Getting There and Away

Written by Celine Fournier, David Garcia, Javier Garcia
31/08/2025
Stunning aerial view of the Sagrada Familia amidst the urban landscape of Barcelona, Spain.
Archie McNicol, Pexels

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) serves as the main international air hub. For rail travel, Barcelona Sants is the city's principal train station, and Estació del Nord operates as the central hub for long-distance bus services.

Flights:

Flights arrive at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN), located approximately 12-15 km southwest of the city center . Many airlines, including budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet, offer routes from various European cities, with prices for short-haul flights sometimes starting from around £14.99 - £29 (approx. €17-€34) . However, some budget airlines may land at Girona or Reus airports, which are over an hour away by bus, incurring an additional bus fare of approximately €25 for a return ticket . For transatlantic travel, flights from destinations like New York can be found starting from around $287 (approx. €260) . Recent reports indicate occasional flight delays and cancellations due to weather or operational issues .

Trains:

Barcelona Sants station is a major railway hub connecting the city nationally and internationally . High-speed trains, such as AVE, Iryo, Ouigo, Avlo, and TGV INOUI, link Barcelona with major Spanish cities like Madrid (fastest journeys around 2 hours 37 minutes, from £13.64 / €16-€25) and Malaga (around 5 hours 50 minutes, from €45-€46), as well as destinations in France . For example, first-class tickets from Madrid to Barcelona on Iryo can be found for under £60 (around €63) . Direct train services from London to Barcelona are also available, with tickets starting from €48.82 .

Buses:

Estació del Nord is Barcelona's main long-distance bus terminal, offering connections to numerous Spanish and European cities . Companies like Alsa and FlixBus operate routes, with prices for intercity travel often starting from $14.48 - $15.48 (approx. €13-€14) . For instance, a bus from Paris to Barcelona can take around 13-14 hours and cost from €34-€36.98 . Overnight sleeper bus services, such as Twiliner, will begin operating in November 2025, offering lie-flat beds and amenities for routes connecting to cities like Zurich and Amsterdam, with one-way fares starting at €180 . Buses to Barcelona also arrive at Estacion Autobuses Barcelona Sants, which offers convenient transfers to the Metro network .

Car Rentals:

Car rental services are available at both Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Barcelona Sants train station . Rental costs vary, with some deals found as low as $9.71/day (approx. €9) for companies like Ok Mobility . SUV rentals are popular, averaging around $54/day (approx. €50) . Users frequently advise purchasing full insurance to avoid potential charges for minor damages .

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