How to get to Barcelona from Girona Airport

by David | Barcelona flights

Despite Ryanair’s insistence on calling the airport “Barcelona Girona Airport“, if you’re flying there you need to be aware that it is around 100 km from Barcelona and is actually called “Girona-Costa Brava Airport“, airport code GRO – they also do this trick with Reus Aiport, which they call “Barcelona Reus”.

Despite this criticism, Ryanair has done a lot to create employment in the area by using the airport as one of its hubs and the result is a constant stream of construction projects to deal with the ever-increasing number of flights.

Originally the airport was constructed at the behest of local hoteliers, who wanted an airport to cater for tourists arriving in Catalonia headed for the Costa Brava, and for most of its life has been a sleepy little affair with poor facilities. However, these days it is in full action all year round and has modern terminals and facilities and more and more parking.

Bus

Many people arriving at Girona Airport use the bus service to complete their journey to Barcelona, which takes around 90 minutes. Sagales operates the Barcelona Bus service, which coincides with Ryanair arrivals throughout the day. However, be careful to get on the right bus, as the company has buses headed for several locations. The cost of the bus service to Barcelona is currently €12, and so quite cost effective.

The buses are usually located outside arrivals, but due to the chaos caused by construction work they may be diverted to a different location at the airport. The bus then travels direct to Estació del Nord, from where you can take a taxi to your destination, or take the short walk to the Arc de Triomf metro station – you can download a Barcelona metro map for further details.

One of the other buses takes you to Girona Station, from where you can take the train to Barcelona.

Train

The train service between Girona and Barcelona takes about 90 minutes and runs about every hour except at peak times. The Catalunya Express is just €7.05, but generally I’d avoid the Regional trains that stop at more stations and have very uncomfortable seats that have no head support and are therefore difficult to sleep in. You can find an up to date timetable on the RENFE website.

In Barcelon the train stops at Clot Arago, Passeig de Gràcia and Sants stations, from where you can complete your journey by taxi or metro.

Car hire

If you want to be independent of public transport then car hire is also an option. The following car hire companies operate from Girona Airport:

Hertz
Avis
Europcar

For Barcelona follow the signs for the AP7, which will take you on to the toll motorway to Barcelona, or alternatively you can follow the NII, which runs next to the sea for the stretch before it reaches Barcelona.

If you are returning your car to Girona Airport and want to fill up, there is an apparent lack of petrol stations. If you arrive from the motorway you should turn right at the roundabout next to the airport and head for about a kilometre before you’ll find somewhere to fill up, after which you can turn around and return you car without incurring their fee for filling up.