In a nutshell
- There are 2 hop-on hop-off providers in Barcelona — we compare them head-to-head and tell you which one comes out on top.
- Short on time? Our top pick is Bus Turístic — it includes discounts at extra attractions that City Tour simply doesn’t offer.
- We rode the hop-on hop-off bus ourselves and share exactly what to expect — from boarding to switching routes.
- We answer the most common questions about hop-on hop-off buses in Barcelona so you’re perfectly prepared. And speaking of preparation — choosing the right neighborhood for accommodation in Barcelona makes a big difference too.
What You Should Know About Hop-on Hop-off Providers in Barcelona
In Barcelona, there are two hop-on hop-off bus providers: City Tour and Bus Turístic.
Both providers have two routes that are very similar, and the terms differ only in a few points.
That means you really can’t go wrong with either hop-on hop-off provider in Barcelona.
What the Two Hop-on Hop-off Providers in Barcelona Have in Common
- Both providers have two routes. The shorter route stops at 14 stations and the longer one at 20 (City Tour) or 24 stations (Bus Turístic).
- With both providers, you choose between tickets for 24 and 48 hours.
- The prices of the two providers are the same.
- The buses run regularly between 9 AM and 7 PM.
Highlights You Can Reach on the Hop-on Hop-off Tours in Barcelona
With both providers, you’ll pass all the major attractions in Barcelona, including:
- Camp Nou
- Plaça de Catalunya
- Park Güell
- Sagrada Família
- Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
- Casa Batlló
- Arc de Triomf
- Port Vell
- Montjuïc Hill
- Tibidabo Hill
The area around Plaça de Catalunya is an ideal starting point for your Barcelona city trip. You’ll also find some truly special places to stay in Barcelona right in this neighborhood.
Is Hop-on Hop-off Worth It in Barcelona?
Absolutely! We think the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona is totally worth it. The tours are great for getting to know the city and finding your bearings quickly.
You get to see a whole lot of the city and its highlights in a short amount of time — perfect if you only have a weekend in Barcelona or are making a stopover in Barcelona for just a day.
Plus, the audio guide gives you fascinating background on the sights — and headphones are provided on the bus.
Our Recommendation: Bus Turístic
No matter which provider you go with — we recommend buying the 48-hour ticket.
That way, you can do one route on the first day and the other on the second. In the meantime, you’ll have plenty of time to hop off and explore the sights at a relaxed pace, without rushing. And the €10 surcharge for that is absolutely worth it.
If you’re short on time in Barcelona, the 24-hour ticket is the better choice. But even then, you don’t have to pick just one route.
Both providers have stops where you can flexibly switch from one line to the other. So you can plan your ride to hit your personal must-sees on both routes.
Of course, we also want to help you decide between the two providers. Their offerings are almost identical, but we’ve still made a clear call — and that’s Bus Turístic. Here’s why.
Why Bus Turístic Is Our Favorite
The deciding factor for us: only with Bus Turístic do you also get discounts at events, restaurants, and museums in Barcelona.
For example, your Bus Turístic ticket saves you €7 on admission to Casa Batlló, one of the most iconic Gaudí landmarks. You can find the full list of discounts here.
Pros:
- Discounts at additional attractions
- Included in three of the classic Barcelona city passes — City Tour is only included in one
Cons:
- Both providers have an app for planning your route — but with City Tour, you can also track the current location of the buses in real time.
- Fewer combo options with other attractions
Get your Hop-on Hop-off ticket with Bus Turístic
Hop-on Hop-off Providers in Barcelona at a Glance
So you have a clear overview of the similarities and differences between the two hop-on hop-off providers in Barcelona, we’ve put together a table with all the key info:
| Top Pick | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bus Turístic | City Tour | |
| Prices for 24h | 33 € | 33 € |
| Prices for 48h | 44 € | 44 € |
| Children free | Up to 3 years, discount for ages 4 to 12 | Up to 3 years, discount for ages 4 to 12 |
| Included in city pass | Barcelona Pass Explorer Pass All-Inclusive Pass | Turbopass |
| Combo options | Available (see next section) | Available (see next section) |
| Routes | 2 routes | 2 routes |
| Route map | View map | View map |
| Stops | Blue Route: 14 stops Red Route: 24 stops | East Route Green: 14 stops West Route Orange: 20 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–7 PM | 9 AM–7 PM |
| Audio guide | Available in English | Available in English |
| Ticket link | Get tickets | Get tickets |
Combo Tickets: Combine Hop-on Hop-off Barcelona with Attractions
With both hop-on hop-off providers in Barcelona, you can book a combo ticket that lets you pair your city tour with additional attractions. We cover which highlights you should book tickets for in advance in Barcelona in our dedicated article.
City Tour has a larger selection here, but Bus Turístic’s combo options include some seriously great picks too.
Our Recommendations for Combo Tickets
We’ve picked out the combo tickets from both providers that we find most exciting — for example, because you save time with fast-track entry or get to add a fun activity like a boat trip.
Our favorites with Bus Turístic:
Hop-on Hop-off bus incl. skip-the-line ticket for the Sagrada Família
Hop-on Hop-off bus incl. Park Güell & cable car to Montjuïc Hill
Our favorites with City Tour:
Hop-on Hop-off bus incl. catamaran cruise
Hop-on Hop-off bus incl. FC Barcelona Immersive Tour & Museum
Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona: Our Experience
We tested the hop-on hop-off city tour with Bus Turístic ourselves — and everything went completely smoothly and was easy to follow.
When you board the bus, a Bus Turístic staff member hands you everything you need: a route map, a booklet with all the vouchers, and headphones for the audio guide. Your online ticket is exchanged for a paper ticket, which you show each time you board.
From the upper deck, you get a great view of all the sights. Every seat has its own audio guide, which worked perfectly for us. We had no trouble following along and genuinely found the commentary interesting.
Our tip: Bring a hat and sunscreen if you’re planning to sit up top. The sun can be pretty intense up there.
If you want to switch from one route to the other, that’s no problem at all. Announcements are made well in advance so you know exactly which stops you can transfer at.
We switched from the red line to the blue line and only had to wait about three minutes for the next bus. The stop for the other line is always just a few yards away or on the other side of the street.
Honestly, the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona is also a great option if you’re there on a family vacation with kids. The children on our bus were clearly having a blast sitting all the way at the top — or, even more exciting, right at the very front.
Our Verdict on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Barcelona
Our recommendation for sightseeing tours around Barcelona is the hop-on hop-off buses from Bus Turístic, which take you past all the major highlights in the city.
In many respects, the two hop-on hop-off providers in Barcelona offer an almost identical product: prices and operating hours are the same, and the routes are very similar.
But: only with Bus Turístic does your ticket get you discounts at many additional attractions — and that’s the deciding factor for us, because it can save you quite a bit!
Get the Hop-on Hop-off ticket from Bus Turístic
Frequently Asked Questions About Hop-on Hop-off in Barcelona
Should you buy your hop-on hop-off ticket in advance?
Yes — and it’s worth it for two reasons. There’s often a discount on online tickets, so you’ll save a few euros. Plus, you won’t have to sort anything out on the spot.
That said, if you prefer to decide spontaneously, you can also buy your ticket on the day — directly on the bus or at official sales points.
Is the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona wheelchair accessible?
Yes, both providers’ buses are suitable for passengers with limited mobility. The lower deck has a wheelchair area and a boarding ramp.
With City Tour, however, there is only one wheelchair space per bus, so there’s no guarantee of an available spot.
Is hop-on hop-off in Barcelona worth it with kids?
Totally! The hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona is a great choice with kids. You get to see a lot of the city in a short time without long walks or having to figure out Barcelona’s public transportation.
With both providers, children up to 3 years old ride for free. From ages 4 to 12, discounted tickets are available.
You can easily bring your stroller or travel stroller on the bus and store it on the lower deck.
Are there alternatives to the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona?
Definitely! On a guided tour of Barcelona you can get to know the city really well too. These are our two favorites:
Sightseeing Bike Tour: On a standard bike or e-bike, you’ll cruise through Barcelona’s most beautiful neighborhoods and past the top highlights in three hours.
City Tour by Electric Tuk-Tuk: For something more unique, hop in an e-tuk-tuk. You’ll pass by sights like the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and the Arc de Triomf.
How much luggage can you bring on the hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona?
The buses have no trunk or luggage racks, so you’re only allowed to bring one small piece of luggage on board. You’ll need to store it on the lower deck and keep an eye on it yourself.
It’s best to leave your luggage at your hotel in Barcelona. Since you’ll be hopping on and off all day, traveling light is much more practical. A backpack can easily sit on your lap on the bus.
Are the hop-on hop-off buses included in a Barcelona city pass?
Yes, hop-on hop-off buses from both providers 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.
Keep in mind that only the Barcelona Pass also lets you book the 48-hour ticket.
In our Barcelona pass comparison, we explain in detail how the city passes differ, how they work, and which one is actually worth it:
Can you take a hop-on hop-off bus in Barcelona if you're arriving by cruise ship?
Yes! The hop-on hop-off buses from both providers stop at the World Trade Center stop, which is very close to the cruise terminal.
