Looking for information about Barcelona airport? In this guide we answer your biggest questions about using the airport for your stay on the Costa Brava.
While Girona-Costa Brava Airport was built to serve the northern stretch of Catalonia’s coastline, Barcelona-El Prat is dwarfs it. Barcelona has more airlines and routes, flights are more frequent and the terminals have all the facilities you’d expect from an airport serving one of the most popular cities in Europe.
Barcelona Airport (Pixabay)
Barcelona Airport consists of two terminals. T1 opened in 2009, while T2 is made up of what were Terminals A, B and C, now mainly used by low cost operators. In 2017 (the last year for which figures are available) more than 47 million passengers used the airport.
Barcelona Airport dwarfs Girona and because it connects with so many more destinations across the globe it’s where many holidaymakers fly to. If that’s you and you need to know how to reach your holiday accommodation then read on.
But there’s more. If you arrive late or are heading home on an early flight you may need a hotel close to the airport. Or you may want to find out what facilities to expect for the return journey.
Learn all that and more in this article. And if you’ve still got a question at the end then please leave a comment so we can help you out!
When you arrive
While inside the air-conditioned terminal building you won’t fully appreciate the difference in climate until you exit. And in summer the heat blasts you as you step outside onto the pavement.
- Disembarking: Arriving at T1 you’ll enter the terminal directly via a gangway from the aircraft. If you arrive at T2 you may disembark via a gangway connected to the terminal. Otherwise you’ll use steps down to the tarmac then cover the short distance to the terminal on foot or by bus. Ground staff will be on hand in case you have any doubts.
- Passport control: If you’ve arrived from the UK, Ireland, USA or anywhere else outside the Schengen Area then you’ll go through passport control.
- Getting to baggage reclaim: Next you need to follow the signs for the baggage reclaim area, where you can collect any checked-in luggage. Depending on which gate your flight arrived at it can sometimes be quite a distance in both terminals.
- Collecting your luggage: When you get to the baggage reclaim hall you should consult the screen for details of which carousel is serves your flight. It’s a good opportunity to visit the toilets while you wait for the first cases to appear.
- Main arrivals: Once you have all your luggage go through customs and into the main arrivals area.
Congratulations, you’ve arrived in Barcelona. But unless you’re being collected at the airport then you still need to get to your accommodation. So let’s take a look at how to do that!
Getting to your destination
While the longest leg of your journey is now completed, you can’t put your feet up just yet.
How you complete your journey is dependent on a number of factors. These include your final destination, time of arrival, number of passengers and cost.
A taxi arrives at Barcelona Airport (Pixabay)
Travel options from the airport
Train
Reaching your destination directly by train isn’t really an option, but by travelling to either Girona or Figueres you’ll be able to continue to most beach resorts by bus or another mode of transport.
Trains aren’t expensive and the rail network is modern. It doesn’t always run on time though and if you’re relying on connecting to a specific bus you need to take that into account. The bus won’t wait for you, no matter how much you want it to!
Generally I’d take the train from T2 to Sants and continue to Girona or Figueres from there. Sants is one of Barcelona worst places for pickpockets though so another option is to continue Sant Celoni, from where you can get the same trains.
You’ll need to buy a ticket prior to boarding, either from the ticket office or one of the numerous machines at the airport.
You can get to Blanes direct from the airport though. It’s easiest to take the train from T2 to Sants. From there you’ll want the train headed in the direction of Maçanet-Massanes, which stops at Blanes. You can also get to Llançà, Colera and Portbou directly from Barcelona and these trains run frequently throughout the day.
Train timetables change a couple of times a year. For the most up to date information on train times click the link below and enter your starting location and destination.
Check current timetables on Renfe’s website
Bus
From Barcelona Airport there are limited services to the Costa Brava. If you take the bus or train to Girona, Figueres and a number of other towns though you can complete your journey using by bus to many locations.
Buses from Barcelona Airport
Terminal 1: After going through customs walk straight on – or as straight as you can. There is a cafeteria right in the middle of the floor which I fond disorienting.
After about 100 metres go through the first set of glass doors. To your right you’ll see escalators to the ground floor, which is just one way of getting down. Assuming you take this down escalator, exit the building through the rotating glass doors.
You’ll find multiple bus bays here, so look out for services provided by Sagalés or Moventis/Sarfa. Or, if you’re headed for Barcelona, you can use the Aerobus.
In case you can’t find Barcelona Airport, timetables sometimes list it as Aeroport del Prat de Llobregat.
Terminal 2: The bus stop for Terminal 2 is outside terminal T2B. It’s so long since I’ve used the bus from Barcelona airport I’m not sure if it stops at other bus stops along the length of T2 so to be safe head for this one.
Don’t be surprised when the bus heads for T1 before heading to Barcelona and beyond.
Blanes (via Costa Maresme)
603/614: Multiple buses throughout the day to Blanes.
Operated by Sagalés: Timetable
The bus services below aren’t very frequent and so only useful if they coincide well with your flight arrival time:
Southern Costa Brava
Operated by Moventis/Sarfa: Timetable
Central Costa Brava (also includes L’Escala)
Operated by Moventis/Sarfa: Timetable
Northern Costa Brava
Operated by Moventis/Sarfa: Timetable
Buses from Caldes de Malavella
The station here dates from way back when and is one of the most picturesque you’ll see and is a useful alternative for a couple of destinations. The bus goes from the car park right in front of the station.
Buses from Girona station
Girona’s bus station is right in front of the train station.
Buses from Flaçà
Less than a quarter of an hour beyond Girona is Flaça, where you can connect with a bus headed for L’Escala. From L’Escala you can also get to Torroella de Montgrí and Estartit.
Buses from Figueres
The bus station is just off the square in front of the railway station.
Car hire
If you need to get to your resort town from Barcelona Airport and plan on exploring the region while visiting then really renting a car is a no-brainer.
It’ll cost quite a bit more than using public transport but you’re not fixed to any timetable but your own, lending you the ultimate in flexibility. Depending on the traffic when you arrive, you’ll probably arrive at your destination faster.
Crime and rental cars
One potential downside apart from expense is that rental cars are sometimes targeted by petty criminals. You might want to remove any rental company stickers displayed on the windows if you’re planning on leaving the car unattended.
A few years ago we went to Platja d’Aro for lunch with friends visiting from the UK. When they returned to the main car park for their car they found a rear window had been smashed and the seats folded down to access the boot.
Luckily they had nothing in the car to steal, but it was conspicuous by the car rental company logo. Although nothing was stolen it’s best to avoid this kind of stress.
If at all possible I’d try and avoid Friday evenings too. The traffic out of Barcelona headed to the coast is terrible in the summer and you can end up stuck on the motorway for hours.
But once you’re in your hotel, villa or apartment then you can easily get to the beach or supermarkets and visit Girona, Figueres or wherever else you might want to visit. You really want to enjoy your holiday then it’s pretty much essential unless you want to stick to the beach all day every day.
- Pre-book your hire car: you’ll get a better price by booking a hire car online and cut down on paperwork at airport.
- Car rental desks: In T1 you’ll find a number of car rental desks in the arrivals area after going through customs. T2 where?
If you’re from the EU then you’ll be able to use your standard EU driving licence to hire a car. Non-EU licence holders must have an international driving licence.
Auto Europe compares rates between different car companies to ensure you get the best rate.
Taxi
The taxi rank is right out front of both T1 and T2. At T1 you need to go down to level 0, where you should find a line of taxis waiting. At T2 you exit the terminal building at ground level so the taxi rank is easy to find.
Depending on whether a number of flights have just arrived you may have to queue. However there are usually plenty of taxis available.
The airport means easy pickings for the drivers but it can be frustrating when you can’t find a single taxi in the city centre as a result.
If you’re staying in Barcelona then a taxi from the airport costs between around €30 and €35. But if your destination is the Costa Brava then you’ll may think twice about paying for a metered taxi. If there are four or five it’s not so bad, but for one or two it’ll probably cost more than your flights!
But if you take a taxi to Sants Station you can continue from there by train or bus. If you’re in a rush to board a particular train at Sants it can make all the difference. Been there, done it!
Private transfer
If you prefer to pay a fixed amount for your onward journey then a Private Transfer may suit you better.
You’ll be met in arrivals by someone holding a sign with your name. Drivers track incoming flights and so even if your flight is delayed there will be someone to meet you.
If a number of people are in your party then prices can work out very affordably, the as 2018 example prices to Platja d’Aro and L’Escala show:
Platja d’Aro
- €170 for 1-4 passengers
€42.50 to €170 per person, depending on number - €195 for 5-7 passengers
€27.86 to €39 per person - €230 for 8-12 passengers
€19.17 to €28.75 per person - €275 for 13 to 16 passengers
€17.19 to €21.15 per person
L’Escala
- €207 for 1-4 passengers
€51.75 to €207 per person, depending on number - €229 for 5-7 passengers
€32.71 to €45.80 per person - €276 for 8-12 passengers
€23 to €34.50 per person - €304 for 13 to 16 passengers
€19 to €23.38 per person
When you leave
If you’re departing from Barcelona airport then you can use the same transport links in reverse. Ideally make sure you know which terminal your flight departs from, but if you do make a mistake there is a free shuttle bus between terminals.
Looking from one of the terminal buildings at Barcelona Airport (Pixabay)
For more information on the two terminals see the articles below. There you’ll find advice on check-in, security and passport control. You’ll also find information on facilities in the departures lounge, including food and shopping.
WiFi
WiFi is available throughout the airport, although you need to give your email address etc to gain access. These days, with international roaming, I never bother using airport WiFi when travelling in Europe. Any data usage is included in my regular monthly allowance.
