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Barcelona is served by one main airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport or simply Barcelona Airport), located 15km from the city centre. It is Spain's second-largest and second-busiest airport, serving as a hub for numerous airlines and hosting millions of passengers annually. Aside from Barcelona Airport, passengers travelling to Barcelona may also arrive at Girona Airport or Reus International Airport, which are located 100km and 120km from the city, respectively. This article will focus on the location of Barcelona Airport in relation to the city centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport |
| Other Names | Barcelona Airport (BCN), El Prat International Airport, El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto |
| Location | 15km/9.3 miles/10 miles southwest of Barcelona city centre |
| Terminals | 2 (T1 and T2) |
| Runway | 3 |
| Parking | 24,000 parking spaces |
| Airlines | Iberia, Vueling, Level, Air Nostrum, EasyJet, Ryanair, Air Europa |
| Transport to City Centre | Aerobus, Metro, Train, Bus, Taxi |
| Transport Time | 25-40 minutes |
| Transport Cost | €4.60-€5.50 |
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What You'll Learn
Transport options to the city centre
Barcelona is served by one airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, located 13 to 15 kilometres from the city centre. It is the second-largest airport in Spain and the busiest in Catalonia. The airport consists of two terminals, Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), which are not adjacent to each other. Passengers travelling between the two terminals can take a free airport shuttle bus.
There are several transport options for getting from Barcelona Airport to the city centre:
Aerobus
The Aerobus is a direct bus service that connects the airport to the city centre. Line A1 departs from Terminal 1, and Line A2 leaves from Terminal 2. The journey to Pl. Catalunya in central Barcelona takes approximately 35 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €7.25, and a return ticket is €12.50. Tickets can be purchased online, from self-service machines at the airport, or from the driver.
Metro
The Orange L9 Sud Line (L9S) connects both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to the city centre, with a stop at "Zona Universitària". The journey takes about 30 minutes. However, it is important to note that the L9 line does not go through major transport hubs in the centre, such as Plaça de Catalunya, Estació Sants, or Plaça España. Passengers may need to change to the green, red, or blue lines to reach their final destination. Metro tickets can be purchased from vending machines or ATMs in the metro station or online with the Hola BCN public transport card.
Train
The train station is a three-minute walk from Terminal 2. The train journey to the centre of Barcelona takes about 30 minutes, with an average fare of €2 for a single journey. Renfe trains depart from Terminal 2 to the city centre, with stops at Prat de Llobregat, Bellvitge, Estació de Sants, and Passeig de Gràcia. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines or ticket offices in the train station.
Bus
Bus 46 is a very economical option to reach the city centre from both terminals. The bus departs from the exit of Terminal T1 to the left of the Aerobus stop. There are two bus stops for Bus 46 at Terminal T2, located at the exits of terminals T2b and T2c. The journey takes about 30 minutes from T1 and 35 minutes from T2, with a one-way ticket costing €4.60.
Night Bus
For travellers arriving at night, the night bus is the only way to reach the city centre by public transport. Bus N17 serves Terminal T1, while Bus N16 serves Terminal T2. Bus N18 serves both terminals as a backup during heavy traffic.
Taxi
Taking a taxi from the airport to the city centre is a low-cost and convenient option, especially for families or those with a lot of luggage. Official airport taxis are black and yellow and can be found outside any of the terminal exits. The journey to the city centre typically takes between 20 to 30 minutes, depending on road conditions.
Private Transfer
Private transfers offer a "door-to-door" service, dropping passengers directly at their accommodation or destination. This option can be more expensive than public transport but provides a stress-free arrival, especially for those travelling with luggage or small children.
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Barcelona Airport's location
Barcelona is served by one main airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, also known as El Prat Airport, Barcelona Airport, or BCN Airport. It is located in the city's southwest, within a 15km/9-10 mile distance from Barcelona's city centre. It is Spain's second-largest and second-busiest airport, serving as a hub for numerous major airlines and hosting millions of passengers annually. The airport consists of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which are not adjacent to each other and require passengers to take a free shuttle bus to travel between them.
There are several transportation options available to get from the airport to the city centre. The Aerobus, or Barcelona Airport Shuttle, is a fast and convenient option, running every ten minutes all year round. It takes approximately 35 minutes to reach Plaça de Catalunya and offers onboard Wi-Fi. There is an Aerobus for each terminal, with A1 serving T1 and A2 serving T2. Both routes make stops at Plaça d'Espanya, Gran Via-Urgell, and Plaça Universitat.
Another option is to take the metro. Both terminals are connected to the Barcelona metro network, with the L9 line providing access to the city centre. However, it is important to note that Line 9 does not go directly downtown, and transfers may be necessary depending on your destination. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and tickets can be purchased at vending machines located near the terminal exits.
For those who prefer bus travel, bus 46 is an economical choice, running from both Terminals 1 and 2 to Plaça Espanya. The journey takes approximately 30-35 minutes, and tickets can be purchased on the bus or through the Hola BCN! public transport card.
Finally, the train is also an option for those travelling to the city centre. The local Rodalies train, Line R2N, picks up passengers at Terminal 2 and stops at key locations such as Barcelona-Sants station and Passeig de Gràcia. The journey takes approximately 20-25 minutes, and tickets can be purchased at the train station. For those arriving at Terminal 1, a free shuttle bus is available to connect to Terminal 2.
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Girona Airport as an alternative
Barcelona is served by Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, located 15km from the city centre. It is the busiest airport in Catalonia and one of the most frequented in Europe, serving both international and domestic flights. However, passengers travelling to Barcelona may also opt for Girona Airport, located 74-100km from the city.
Girona Airport is situated in the northeast of Catalonia, next to the village of Vilobí d'Onyar. The airport is well-connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees, and is a popular choice for those travelling to the ski resorts of Andorra. It is also the closest airport to the beach towns along the Costa Brava.
To get to Barcelona from Girona Airport, you can take a bus to the city centre of Girona and then catch another bus or a train to Barcelona. There are also coaches that run directly from the airport to Barcelona, scheduled to coincide with Ryanair flights. The journey from Girona Airport to Barcelona takes approximately 75 minutes.
Girona Airport is a smaller airport, with a single terminal and runway. It is served primarily by Ryanair, which previously used Girona as one of its European hubs, marketing it as 'Barcelona-Girona'. However, in recent years, Ryanair has moved many of its Barcelona operations to El Prat International Airport, resulting in a significant decrease in passenger numbers at Girona Airport.
When deciding between the two airports, factors such as cost and time should be considered. While El Prat Airport is closer to Barcelona, Girona Airport may offer significant savings, especially for those travelling to destinations outside of Barcelona, such as the beach towns along the Costa Brava.
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Reus International Airport as another alternative
Barcelona is served by one airport, the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, located 15km from the city centre. However, Reus International Airport, located 120km from Barcelona, is also an option for passengers travelling to the Catalonian capital.
Reus International Airport is located in the Tarragona province, close to the coast and areas such as Tarragona, Salou, and Cambrils. It is approximately 120 kilometres south of Barcelona and is not within walking distance of Reus' city centre. The airport has been a Ryanair base since 2008, and in 2023, over 1 million passengers passed through the terminal.
To get from Reus Airport to Barcelona, it is necessary to first travel by bus to Reus city centre and then take a coach to Barcelona. There is no direct coach service from the airport to Barcelona, so it is important to plan ahead, especially if arriving late at night. The Airports Council International (ACI) has awarded Reus Airport the "Easiest Airport Journey" in Europe, highlighting the intuitiveness of navigating through the airport.
Reus Airport has seen fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years. It experienced a peak of 1.7 million passengers in 2009, followed by a decline to 850,492 in 2014. However, passenger numbers have been increasing since then, surpassing 1 million again in 2017 and 2023. The airport has undergone improvements and extensions to adapt to future air traffic demand, including integrating the check-in, arrivals, and departures buildings.
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The airport's history
The history of Barcelona–El Prat Airport, also known as Barcelona-Josep Tarradellas Airport, dates back to 1916 when it was located at El Remolar, in the grounds of La Volatería farm. However, due to a lack of expansion prospects, a new airport was opened at El Prat in 1918, with the first plane arriving from Toulouse, France, en route to Casablanca. During the 1920s, the airport began operating commercial flights, and in 1928, the first passenger facilities were constructed.
In the 1930s, Barcelona–El Prat Airport experienced significant growth due to the increasing tourism on the Spanish Mediterranean coast and the arrival of the airline Iberia, which commenced flights from Barcelona to Madrid. However, during World War II, the airport was utilised by German military forces and sustained severe damage during Allied bombing raids. Following the war, the airport underwent reconstruction and expansion to accommodate the growing number of passengers.
The airport's first passenger terminal opened in 1951, and in 1968, a second terminal was constructed to manage the increasing air traffic. By 1963, the airport reached its first million passengers annually, and in 1965, a new control tower was built. In 1970, Pan America Airways initiated regular service between El Prat and New York using a Boeing 747, and Iberia commenced its renowned Barcelona–Madrid air shuttle service.
From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, growth at the airport slowed down. However, in preparation for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, the airport underwent significant development, including the modernisation and expansion of Terminal B and the construction of Terminals A and C. This transformation increased the airport's capacity and facilitated over 10 million passengers in 1992.
In the 2000s, further improvements and modernisation projects were carried out, including the construction of a new cargo terminal and the expansion of Terminal 2. In 2009, Terminal 1 was inaugurated, becoming the airport's primary terminal. In 2011, the airport's name was officially changed to Barcelona-El Prat, and in 2018, it was renamed Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat to honour the first Catalan president under the current Spanish Constitution. Today, Barcelona–El Prat Airport continues to be an important international travel hub, serving as a gateway to the city of Barcelona and the surrounding regions.
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Frequently asked questions
Barcelona Airport is located about 9 to 15 kilometres from the city centre.
There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre. You can take the Aerobus, the Barcelona Airport Shuttle, which runs every ten minutes, all year round. You can also take the train, operated by Renfe, which is the cheapest option and will get you to the city in about 25 minutes. The metro is another option, which will take about 30 minutes. Finally, you can take a bus or a taxi.
Barcelona Airport has two terminals, T1 and T2, which are not adjacent to each other. Terminal 1 is the main terminal and underwent a massive renovation in 2009.
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