Barcelona Airport offers a wider range of transport options than most Spanish airports, with prices varying significantly across them.
Price breakdown by transport type
Aerobus
- T1 to Plaça Catalunya: EUR 7.75 one way
- T2 to Plaça Catalunya: EUR 7.75 one way
- Return ticket (T1 or T2): EUR 13.30
- Journey time: ~35 minutes
- Stops at Plaça Espanya, Gran Via (Urgell), Plaça Universitat, Plaça Catalunya
- Runs every 5-10 minutes from T1, every 10 minutes from T2
Metro (L9 Sud + change)
- Airport zone T-Casual fare: approximately EUR 5.50
- Journey time: 40-50 minutes including change
- Change at Zona Universitaria (L3) or Torrassa (L1)
- Note: the L9 airport fee covers the extended airport zone
RENFE commuter train (T2 only)
- T2 to Sants: approximately EUR 4.60
- Journey time: 20-25 minutes to Sants, continue by metro
- Only available from T2
Metered taxi
Airport supplement of EUR 3.10 applies. Day rate 07:00-21:00, night rate 21:00-07:00, special rates on weekends and holidays:- Barcelona city centre (day rate): EUR 40-50
- Barcelona city centre (night rate, 21:00-07:00): EUR 48-62
- Barcelona city (weekend day rate): EUR 45-55
- Sitges: EUR 50-65
- Castelldefels: EUR 30-42
- Hospitalet de Llobregat: EUR 25-35
- Badalona: EUR 50-65
- Tarragona: EUR 100-130
Luggage over a certain size may attract an additional charge (EUR 1.10 per piece in some regulated tariffs).
Pre-booked private transfer
- Standard sedan to Barcelona city: EUR 35-55
- Business sedan to city: EUR 55-80
- Minivan (up to 7) to city: EUR 55-75
- Sedan to Sitges: EUR 50-70
- Sedan to Tarragona: EUR 100-130
- Sedan to Girona: EUR 110-145
- Minibus to city (8-16 pax): EUR 80-120
Cost by destination
| Destination | Distance | Aerobus/Bus | Taxi | Transfer (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plaça Catalunya | 15 km | EUR 7.75 | EUR 40-50 | EUR 35-55 |
| Barcelona port | 18 km | EUR 7.75 + taxi | EUR 42-55 | EUR 40-58 |
| Sants station | 12 km | EUR 7.75 + walk | EUR 35-45 | EUR 35-50 |
| Diagonal / Gràcia | 16 km | EUR 7.75 + metro | EUR 42-52 | EUR 38-55 |
| Castelldefels | 14 km | No direct | EUR 30-42 | EUR 32-45 |
| Sitges | 35 km | No direct | EUR 50-65 | EUR 50-70 |
| Tarragona | 100 km | No direct | EUR 100-130 | EUR 100-130 |
| Girona | 105 km | No direct | EUR 110-140 | EUR 110-145 |
What drives the cost
Time of day matters significantly for Barcelona taxis. The standard rate applies 7 AM to 9 PM on weekdays. Night tariff (9 PM to 7 AM), weekend day tariff, and holiday tariff are all higher. A EUR 45 daytime taxi to the city becomes EUR 55 at 11 PM on a Saturday.
Traffic on the approach roads is a genuine factor. The Ronda Litoral (ring road) near the airport can be slow during morning and evening rush hours. Pre-booked transfers have fixed prices and this does not affect your cost — for metered taxis it does.
The C-32 toll motorway to Sitges avoids the slower coastal road. The toll is approximately EUR 4-6 and will be added to a metered taxi fare. Private transfers include it in the fixed price.
Group economics: Three people splitting a EUR 45 taxi to central Barcelona pay EUR 15 each — essentially double the Aerobus fare but door-to-door. For many groups, this is excellent value.
The value perspective
For solo travellers going to central Barcelona: the Aerobus at EUR 7.75 is very good value for a direct connection to Plaça Catalunya.
For groups of two or more: a taxi or private transfer becomes competitive on a per-person basis. Two people paying EUR 45 each pay EUR 22.50 each versus EUR 7.75 on the Aerobus — the taxi is more expensive but door-to-door with luggage included.
For Sitges: no bus equivalent. A taxi or transfer at EUR 50-70 is the only realistic option for those not renting a car.
For Tarragona: budget EUR 100-130 regardless of transport mode. It is 100 km and there is no cheap way to get there from the airport.