In a nutshell
- Barcelona’s public transport system is easy to use and gets you around the city quickly and affordably.
- Many of Barcelona’s top sights are within walking distance of the city center. But for attractions further out or if your hotel in Barcelona is located outside the center, you’ll need to rely on public transport.
- If you’re planning to use Barcelona public transport frequently, the Hola Barcelona Card is a great option.
- If you only plan to take the metro or bus now and then and prefer to explore Barcelona on foot, we recommend the 10-ride T-Casual ticket.
Tickets for Local Transport Barcelona
There are several types of tickets for public transport in Barcelona. Here’s a look at the ones that are most relevant for visitors and when each one makes sense.
In the next section, we’ll show you where to buy them.
Good to know: Barcelona’s public transportation system is split into six fare zones. Since nearly all of the city — including major sights and El Prat Airport — lies within Zone 1, we’ll focus only on prices and rules for that zone.
You’ll only need other zones if you’re planning trips to areas farther outside the city.
Before we go into the different transport tickets in more detail, here’s a quick overview:
| Ticket | Rides | Validity | Price per zone 1 | Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Ticket | 1 | single journey | €2,55 | one person |
| T-Casual | 10 | end of January of the following year | €12,15 * | one person |
| T-Familiar | 8 | 30 days | €10,70 * | several people |
| T-Día | unlimited | one day | €11,20 | one person |
* The T-Casual and T-Familiar tickets are rechargeable. The first time you buy one, a 50 cent fee is added for the card itself.
Single Ticket
- Ticket price for zone 1: €2.55
The single ticket is valid for one journey on public transport.
Transfers are not included. If you switch to another line or mode of transport, it counts as a new journey.
When it makes sense: if you plan to use public transport only once or very occasionally.
T-Casual
- Ticket price for zone 1: €12.15
The T-Casual gives you 10 rides on public transportation in Barcelona. It’s a personal ticket, which means it can only be used by one person.
Metro rides to and from the airport are not included. If you want to take the metro from Barcelona Airport, you’ll need to buy a separate airport ticket for €5.50 (one way).
Once validated, the ticket lets you switch lines as often as you want within 75 minutes in Zone 1 without it counting as another ride.
Just remember to scan your ticket again at each transfer — even though it won’t deduct a new ride unless the time is up.
When it’s a good choice: if you want to use public transport now and then while exploring the city.
T-Familiar
- Ticket price for zone 1: €10.70
The T-Familiar is valid for 8 rides within 30 consecutive days and can be shared by more than one person. You just need to scan the card once per person at the entrance.
This ticket also doesn’t cover the airport metro.
As with the T-Casual, you can transfer between lines as often as you want within 75 minutes of your first validation.
When it’s worth it: if you’re traveling with others and only plan to use Barcelona public transport occasionally.
T-Día
- Ticket price for zone 1: €11.20
The T-Día is a day pass that gives you unlimited travel on Barcelona’s public transport for 24 hours.
If you want to take the metro from the airport, you’ll still need to buy the separate airport ticket.
When it’s worth it: if you plan to use public transportation a lot in one day — for example, if you’re only in Barcelona for a day.
Buying Tickets for Barcelona Public Transport
You can buy tickets for public transportation in two ways: from the ticket machines at metro stations or online via the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) app.
If you use the app, your ticket will be digital, and you can simply scan the QR code at the entrance.
We didn’t use the app ourselves because many reviews mention it’s too complicated and not very user-friendly. Instead, we recommend buying tickets directly at the machines.
Instructions for buying tickets from a ticket machine
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to buy your ticket. In this example, we bought the T-Casual, but the process is the same for other tickets too.
Step 1: Select language and ticket
Step 2: Select zone
Step 3: Select the number of cards
Step 4: Pay for your ticket
Hola Barcelona Card
There’s a convenient travel pass made especially for tourists: the Hola Barcelona Card, also known as the Hola BCN Card.
It gives you unlimited travel on Barcelona public transport for 2 to 5 consecutive days.
Here’s what’s included at a glance:
- Metro, buses, trams, and trains in Zone 1
- Funicular de Montjuïc
- Metro ride from El Prat Airport to the city
- Airport shuttle bus (this is the option we recommend)
- Night buses
The Hola BCN Card is valid for the exact number of hours from when you first activate it. For example, if you start using a 48-hour card at 12:00 p.m. on a weekend trip to Barcelona, it will be valid until 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.
When it’s a good choice: if you plan to use Barcelona public transportation a lot and want to take the metro to or from El Prat Airport.
Buy Hola Barcelona Card
You can buy the Hola BCN Card at ticket machines just like other public transport tickets in Barcelona.
Another easy option is buying it online through the third-party provider GetYourGuide. The price is the same, but the booking process is simpler.
When you buy online, you’ll receive a voucher that you exchange for a physical card at a tourist information office — for example, right at the airport.
Buy the Hola Barcelona Card online
Prices of the Hola Barcelona Card
Here’s a quick comparison of the different Hola Barcelona Card options:
| Validity Period | Price |
|---|---|
| 48 hours (2 days) | €17,50 |
| 72 hours (3 days) | €25,50 |
| 96 hours (4 days) | €33,30 |
| 120 hours (5 days) | €40,80 |
Our Ticket Recommendation for Barcelona Public Transport
In our experience, the T-Casual Ticket or the Hola Barcelona Card are the best options for getting around Barcelona.
Go with the T-Casual if you …
- plan to use public transport occasionally and also explore the city on foot,
- don’t need a metro ticket for the airport,
- and are staying near the city center.
Choose the Hola Barcelona Card if you …
- use public transportation frequently,
- want to take the metro from El Prat Airport to the city,
- and don’t want to worry about time limits or transfers.
We personally chose the T-Casual since we love walking and that’s a great way to get around Barcelona. Most major attractions are fairly close to each other in the city center.
We also decided to take the shuttle bus from the airport instead of using the metro. If you’re wondering how to get from Barcelona Airport to the city, we explain all the options in our full guide:
Using Barcelona Local Transport with a Citypass
If it’s your first time in Barcelona, and you want to visit some of the city’s top attractions or take a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Barcelona, a Barcelona Citypass might be a good option.
With a Citypass, you get free entry to many sights and museums in Barcelona, which makes planning a lot easier — no need to worry about buying individual tickets when you arrive.
Two Barcelona Citypasses even include public transport: the Turbopass and the Barcelona Card. And if you choose the Barcelona Pass, you’ll get a discount on the Hola BCN Card.
Buy the Barcelona Turbopass
Buy the Barcelona Card
Buy the Barcelona Pass
How to Get Around Barcelona: Means of Transport
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of means of transport in Barcelona and what you need to know about each one.
How to Use the Metro in Barcelona
- Operating hours: Mon–Thu and Sun 5 am–midnight, Fri until 2 am, Sat all night
- Frequency: every 2–15 minutes depending on the time of day
The metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get around Barcelona. It’s reliable and takes you from point A to B in no time.
The network is extensive and covers almost the entire city. No matter where you are, you’re usually just a short walk from a metro station.
There are 12 metro lines in total. Here are a few that take you to popular places:
- El Prat Airport: L9 (orange)
- Barceloneta Beach: L4 (yellow)
- Sagrada Família: L2 (purple) and L5 (blue)
- Park Güell: L3 (green)
The main hub is Plaça Catalunya, where you can easily switch between metro lines and other types of Barcelona public transportation.
Download the official metro map here
To enter the metro, just hold your ticket up to the card reader at the turnstile. You don’t need to scan it again when exiting — the barriers will open automatically.
How to Use Buses in Barcelona
- Operating hours: daily 5 am–11 pm, night buses approx. 10 pm–5 am
- Frequency: every 5–15 minutes, every 20–30 minutes in the evening and at night
The bus network in Barcelona is also excellent. With over 200 lines, it covers the entire city.
While the metro is usually faster, buses can take you to places that the metro doesn’t reach — especially outlying neighborhoods.
When you get on the bus, scan your ticket at the card reader near the door. You don’t need to scan again when getting off.
How to Use Funiculars in Barcelona
- Operating hours: Mon–Thu and Sun 7 am–9 pm, Fri and Sat until 10 pm
- Frequency: every 10–20 minutes
Barcelona even has a funicular railway as part of its public transport system. The most useful one for visitors is the Funicular de Montjuïc, which takes you up Montjuïc Hill — one of Barcelona’s most popular sights.
The funicular leaves from Paral·lel metro station. You can transfer directly between the metro and funicular without leaving the station.
How to Use the Tram in Barcelona
- Operating hours: Mon–Thu and Sun 5 am–midnight, Fri and Sat until 2 am
- Frequency: every 5–15 minutes on weekdays, every 20–25 minutes at night and on weekends
Barcelona’s trams — or streetcars — are part of the public transport system too. There are six lines in total.
They mainly serve the outer districts and less central areas, so tourists usually don’t need them.
If you do take one, just scan your ticket at the reader near the door, just like on the bus.
How to Use Trains in Barcelona
- Operating hours: daily from 5 am to 11 pm
- Frequency: every 5–15 minutes on weekdays, every 15–30 minutes in the evening and on weekends
The suburban trains run by Rodalies de Catalunya and FGC are perfect for day trips from Barcelona. They connect the city with more than 70 towns across the region.
These trains are a good option if you want to travel beyond the city center. For example, the R1 line heading north takes you to Blanes on the Costa Brava in about an hour.
At train stations, you’ll find ticket validation machines or entry gates where you scan your ticket before boarding.
Extra Tip: Hop-on/Hop-off Buses in Barcelona
A fun alternative to public transport in Barcelona is the hop-on hop-off bus. It’s a great way to see all the main attractions without having to worry about navigating the metro or bus system.
While regular Barcelona public transport tickets are cheaper, the hop-on hop-off buses include an audio guide with interesting facts about the places you pass. Plus, you’ll enjoy a great view of the city from the open-top deck.
You can buy a ticket for 24 or 48 hours and hop on and off as often as you like within that time frame.
There are two companies offering hop-on hop-off tours in Barcelona. We recommend Bus Turístic, which we’ve personally used and had a great experience with.
Book your hop-on hop-off ticket with Bus Turístic
FAQ About Barcelona Public Transport
Are you able to explore Barcelona on foot?
Most of Barcelona’s sights are located in the city center, which you can easily explore on foot.
If you can’t or don’t want to walk that much or your hotel is a little out of town, you can easily use the public transport network.
The metro, bus and the like also make it easy to get to the highlights that are located in less central parts of Barcelona – such as Park Güell or the two city mountains Montjuïc and Tibidabo.
What is the best way to get around Barcelona?
In Barcelona, the best way to get around is often the metro. The metro network is very well developed. You will find a metro station within a few minutes’ walk of all the major sights. It’s also usually the quickest way to get from A to B.
The bus network is also really good and reliable and covers the whole city.
What is the best way to get from the airport to the city?
You will either land directly in Barcelona at El Prat de Llobregat Airport or at Girona Airport, around 90 kilometers north of Barcelona.
There are various ways to get to the city from Barcelona’s airports.
Our favorite from El Prat is the Aerobus, which takes you to the city center in around 35 minutes. Our recommendation from Girona is the Sagalés shuttle bus. This will take you to Barcelona’s city center in 75 minutes.
Neither option is part of Barcelona’s public transport system, but you can travel directly to the city center in comfort without having to change buses and get great value for money.
To the ticket for the Aerobus from El Prat
To the ticket for the Sagalés shuttle bus from Girona
Which app is available for public transport in Barcelona?
There are several public transport apps for Barcelona, e.g. the official app of Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), which operates most bus and metro services. However, the reviews are mixed.
Our personal recommendation for finding out how to get from A to B is Google Maps. We got on really well with it.
When you call up the route to your destination, the app shows you exactly which lines you can take, where you get on, change and get off.
Is public transportation in Barcelona accessible?
Yes, all public transportation in Barcelona is equipped with wide doors, ramps and reserved spaces for wheelchair users.
Most metro stations and train stations have elevators. You can find out exactly which ones on the website of TMB, the company that operates the metro.
The cable car to Montjuïc also has accessible cabins for wheelchair users.
Is public transport in Barcelona good with children?
Yes, public transport in Barcelona is well suited for traveling with children. There are child-friendly fares and the barrier-free entrances make it easy to take a baby carriage with you.
Are there discounts for children and senior citizens?
Children up to the age of 3 can travel free of charge on Barcelona’s public transport system. From the age of 4, the regular ticket price also applies for children.
Discounts for senior citizens are only available if they have a permanent residence in Barcelona.
Which means of transportation are not part of public transport?
The hop-on/hop-off buses and the shuttle buses of the private providers Aerobus and Sagalés, which take you from El Prat or Girona airport to the city, are not part of Barcelona’s public transport system.
You also cannot use the Funicular del Tibidabo funicular and the Telefèric de Montjuïc cable car with your public transport ticket. You need extra tickets for these.
Which ticket is best for a large group?
If you are traveling with a large group and want to use public transport occasionally or frequently, it is best to buy the T-Grup for 84.80 euros (zone 1).
It includes 70 journeys within 30 days for an unlimited number of travelers. The airport transfer by metro is not included.
You can change as many times as you want within 75 minutes without it counting as a new journey.
You can buy the T-Grup like the other tickets from a ticket machine.
Which ticket is best for a longer stay?
If you are in Barcelona for longer and want to use public transport often, the T-Usual ticket for 21.35 euros (zone 1) is worthwhile.
With the T-Usual ticket, you can travel as much as you like on public transport in Barcelona for 30 days. It is only valid for one person.
Travel on the metro between the airport and the city is not included.
You simply buy it from a ticket machine.
These were our tips for Barcelona’s public transportation
Do you have questions or tips of your own about how to get around Barcelona? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!