The Barcelona Airport Train Service

by Greg | Barcelona flights

Arguably the fastest, most direct way to get from the main Barcelona airport, El Prat, into the city centre is to take the Barcelona Airport Train.

Taking about 25 minutes, and at a cost of only 2.80 euros, the train runs from the station at the airport from 6 am right through to midnight. The station itself is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the main entrance of the airport, but much of that is now on a moving walkway. Although the path to the airport runs above ground level, disabled passengers or those with children in pushchairs or even with just lots of luggage need have no fears as there are good-sized elevators at both ends. Just come out of the main entrance and look left and follow the signs to the Tren.

The trains run approximately every 30 minutes and are well-designed so that there is plenty of luggage/buggy space. For those wanting to go right into the heart of the old city, head for Passeig de Gracia, which is just a 10 minute walk from Plaça Catalunya and close to the hotels of Eixample. An alternative stop is Barcelona Sants station which, although a little further out from the centre, is, nevertheless, the site of a bus station with connections to everywhere. There’s also, as with Passeig de Gracia, a Metro station. Estació Sants has the added bonus of being directly underneath quite a reasonable Barcelo Hotel, which can be an excellent base for a stay in the city.

Tickets for the Barcelona Airport train can be bought at machines in the station and, although they are quite cheaply priced, you can make them even more of a bargain by buying a T10, which allows you 10 journeys on public transport (including the airport train) for just 7.70 euros. If you are spending longer in Barcelona, it is worth looking at the possibility of purchasing a Barcelona Card for your transport as that also offers discounts on many of the city’s attractions.
In terms of convenience and cost, the Barcelona airport train certainly takes some beating.