How to Get around Barcelona + 8 Tips I wish someone told me
March 19, 2023
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If you are traveling to Barcelona, one of the most important things to have clear before you visit is the transport in the Catalan capital.
Almost all cities in Spain are walkable, and in my humble opinion, the best way to get to know a place is by foot. But traveling can be very tiring, especially if yuo are out exploring all day long.
So, to make your trip more efficient, in this article, you will find out all the available transportation in Barcelona, so you know your ways even before you set foot in the city.
To be honest, I might be a bit biased towards the metro and bus (my favorite transport in Barcelona), but you can also rent a public bike or motorcycle if you are confident enough to ride them!
Metro
The metro in Barcelona is as effective as the metro in Madrid. It is perfectly connected to most of the important landmarks; likewise, in Madrid, if you want to move within a neighborhood such as the Gothic Quarter, the metro will leave you in a close-by station, but you will have to walk from there.
Schedules
So, the metro in Barcelona has different schedules. From Monday to Thursday, it works from 5:00 am until midnight; on Friday, it works from 5:00 am to 2:00 am; on Saturdays, the metro has a continuous service, and on Sundays, it works until midnight.
Tickets
You will find ticket machines in any metro station, where you will face plenty of options. In Barcelona, the ticket price increases with the zones you want to travel to; for example, if you want to visit the stunning Barcelona coastal town of Sitges, you can get an integrated ticket from three zones. But that may not be necessary for you.
A single ticket is €2.40 for the centric zone of Barcelona.
I have visited Barcelona many times, and on my last journey, I spent five full days for which I used the T- Casual individual ten-journey ticket for one zone, and it cost me €11.35.
I must be honest, and I love walking to I use my ticket, either very early to cover longer journeys; for example, from the station at Diagonal close to Passeig de Gracia to the station of Liceu in Las Ramblas, or at night when I was tired from walking the entire day.
Check out the complete list of fares and tickets in this link 👉 Barcelona metro and bus!
Key stations
- Diagonal
- Passeig de Gracia
- Plaça Catalunya
- Liceu
- Barceloneta
- Monumental
If you are traveling with a group you can get the T-Family which is a multi-person ticket.
Bus
I must admit that even though it is nicer to travel by bus because you can enjoy the view, the waiting time is always longer.
Also, it is way easier to understand where the metro maps are than the bus maps in Barcelona. I am not sure if this has happened to everyone, but the name of the bus stops are not displayed very clearly inside the transport, making it harder to know where to get down.
Actually, the last time that I traveled to Barcelona I took a bus from the Gothic Quarter to Diagonal (closer to Passeig de Gracia); the stops weren’t displayed very clearly, and I had to keep a constant eye on my Google Maps to get down in the right place.
Schedules
The schedules of the buses in Barcelona may vary depending on the line, but most of them begin operating between 4:25 am and 5:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Tickets
Once again, the price for a single ticket by bus is €2.40 in the centric zone of Barcelona.
If you get the 10-journey ticket I mentioned, you can travel by bus, metro, tram, and train. I truly recommend that one, especially if you are traveling on a budget.
Key lines in the city center:
- V15
- V17
- 47
To ensure everything is clear about bus lines, download both Google Maps and Moovit; that way, you can contrast journeys and choose the one that suits you best.
Bicycle
The public bicycle transport system in Barcelona is called Smou. There are more than 500 bicycle stations in the city center and around, which makes it easier for locals and tourists to move around the city.
Bicing Barcelona, which is the name of the service in the Catalan capital, works with an app named Smou. To be able to use the service when you visit the city, you must download the app, create an account or “darte de alta,” and register your bank account in the “parking meter section.”
So, when you want to use a bike, you click on “get a bike,” and once you used it, you are charged depending on the number of minutes you use the bike.
Always check the amount charged after your journey!
Schedule
The bicing system in Barcelona is available 24h during the entire year, so it can be your backup plan whenever the metro or bus service is over for the day.
Price
There are two ways to rent this transport in Barcelona:
- Flat rate: You pay €50 for the entire year.
- Usage-based rate: You pay €35, and the app will charge you depending on your time on the bike.
I only recommend using the bicycle in Barcelona if you know the city and you aren’t easily scared by cars. I see many visitors using them, so if you go for one, be mindful and check the route before starting the journey.
Motorcycle
If you have experience with motorcycles and prefer moving on your own in Barcelona, then a great option for you will be the Yego motorcycles.
Unlike bikes, electric motorcycles are a private company, but the process is similar to the one I explained on Smou.
First, download the Yego Mobility app and create an account. Especial attention here! The process might take longer in this app because you have to upload your driver’s license and ID, get a verification, and then be authorized to ride the electric motorbike in Barcelona.
Another important fact to know is that insurance is included in the service!
Schedule
Yego mobility is available 24h a week throughout the year; all you need to do is register before you need them.
Price
The standard price of this transport in Barcelona is €0.30 per minute. While the packages go from €9.90 to €89.90 depending on the time you use the electric bike.
The Yego electric bike comes with helmets, so please wear them during your ride. We don’t want any accidents to happen.
Taxi
Just like in any other place around the world, taxis are almost everywhere in the city, but the rates will be higher.
Unlike the white taxis in Madrid, those in Barcelona are black and yellow, they are easily recognizable, and you will find them in any tourist spot in the city.
The base fee for this transport in Barcelona is €2.25, and the price per kilometer is €1.18 during the day and €1.40 during the night.
I will leave you the contact of this transportation in Barcelona; you can book a ride online or via phone call 👉 Taxis Barcelona.
I would advise you to use a taxi in Barcelona if you are in a hurry, you have a special need (like a big trunk for suitcases or a wheelchair), or if you are on a business trip and the company covers the fees.
Uber, Bolt & Cabify
I believe we all know this transports pretty well. Uber, Bolt, and Cabify are great mediums to use in Barcelona because you can get the fee in advance, and all of them are usually cheaper than a taxi in Catalan city.
You need to download the app, create an account, and add a credit card for each of these transports.
Actually, if you have the three apps on your phone, you can compare the fees and pick the one that suits you best in time and price.
These transport companies operate 24/7 in Barcelona, and you can book them in advance, so you get to wherever you need whenever you need.
Aerobus Barcelona
I live in Madrid, and I must say we need an Aerobus service like the one in Barcelona. Last year I flew to Rome from Barcelona, and the Aerobus was the best service ever.
My journey was the following, Pamplona - Barcelona by train, Barcelona - Rome by plane (I used to live in Pamplona back then). So, I arrived at Barcelona Sants and took the metro L1 to Plaça Catalunya; just in front of the Corte Inglés, I took the Aerobus straight to the airport for just cI think it was less than a 30-minute drive.
More convenient than the metro and the normal bus and cheaper than a taxi or an Uber.
Where to find it?
The Aerobus has three key spots: Plaça Catalunya, Carrer Sepulveda, and Plaça de Espanya. In addition to that, it offers two lines to Termina 1 and Terminal 2, respectively.
Schedule
The Aerobus works 24/7, but the transport frequency will depend on the time of the day.
- From 5:00 am to 6:40 am: every 10 minutes
- From 6:40 am to 9:55 pm: every 5 minutes
- From 9:55 pm to 12:35 am: every 10 minutes
- From 12:35 am to 5:00 am: every 20 minutes
Price
There are also different prices for the service, and the tickets have a duration of 90 days.
- One-way: € 6.75
- Round-trip: € 11.65
Then, it offers packages that from €7.90 to €44. Check out the full prices right here!
My best advise is to book your ticket online, and have it ready before your flight.
Barcelona Bus Turístic
The Barcelona Bus Turístic is the official hop on hop off bus in Barcelona that will take you anywhere on your trip.
If you need more time to walk to the city’s most critical zones and landmarks, this transportation in Barcelona will give you a complete overview of the city to make your stay 100% with it.
The Barcelona Bus TurÍstic is part of the TMB (Metropolitan Transport of Barcelona), the institution that manages the metro and bus of the city.
As with most hop-on and hop-off tours, the Barcelona Bus Turístic offers an audio guide as you travel through the city. There are 16 languages available. Plus, it offers two different routes and onboard WiFi.
Tip: I recommend this tour bus for new visitors to the city with limited time. If you come for more than two days, I recommend booking a walking tour and enjoying the town slowly.
Schedule
This way of transportation in Barcelona has two different schedules: winter and summer.
During the winter, the Barcelona Bus Turístic operates from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm; during summer, it operates from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
The bus frequency is between 5 to 25 minutes, and the tour and the complete basic tour lasts 2 hours.
The only days when the bus doesn’t operate are December 25th and January 1st.
Prices
The price will depend on age and type of tour; the Barcelona Bus Turistic offers four different experiences: 24-hour, 48 hours, Christmas, and Night Tour.
In all of them, children under four travel for free. The prices for adults (13 to 64 years old) go from €29.70 to €39.60, and the costs for kids go from ( 5 to 12 years old) go from €16.20 to €20.70.
Check the complete list of prices right here!
Get your tickets online! Booking your tour bus online can get a 10% discount.
These are the most popular, efficient, and convenient transportation in Barcelona. I will always say this, but the best way to know a city is by walking it. So, plan, understand what you will love to see, and get a ten-journey metro ticket when your legs can’t handle it anymore.
Remember to save or share this article so you have all the tips I gave you as close to you as possible during your trip.
