Sachin Walls
Barcelona, Spain, is a lively city known for its important tourist destinations, such as Casa Mila, the Chocolate Museum, and the Sagrada Familia. The city is also an important business centre. There are three airports in Barcelona that offer air connectivity to the rest of Spain and the world: Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat Airport, and BCN Airport), Girona Airport, and Reus Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport |
| IATA Code | BCN |
| ICAO Code | LEBL |
| Location | 13-15 km/9.3 miles southwest of Barcelona city centre |
| Number of Terminals | 2 |
| Number of Runways | 3 |
| Number of Passengers (2019) | 52 million+ |
| Number of Passengers (2022) | 41.6 million+ |
| Number of Passengers (2023) | 49.9 million+ |
| Ranking in Spain | Second-largest and second-busiest |
| Ranking in Europe | Sixth-busiest |
| Ranking in Mediterranean Coast and Catalonia | Largest and busiest |
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What You'll Learn
Barcelona's main airport
In addition to El Prat Airport, there are two other airports near Barcelona: Girona Airport and Reus Airport. Girona Airport is located about 100 kilometres north of Barcelona's city centre, while Reus Airport is situated about 120 kilometres south of the city. These airports are smaller and may offer cheaper flights, but they require additional transfers to reach Barcelona.
Barcelona's El Prat Airport has a rich history, with its first airfield, located at El Remolar, beginning operations in 1916. However, due to limited expansion prospects, a new airport was opened at El Prat in 1918. Over the years, the airport has undergone significant expansion and improvements, including the construction of additional runways, terminals, and control towers. In 2009, a major renovation was completed, and the airport was renamed in 2018 to honour the first Catalan president, Josep Tarradellas.
Today, Barcelona's El Prat Airport is a bustling hub for international and domestic travel, serving millions of passengers each year. It offers a wide range of facilities and services, including shops, duty-free, VIP services, car hire, restaurants, and cafeterias. The airport is well-connected to the city centre, making it a convenient gateway to the beautiful Catalonian city of Barcelona.
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Other airports in the region
Barcelona El Prat Airport is the primary airport serving Barcelona, located about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of the city center in the municipality of El Prat de Llobregat. It is the second-busiest airport in Spain in terms of passenger traffic, handling over 50 million passengers annually before the pandemic. The airport serves as a hub for a number of airlines, including Vueling, Ryanair, and EasyJet, offering flights to a wide range of destinations across Europe and beyond.
Located about 70 miles (113 km) south of Barcelona, in the municipality of Reus, Reus Airport is a smaller airport that primarily handles charter and seasonal flights. It is often used as a low-cost alternative to Barcelona El Prat, serving as a base for airlines such as Ryanair and Jet2.com. The airport offers direct bus connections to Barcelona and is easily accessible via the AP-7 motorway. Reus Airport is particularly busy during the summer months, with many tourists arriving to visit the nearby beach resorts of the Costa Daurada, including Salou and Cambrils.
Girona-Costa Brava Airport is situated about 60 miles (97 km) north of Barcelona, close to the city of Girona. It has been growing in popularity as a low-cost alternative to El Prat, with Ryanair operating a significant number of routes to European destinations. The airport serves the Costa Brava region, a popular tourist area known for its beautiful beaches and scenic coastal towns. Regular bus services connect the airport to Barcelona, Girona, and other nearby destinations.
Located on the island of Majorca, Palma de Mallorca Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain, serving both as a gateway to the Balearic Islands and as an important hub for European tourism. While it is not directly in the region of Barcelona, its proximity to the city, coupled with the availability of low-cost flights, makes it a viable alternative for some travelers. During the summer peak season, the airport experiences a significant increase in traffic, with many charter and seasonal flights operating to and from destinations across Europe.
Lleida-Alguaire Airport is a small, relatively new airport located about 100 miles (155 km) west of Barcelona, in the province of Lleida. It primarily serves the nearby ski resorts of the Pyrenees mountains, offering seasonal flights during the winter months. The airport has also been used for cargo operations and pilot training. Despite its distance from Barcelona, Lleida-Alguaire can be a convenient option for travelers heading to the western regions of Catalonia.
These alternative airports offer travelers a range of options, whether seeking lower-cost flights or convenient access to specific regions in and around Catalonia. Each airport provides connections to Barcelona through ground transportation, allowing for easy travel to and from the city.
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Transport to and from the airport
El Prat Airport, located 12km southwest of Barcelona, is the primary airport serving Barcelona, Spain.
There are several transport options for getting to and from El Prat Airport and Barcelona city center, including bus, train, metro, and taxi. The best option will depend on your budget, the number of people traveling, and your final destination. Here are some detailed options:
By bus: The Aerobus is a fast and convenient option, offering two routes: A1 and A2. The A1 route serves Plaça Catalunya and stops at various points along the way, including Plaça Espanya and Gran Via Corts Catalanes. The A2 route serves Plaça Universitat and also stops at Plaça Espanya. Buses depart every 5-10 minutes and the journey takes around 35 minutes, depending on traffic. Tickets can be purchased online, from the ticket office, or from the machine at the bus stop and cost €5.90 for a one-way trip and €10.20 for a return.
By train: The RENFE R2 Nord train line connects the airport to the city center, with stops at Passeig de Gràcia and Estació de França, among others. Trains depart every 30 minutes and the journey takes around 25 minutes. Tickets cost €4.60 for a single journey and can be purchased from the ticket office or machines at the station.
By metro: The L9 Sud metro line also serves the airport and can take you directly to Zone 1 of the city center. The journey time is around 30 minutes, and tickets cost €4.50 for a single trip.
By taxi: Taxis are available outside all three airport terminals and offer a convenient door-to-door service. The journey time to the city center is around 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic. There is a flat rate fee of €30-€39 for the journey, depending on the time of day and the number of passengers.
Private transfer: Finally, you can also book a private transfer service, which offers a personalized door-to-door service. This option is particularly convenient for larger groups or families, with prices varying depending on the company and vehicle chosen.
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Airport facilities
There is only one airport in Barcelona, Spain, called El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto, or Barcelona El Prat International Airport (BCN). It is located in the southwest of the city, approximately 13-15km from the city centre. It is the second-largest and busiest airport in Spain, serving 49.9 million passengers in 2023. The airport has two terminals, which are not adjacent, and three runways.
Barcelona Airport offers a variety of services and facilities to passengers. Terminal 1 (T1) is the main terminal, handling most international and Schengen flights. It features a commercial area covering 25,000 square metres, including duty-free shops, restaurants, fast food outlets, luxury fashion and accessory stores, and spa and wellness centres. T1 also offers a state-of-the-art business centre, a Bureau de Change, facilities for disabled travellers, left luggage storage, lost property services, and tourist information points. Additionally, T1 provides access to three VIP lounges and the Fast Track service.
Terminal 2 (T2) also provides facilities such as shops, tourist information, Bureau de Change, VIP lounges, restaurants, cafes, eateries, and Wi-Fi access. Both terminals offer free and paid Wi-Fi services.
The airport provides various transportation options to and from the city centre, including public buses, taxis, private transfers, car rentals, and shuttle buses between the terminals. There are designated parking facilities for passengers with disabilities, and advice is available for travellers with wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
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History of the airport
The airport serving Barcelona, Spain, is called Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport. It is also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto, and El Prat Airport. Located 15km (9.3 miles) southwest of the city centre, it is the second-largest and second-busiest airport in Spain.
The first mention of the airport dates back to 1916 when it was located at El Remolar, on the grounds of La Volatería farm, from which the facilities took their name. However, it did not have good expansion prospects, so a new airport at El Prat opened in 1918. The first plane to arrive was a Latécoère Salmson 300 from Toulouse, with Casablanca as its final destination. The airport was used as the headquarters of the Aeroclub of Catalonia and the base for the Spanish Navy's Zeppelin fleet.
Between 1941 and 1946, the aerodrome underwent a series of reforms, encroaching on the nearby runway and facilities of the Catalonia Flying Club. In 1948, runway 07-25 was built, and it is still used as the primary runway today. Between 1948 and 1952, a second runway was constructed (16-34), perpendicular to the previous one, along with taxiways and a terminal to accommodate passengers.
In 1963, the airport reached one million passengers a year. A new control tower was built in 1965, and in 1968, a new terminal was opened, which is still in use today as Terminal 2B. On 3 August 1970, Pan American World Airways inaugurated regular service between Barcelona, Lisbon, and New York, operated by a Boeing 747.
From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the airport experienced a period of stagnation in traffic and investments. However, this changed in 1992 when Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics. El Prat underwent significant development, including the modernisation and expansion of the existing terminal (now known as Terminal B) and the construction of two additional terminals (Terminals A and C).
In 1995, a new control tower was inaugurated, marking the beginning of future airport development between the two parallel 07-25 runways. In 1996, a new multipurpose terminal began operations in the loading zone, creating a dedicated air freight facility.
On 4 November 1976, Iberia began the "Air-shuttle" service between Barcelona and Madrid–Barajas. In 1999, the Ministry of Public Works approved the Master Plan for Barcelona-El Prat Airport, formally implementing the Barcelona Plan, the third significant transformation operation for the airport.
On 6 June 2011, the airport's name was officially changed to Barcelona-El Prat, in response to a request from the Town Council of El Prat de Llobregat, to standardise the name used by the general public and the media. On 1 February 2014, Barcelona–El Prat became the first Spanish airport to receive a daily flight with the Airbus A380-800, on the Emirates route to Dubai International Airport.
On 1 March 2019, the airport was renamed Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat in honour of the former Catalonian president. On 14 October 2019, the airport became the first target of protesters after the sentencing of the trial of Catalonia independence leaders, with thousands flocking to disrupt normal operations.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Barcelona is called the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport, also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, El Prat Airport, BCN Airport, or El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto.
The airport has three runways, two parallel runways and one cross runway.
The airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are not adjacent to each other. Passengers need to use a free airport shuttle to travel between them.
The airport is located approximately 13-15 kilometres (9.3 miles) from the city centre of Barcelona.
The airport offers a variety of services and facilities, including shops, duty-free, VIP services, car hire, restaurants, cafeterias, and more.
