Barcelona El Prat Airport Voyage Tips and guide

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat (BCN  ^IATA), also known as El Prat, is a major transport hub of the city of Barcelona and the whole Catalonia.

The Barcelona airport is only about 12–14 km away from the centre of Barcelona. It has two terminals:

You can check-in for your flight only at the respective terminal T1 or T2, and since they are 7 km apart and there is little information available at the train station and bus stops, it's good to know which terminal you need before arriving at the airport. AENA provides information about the allocation of airlines to terminals.

☏ +34 932 983 838

Due to its popularity as a tourist destination, Barcelona Airport sees many direct intercontinental flights. All three major US carriers (American Airlines, Delta and United) fly directly to Barcelona, as do Canadian airlines Air Canada Rouge and Air Transat. Local flag carriers fly to Buenos Aires and Bogota. On the Asian front, Singapore Airlines has a direct connection from Singapore, obviously, while Emirates sends a Boeing 777 or Airbus A380 from their hub in Dubai Airport and Qatar Airways competes with a direct connection to theirs in Doha. You can continue from either of those to destinations across Asia, as well as to Australia.

Barcelona rivals Madrid for the number of intra-European connections, with many flag carriers serving both. Barcelona is also one of the European airports best served from the countries of the former Soviet Union (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan etc.), with direct flights to even less frequented airports, operated mostly by local carriers from those countries. There are also many connections to countries of North Africa. The Madrid - Barcelona route used to be the busiest in the world but the arrival of high speed rail has greatly dented demand. For the traveler a sustained and fierce competition on price is the visible upshot of this development.

Low-fare carriers operating connections to Barcelona include Vueling, Norwegian and Ryanair, who all have bases there and offer a wide network of connections across Europe. EasyJet does not have aircraft based in Barcelona, but flies there from most of their other bases in Western Europe, while WizzAir provides connections to Eastern European countries. Many low cost airlines, particularly Ryanair, used to fly to Reus or Girona instead and deceptively name the airports "Barcelona" in their booking system but many of those flights have now been moved to El Prat.

Eurowings flies from most major German cities (with connections to Lufthansa and other Star Alliance flights) and Transavia^{[dead link]} to Paris and airports in the Netherlands (where you can connect to AirFrance-KLM flights). Jet2 complements that with flights from airports in the UK. There are also many charter flights to Barcelona, especially in high season, for which you can increasingly buy tickets independently of a package holiday you may not wish to take.

• 41.3043892.0738411 Aeroport T2 metro (metro station). €5.50.  (updated May 2026)
• 41.2882582.071042 Aeroport T1 metro (metro station). €5.50.  (updated May 2026)

Metro line L9S runs from both airport terminals to the very south edge of Barcelona. Trains run every 7 minutes, but there is no direct connection to the city centre nor any Barcelona highlight. Summing the 25-30 minute trip on L9S, 5 minutes for changing lines as L9S runs very deep underground, and at least 15-20 minutes on a connecting line, you should expect an hour ride to get to the city centre.

Also, the metro has a special fare for both airport stations: €5.70 single fare, T-usual (10 trip) travelcards (and most other travelcards) are not allowed. When going to the airport by metro, remember to buy a special "airport" ticket before boarding - if you reach the airport with the wrong ticket, you'll be forced to pay €5.50 regardless of whatever you've already paid. Travelling by metro between terminals also costs €5.70, while there is a free bus connection between T1 and T2. One more flexible card that is valid for one trip to of from the airport is the T-dia day ticket, from €11.55 for zone 1.

So, unless you're going to the Fira, the metro is your worst option as it'll be more expensive and slower. And even if you're going to Fira, you might consider taking the train for just one stop and then change to L9S. That way, you can use T10 travelcards and you'll end up paying just €0.99 for the trip.

• 41.3043892.0738413 Aeroport T2 (train station). The airport train station has facilities for disabled people: escalators, lifts, etc. €4,60.  (updated May 2026)

R2 Nord suburban train service (departures 05:42-23:38 every 30 min) connects terminal T2B with the Barcelona centre: Barcelona Sants station (travel time is 22 min to the airport), Passeig de Gràcia station (27 min), El Clot-Aragó station (30 min). It is sometimes a faster option to reach the airport. The fare is €2.65 within zone 1. Do not confuse it with R2 and R2 Sud trains, which do not have a stop at the airport. Also this service does not terminate at Estació de França as R2 Sud does, instead it goes through the center of Barcelona and into the suburbs, so it is important to know at which station you should get off.

The train is also an efficient and cheap option to get into or in from other parts of Catalonia, because of the region's tariff system. A 1 hr 30 min train ride north along the coast towards Calella or Blanes (next to Lloret de Mar) can be as little as €5 (from/to the airport). Certainly cheaper than the €10 airport bus of the Costa Brava region, which takes almost as long.

It is quite counter-intuitive, but the newer and busier T1 does not have a direct railway connection to the city. To get a train from T1 you first need to reach T2B by an airport shuttle bus (free; runs every 5-10 minutes), so plan for an extra 15 minutes of travel. (It is planned to build a direct train connection to T1 at some point in the future.)

The airport is inside zone 1 of Integrated Fare System (see Barcelona's Get around). You can buy a single-ride on the R2 Nord to and from the airport, however, if you buy a multi-ride pass to use during your stay, then this pass allows you to ride the R2 Nord to and from the airport.

• Line #46 (Plaça Espanya - Airport). This bus line runs every 20 minutes from either of terminals (downstairs at T1) via El Prat de Llobregat to Plaça Espanya. The journey takes 35–45 minutes. (updated Oct 2015)
• Aerobús. A shuttle bus service between Barcelona Airport (terminals 1 & 2) and Barcelona's city center: all along Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes to Plaça Catalunya, city center (beside El Corte Inglés). Buses depart every 5–10 minutes depending on the terminal. A journey takes ~35 minutes. The buses are adapted for persons with reduced mobility (PRM) and dispose over a wide space especially designed for luggage, also offer free wifi on board and they give you a Free Barcelona map with the purchase of your ticket. Buses are heavily air-conditioned in the summer: have something extra to wear during the journey. Single fare €7.75, round-trip €13.30; cash, credit card, or online. (updated May 2026)
  • Line A1 (Terminal 1). to: 05:00-00:30; from: 05:35-01:05.  (updated Oct 2015)
  • Line A2 (Terminal 2). to: 05:00-00:30; from: 06:00-01:00.  (updated Oct 2015)
• Nitbús lines N16, N17 (Plaça Catalunya (Ronda Universitat) - Airport) (N17 is for T1, N16 is for T2; the later one terminates at Castelldefels!). 22:00-05:00 every 20 min. Aerobuses stop running at midnight, but you can catch a Nitbús night bus service instead. The ride from Plaça Espanya to Airport El Prat takes about 40–50 minutes. The buses only have one stop, at Plaça Espanya. The staff do not speak English. (updated Oct 2015)
• Line PR1 (El Prat de Llobregat - Airport) (to the railway station at El Prat de Llobregat).  (updated Oct 2015)
• Line L77 (Airport - Sant Boi - Cornellà). Rapid bus connecting the airport with the Sant Boi station (L8, FGC lines to Martorell, Igualada and Manresa, including Montserrat) and Cornellà Centre (Metro L5, tramway and Renfe R4) €2.15 single fare, €0.99 if paid with T-10 travelcard. (updated Feb 2016)

Travelling by taxi is a convenient, but expensive, way to get from the airport to the city centre, especially if you have a family or a lot of luggage. All official Barcelona taxis are black and yellow. Taxi service is generally very good, clean and reliable.

You will find a taxi rank outside any of the main terminal exits Terminal 1 (T1) or Terminal 2 (and of the 3 buildings of Terminal 2 - T2A, T2B or T2C). Look for the sign pointing to the nearest taxi rank. The taxis operate all night and there are several hundred of them, so you don't have to worry about not being able to catch a cab.

The journey to the city centre takes 25 to 40 minutes, depending on road conditions. If you are travelling from Terminal 1 rather than Terminal 2, this will add an extra 4 km to your journey and take 5 minutes more. Expect to pay (by normal traffic conditions on a workday) around €30 for the journey into the centre from T2 and €40 from T1. There is a surcharge for each bag you're carrying, and an additional surcharge for Barcelona Cruise Port destination. You'll find the rates displayed inside the cab. Exact price will depend on time and road conditions.

Children under the age of 12 must be seated in the back seat of the car and supervised so that they do not distract the driver. Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted during the ride, even if the driver and passenger agree otherwise. The taxi is legally required to admit blind passengers accompanied by seeing eye dogs.

If you have special needs (i.e. wheelchair, special luggage, travelling 5 or 6 people) is better to book your taxi in advance. Many local companies provide prepaid booking services. You can see the list at Institut Metropolità del Taxi^{[dead link]} and Barcelona Tourism Bureau websites.

• Parking. There a number of options with different tariff plans. The airport's web site advises to save time and money and book online. (updated Oct 2015)

Parking Terminal 1

• 41.286962.070881 Parking T1 General. Open 24x7. The main parking in T1, ideal for stays until 4 days. I'ts an 8-story building. You can drive-in but with advance reservations it's a little cheaper. There are Prefered areas more expensive and they require reservation. €36 a day without reservation.  (updated May 2026)
• 41.291432.055382 Long stay Parking T1. There is a shutlle bus . It requieres previous reservation. Aprox. €14 for one day , €32 for 4 days..  (updated May 2026)
• 41.2874092.0703433 Motorbike parking T1. €17 a day without reservation.  (updated May 2026)

Parking Terminal 2

There is no Long stay parking for T2 , but you can use the T1 long stay and then take the transfer between Terminals.

• 41.3043722.0749254 Parking T2 General. Open 24x7. It's an open air parking in front of the Terminal 2. You can drive-in but with advance reservations it's a little cheaper. There are Prefered areas more expensive and they require reservation. €36 a day without reservation.  (updated May 2026)

41°17′57″N 2°5′13″E

Map of Barcelona El Prat Airport

T1 and T2 are linked by a free shuttle bus (every 5 to 10 minutes). So, if, for example, you arrive at T1 and wish to take the train to the city centre, you need to transfer on one of those buses (travel time 12-15 minutes).

The bus has 4 stops: T1 Departures (at the 3rd floor), T1 Arrivals (at the ground floor), T2B and T2C.

There is a separate shuttle bus which connects the two terminals with a long stay parking area.

It enables preferential access to security checkpoints, speeding up waiting times. You can buy it or you can also have the right to use if flying bussines or you has a loyalty card that allows you to use them. Check with your airline.

• Fast Track T1 (on floor 3. On the right of security controls, just past Counters 600.). €16.55. (updated May 2026)
• Fast Lane T2 (Available in T2B and in T2C. Follow Fast lane yellow signs.). €12.35. (updated May 2026)

T1 is modern and fresh, while T2 buildings are reportedly in poor condition in some places.

There are a few things to admire in the airport

• 41.303282.0769511 Joan Miró Mural (On the T2-B building, on the street. It's in the main wall at the right of the building.). Catalan painter, sculptor and ceramist, his work has been interpreted as Surrealism but with a personal style. Free.  (updated May 2026)
• 41.3082532.1100192 Airplanes viewpoint, Carretera de la Platja, El Prat de Llobregat. In the road around the airpot, it's the place to see airplanes descending over your head (usually, depending on winds). There is a parking nearby. Free.  (updated May 2026)
• 41.3044612.1073473 Viewpoint landing area, Carretera de la Platja, El Prat de Llobregat. Lateral views of landing area  (updated May 2026)

Terminal 1

• Joan Miró VIP Lounge (In terminal T1, level 2, gate area D and E.), ☏ +34 932 596 428. From 5:00 to last flight. Reserved for travellers to non-Schengen countries. €52. (updated May 2026)
• Colomer VIP Lounge (On the Barcelona-Madrid air corridor for air shuttle passengers, on the first floor (P1) of terminal T1.), ☏ +34 932 596 429. 6:00 to 21:00. €48. (updated May 2026)
• Pau Casals VIP Lounge (In Terminal T1, level 2, boarding gates A, B and C.), ☏ +34 932 596 430. From 04:30 to last flight. Award for the Best Lounge in the World 2013, granted by the company Priority Pass. €48. (updated May 2026)

Terminal 2

• Canudas VIP Lounge (in the first floor boarding area in terminal T2 on P1, doors U.), ☏ +34 932 596 427. 06:00 to 22:00. €48. (updated May 2026)

Terminal 1

• Cafes, pre-security check
• Cafes, post-security check. Many options, all close at around some time between 22:00 and 23:00.

Terminal 2

• Cafes, pre-security check.
  • 41.3038042.0791481 Como. Prepackaged food. Expensive. 1 expreso 2.5€ (twice the street price!)  (updated May 2026)
  • 41.3031852.0768932 Santa gloria. Sandwiches and some salads.  (updated May 2026)
  • 41.302912.076223 Burger King.  (updated May 2026)
• Cafes, post-security check. Many options, all close at around some time between 22:00 and 23:00.

Terminal 1

• Duty-free shops. Open from 06:00/06:30 to 21:30 (a few to 22:00). Shops are numerous and some are hard to find elsewhere in the city. After security check, most shops are before the passport control; there are only one or two afterwards.
• Tax-free shopping refund. Office closes at 22:00 without compromises. After that time checks can be processed only by mail: complete your tax-free forms with your passport data and addresses, have them stamped by the customs office (a window next to arrivals gate door; they don't ask to see your purchases); put them into the envelope you were given in the shop—and wait for several months. (updated May 2026)

Terminal 2

• Duty-free shops. Open from 06:00/06:30 to 21:30 (a few to 22:00). Shops are numerous and some are hard to find elsewhere in the city. After security check, most shops are before the passport control; there are only one or two afterwards.
• 41.3027462.075784 Tax-free shopping refund. Office closes at 22:00 without compromises. After that time checks can be processed only by mail: complete your tax-free forms with your passport data and addresses, have them stamped by the customs office (a window next to arrivals gate door; they don't ask to see your purchases); put them into the envelope you were given in the shop—and wait for several months.  (updated May 2026)

• WiFi, toll-free: 900 866 080 (non-geographic number), [email protected]. Available throughout the airport, operated by Eurona. SSID: Airport_Free_Wifi_AENA Free. (updated Jan 2019)

Terminal 1

• 41.2885432.0729685 Airport information T1 (in the centre of the arrivals (floor 1) at the tip of the triangular pavilion opposite to the arrivals zone exit).  (updated Nov 2015)

Terminal T1. Floor 3. South dock check-in

Terminal T1. Floor 3. North dock check-in

Terminal T1. Floor 3. Boarding gate area D

Terminal T1. Floor 1. Boarding gates area B beginning of longitudinal dock

Terminal T1. Floor 1. Sky center

Terminal T1. Floor 1. Arrivals area / The square

• 41.2890342.0733726 Tourist information T1 (at the arrivals (floor 1), on the left of the arrivals zone exit).  (updated Nov 2015)
• Left luggage. There are deposits at both terminals. €6/item of normal luggage up to 2 hr, then €10/item for each extra 24 hr; discounts for leaving 4 bags and more. (updated Oct 2015)
  • 41.288132.0716627 Left luggage T1 (from the arrivals at floor 1 via a passage in the centre towards the parkings, then follow "Left luggage" (Consigna) signs towards a lobby at the ground floor), ☏ +34 932 971 213. 24/7.  (updated Nov 2015)
• Lost & Found, ☏ +34 932 596 440, [email protected]. M-Sa 8:00 to 18:00. Just for lost & found objects at the airport, not in the planes. You should contact the airline for lost objects in a plane. (updated May 2026)

Terminal 2

• Airport information T2, ☏ +34 913 211 000.  (updated May 2026)

Terminal T2. Floor 0. Arrivals area Terminal T2B

Terminal T2. Floor 1. Boarding gates area U

Terminal T2. Floor 1. Boarding area W-Y (telephone service)

Terminal T2. Floor 1. Boarding area gates S (telephone service)

• 41.303582.07828 Tourist information T2, ☏ +34 935 575 220, [email protected]. M-Su 8:30-19:30.  (updated May 2026)
• 02.0766049 Left luggage T2 (Section B, floor 0, Check-in hall), ☏ +34 932 971 272. 6:00-22:00.  (updated May 2026)

• Air Rooms Barcelona (Terminal 1, land area at the Business Centre, next to the Barcelona-Madrid corridor), ☏ +34 933 758 611, [email protected]. 21 rooms and 4 suites however you need them: overnight, day use (3 or 6 hours) or shower service (1 hour). (updated May 2026)

The nearest hotels are located at the town of El Prat de Llobregat and Zona Franca of Barcelona near the port.

More than any other Spanish airport, Barcelona has a serious problem with pickpocketing and theft in its passenger terminals. You must remain wary at all times in both landside and airside areas in the terminals, as if you are riding the metro. Keep your belongings close and treat any distraction as a potential ploy to divert your attention from them.

To reduce the number of potential thieves roaming around its terminals, AENA began to implement a policy in December 2025 of limiting access to persons with valid boarding passes.

Terminal 1

• Pharmacy (Floor 1. Arrivals. Public Zone), ☏ +34 934 991 373. 7:00-20:30.  (updated May 2026)
• Pharmacy (P3. Departures. Public Zone), ☏ +34 934 991 373. 7:00-20:30.  (updated May 2026)

Terminal 2

• Pharmacy (Floor 0. Departures. Public Zone), ☏ +34 933 704 503. Su-F 8:30-20:00, Sa 8:30-15:00.  (updated May 2026)

Mossos d'Esquadra perform comprehensive police functions at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, where they have their own police station with around 250 officers to guarantee security in this critical infrastructure. Their main functions include: Citizen security and public order: Patrolling and surveillance in terminals and common areas, crime prevention and incident management. Administrative police: Monitoring compliance with airport regulations. Judicial police: Investigating crimes that may occur within the facility.

• Mossos d'Esquadra, Terminal 1 (Terminal 1. Floor 3), ☏ 112.  (updated May 2026)
• Mossos d'Esquadra, Terminal 2 (Terminal 2. Floor 1), ☏ 112. You must go through airport security (updated May 2026)

The National Police at Barcelona-El Prat Airport are mainly responsible for border control, immigration and document security. As judicial and state security police, they manage the entry and exit of passengers (Schengen area and outside), passports, and the police station for emergency procedures.

• National Police (Policía Nacional) (Terminal 1 Floor 3), ☏ +34 932 596 832. Handles complaints and issues documents. Also handle urgent passport renews for Spaniards. (updated May 2026)

• El Prat de Llobregat is the nearest town to the airport
• Barcelona – the city begins just across the river El Llobregat
• Castelldefels is the closest resort to the airport – just a few km west
• Colònia Güell — is a tiny settlement famous for its modernist architecture. It is located on the railroad to Montserrat.