- Duration: Approximately 40 minutes.
- Cost: Around €4.60.
4. Taxi
Not an option I tried, but taxis were plentiful and found right outside the doors of the airport.
Make sure you line up at one of the official taxi ranks and take one of the distinctive black and yellow taxis.
- Description: Taxis are available 24/7 at the airport. This is the most convenient option, especially if you have heavy luggage or are arriving late at night.
- Route: Direct ride to your accommodation in the Gothic Quarter.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Cost: Between €35-45.
5. Ride-Sharing (Uber/Cabify/Bolt)
I personally prefer to use Uber rather than a taxis if am going with a car, but sometimes they can be tricky to find at airports.
Once you order your rideshare, you will be given information in the app so that you can find your driver at the nearest dedicated rideshare area for the terminal you are in.
- Description: Ride-sharing services operate in Barcelona, providing a similar experience to taxis but often at a slightly lower cost.
- Route: Pick-up from the designated ride-sharing areas at the airport, directly to the Gothic Quarter.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes.
- Cost: Typically slightly less than a taxi, around €25-35.
6. Private Airport Transfer
Sometimes I really enjoy arriving in a new location and seeing a person holding a sign with my name on it, especially after a long-haul flight.
The driver already knows where we’re going, I’ve paid in advance, and they will often even carry my bag.
Private transfers are a great option when travelling in a group too, as you can request a larger vehicle to suit your needs.
- Description: Pre-booking a private transfer is a comfortable and hassle-free option, especially if you’re travelling in a group or with lots of luggage.
- Route: A driver will meet you at arrivals and take you directly to the Gothic Quarter.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes.
- Cost: Prices vary but typically range from €35-60.
7. Bus 46
Similar to the Aerobús but instead this is a public bus that will take you to Plaça España.
The 46 bus runs every 15-20 from 5 am until midnight and stops at both terminals. During the night, there are the N16/N17 buses that run about every 20 minutes.
This is a good option only if you want to save a few Euros, have plenty of time and don’t have a lot of luggage.
Tickets for public buses in Barcelona can be bought with cash from the driver or you can tap with a credit/debit card.
- Description: This is a local bus service that runs between the airport and Plaça d’Espanya.
- Route: Take Bus 46 to Plaça d’Espanya, then transfer to the L3 metro line towards Liceu or Drassanes.
- Duration: Approximately 50-60 minutes.
- Cost: Around €2.40 for a single ticket.
8. Car Rental
Honestly, I don’t recommend a rental car if you are going into the Gothic Quarter. Driving in that area is insane, most streets are too narrow, and I can’t even imagine where you would park.
We caught the bus back to the airport to pick up a rental car and drive out of Barcelona to avoid driving in the city centre with the traffic there.
Having said that, it is an option, so I will leave it here.
Need a rental car? We booked ours through Discover Cars.
- Description: If you’re planning on exploring more of Barcelona or Catalonia, renting a car might be a good option.
- Route: Drive from the airport to the Gothic Quarter, but be aware of the limited parking and narrow streets in the area.
- Duration: 20-30 minutes.
- Cost: Varies depending on the car rental company and type of car.
9. Walking
Okay, so this is probably not going to be an option for most people, but it is possible, especially if you are travelling light and on a very tight budget.
- Description: While not the most practical option, it is possible to walk from the airport to the city centre if you’re up for a long stroll.
- Route: Follow main roads and paths towards the city.
- Duration: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Cost: Free!
Each option has its perks, so it really depends on your priorities—whether that’s speed, cost, or convenience!
Read these posts next to keep planning your Barcelona visit
Sagrada Familia: Guided Tour or General Admission?
Things to Know Before Going to Barcelona
24hrs in Barcelona
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
