Getting Around Barcelona

Barcelona is compact and superbly connected, and most visitors rely on the metro and their feet. Here is the simple version that works for almost everyone.

The metro (TMB)

The TMB metro is fast, frequent, air-conditioned, and reaches every sight in this guide. It runs until midnight on weekdays, 2am on Fridays, and all night on Saturdays. Buy a T-casual (10 single journeys, shareable across one person's trips) for the best value, or a Hola Barcelona travel card for unlimited days. A single ride is around 2.65 euros; the T-casual works out much cheaper per trip.

Watch your pockets

Barcelona's metro, especially Line 3 (green) through the tourist core, and crowded stations are notorious for pickpockets. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag, be wary of staged jostling near the doors, and stay alert when boarding and alighting.

Buses, trams & funiculars

Buses fill the gaps the metro doesn't reach and use the same tickets; the tram serves the outer districts. To reach the hilltops, the Montjuïc cable car and the Tibidabo funicular and tram are attractions in themselves.

Walking & cycling

The old city and the Eixample are very walkable, and walking is the best way to experience the Gothic Quarter and El Born. The city is fairly flat and has good bike lanes; the Bicing share scheme is for residents, but plenty of shops rent bikes to visitors.

From El Prat airport

From Barcelona-El Prat, the Aerobús runs to Plaça Catalunya in about 35 minutes, the R2 Nord train and the L9 Sud metro also connect to the city. All are far cheaper than a taxi, which costs around 30-40 euros to the centre.