In a nutshell
- There are 2 hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona. We’ll compare them and show you which one is the best.
- Short on time? Our top pick for hop-on hop-off bus tours in Barcelona is Bus Turístic.
- We’ve personally tried hop-on hop-off in Barcelona and are sharing our experience with you.
- At the end, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about hop-on hop-off buses in Barcelona, so you’ll be fully prepared.
What You Should Know about Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona
There are two hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona: City Tour and Bus Turístic.
Both companies offer two routes that are very similar, and their conditions also differ only in a few minor details.
That means, you can’t go wrong with either of the two hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona.
What the hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona have in common
- Both companies offer two routes. On the shorter route, you stop at 14 stations and on the longer route at 19 (City Tour) or 20 stations (Bus Turístic).
- You can choose between 24-hour or 48-hour tickets.
- The prices are the same for both companies.
- The buses run regularly between 9 AM and 7 PM.
The highlights you’ll visit on the hop-on hop-off tours in Barcelona
With both companies, you’ll pass by the most important sights in Barcelona, such as:
- Camp Nou
- Plaça de Catalunya
- Park Güell
- Sagrada Família
- Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
- Casa Batlló
- Arc de Triomf
- Port Vell
- Montjuïc
- Tibidabo
Is Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona Worth it?
We think hop-on hop-off in Barcelona is totally worth it! The tours are great for getting to know Barcelona and finding your way around.
You’ll see a lot of the city and its highlights in a short amount of time. Perfect if you’re only in Barcelona for a weekend or making a one-day stopover in Barcelona on your trip.
Plus, the audio guide gives you interesting background information on the attractions. Headphones are available on the bus.
Our Recommendation: Bus Turístic
No matter which company you choose, we recommend getting the 48-hour ticket.
That way, you can take one route on the first day and the other on the second. This gives you plenty of time to hop off along the way and enjoy the sights without feeling rushed. And for just 10 euros more, it’s definitely worth it.
If you’re short on time in Barcelona, the 24-hour ticket is the better option. But then you still won’t have to choose between the two routes.
That’s because both companies have stops where you can easily switch from one hop-on hop-off route to the other. This means you can plan your bus journey to cover all your personal must-sees on both routes.
Of course, we also want to help you decide between the companies. While their offerings are almost identical, we still have a clear favorite: Bus Turístic. Up next, we’ll take a closer look at why we made this choice.
That’s why Bus Turístic is our favorite
For us, the key factor is this: Only Bus Turístic offers additional discounts for events, restaurants, and museums in Barcelona.
For example, with your Bus Turístic ticket you’ll save 7 euros on admission to Casa Batlló, one of Gaudí’s most famous works. You can find all available discounts here.
Pros:
- Discounts at various attractions
- Included in 3 of the classic Barcelona city passes, City Tour only in one
Cons:
- Both companies have an app for planning your route, but City Tour also shows the real-time location of the buses.
- Fewer combination options with other attractions
Get your hop-on hop-off bus ticket from Bus Turístic
Overview of Hop-on Hop-off Companies in Barcelona
To give you a clear comparison of the similarities and differences between the two hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona, we’ve put together a table with all the key details for you:
| Bus Turístic Our tip! | City Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices for 24h | €33 | €33 |
| Prices for 48h | €44 | €44 |
| Free for children | Up to 3 years, discount from 4 to 12 years | Up to 3 years, discount from 4 to 12 years |
| Included in city pass | Barcelona Pass Explorer Pass All-Inclusive Pass | Turbopass |
| Combo options | Possible (see next section) | Possible (see next section) |
| Routes | 2 routes | 2 routes |
| Route map | To the map | To the map |
| Stops | Blue Route: 14 Stops Red Route: 20 Stops | East Route Green: 14 Stops West Route Orange: 19 Stops |
| Frequency | Every 5-25 minutes | Every 7-25 minutes |
| Duration | Approx. 2 hours per route | Approx. 2 hours per route |
| Operating hours | 9 AM to 7 PM | 9 AM to 7 PM |
| Audio guide | Also in English | Also in English |
| Link to ticket | To the ticket | To the ticket |
Combo Tickets: Combine Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona with Attractions
Both hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona offer the option to book a combo ticket, allowing you to combine your bus tour with additional attractions.
City Tour offers a larger selection, but Bus Turístic also has some great combo options.
Our recommendation for combo tickets
We’ve selected the combo tickets from both companies that we find most exciting – for example, because they offer skip-the-line access to save you time or let you combine your bus tour with a unique activity, such as a boat trip.
Our favorites from Bus Turístic:
Hop-on hop-off bus with ticket for the Sagrada Família (skip the line)
Hop-on hop-off bus with Park Güell & cable car to Montjuïc mountain
Our favorites from City Tour:
Hop-on hop-off bus with catamaran cruise
Hop-on hop-off bus incl. FC Barcelona Immersive Tour & Museum
Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona: Our Experience
We personally tested the hop-on hop-off bus tour with Bus Turístic. Everything went completely smoothly and was easy to understand.
When you board the bus, a Bus Turístic staff member gives you everything you need: a route map, a booklet with all the discount vouchers, and the headphones for the audio guide. Your online ticket is also exchanged for a paper ticket, which you’ll need to show each time you get on the bus.
From the upper deck you have a great view of all the sights. Each seat has its own audio guide, which worked really well for us. We could easily follow along and found the information quite interesting.
Our tip: It’s a good idea to bring a hat and sunscreen if you’re sitting on the top deck. The sun can get pretty strong up there.
If you want to switch from one hop-on hop-off route to the other, it’s no problem at all. Announcements are made in advance, letting you know at which stops you can switch.
We switched from the red to the blue route and only had to wait about 3 minutes for the next bus. The stop for the other route is always just a few meters away or on the other side of the street.
In our opinion, hop-on hop-off in Barcelona is also great if you’re traveling with kids. The children on our bus clearly had a lot of fun sitting at the very top or – even more exciting – right at the front.
Our Conclusion on Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona
Our recommendation for sightseeing tours in Barcelona are the hop-on hop-off buses from Bus Turístic, which take you past all the main sights in Barcelona.
In many respects, the two hop-on hop-off companies in Barcelona offer almost identical services: The prices and operating hours are the same, for example, and the routes are very similar.
But: Only with Bus Turístic do you get discounts for many other attractions with your ticket – the deciding factor for us, as this allows you to save a lot!
Get your hop-on hop-off bus ticket from Bus Turístic
FAQ about Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona
Should you buy your hop-on hop-off bus ticket in advance?
Often, there are discounts on online tickets, so you can save a few bucks if you buy your ticket ahead of time. Plus, you won’t have to worry about organizing anything once you’re there.
However, if you’d rather decide on the spot whether you want to do a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Barcelona, you can also buy your ticket directly on the bus or at official sales points.
Where do you start the hop-on hop-off bus tour in Barcelona?
You can start your hop-on hop-off tour at any stop along the route. Just hop on at the most convenient stop for you and begin exploring!
Are the hop-on hop-off buses in Barcelona accessible?
Yes, all buses from both companies are accessible for passengers with limited mobility. The lower deck has a designated area for wheelchair users and a ramp for boarding.
However, City Tour only has one wheelchair space per bus, so there’s no guarantee of an available spot.
Is hop-on hop-off in Barcelona suitable for kids?
Yes, hop-on hop-off in Barcelona is a great option for families with kids. You can see a lot of the city in a short amount of time without having to walk long distances with the kids or navigate public transportation in Barcelona.
Both providers offer free rides for children up to 3 years old. Discounted tickets are available for children aged 4 to 12 years.
You can easily bring your stroller or travel buggy on board and store it in the lower deck.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona?
A guided tour of Barcelona is also a great way to get to know the city. Here are our two favorites:
Sightseeing tour by bike: On a standard bike or e-bike, you’ll ride through Barcelona’s most beautiful neighborhoods and pass by the main highlights in 3 hours.
City tour by electric tuk-tuk: For a more unique experience, try the E-tuk-tuk. You’ll visit sights like the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Arc de Triomf.
How much luggage can you bring on the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona?
The hop-on hop-off buses in Barcelona don’t have a trunk or luggage compartments. Therefore, you’re only allowed to bring a small piece of luggage on the bus. You’ll need to store it on the lower deck and keep an eye on it yourself.
It’s better to leave your luggage at your hotel in Barcelona. Since you’ll be getting on and off the bus frequently during the hop-on hop-off tour, this is much more convenient. Of course, you can easily keep a backpack on your lap during the ride.
Are the hop-on hop-off buses included in a Barcelona Pass?
Yes, the hop-on hop-off buses from both companies are included in various Barcelona city passes.
While City Tour is only included in the Barcelona Turbopass, Bus Turístic is included in three passes: the All-Inclusive Pass, the Explorer Pass, and the Barcelona Pass.
However, note that the 48-hour ticket is only available with the Barcelona Pass.
Can you take hop-on hop-off in Barcelona if you're on a cruise?
These were our tips for hop-on hop-off in Barcelona
Have you already taken a hop-on hop-off bus tour in Barcelona? We’re excited to hear about your experiences! Feel free to leave us a comment – we’d love to hear from you!