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Barcelona Transport Tickets and Travel Cards

Find out about the different types of tickets and transport card available in Barcelona and save money . 

Your use of Barcelona’s public transport system will depend on how long you’re staying in the city and where you’ve found accommodation. When you have this information, you can check the city’s various types of transport tickets and travel cards:

Single ticket

A one-way public transport journey in Barcelona  costs € 2.40 ( US$ 2.60)  and is only valid for a one-way journey without any transfers between the various means of transportation. You can purchase a single ticket in any of the ticket offices and ticket vending machines at the entrance of any of the city’s subway stations or from the bus drivers.

The T-Dia transport ticket is an individual travel card that gives users unlimited access to all of Barcelona’s transport system from when it's first validated to the end of the service (not valid for 24 hours).

The T - Casual travel card is a 10-journey ticket and allows transfers, but only in a limited time frame. You can use up to four different types of means of transport and three changes. 

T-familiar card

The T-familiar card is the best option if you want to buy a pass to share with several people. It includes 8 journeys with transfers that can be used for 30 days. However, it's important to note that it does not include the journey from the airport to the center of Barcelona.

• Travel Card Hola BCN!

The travel card Hola BCN! is the perfect travel pass for travelers that are visiting Barcelona for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days. It includes unlimited access to the city’s public transport and includes metro journeys between the Airport and the city center. Read more about this travel card in the following article:

• Barcelona Card

The Barcelona Card is a tourist pass that encompasses unlimited journeys on the city’s public transport and also includes hundreds of discounts and free entrances to various landmarks and museums. For more information, check out the following article:

What transport systems are included?

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona – TMB’s transport tickets and travel cards can be used on the following transport systems:

• Renfe and FGC suburban trains

Other means of transport in Barcelona like the two cable cars , the Blue Tram and the Hop-on, Hop-off Tour have their own tickets and rates.

Where to purchase TMB’s tickets?

The single tickets can be purchased at any subway station either in the vending machines or the ticket offices. You can also buy a ticket from any bus driver or tourist information center and TMB’s customer support offices.

The T-Día and T-10 tickets are also available in any newspaper to stand thanks to the Servicaixa service.

The Barcelona Card and travel cards Hola BCN! are available at any tourist information center in Barcelona.

Important information

• Most of Barcelona’s main attractions are situated in zone 1 , so unless you're staying in another zone, you won’t have to worry about getting transport tickets for various zones.
• This article focuses on tickets and travel cards that are most useful for tourists and travelers that are staying in Barcelona for up to a week . If you're planning on visiting Barcelona for longer, we suggest checking out TMB’s official website .

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T-casual metro travel card Barcelona Featured

10 Best Barcelona Public Transport Tickets (For Easy Travel)

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, you’ll soon see just how valuable that epic metro and bus system is for getting you from sight to sight. But with so many Barcelona public transport ticket options, it’s true that it can all get a bit overwhelming.

In particular, it often feels like you’re in a bit of a maze trying to figure out which ticket is best for your travel plans. 

But hey, that’s where I come in! Given that I live in Spain and have spent a good chunk of time wandering the streets of Barcelona, I’ve got the insider scoop on navigating its public transport like a pro.

FYI: Want free public transport while you’re in Barcelona? Take a look at the Hola Barcelona Travel Card , which gives free use of all metros, trams, buses and more – even the metro to and from the airport, which is normally €10.30 for a return trip!

Table of Contents

Barcelona public transport tickets

1. single ticket.

Alright, starting with the basics: the single ticket. You grab one of these when you’re not really planning on using public transport much but need a quick ride. 

It’s valid for one journey on the metro, buses, trams, and FGC railway. Keep in mind though, if you exit a system (say, you go from the metro to the tram), you’ll need a new ticket. 

You should also note that if you plan to use public transport even a few times during your trip, the single trip isn’t the most cost effective option (as I’ll get into in more detail below!)

And remember, these tickets don’t work for the Aerobús (the bus service to the airport) – so if you’re catching a flight, plan accordingly by getting the Aerobús ticket here instead.

Price: €2.40

2. Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Now, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is where it gets interesting for tourists who are also frequent riders. This card is perfect if you’re here for a short stay and anticipate using public transport multiple times a day – as all public transport is FREE with this card .

You don’t have to worry about buying a ticket every time; just hop on and off. Plus, it covers a wider area, including rides from the airport on the metro and the RENFE train. 

The various durations (from 48 to 120 hours) mean you can tailor it to your stay, making this one of the best ways for tourists to get around Barcelona . Just a heads-up, make sure you activate it only when you’re ready to start using it because the clock starts ticking right away!

Buy your Hola Barcelona Travel Card here!

• 48 hours (two days): €16.40 (i.e. €8.20 per day)
• 72 hours (three days): €23.80 (i.e. €7.93 per day)
• 96 hours (four days): €31 (i.e. €7.75 per day)
• 120 hours (five days): €38.20 (i.e. €7.64 per day)

3. Barcelona Card

The Barcelona Card is like the Swiss Army knife of Barcelona passes. After all, this card gives you the freedom of the city. 

Like the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, you get unlimited rides on public transport with this one …so what’s the difference?

Well, it’s not just for transport!  It also opens doors to a bunch of places without you constantly reaching for your wallet. 

That is, many museums are free with this card, and you get discounts at restaurants, shops, and even some shows. It comes in different durations too (from 72 to 120 hours), so you just have to pick the one that matches your adventure timeline. 

For visitors to the city, especially when it’s your first time here, it’s also super handy because it comes with a guidebook, making it easier to plan out your days.

Grab your Barcelona Card here.

For people aged 13 and up:

• €53 for the 3 day (72 hour) Barcelona Card
• €63 for the 4 day (96 hour) Barcelona Card
• €75 for the 5 day (120 hour) Barcelona Card

For kids aged 12 and under:

• €30 for the 3 day (72 hour) Barcelona Card
• €40 for the 4 day (96 hour) Barcelona Card
• €45 for the 5 day (120 hour) Barcelona Card

4. T-casual card

Meet the T-casual card, a favorite among many locals who don’t need all the bells and whistles of things like the Hola Barcelona Card and the Barcelona Card, which are aimed more at visitors to the city.

Instead, this card gives you 10 trips on buses, metro, trams, and the FGC railway, making it one of the cheapest options for traveling around Barcelona . It also doesn’t expire, so you can use the trips whenever you want. 

It’s a great middle ground if you’re in Barcelona for a bit but aren’t planning on zipping around every single day. Just a heads-up though: unlike some other cards, this one’s only for individual use. So, if you’re traveling with a friend, they’ll need their own.

Price: 1 zone – from €11.35

5. Airport ticket

Alright, the Airport ticket is pretty straightforward. Landing at Barcelona’s El Prat airport and need a hassle-free ride to the city center? This is your go-to. 

It’s specially designed for the metro line L9 Sud, which connects both Barcelona airport terminals with the city. Remember, this journey isn’t covered by the regular single ticket or the T-casual card, so if you’re thinking of taking the metro from the airport, grab one of these. 

It’ll save you any unexpected hiccups or surprises when you’re just trying to start your vacation or head back home.

(Or don’t forget that both the Hola Barcelona Travel Card and the Barcelona Card include public transport from the airport! Just keep in mind that the Barcelona Card is valid from first use and that from then until midnight counts as one day – not 24 hours from first use, which is how it’s counted for the Hola Barcelona one. 

This means that the Hola Barcelona card could be better for you here, depending on when you land.)

Price: €5.15

6. T-familiar card

Here’s a shoutout to all the families and small groups: the T-familiar card. It’s designed specifically for you guys. 

Offering 8 trips, this card is valid for 30 days from the first validation. The real MVP feature? Multiple people can use it at the same time. 

So, if you’re a group of 3, you can hop on the metro and use just the one card, rather than having to shuffle through your things and find three different ones.

Whether it’s family outings or a weekend getaway with buddies, this card’s got your back. Just remember, once you start using it, make sure to use up those 8 rides within a month!

Price: 1 zone – from €10

7. T-usual card

The T-usual card is a gem for anyone spending a solid chunk of time in the city and using public transport regularly. With this card in your pocket, you get unlimited trips over 30 consecutive days. 

Yep, you read that right! Use it as a metro, tram or bus ticket in Barcelona by just hopping on and off as you please. It’s like a monthly subscription to the city’s transport, without any cap on the number of daily rides. 

Keep in mind though that this one’s personal, so it’s just for you and can’t be shared with friends or family.

Price: 1 zone – from €20

8. T-grup card

Got the whole team with you in Barcelona? Say hello to the T-grup card. 

This is perfect for larger groups, think school trips or big family vacations. It offers a generous 70 trips, and the best part is that these trips can be used by multiple people simultaneously. 

It’s super flexible and designed to make group travel a breeze. However, there’s a tiny catch – you gotta use up those 70 trips within 30 days. 

But if you’ve got a big group and lots of places to see, this could be your golden ticket!

Price: 1 zone – from €79.45

9. T-jove card

Alright, young travelers, this one’s especially for you – the T-jove card! Targeted at those under 30, it’s like a golden ticket to exploring Barcelona without burning a hole in your pocket. 

For a set price, you get unlimited trips on pretty much every mode of public transport – metro, tram, bus, you name it – for 90 consecutive days. The beauty of the T-jove? It’s designed to be budget-friendly for younger folks who might be studying or just exploring Barcelona on a tighter budget. 

One catch is that it’s only available through T-mobilitat , which is the Barcelona public transport system’s app allowing for contactless card payment and usage within the network.

(Although I’m not sure that’s much of a catch as it’s such a great app to have – instead of having to carry around individual paper tickets that seem to get destroyed no matter how well I take care of them!)

So, if you qualify age-wise and are planning on being in the city for a while, this card is a no-brainer.

10. T-4 card

The T-4 card gives pensioners or those with a recognized disability discounted journeys on Barcelona public transport. The catch for tourists is that you have to be registered as a resident in the Barcelona metropolitan area, so this isn’t going to be available to you if you’re just passing through the city.

But if you’re moving here, this can be a great way to get some cheaper travel. Check the TMB site for the specific requirements and you’ll soon be on your way.

Price: 1 zone – €2

What ticket should I buy for the Barcelona metro?

For a quick ride or two, the single ticket is your best bet. If you’re zipping around town over a few days, consider the Hola Barcelona Travel Card. For those combining transport with sightseeing, the Barcelona Card might be your match.

Now, the single ticket is pretty straightforward and is great for a one-off ride. But on a per ride basis, it’s not the cheapest option.

Instead, if you plan to use the metro a couple of times a day and are here long enough to use up the 10 passes it offers, you may want to get the T-usual card.

However, if you expect to use the metro more than a couple of times each day during a vacation , which tends to be shorter in length, that’s where the Hola Barcelona Travel Card comes into play. It offers unlimited rides for periods from 48 to 120 hours. 

Meanwhile, the Barcelona Card offers the added bonus of entry or discounts to various attractions, making it a solid choice for those wanting to experience both the city’s transport and its iconic spots.

What is the best metro card for Barcelona tourists?

For tourists in Barcelona for a short stay, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is a top pick. If you’re blending travel with sightseeing, the Barcelona Card is a winner. And for those in groups or families, the T-familiar card can be a lifesaver.

Expanding on this, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card offers flexibility with its various time options, from 48 to 120 hours. It’s a breeze for tourists who don’t want the hassle of buying individual tickets. 

The Barcelona Card goes a step further, providing not just unlimited transport but also a bunch of free entries and discounts. 

The T-familiar card, on the other hand, is perfect for groups with its shared-use feature and 8 trips on offer.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling alone and don’t think you’ll use the metro enough times each day to justify one of the tourist-specific cards, check out the T-casual card.

Is a Barcelona transport pass worth it?

Absolutely, especially if you’re planning on moving around a lot. The various Barcelona transport passes aimed at tourists offer unlimited rides on buses, trams, and the metro, including to and from the airport. Plus, some passes come with extra perks like museum entries or discounts.

The key here is to think about your travel plans. If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to explore every nook and cranny of the city, then these transport passes are a godsend, saving you both time and money. 

For instance, the Barcelona Card not only covers your rides but also gives you access to some of the city’s must-visit places. 

In the end, the value of the transport pass really depends on how you plan to explore the city. For many, it’s a smart investment that leads to smoother and more enjoyable Barcelona adventures.

How do tourists get Barcelona public transport tickets?

Tourists can buy public transport tickets at automated ticket machines found at metro stations, tram stops, and TMB bus stations. You also now have the option of buying them through an app. Additionally, some tickets like the Barcelona Card can be purchased online in advance.

As an added bonus, many of the ticket machines accept credit and debit cards, so no need to worry about having cash on hand (although it’s always a good idea to have some for emergencies). 

And as a new feature, TMB (the company running Barcelona’s public transport) now has T-mobilitat , a contactless ticketing and validation system within the public transport network.

On here, you can buy a range of tickets, including:

For those looking to buy the Hola Barcelona Travel Card or the Barcelona Card , you can buy them online in advance at the links just used. 

Just note that, for both of them, you do have to pick them up in person once you get to Barcelona (although that can be done at a ton of places both at the airport and in the center of the city).

How do I pay for public transport in Barcelona?

You can pay for public transport using cash, credit, or debit cards at ticket machines. For buses, you can buy tickets on board with cash or card. You can also use the T-mobilitat app to buy tickets through your phone.

Once you get the hang of it, the payment process is super easy. The automated ticket machines located at metro and tram stations are pretty user-friendly. They’ll guide you step-by-step, and you can switch to English (or several other languages) if needed. 

If you’re on a bus and paying by cash, they’ll likely only be able to accept up to a certain amount, as they don’t carry unlimited amounts of change.

And for those tech-savvy travelers, Barcelona’s public transport app, T-mobilitat, can be a game-changer, allowing you to handle everything right from your phone.

How much does public transport cost in Barcelona?

The cost varies depending on the type of ticket or card you choose. For example, a single ticket for one ride costs €2.40, whereas a T-casual card with 10 journeys costs €11.35 for one zone, meaning you’ll pay €1.13 per ride.

Breaking it down, the single ticket is your basic option, and it’s priced the lowest since it’s just for one ride. However, as you can see, on a per ride basis, it’s not even close to being the cheapest. 

(Prices are regularly updated though, so it’s best to check the official TMB website or at ticket machines for the most current rates.)

As you explore more comprehensive travel cards, like the Hola Barcelona Travel Card or the Barcelona Card, the prices increase, but so do the benefits and conveniences. 

Always keep in mind your travel needs and itinerary. For someone who’s going to use public transport multiple times a day, those unlimited cards can be quite cost-effective. 

On the other hand, if you’re mainly walking or biking around, you might want to stick with single tickets or a T-casual card. Always weigh the costs against your plans to get the best bang for your buck!

Can you use a credit card for public transport in Barcelona?

Yes, you can use a credit card to purchase public transport tickets in Barcelona. Automated ticket machines at metro stations and tram stops accept major credit cards. You can also use a credit card to buy a ticket on a bus.

The credit card option is super handy and the machines have clear instructions, with most of them being able to switch to English to make your life easier. 

Just ensure your credit card is chip-enabled and, if it’s from outside Europe, check if it’s accepted abroad without any hefty fees. 

Can you use contactless on Barcelona public transport?

You can use contactless on Barcelona public transport by installing the T-mobilitat app and purchasing and activating your tickets through there. With that, you can simply swipe your phone to enter and one journey will be taken off the selected card automatically.

This is a relatively new addition to Barcelona’s public transport system – but, in my opinion, it’s a very welcome one! You can see how to sign up with T-mobilitat here .

Can you tap in to pay on the Barcelona metro?

You can’t directly tap in with your bank card or mobile payment system to pay for a ride on the Barcelona metro. You can, however, tap in using the T-mobilitat app, assuming you’ve already bought a ticket either through the app or uploaded it to the app after buying it in person.

If you don’t have that app though, you need to first purchase a ticket or travel card, which you then tap at the access gates to enter the metro. 

Once you have your ticket or card (whether in hard copy or through the app), the process is really straightforward. Just tap it on the designated spot at the turnstiles, and voila, you’re good to go! 

Just always ensure your card has enough rides left or is still within its valid period before you tap in. Nothing’s more frustrating than rushing to catch a train only to find out your card’s tapped out!

Can you use a debit card on the Barcelona metro?

Yes, debit cards are accepted when buying tickets at automated machines in Barcelona metro stations. Just like with credit cards, ensure your debit card is chip-enabled. Also, it’s wise to verify if your card works internationally, especially if it’s from outside of Europe.

As mentioned above though, you can’t simply tap your debit card to enter the Barcelona metro. Instead, you’ll need to use it to buy a ticket or travel card beforehand.

Do buses in Barcelona take card payment?

Yes, buses in Barcelona take card payment. A card reader can be found next to the driver’s cab and if you tap your card there, you’ll be charged for a single ticket. A short one-note sound will be heard if the purchase and validation have gone through.

If there’s a problem though, you’ll hear a short two-note sound and so you’ll either have to try again or find another way to pay.

One more thing: if you’re traveling with other people and you want to pay for them on the bus with a card as well, you’ll need to touch the card as many times as there are people. Wait for the one-note sound each time and you’ll be good to go!

How do you pay for trains in Barcelona?

For trains in Barcelona, you can buy tickets at station ticket machines using cash, debit, or credit cards. These often have multi-language options, including English, to assist tourists. Once purchased, you’ll tap or insert your ticket at the entry barriers to access the train platforms.

A bit more insight: Barcelona’s train system, especially the Rodalies (commuter trains), connects the city to its suburbs and even other cities in Catalonia. 

While the buying process is pretty intuitive, always remember to keep your ticket handy till the end of your journey. You’ll need it to exit the station at your destination. 

And for regular travelers or those exploring Catalonia, there are multi-journey tickets and passes available that might offer better value.

How do you pay on the Barcelona metro?

You pay for the Barcelona metro by purchasing tickets from automated machines located at metro stations. These machines accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Once you have your ticket, you’ll tap or insert it at the barriers to access the metro platforms.

The metro system in Barcelona is extensive, and with it comes a variety of ticket options. From single ride tickets to multi-day passes, you have a plethora to choose from based on your travel needs. 

If you find yourself puzzled by the options, don’t fret; there are usually friendly staff or local commuters who can guide you (and, at least in the tourist-heavy areas of Barcelona, there’s a good chance that they’ll speak enough English to help you out). 

And just a heads up – during peak hours, the metro can get crowded, so having your ticket ready can save you some time and hassle.

How much is a single metro ticket in Barcelona?

The cost of a single metro ticket in Barcelona is currently €2.40. However, this can vary as prices are occasionally updated. For the most up-to-date prices, it’s best to check the official TMB website or inquire directly at the metro stations.

And just to hammer the point home…while the single metro ticket is straightforward, it might not be the most economical choice if you’re planning to use the metro frequently. Multi-ride cards or unlimited travel cards often provide better value for money. 

How much is the metro from Barcelona airport to the city center?

The metro line that connects Barcelona airport (both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) to the city center is the L9 Sud. The fare from the airport to the city center is currently €5.15, although, for the most recent prices, check the TMB website or ask at the airport.

This makes it slightly more expensive than other metro tickets, although it’s still a much cheaper option than taking a taxi.

That said, depending on your comfort and luggage, you might also consider the Aerobús , which is a direct bus that runs around every 10 minutes between the airport and the city center.

It’s very convenient, easy to find and perhaps a better idea than lugging your bags up and down the stairs at the metro!

Anna is the founder of Spain Inspired, where she shares insider tips and hidden gems to inspire thousands of visitors each month to take the road less traveled and explore Spain like a local. Having lived in Spain for some time now, Anna's made it her mission to help fellow travelers experience the very best of this stunning country - with some great wine and tapas along the way, ideally!

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• January 19, 2024

Transport in Barcelona – 2024

What are the different modes of transport in barcelona.

Barcelona has a wide range of high-quality public and private transportation options, connecting all neighbourhoods in the city and the surrounding areas.

• Travel for free by train
• Discover Catalunya by interurban bus
• How to park your scooter or motorbike to avoid fines
• Useful taxi apps
• To stay updated regarding temporary route changes, it's a good idea to check with the official transport authorities or use transportation apps for the latest information. Look out for announcements at transportation hubs too

Transport in Barcelona

News: changes public transport in barcelona 01-01-2024.

• New ATM ticket fares will be in force from January 15, 2024. Tickets purchased in 2023 and between 1 and 14 January 2024 expire on the 30th of April 2024.
• The ATM fare discount for the T-4, the T-70/90 FM/FN and all types of the T-usual and the T-jove continues to apply until the 31st of December 2024.
• The T-casual, T-usual, T-familiar and the T-grup are now only available with T-mobilitat and you can no longer buy the magnetic strip version. You will be able to continue validating tickets with a magnetic strip until the 30th of April 2024. Switch to T-mobilitat!
• Free season ticket for Rodalies trains, click here for more info
• Free season ticket for regional and medium distances, click here for more info.

Transport in Barcelona: an introduction

Whenever you walk through Barcelona, you don’t have to wander too far before you stumble across logos of different public transport companies.  It can be quite challenging to get your head around public transport in Barcelona and even more so if you are an expat and don’t speak Spanish or Catalan.

To better understand the public transport in Barcelona, it is important to be familiar with the involved infrastructures and companies, especially when it comes to metro and train.

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) is the main public transport operator in The Barcelona metropolitan area.

• TMB is the management unit of the companies : Ferrocarril Metropolità de Barcelona, SA, and Transports de Barcelona, SA.
• Is operating the metro network and the metro runs every XX minutes.
• Is operating the bus network.
• Is managing the Montjuïc cable car.
• Is managing Bicing Barcelona.
• The TMB app gives you a quick and easy access to information for your journeys on public transport in Barcelona. Look up the quickest routes, timetables, operating hours, maps, alerts and even purchase transport tickets.
• Renfe is the Spanish, state-owned company.
• Railway company.
• They are in charge of in the service for passengers.
• Renfe runs Spain's superb high-speed AVEs and other mainline trains, as well as local and suburban trains nationwide.
• Rodalies de Catalunya is administered by the Government of Catalonia and operated by Renfe.
• Suburban; Main commuter and regional rail system in Catalonia
• There is a Rodalies station at the airport (T2).
• FGC, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya is a Catalan railway company.
• Operates the suburban trains and some metro lines.
• Good reputation.

The names of the routes of their network are not random, but rather follow a system to make it easier to identify and locate them on the map.

Local (simular to the metro).

Regional with many stops in the city.

• ADIF, Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias, is a Spanish, state-owned company.
• They are responsible for the construction of railway lines, their operation, and maintenance.
• The Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM) is a public consortium intended to coordinate the operation and project the expansion of the public transport system in the Barcelona metropolitan area. It is made up of the Government of Catalonia and local administrations.

Transport lines metro, train & tram

Please keep in mind: every operator has their own sytem when it comes to the numbers and colours of the different transport lines. f.e.:

• L1 = Metro (TMB)
• S1 = Train  (FGC)
• R1 = Train (Rodalies)

It can be confusing and you can easily mix up the different operators: always check:

• the letters +
• the number +
• the logo of the operator. 

Overall, Barcelona is a very safe place to live but like most large cities, pickpockets are rife, especially using the public transport in Barcelona

> Read More

What steps should I take if I lose or have something stolen while using public transport in Barcelona?

If any situation like these happen, tell the station staff or bus driver right away. They can help and guide you. If it’s something valuable, like your wallet or phone, report it to the police and get an official report. Also, check with the lost and found office for the metro or bus service (click here for Metro and bus , FGC or Rodalies ) – they might have your things. If you lost important cards, like your ID or credit cards, contact the authorities or your bank. And if you have a smartphone, use its features to track or lock it remotely. Always be careful with your stuff when using public transport!

Barcelona’s public transport network is divided in zones.

• The entire city of Barcelona and some neighbouring towns are within Zone 1.
• Zones 2 to 6 cover surrounding towns and cities.

The further the distance from Barcelona the higher the zone number and the higher the cost of the transport ticket. 

• > More information

Not all TMB tickets zone 1 and travel cards are valid to travel to the airport. Special Airport tickets are available for €5,15. Click here to read more about routes to the airport.

Limited mobility

Public transport in Barcelona is designed to be accessible for people with mobility challenges. The metro stations usually have elevators and escalators, and buses are equipped with ramps and have low floors for easy access. Trams and trains also provide accessibility features, like ramps and low floors. Taxis with ramps are available too, and you can book them in advance. 

However, it’s a good idea to plan your route, check the specific accessibility features of each station, and contact the transport authorities for detailed information. The TMB app or website can also help you get real-time updates on accessibility features and station conditions.

Single transport tickets in Barcelona

With different transport companies active in Barcelona you have huge variations in tickets. Although the different transport companies have their own ticket system, only applicable to their mode of transport. If you are a frequent traveller we recommend you to use the integrated ticket system of ATM.

Single tickets

A regular SINGLE ticket only works for one type of transportation, you can’t switch between different ones. But, if you have a single metro ticket, you’re good to go! You can switch between different Metro lines as long as you stay in the same area with gates.

• Children from 0-3 years old are travelling for free within Barcelona.
• Always check the logo´s on your ticket: is it a ticket for all forms of transport within Barcelona or is it a ticket for 1 way of transport in Barcelona.
• You can buy and validate the single bus ticket with a bank card on all TMB buses. 

Integrated fare system of ATM

The integrated fare system of ATM means that you need just one transport ticket to make any journey that might involve different means of transport (metro; urban, metropolitan and interurban buses; tram; and the rail networks Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya and Rodalies de Catalunya). Transport Metropolitan de Barcelona (TMB) offers travel cards to suit different needs. 

The most common ones are the single ticket, a 10-journey ticket (T-casual) or a monthly ticket (T-usual), all of which work on the metro, trains, buses and trams.

The price of the ticket varies depending on:

• the number of zones required and
• periods or journeys required and
• your age (f.e. children), and
• your personal situation (f.e. student, unemployed, big families).

Paper tickets with a magnetic strip

These are the old tickets (please see the image above), T-mobilitat is replacing this ticket system in the future. 

One of the most frequently asked questions is what to do if your paper ticket gets damaged.  If your ticket got damaged because of a broken machine, you can officially get a new one. But, if you have a fancy ticket like a T-usual or a T-jove and you accidentally damage it, there’s a chance you might still get a replacement.

T-mobilitat

T-mobilitat is the new digital card system for public transport in Barcelona province. It integrates the entire territory, all integrated transport tickets, and all operators. Within the system of T-mobiltat you have different types of cards, please see the image below.

Besides the different types of cards within the T-mobiltat system, there are also different types of tickets. We explain the most common one below.

T - casual (10 journeys)

• A single-person ticket.
• 10 journeys.
• Any means of transport in the integrated system.
• Up to 3 validation during 1 h and 15 minutes after the 1st validation.
• 1 zone: €12,15, 2 zones: €23,90, 3 zones: €32,55, 4 zones: €41,85, 5 zones: €48,10, 6 zones: €51,15
• Only available with T-mobilitat (digital card system) and you can no longer buy the magnetic strip version.

T - usual (30 days)

Please note: there are special cards available at a reduced price for members of large families and single-parent families.

• A non-transferable single-person ticket.
• Unlimited number of journeys.
• Valid for 30 consecutive days as of the first use, for the number of zones purchased.
• 1 zone: €21,35, 2 zones: €28,75, 3 zones: €40,35, 4 zones: €49,40, 5 zones: €56,65,  6 zones: €60,70 
• Must be accompanied by a valid official identification card of the holder.

T - familiar (8 journeys)

• A multi-person timed ticket.
• 8 journeys.
• 30 consecutive days as of its first use and it allows to you to do up to three transfer validations during 1 h and 15 min after first validation.
• 1 zone: €10,70, 2 zones: €20,30, 3 zones: €28,80, 4 zones: €37,35, 5 zones: €42,70, 6 zones: €44,85
• A persobalised travel card for minors (children and youths) between ages 4 and 16, which expires on 31 December of the same year that they turn 16 years of age.
• an unlimited number of journeys free of charge in the residence fare zone of the minor. It is a different card from the usual T-mobilitat, and the T-16 can be read on the card. Is not allowed to top up other travel passes, only T-16.
• Processing fee: €4,50.
• The T-16 card is a personalised travel card bearing the name and National ID number/ Foreigner ID number /Passport number / Family Book of Marriages, Births and Deaths.

T - jove (90 days)

• A non-transferable single-person ticket for users under age 30.
• All means of transport within the 6 zones within the integrated system.
• Valid for 90 consecutive days as of the first use, for the number of zones purchased.
• All the zones: 42,70
• To purchase these passes, you must have a Youth profile on your T-mobilitat account. This profile will be automatically assigned to users under the age of 30.

Other type of tickets

As already mentioned, there are many different type of tickets. For example for:

• large families
• passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility (and their accompany)
• people on low-incomes

If you would like to have more information about other type of tickets within the integrated fare system of ATM please click on the link below.

You can also go to the website of Renfe, Rodalies of FCG to receive more information about their tickets system only applicable for their form of transportation.

• > More information about other types of tickets within the integrated fare system

Bicycles ot other large items

Foldable scooters are treated the same as foldable bikes when it comes to different means of transport in Barcelona. For buses, only foldable bikes are allowed, as long as they are folded. On the metro, foldable scooters are generally allowed, except during busy times on weekdays (7:00-9:30 and 17:00-20:30), though in practice, this rule is not strictly enforced, and foldable bikes are always allowed. For FGC, Rodalies, and Tram, both foldable scooters and bikes are allowed at all times, and it seems like nobody really minds.

Please keep in mind Electric scooters and wheels are not allowed in public transport in Barcelona.

The Barcelona metro system has 8 different lines and 165 stations, with carriages running regularly every day.

Two operators, TMB and FGC run the metro system.

Metro lines

Each metro line is identified with an ‘L’, followed by it’s own individual colour and number to simplify the process. 

• TMB (red logo) and
• FGC (orange logo)

are the two logos you should look for in the street to find the entrance to a metro station.

• > Metro lines

Main stations

The main hubs for the metro system are:

• Plaça Catalunya 
• Passeig de Gracia and
• Plaça d’Espanya. 
• You can use any ticket purchased from the TMB. 
• If you do not have a ticket, you should buy one from the ticket machines available because, in order to pass through the turnstiles, you must have your ticket stamped by the validating machine.
• Remember to validate your ticket at the turnstiles, or you could get a fine.
• All stops in Barcelona's metro network are in Zone 1. This means that even with a standard metro ticket, you can reach any metro station in the city. 

The final time refers to when the last train leaves the terminal station at each end of every metro line.

• From Monday to Thursday and midweek public holidays: from 05:00 to midnight
• Fridays and the nights before public holidays: from 05:00 to 02:00
• Saturdays: start at 5.00 hours, continuous service throughout Saturday to Sunday night
• Sundays: continuous service throughout Saturday to Sunday night: end at 24.00 on Sunday
• 24 December: from 05:00 to 23:00
• 31 December: continuous service throughout New Year's Eve

The funicular of Barcelona operates like a metro with two stops: Parallel and Parc de Montjuïc, located on the mountain, which then links up with the cable car.

• > More information & time schedule

Montjuïc Cable Car (Telefèric de Montjuïc)

• Avinguda de Miramar, 30, 08038 Barcelona.
• The route starts at the Parc Montjuïc stop, from where the cable car goes directly to Montjuïc Castle, with no stops in between. The return journey includes an optional stop at the Mirador de l’Alcalde or Mayor's viewpoint and ends at Parc Montjuïc.
• From Monday to Sunday, at different times: From January to February: from 10 am to 6 pm From March to May: from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm From June to September: from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm October: from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm From November to December: from 10 am to 6 pm On 25 December, and 1 and 6 January the service will run from 10 am to 2:30 pm
• Single ticket: adult €10,50, child (4 to 12 years) €8,50, under 4 years free. Return: adult €14,40, child(4 to 12 years) €10,44, under 4 years free.
• One way ticket, sold only at the ticket office.

There are 2 main tram lines in Barcelona, with a total of 29,2 km of track and 56 stops. Both are very well maintained and quiet compared to other methods of transport in the city. a total of 29.2 km of track and 56 stops.

Trambaix (T1, T2, T3)

Which runs from Francesc Macià to the towns of Sant Just Desvern, Sant Joan Despí, Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Cornellà.

Trambesòs (T4, T5, T6)

Which links Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona to Barcelona. 

• Monday to Thursday from 5 am to midnight. Friday, Saturday and the evenings before public holidays from 5 am to 2 am. Sundays from 5 am to midnight.
• Remember to validate your ticket, or you could get a fine.

Tramvia Blau

The Tramvia Blau is temporarily closed for modernization works on its infrastructure.

The equivalent journey can be made via Avinguda Tibidabo as far as Plaça Doctor Andreu using bus  route 196 , which operates daily between 07:30 and 22:00

Trains run along the Costa Brava to Blanes, to the airport, along the coast via Castelldefels and Sitges all the way to Tarragona. All of these lines meet in Barcelona, where they travel underground and are integrated into the public transport network. There are also underground connections between the stations of the Metro, Rodalies, Renfe and FGC. 

The city’s current main terminal train station is Barcelona Sants.

important to know

There are different operators, with different platforms, tracks and stations .

• Remember to validate your ticket or you could get a fine.
• Remember to keep your ticket until you have left the station.

Free season ticket for Rodalies trains

You can obtain a  season ticket for free travel  on Rodalies trains.

• A deposit of 10 euros is required.
• You can purchase them at ticket offices, vending machines and through the Renfe Cercanías app with a QR code.
• It is valid for unlimited journeys between any departure and arrival point in the hub for which it has been issued.
• If you purchase it with a bank card and have done 16 trips, the deposit will be automatically returned.

Free season ticket for regional and medium distances

Season ticket for  r egional or medium-distance travellers .

• A deposit of 20 euros is required.
• An individual, personalised and non-transferable season ticket.
• You purchase them now at the usual points of sale: vending machines and ticket offices at the station.
• When you purchase it, you must choose a journey between two stations.
• It is valid for unlimited journeys, in either direction, between the two chosen stations.
• If you purchase it with a bank card and have done 16 journeys, the deposit will be automatically returned.

Urban buses

The buses in Barcelona operate on over 100 routes and connect all of the city’s districts and surrounding areas.

Buses in Barcelona are highly efficient and easy to use, they are adapted for people with reduced mobility and information regarding the next stops and transfers is provided inside the vehicles.

Buses usually run from 5 am-10 pm and the running times and frequency of service are shared at the bus stops.

Bus Etiquette

• Buses must be entered through the front door and exited using the back doors.
• Wave; you have to make it clear to the driver that you want to get on the bus, otherwise you will have a chance that the bus will not stop.
• Press on the stop button if you want to leave the bus.

Letters & colours

Diagonally and use numbers 20, 40 and 50. For example, route D20 connects Passeig Marítim with Carrer d’Ernest Lluch.

Llobregat-Besòs direction. The even numbers in the route name indicate whether they run closer to the mountain (lower numbers) or to the sea (higher numbers).

Both ways between the sea and the mountain. The odd numbers in the name indicate whether they run closer to the Llobregat (V3) or the Besòs (V27) rivers.

X are express buses.

Llobregat-Besòs routes

Sea-mountain routes

Diagonal routes.

Night-bus Service

Barcelona also has a night bus service (Nit Bus) which serves most of the city and its suburban area. You can identify the night buses with the letter N on the front (for example, N12). The night bus service usually starts around 10 pm and ends between 5 am – 6 am. They all stop at or depart from Barcelona’s Plaça de Catalunya.  

Dual destination

Dual destination lines finish at two different destinations. This means that the place they start is the same, but some buses follow the complete route (longer), while others take shorter trajectory and the route ends a few stops earlier.

Double stops

This is a stop where two buses may simultaneously let passengers on and off. Double stops can shorten the time the buses are halted, and hence reduce the total time of the route.

A double stop consists of a central section, formed by one or two bus shelters, and two posts that indicate the two different stopping points. These posts indicate number 1 or 2 as applicable.

The first bus reaching the bus stop halts at stopping point 1, for as long as this is possible. If another bus arrives when stopping point 1 is occupied, this bus halts and lets on passengers at stopping point 2. The bus that halts at stopping point 2 will not halt again at stopping point 1 and continue its route, except in the case of blind passengers. If a blind passenger wants to get on this bus, it will halt at stopping point 1, even though it has already stopped at point 2.

Neighbourhoud lines (bus de barri)

Which offer short local journeys within the neighbourhoods.

Bus on demand

 This service seeks to make it easier for the city’s residents to move around certain neighbourhoods, taking into account their specific needs and the times at which they travel.

Suburban buses

The suburban bus service connects Barcelona with the rest of the municipalities in the metropolitan area like Badalona, Barcelona, Castelldefels, Cervelló, Cornellà de Llobregat, El Prat de Llobregat, Esplugues de Llobregat, Gavà, Les Botigues de Sitges, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Molins de Rei, Montcada I Reixac, Montgat, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Sant Climent de Llobregat, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí, Sant Just Desvern, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Tiana and Viladecans.

• > Interurban buses

Interurban and international buses

The Barcelona Nord Bus Station is the central hub for the arrival and departure of buses from the city of Barcelona to different destinations, both national and international.

You will find many of the interurban buses that connect Barcelona with other municipalities in Catalonia at the station companies, such as Moventis, Sagalés and Teisa. 

• > Moventis Sarfa
• Taxis in Barcelona are yellow and black, with a green light on top indicating if they are free.
• However, there are private taxi companies such as Cabify where you can book beforehand online.
• You can take a taxi from any of the 300 taxi ranks book one by phoning any of the taxi firms, via the free app, or by flagging one down in the street.

Taxi fares in Barcelona

Taxi fares in Barcelona are quite cheap compared to other major European cities but this does depend on the time of day and whether or not it is a public holiday. There are additional fees for luggage and for trips to and from the airport, cruise-ship terminal and Fira Barcelona. 

Fares are displayed on the taximeter, and are usually charged per kilometre.

You can usually pay by credit card or cash, but it’s always better to have some cash on you just in case.

• Free Now: with Free Now you can order a taxi instantly to your door or make a reservation for up to four days prior, booking a taxi has never been easier! You can even keep track of its progress in real time and save time by paying via the app.
• Smou: Smou is the Barcelona app that helps you to get around, providing access to information and mobility services to make it easy for you to move around the city.

Cycling in Barcelona

Barcelona is an extremely bicycle-friendly city with numerous bicycle paths. There are also many bike parking stands, signage, traffic lights, and lane dividers to protect you from motorists.

Cycling is part of the solution for more urban mobility in Barcelona. The city council of Barcelona is increasing the bike network, developing a strategic plan for secure bike parking in the city and studying the addition of more electric bikes. Cycle and be part of the environmentally friendly solution!

Bicing is an urban bicycle-sharing company operating in Barcelona. Residents with a yearly membership can simply swipe their card at a Bicing station to unlock and use a bicycle.

They have different tariff plans , starting with €35,00 a year.

AMBici  is the ELECTRIC bicycle sharing service available in 15 municipalities within the Barcelona metropolitan area.

They have different tariff plans, starting with €40,00 a year.

Cycling blogs

Bike rental in barcelona.

• mobility rental , micro mobility, bike rental, circularity
• Bike rental
• PROMO CODE: SWAPEXPATLIFE
• Bicycle sale, bicycle rent, bicycle tours, second-hand bicycles
• Bicycle shop

Kleta Mobility

• bike, e-bike, subscription, movility, lifestyle, all included, healthy
• PROMO CODE: bcnexpatkleta10

Anyone over 18 with a valid driving license from their home country can legally drive in Spain for a short period of time. For Non-EU/EEA citizens, this applies for the first six months after moving to Spain and gaining residency. For EU/EEA nationals, it’s two years.

The motorways (autopistes and autovies) are the fastest way of getting to Barcelona. Along each motorway there will be toll roads identified by their blue signs. 

Alternative routes to get around Catalonia involve using county and national roads, although these are generally slower. County roads can be identified by the letter C, national roads by an N and local roads by an E.

Tip: For Brits, remember that in Spain you must drive on the right-hand side of the road!

Blogs related to cars

Car hire & parking.

• Car park booking platform

Autolease Renting S.L.

• Leasing/New Vehicles/Save Money

Scooters & Motorbikes

Scooters and motorbikes (more commonly known as ‘motos’) are another popular method of transport in Barcelona.

The general rules regarding licences are the same as those for cars.

However, there are stricter rules when it comes to parking, for example when it is not possible to park in the street and where there is not specific signage prohibiting it, you can park on the pavement only under the certain conditions.

Electric scooters and wheels

• Electric scooters and wheels are not allowed in public transport in Barcelona.
• It is obligatory to wear a helmet when riding electric scooters.
• It is not allowed to circulate on pavements, except where specific spaces exist for this, with the exception of the under-12s and those accompanying them.

Scooter rental services

• Monthly electric scooter rental service in Barcelona
• Scooter rental service

Cruise ships & ferries

Port Vell in Barcelona is the largest cruise ship port in the Mediterranean;

• with seven international passenger terminals and
• four ferry terminals.

It has links to the Balearic Islands and other major Mediterranean ports. Ferries leave daily for the Balearic Islands, and there are also direct links with various ports on the Italian coast and Tangiers.

Balearic Islands

• > Grandi Navi Veloci

North Africa

Public transport.

All terminals have good connections with the city’s public transport network. In particular, the T3 PORTBUS shuttle takes cruise passengers from Plaza de Colón in central Barcelona to terminals A, B, C and D on the Adossat wharf. Ticket prices are €3 for a single and €4 for a round-trip ticket.

Barcelona Airport

Barcelona International Airport (also known as El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto) is the closest and busiest airport to Barcelona city centre. 

The 2 other airports nearby are Girona and Reus which are approximately 120km outside Barcelona.

El Prat, T1 and T2

Barcelona Airport consists of two terminals located at a 4 km distance from each other.

• Terminal 1 (newest, biggest and the main terminal)

In-between terminal transfers are handled via free shuttles. The shuttle buses frequently run, departing every 5-10 minutes and reaching their destination in approximately 10 minutes.

How to get at El Prat?

Taking a taxi from the airport is a low cost and convenient way to get to the city centre, especially if you’re travelling in a large group or you have a lot of luggage. You will be able to find a taxi rank outside any of the main terminal exits.

The RENFE train

The RENFE train will take you from Barcelona airport directly to the city centre where you can change for the metro system at either Barcelona Sants (Sants Estació) or Passeig de Gràcia stations. The train station is based at T2 in-between T2A and T2B. 

You can also get to the airport via the L9 metro line. There are two stops at Barcelona airport which are called: Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2.  Not all TMB tickets and travel cards are valid. Special Airport tickets are available for €5,15.

Another option is to take the Aerobús, the official shuttle bus service which connects Barcelona Airport T1 & T2 to Plaça España or Plaça de Catalunya in the city centre. You can either purchase tickets online beforehand or when you get on the bus, prices are €6,75 for a single or €11,65 for a return ticket.

TMB bus no.46

The TMB bus no.46 bus travels from the city centre stopping first at T2 and then continuing on to T1. The big advantage of using this bus is that you don’t have to purchase a special ticket and you can use the T-Casual ticket.

Public transport in Barcelona for tourists

Hola barcelona travel card.

With the transport passes offering unlimited travel for 48, 72, 96 or 120 hours , you’ll be able to get around the city and its surrounding area and save yourself time and money.

Barcelona card

More than 25 free museums and cultural spaces and unlimited public transport for 3, 4 or 5 days, including the train and/or metro to Barcelona Airport. And access to more than 70 discounts on tours, entertainment, shows and other services.

Barcelona Digital Pass

The Barcelona Pass includes Sagrada Família ticket, Park Güell ticket, access to the Barcelona Bus Turistic and 10% code for other attractions.

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Barcelona tram – network and practical information for passengers

Since 2004 there is a tram in Barcelona again.

In our guide,  you will find all the important information for passengers and practical tips on how to use the tram in Barcelona.

Decommissioning + new tram in from Barcelona

The tram of Barcelona was shut down in 1971. Only the “Tramvia Blau”, which still operates today with historic cars, was remaining for tourists.

Since 2004 there is a modern tram in Barcelona again (Image: Ricardo Ricote Rodríguez, CC 2.0 licence)

New tram since 2004

2004, the tram was revived. Local transport in Barcelona has been expanded. Now modern trains are running on the still expanding network.

From the old tram, the historic tram “Tramvia Blau” has been preserved. It runs on a 1.3 km long route (Image: Pablo A. Araujo G., CC 2.0 licence)

Two route networks without connection

This also explains the curiosity of the Barcelona tram. The rails are divided into two not yet connected networks. The networks are named after their end stops.

The network “Trambaix” with the lines T1, T2, and T3 after the Comarca Baix Llobregat and the “Trambesòs” network with the lines T4, T5 and T6 after “Sant Adria de Besos”. In 2024 there are 6 tram lines running on almost 30 km of rail network. Some tram stops also offer direct connections to the Barcelona metro .

Network 1: Trambaix

The Trambaix tram network connects “Baix Llobregat” with the borough of Les Corts. ). It carries almost 2 million passengers per week per year.

Trambaix line plan / map

Network 2: Trambesòs

The Trambesòs tram network connects the city centre of Barcelona with the districts of “Sant Adrià de Besòs” and “Badalona”.

The lines T5 and T6 start at the central station Glòries, where there is also a connection to the metro.

Trambesòs line plan / map

Operating hours of the tram

Monday to Friday, Sunday and public holidays: 5.00 am – midnight Friday, Saturday and the evening before public holidays: 5:00 – 2:00

Ticket for the tram in Barcelona – overview, current prices (2024)

The entire fare system of the Barcelona public transport is city-wide organized by the “Autoritat del Transport Metropolità”. Whether single ticket, 10 journey ticket (T-Casual) or travel card “Hola BCN”, here you will find information and current prices . So you can find easily the right ticket for your stay in Barcelona. Knowing, which ticket fits best to your needs, saves a lot of holiday time and money.

Our tip in brief: – if you don’t like to read details about the fare systems and the Barcelona public transport network – For most visitors of the city the “Hola BCN” day ticket is the best choice. With this card, you can use unlimited the metro, bus, tram and suburban trains (Rodalies, Zone 1) during the entire validity period (2, 3, 4 or 5 days). The metro ride to and from the airport is also included. You don’t have to buy the “metro airport ticket” (11 euros – round trip). The “Hola BCN!” card is, compared to other big European cities, very cheap. The actual price (2024) is, depending on the chosen validity period, between 8,15 and 8.75 euro per day. Save time and stress, by buying the „Hola BCN“ travel card online before departure .av_dropcap2.av-av_dropcap2-27b17e8a98fc606308ee002dad4c1b4c{ background-color:#810101; } ⮕  Here you can buy the „Hola BCN“ card online Save yourself time and stress abroad. The Hola BCN! Online Ticket can be purchased via this website (in English). With an online ticket, you don’t have to deal with ticket purchase and fare systems after a flight. You already have the right ticket to get from the airport to the city and/or back by metro or RENFE train .

Tramvia blue – historical tram

A ride in the “Tramvia Blau” (Catalan for “blue tramway”) is not just an pleasant experience for tram enthusiast. The trains are more than 100 years old and the last survivors of the historic tram of Barcelona, which was closed in 1971.

The approximately 1.3 km (1 mile) long route avoids the steep climb to the mountain Tibidabo (520m). The Tibidabo offers a great view of the city and the surrounding of Barcelona. He is also famous for the “Parque d’Atracccions” amusement park.

These historic trams were left over when the tramway was almost disbanded in 1971 – today an attraction (Image: B. Sigurbjörnsson, CC 2.0 licence)

The ride in the Tramvia Blau is like a little trip back in time (Image: Ingolf, CC 2.0 Licence)

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Privacy Overview

Barcelona Public Transport

The ultimate guide to Barcelona's Public Transport System

Tickets and fares

T-mobilitat.

The ticketing system in Barcelona is transitioning to contactless system called T-mobilitat. From the 1st of December 2023, paper tickets will only be used for single tickets , which you should avoid (they’re the most expensive way of travelling).

There are two types of T-Mobilitat cards.

• The personal T-mobilitat is green and includes your name. It is needed to benefit from special discounts targeted to students, the elderly or under 18s.
• The anonymous T-mobilitat is white, and that’s the one you’ll be most likely using as a tourist. You first have to buy a physical card (for 0.50 €) and then you can recharge it with any title you want in the vending machines or online.
• You can also download the T-mobilitat app on your phone (Android only), purchase tickets there and access by tapping your phone. The app has a one-time payment of 1 €.

It is essential that you always validate your ticket before using public transport. You do so by approaching your T-mobilitat to the illuminated squares on top of the validation gates. Having a T-mobilitat with you, even with a valid ticket on it, is not enough to travel legally if you don’t validate it before accessing public transport.

If staff asks you to show a valid ticket at any point of your trip and you’re unable to do so, you’ll have to pay a €100 fine. If you’re unable to pay on the spot, your details may be shared with the local authorities so that they can send you the fine.

Types of tickets

Single tickets.

A single ticket is valid for one operator only and costs 2.40€ (for 1 zone). I do not recommend that you buy one of these. To start with, it is not integrated, meaning that they are only valid for one operator (check examples 1 and 2). Secondly, it’s expensive. See examples below:

I want to travel from Sarrià station to Arc de Triomf station , so I plan to take the FGC metro service to Pl. Catalunya and then the L1 Metro line to Arc de Triomf. This will not work with a single ticket, because it has been purchased at a FGC station, and therefore it will not work in the transferring station (which is operated by TMB). Gates will simply not open.

I want to travel from Pl. Espanya to the Pedralbes Monastery , so I plan to take the L3 Metro line and then the V5 bus line. Here, the single ticket will actually work, because TMB operates both the L3 Metro line and the V5 bus line .

You see? Single tickets are a bad idea : they’re expensive, not integrated, and valid for one operator only. Instead, if you buy an integrated ticket, you will pay less, use any service you like, and even transfer through them without any extra cost.

If you plan to come to Barcelona for a visit and find this information useful, please help me keep it running. I kindly appreciate your support!

Integrated tickets

So, let’s get straight to the point. You want an T-mobilitat ticket from the ATM. ATM is the God-blessed organization that integrated different operators into the same system.

T-casual (10 trips in 1 ticket for 1 traveller)

T-casual gives you 10 integrated trips for 11.35€ (30% off due to the temporary reduction: 7.95€). In other words: 1.14€ per trip, plus this is an integrated ticket, so you can take any service and operator you wish, and even transfer through them during the same trip.

T-casual can only be used by 1 traveller at a time. You can still share it amongst other people, as long as you don’t plan to travel at the same time (check T-familiar for that).

Attention : don’t try to use T-casual as if it were a multi-member ticket. If Mary gets through the gate with a T-casual and then gives the card to James, the gates won’t open when he inserts the ticket.

T-familiar (8 trips in 1 ticket, for more than 1 traveller)

T-familiar gives you 8 integrated trips for 10.00€ (this title doesn’t have temporary fee reduction). This means 1.25€ per ticket, so it is slighlty more expensive than T-casual. Then, why would you choose T-familiar instead of T-casual? Mainly, because T-familiar is multi-personal . This means that 4 people, for example, can group together and use one T-familiar simultaneously.

The process is very simple: Mary inserts the ticket in the machine, the doors open, Mary collects the ticket and goes through the gates. Mary then gives the ticket to James, who’s still waiting on the other side of the gates. James enters the same way and then gives it to Carl, etc. T-familiar is particularly good for 4 people to make a return trip. Despite its name, you don’t need to be members of the same family to use a T-familiar.

There are other tickets, but they are less attractive for tourists.

Other tickets

If you are staying for more than 2 weeks, you might be interested in purchasing the T-usual, which gives you a full month of unlimited travel for 40€ (50% off with the temporary reduction, so 20€ until the end of 2022) , plus trips to and from the airport (remember, T-casual and T-familiar do not include trips from/to the airport, you can read my page about airport travel ). In case you are interested in unlimited travel but you only stay in Barcelona for 2-5 days, you might be interested in the Hola Barcelona travel card . It gives you unlimited travel for the amount of days you choose. However, it’s pricey. A 5-day Hola Barcelona card costs 38€, whilst you can buy a T-usual (valid for 30 days) for 40€. Read my post about whether it’s a good deal or not.

If you’re a student staying here for at least three months and you use public transport daily, I strongly suggest that you buy the T-jove ticket , as it grants you 90 days of unlimited travel for 80€ (50% off with the temporary reduction, so 40€). However, even if you are living in Barcelona, T-casual is an adequate ticket if you only use public transport occasionally (say 4 or 5 times per week).

If you make 30 trips per month, purchasing 3 T-casuals is cheaper than a T-usual. If you make 40 or more trips per month, a T-usual is cheaper than 4 T-casuals.

Finally, if you’re a large group (say, 25 people) and you plan to use public transport a few times, you can consider T-grup. It gives you 70 trips within a 30-day period, for 1.135€ per trip. Obviously, it’s a multi-member ticket, so all the group would be sharing the same paper ticket.

Validating your ticket

Once you validate a ticket, you have a period of 1h 15 minutes to finish your trip. During this time, you can transfer between different operators . You need to validate your ticket again , but don’t worry: you won’t be using a new trip. More info on integration .

Access control gates

Owning a valid ticket is not enough to be a legal traveller. You need to validate it before starting your trip. Always keep your ticket with you during the whole duration of your trip, even if it’s a single ticket.

• Most train stations have access control gates . When you go through any access gate, and you are granted access to the station, your ticket is already validated: you’re good to go. If a train station does not have access control, you will see a validation machine inside the station, and you’re required to validate your ticket before jumping on a train.
• When you jump into a bus or a tramway, you won’t see any control access gates. On the bus, you enter through the front door, and there is a validation machine right on the entrance. You have to validate your ticket when you enter the bus , and the driver will usually monitor this. On the tram, you’ll find validation machines scattered all around the interior. You don’t have to validate again when you leave.

What happens when I validate?

• In case you have a ticket with a limited amount of trips (like a single ticket or a T-casual), a small display on the access gates will display the amount of trips left that you still have.
• In case you have a ticket with unlimited trips for a given period of time (like a T-usual), the machine will simply acknowledge the validity of your ticket and let you go through. The same will happen if you use a ticket with a limited amount of trips but you are transferring; it will simply acknowledge the previous validation ( provided that it took place less than 1h 15 minutes ago ) and the doors will open.
• If your ticket is not valid (because it contains no trips or because it’s damaged), the validation machine will produce a long beep. Doors will remain closed. If you’re on a bus and the driver has already started the journey, wait until the next stop and step out of the bus or buy a ticket from the driver.

Remember to always validate your ticket. If you enter a train, a bus or a tramway and you didn’t have to pull the card out of your wallet, you probably missed something. If they catch you with a non-validated ticket, you will have to pay a €100 fine , even if you have a valid ticket with you.

How much you pay depends on travel distance. Stations are grouped in zones. You pay depending on how many zones you go across. The entire city of Barcelona is within Zone 1 , so most users can rely on 1-zone tickets for most of their trips. You can find an official list of cities and towns here .

All prices shown in this webpage are based on 1-zone tickets. Planning on travelling to other towns? Then take a look at Travelling outside of Barcelona

Kids aged 0-3 don’t pay any fee to use public transport.

You can apply for a free T-16 ticket as long as:

• You are 4-16.
• You are resident in Barcelona or any of the municipalities in the ATM.

Children aged 4-16 who cannot use a T-16 will need the same ticket as an adult.

Travelling outside of Barcelona

Prices shown in this page are for 1-zone tickets. Zone 1 includes the entire city of Barcelona and some nearby towns, like L’Hospitalet, Badalona and Sant Adrià.

If you plan to visit other cities during your stay in Barcelona, you will need multi-zone tickets. As a general rule, all tickets shown on this page have multi-zone versions. Prices increase for each zone added to the list. You can find all prices in this document.

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Transport , Discount Cards

Hola barcelona travel card – is it worth it.

The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is a transport ticket that you can use in Barcelona for unlimited travel on the public transportation system throughout the duration of the ticket.  They can be good value if you plan on taking a lot of trips, but is the Hola Barcelona Card worth it for you?  In this article I’ll do a deep dive into the benefits of the Hola Barcelona Card and whether it is a good idea, as well as alternatives that might be better for your needs.  Let’s go!

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What is the Hola Barcelona Travel Card?

The Hola Barcelona Card is a popular travel card for visitors to Barcelona that gives you unlimited rides on any public transport in the city, including the metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains, within a specified time period (2, 3, 4, or 5 days).

If you plan to visit several museums in Barcelona than you should also check out the Barcelona Card as that includes free entry to over 25 museums and attractions as well as unlimited public transport during the validity period – scroll down for more information about that card!

Where to Buy the Hola Barcelona Travel Card?

You can buy the Hola Barcelona Travel card in advance online here and exchange your voucher at a Tourist Information Office (including the Tourist Information Office at the Airport and Plaça de Catalunya).

BUY YOUR HOLA BARCELONA TRAVEL CARD

Alternatively, you can purchase the card from the ticket machines at any metro station in Barcelona, including at Barcelona Airport, and the train station at Barcelona airport.

How Much Does The Hola Barcelona Card Cost?

The cost of a Hola Barcelona Card depends on how long you want to use the card for.  There are several different options depending on how many days you will spend in Barcelona.  These are the current Hola Barcelona Travel Card prices for 2024:

48-Hour/2 Day Public Transport Ticket: € 17.50

72-Hour/3 Day Public Transport Ticket: € 25.50

96-Hour/4 Day Public Transport Ticket: € 33.30

120-Hour/5 Day Public Transport Ticket: € 38.20

Children under 4 travel free, but everyone else will need their own Hola Barcelona Travel Card.

What is Included in the Hola Barcelona Travel Card?

Within the validity period of your Barcelona Hola Card, you are allowed an unlimited number of journeys on the following forms of public transport in Barcelona:

• Buses (operated by the TMB Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona)
• Montjuïc Funicular (not the cable car)
• Urban trains in Zone 1 (operated by the FGC Generalitat city network)
• Regional Railway trains in Zone 1 (operated by Rodalies de Catalunya)
• The metro or train journey to and from the airport is included in your ticket.

The validity of the ticket begins from the first time you use it, it is not based on calendar days – so if first use a 48 hour Hola Barcelona ticket at 6pm on Friday evening, it will be valid until 6pm on Sunday evening.

The Hola Barcelona Card only includes the public transport listed above.

Aerobus Barcelona tickets are not included, nor are the Night buses (NitBus). No other entry tickets to attractions or tours in Barcelona are included in the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.

Is The Hola Barcelona Card Worth It?

This really depends on how many times you are likely to take the metro, bus or tram during your stay in Barcelona.

Before buying your Hola Barcelona Travel Card I would recommend planning out your Barcelona itinerary so you have a better idea of your schedule and how many journeys you will take, and so whether the Hola Barcelona Card will be worth it for you.

In most cases, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card will save you money so I would say that yes it is worth it.

Is the Hola Barcelona Card Worth it to Save Money?

Yes, if you plan to take enough journeys to make it cheaper than buying individual tickets.

single transport tickets for one journey on the metro cost €2.55, so if you plan to take more than 7 journeys in 48 hours then the 2 day / 48 hour Hola Barcelona Travel Card will save you money as it only costs €17.50.

If you plan to take the metro or train from Barcelona airport to the city centre, then a single airport transport ticket costs €5.50, making the Hola Barcelona Travel Card even better value as you’d only need to take 2 trips from/to the airport and 3 other journeys on the public transport to save money.

Day tickets for the Barcelona metro, buses and other public transport cost €11.20 so the price of a 48 hour/ 2-day Hola Barcelona Travel Card is cheaper than buying two separate standard day tickets for the Barcelona public transport system.

Is the Hola Barcelona Card Worth it for Convenience?

Yes, it is the easiest way to take care of your public transport in Barcelona if you plan on taking more than one or two journeys.

I used to recommend buying a 10 journey ticket called a T-Casual (previously called a T-10 ticket), but since the start of 2024 these multi-journey tickets can only bought if you register for the T-mobilitat service in advance.  T-mobilitat is a new service where you buy a transport card which you keep and can top up before taking a journey, or you can use an app on your phone to top up and scan as your ticket.

It takes a couple of days to process the registration online and, although it isn’t complicated, if you only plan on staying in Barcelona for a few days the easiest option is to just get the Hola Barcelona Transport Card which you can buy online here or from any metro ticket machines.

If you only need to take a couple of public transport journeys it may not be worth it, but another benefit of the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is knowing that all of your public transport is taken care of (including the trip to and from the airport) so you don’t have to worry about buying other tickets every time you want to take the metro or bus.

Extra Things to Know

If you buy your Barcelona Travel Card in advance online you will need to exchange your voucher at one of the following tourist information offices, so check your flight arrival times match up with these, otherwise you can just buy it when you arrive:

• Barcelona Airport Terminal 1, 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Monday-Saturday, 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM Sunday & Bank Holidays
• Barcelona Airport – Terminal 2 Daily. From 8 AM to 2:30 PM
• Barcelona Airport – Metro Terminal 1 Monday to Sunday, from 9 AM to 2:30 PM
• Plaça de Catalunya Main Office Daily. From 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM
• Plaça de Catalunya Nord Monday to Sunday, from 9 AM to 8 PM
• Cabina Sagrada Família Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday, from 9 AM to 2:30 PM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 9 AM to 8 PM

The opening times are correct at the time of publishing but may change without notice.  Opening times may vary on January 6 and December 26, and in most cases, are closed on January 1 and December 25.

Alternatives to The Hola Barcelona Card

The barcelona card: 25+ museums and free public transportation.

The Barcelona Card is an alternative to the Hola Barcelona Travel Card and is great value for money if you plan to visit several of the top museums in Barcelona.  You can read my full review of The Barcelona Card here to see if it is worth it for you.  Overall I think it is great value – if you are planning to visit the museums and attractions it includes.

As well as including unlimited public transport like the Hola Barcelona Travel, the Barcelona Card also includes free entry to over 25 Barcelona museums, as well as discounts to additional attractions and activities, and a free guidebook in 6 languages with a map of Barcelona.

Some of the entry tickets you get for free include:

• a skip the line ticket to the Picasso Museum,
• a skip the line ticket to the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC),
• free entry to the CaixaForum, Moco Museum, Montjuic Castle
• a skip the line ticket to the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and the Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB)
• and many more.

You can see the full list of included museums and attractions here .

Similar to the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, the Barcelona Card validity period begins from the first time you use it and lasts for 72, 96, or 120 hours after the first use.

Barcelona Card Prices

72-Hour/3 Day Barcelona Card: € 55

96-Hour/4 Day Barcelona Card: € 65

120-Hour/5 Day Barcelona Card: € 77

Children under 4 travel on public transport for free and don’t need the Barcelona Card for discounted entry.  Everyone else will need their own card.

BUY THE BARCELONA CARD

Barcelona Card Benefits

If you love museums and plan to visit several while you are in Barcelona, this card is great value.  Even if you only visit one of these museums on each day of your visit you will still save money compared to the Hola Barcelona Travel Card:

Picasso Museum: online ticket price €15

Moco Museum: ticket price from €14.95 to €17.95

National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC): price €12

Even if you just visit one of these on each day that is at least €52 of entry ticket prices, and with the Barcelona costing just €55 for 3 days it is worth getting, and better value than the Hola Barcelona Travel card, as long as you are definitely going to visit the museums and attractions that are included.

Standard Barcelona Transport Tickets

Instead of buying a ticket that lasts for the whole duration of your trip, you could just buy the transport tickets as and when you need them.  The most common types of metro tickets for visitors to Barcelona are:

Single Ticket (Bitllet senzil)

A single ticket is one journey on the public transport system in Barcelona.  It includes transfers within the city limits for journeys on multiple metros, buses, trams and trains for up to 1 hour 45 minutes.  It is not valid for the metro stations Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 on line L9 Sud, but you can use it for a bus journey or the Montjuïc funicular.  Cost: €2.55

Single Airport ticket (Bitllet aeroport)

Trips to the airport on line L9 are not included in the standard metro tickets, so if you travel to or from the airport on the metro you will need one of these airport tickets.  It is valid for a single metro journey to or from the airport on the metro network. Cost: €5.50

INSIDER TIP: The train (not the metro) from Barcelona Airport Terminal Two to Barcelona is included in the following metro ticket types:

The T-Dia is an individual travel card allowing an unlimited number of journeys to be made in one day on all operators in the integrated transport system, including buses, metro, trams and trains (including the airport train from Terminal 2).  Cost: €11.20 for 1 zone.

T-Mobilitat Cards

T-mobilitat is the new contactless ticketing and validation system for public transport in Barcelona, and requires registering online in advance of coming to Barcelona which makes things more complicated for tourists.  You can register online here .

This is a single-person, multi-journey card that allows for ten separate trips on the metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains within Zone 1 of the Barcelona transport network.  There is no expiration time for the tickets, so you can use it across several days.

The only time you need to check the expiration date is if you are visiting Barcelona over New Year, as prices often change on 1 st January and tickets bought in the previous year are not valid for the New Year.

Cost: €12.15 for 1 zone.

NB: The T-Casual replaced the popular T-10 which could be shared between multiple people – the T-Casual cannot be shared, each person must purchase their own ticket.

T-familiar Card

The T-familiar card is a multi-person travel card allowing 8 journeys in 30 consecutive days from the first validation, so it could be useful for families who only want to take one or two journeys on the metro. Cost: €10.70 for 1 zone.

I hope this has helped you to decide if the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is worth it for your trip to Barcelona.  If you love visiting museums then the Barcelona Card could be a better option for you, or if you think you’ll only take a few journeys on public transport then you can just get the basic transport tickets either in a 10 journey ticket or as and when you need it.

Happy travels!

Claire Sturzaker

I'm Claire and I love Barcelona! I first came to Barcelona as a student almost 20 years ago, and adore this city. I want to share all of my insider tips to help you to enjoy Barcelona as much as I do. If you want to visit Barcelona and have an amazing time – you are in the right place!

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Traveling to Barcelona for the First Time: 19 Tips & Tricks

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 15, 2024

Traveling to Barcelona for the first time and not sure where to start and what to expect? This article covers all the essential Barcelona travel tips that will help you make the most of your trip.

Planning your first visit to Barcelona, Spain, might be overwhelming. There are so many questions… How much time do you need in Barcelona? When to visit and how to avoid the crowds? Where to stay and what to see? Any local tips and habits to be aware of? Or how to see the best that Barcelona has to offer in a limited time and without breaking the bank?…

To help you plan your first trip to Barcelona, we selected some of the best tips for visiting the city. This no-nonsense practical guide will not only help you plan your trip, but will also show you how to make the best of your time and budget. Find out!

Top 5 Experiences in Barcelona:

• Sagrada Familia .
• Park Güell .
• Montjuïc Cable Car .
• Barcelona Pass .
• Casa Batlló .

Here are our essential Barcelona travel tips:

1. Research & Book in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting Barcelona for the first time is not to plan your trip in advance. So congratulations – because you are reading this, you already have a head start compared to other visitors!

Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or tickets for the main Barcelona attractions – booking in advance means that you have more choices and much better prices . It also means less wasted time queuing and more relaxing time sightseeing and enjoying this fabulous city. After all, you want to make the most of your time in Barcelona and not spend all your precious time standing in lines.

Also, doing your research in advance means that you will avoid disappointment to find that the places you want to visit are closed or tickets sold out . Below are some examples that illustrate what I mean.

For example, we really wanted to see the dancing fountain of Barcelona, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc , and were told that it dances every night. However, it’s not the case. Furthermore, since we were traveling in the low season, it was actually only dancing three times a week.

Because we arrived on a Saturday and left before the next weekend, we only had one chance to see the fountains during our visit – on the first evening in the city. So despite an early flight and a very long day, we decided to go. If we hadn’t done the research -assuming that we could just see it any night- we would have definitely missed it.

We also researched whether it was a good idea to visit Montserrat Monastery on Sunday. It turns out that it’s the busiest day of the week. So we booked a tour for Monday instead…

I also heard from some of our readers that they couldn’t visit the famous Barcelona market Mercado de La Boqueria because they didn’t realize that it was closed on Sundays. By the way, all indoor markets in Barcelona are closed on Sundays.

Another reader told us that they couldn’t visit Park Güell because they didn’t buy tickets in advance and no walk-ins were possible… (Btw, Park Güell is one of the most-visited Barcelona attractions and you really have to book your tickets in advance!).

Good to know: Tickets for the most popular Barcelona attractions often sell out up to 2-3 weeks in advance. This is especially the case in high season. Plus, most entry tickets are now timed, so you need to see what’s possible and how to fit it all into your itinerary. Further below, you will find more details and tips, but if you get the Barcelona Pass , you will have the option to pre-book a timeslot for your skip-the-line entry to all the main sights.

By doing your research in advance, you can also compare prices, reviews, and itineraries for the best tours in Barcelona… This brings us to the next point.

READ ALSO: Top Sights & Attractions in Barcelona

2. Save Time & Money When Visiting Barcelona’s Main Landmarks

Visiting Barcelona for the first time also means visiting all the main landmarks and attractions. Of course, you will want to see the famous La Sagrada Familia and the other iconic Gaudi buildings and architecture! Just make sure that you are well prepared so that you don’t waste hours and days standing in lines.

TIP: If you want to make the most of your time in Barcelona, consider skip-the-line tickets for ALL the main landmarks and the most popular tourist attractions. We also recommend booking guided tours for the Sagrada Familia and the main Gaudi buildings – that way you’ll get a much better understanding of all the symbolism and stories behind the architecture.

You can find Barcelona tours and skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and also on Tiqets . More information – further below.

Skip the Line Tickets

Some of the most popular attractions in Barcelona like Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, Park Güell, or La Sagrada Familia can have extremely long waiting times. Buying your tickets in advance is essential when visiting these places in any season!

Here you can get skip-the-line tickets for Casa Batllo , Casa Mila , Park Güell , and – the most popular of them all – La Sagrada Familia .

PRO TIP: With this Barcelona Pass , you can immediately reserve timed-entry tickets for the most popular sights, including the towers of La Sagrada Familia (regular tickets don’t include tower access!). This is a digital pass, so you will get tickets per email (= very simple to book and use).

TIP: If you didn’t think of buying the tickets in advance and they are sold out, try booking a guided tour instead. Guided tours prebook tickets and make it possible to visit the main landmarks even if the tickets are sold out. I recommend visiting Gaudi’s buildings and especially La Sagrada Familia with a tour anyway. Read on to learn why!

Guided Tours

Even when we visited in the low season, all the Gaudi buildings in Barcelona were incredibly busy. Often, it wasn’t even clear where to go even if you had already pre-booked your tickets…

That’s why we chose to visit all the Gaudi buildings on a tour. Here you can read more about our experience with the Gaudi tour (we chose this amazing tour that covers all the main Gaudi landmarks in a day).

We visited Barcelona with our three kids who, obviously, have no patience when it comes to long queues. Taking a tour meant that we could relax while the guide took care of everything. We just followed the guide and never had to wait anywhere longer than 10 minutes.

I can’t imagine how different our experience would have been if we had to figure out where exactly to go and wait in endless lines everywhere. We wouldn’t have been able to see half as much, not even to mention our sanity having to deal with bored kids…

Furthermore, having a local guide who explained what, where, and why, enabled us to appreciate what we were seeing. We never knew there were so many symbols and stories behind all the tiny details in Gaudi’s buildings! Gaudi was a real genius and we would have never gotten to know any of that if we had visited his buildings on our own.

Free Museums

Most Barcelona museums have specific days or hours when you can visit them free of charge. In general, you can expect most museums to be free on the first Sunday of the month. But there are also additional times when you can enter free of charge.

For example, the Picasso Museum is free to visit on the first Sunday of the month and also on Thursday evenings. Barcelona Cathedral (not to be confused with Sagrada Familia) is free to visit between 8.30 AM and 12.30 PM and in the evenings from 5.45 PM to 7.30 PM (hours vary a bit per day and on some days are a bit longer, but the hours indicated here apply daily).

Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA Plaça del Rei) is free on the first Sunday of the month and in the late afternoon on other Sundays.

These are just a few examples – there are so many museums and other attractions in Barcelona. So do your research for the places you want to see and, if possible, time your visit accordingly.

City Cards & Package Deals

If you are planning to visit several of the main Barcelona attractions on your own, you may want to look into getting one of the city cards that offer discounts and free entrances to certain attractions and also public transport tickets.

There is also a museum card that gives access to 6 of the most popular museums in Barcelona. So do your research and see if and which card makes sense for you, depending on your interests.

TIP: If you find the choice overwhelming, we recommend this Barcelona Pass . This is the best pass for Barcelona’s top sights including Park Güell & Sagrada Familia. If you also want to visit the towers of the Sagrada Familia (recommended), then this all-in pass is the best option for you. In case you wonder, there is a lift to get to the top of the towers.

Good to know: These passes not only save you money but make it really easy to book fast-track tickets to the most popular attractions in one place. Furthermore, the tickets are digital so you don’t have to waste your time once you get there!

3. Avoid High Season, Bank Holidays, and School Breaks

As one of the most-visited cities in Europe, Barcelona is always busy . Still, there is a huge difference between visiting Barcelona in the high season (June-August), in the shoulder season (April-May and September-October + New Year), or in the low season when there are fewer international travelers and hardly any cruise ships in town.

Because we travel with kids, however, we can only travel during school breaks. For years, we have been postponing a trip to Barcelona for that reason. However, we decided that it was high time to see this iconic city and chose the first week of November (autumn break) for our trip.

We were pleasantly surprised. It was still busy at the main attractions in the city, but it never really felt too crowded or overwhelming AND we had quite a few amazing places almost to ourselves.

Needless to say that this greatly influenced our experience and we loved Barcelona so much more than I ever expected. Based on all the horror stories about the crowds, we were really fearing the worst. But what we found was a really pleasant city that gave us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sights without having to brush elbows with thousands of strangers.

Furthermore, the weather in early November was fabulous with plenty of sunshine and temperatures that were warm enough to wear a t-shirt during the day.

So if you can, visit Barcelona in the shoulder season or in the low season. It will be so much more enjoyable!

READ ALSO: Best Time to Visit Europe

4. Stay in the City Center

Another very important thing to take into account when traveling to Barcelona is where to stay .

While it’s often tempting to choose cheaper accommodation further away from the city center, we have learned the hard way that it’s not the best idea. Yes, it can save you some money, but it will cost you time and comfort. It’s so easy if you can just walk to a nice restaurant for dinner from your hotel or sleep longer in the morning knowing that your tour starts right around the corner and not on the other side of town…

So if you are visiting Barcelona for the first time and want to make the most of your short trip, stay in the city center! Also, stay somewhat close to a metro station – that way you can always get to the other parts of town quicker.

We recommend staying in the area close to Plaça de Catalunya . It’s a perfect location for sightseeing and you can easily walk to most attractions in the old town or to the nicest Gaudi buildings… There are also plenty of shops and restaurants nearby, and most tours and excursions start in this area.

Here are our hand-picked recommendations with an excellent location near Plaça de Catalunya for all budgets:

• If you are looking for a really nice place to stay in the heart of Barcelona, check out Ohla Barcelona , a fabulous 5* hotel with a rooftop pool and bar.
• Some of the best mid-range 4* hotels are Acta Atrium Palace and  Exe Plaza Catalunya .
• If you are on a l ower budget , check out these popular and highly-rated options with excellent locations: Hotel Lloret Ramblas (the best-rated and most popular budget hotel in the center) or  Hostal Boqueria (a very good, simple hotel on a low budget).

Where we stayed: We stayed at the Acta Splendid Hotel.  The location couldn’t be better and the price/quality was unbeatable for this area.

TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in central Barcelona (Plaça de Catalunya area).

Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best deals for your stay. Check it out!

5. Explore the Gothic Quarter

One of the most beautiful parts of Barcelona is the old Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic). No visit to the city would be complete without exploring this fascinating area.

While the district gets its name thanks to the 13-15th century Gothic buildings, it’s actually the oldest part of Barcelona with archeological finds dating to Roman times.

The main landmarks here are the Cathedral of Barcelona (The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia), Plaça del Rei , and the underground Roman city that is part of the earlier mentioned Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA). But the real charm of the Gothic Quarter is its fascinating maze of streets and historic buildings.

TIP: This part of town can get really busy. The best time to visit is as early in the morning as possible, or in the low season.

6. Use Barcelona Metro

Barcelona is a big city and its attractions are scattered throughout. So no matter where you stay, eventually, you’ll find yourself in need of a transfer. By far the easiest and the fastest way to get around the city is by taking the metro . And, if you avoid peak times, the metro is surprisingly quiet.

There are all kinds of multi-day and multi-journey tickets available for Barcelona metro and public transport, so choose one that best suits your needs. When we traveled, we got a 10-journey card that could be used by multiple people at the same time. Names and conditions of these cards change often, and you can find the best up-to-date information on the official website .

If you’re just taking the metro (so not a bus and other public transport options), you can easily get ticket cards at any metro station as well. There are ticket machines and everything is well-explained, also in English. Credit cards are accepted.

TIP: You can also take a metro to the airport , but it takes very long (it took us over 1.5 hrs to get to the city center). Alternatively, there are airport shuttle buses that run frequently, cost about the same as the metro ticket, and take much less time. On our way back to the airport, we took a taxi and it was surprisingly affordable. You can find more information about Barcelona airport transport here .

7. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Just as with any city trip, traveling to Barcelona means that you’ll be walking a lot. Make sure that you wear comfortable walking shoes!

Take my word for it, wrong footwear can ruin your entire vacation. Get lightweight sneakers or slip-on shoes for your Barcelona trip. I wear and recommend shoes in this style ; they are light and comfy – ideal for city trips.

TIP: If you don’t like walking too much, consider taking a hop-on hop-off bus instead.

8. Adjust Your Dining Schedule

You may have heard this before – Spanish people have very different habits when it comes to dining times. The main meal of the day is lunch and it usually starts at around 2 – 2.30 PM. Most restaurants will not open for dinner before 8 – 9 PM.

We were a bit worried about late dinner times because we traveled to Barcelona with kids, but it worked out quite well. Since it’s such a touristy place, there are quite some restaurants that have adapted their opening times and it was usually possible to find a place to eat at 7.30-8 PM.

We were told that the best local restaurants don’t open before 8.30-9 PM, but we found plenty of good restaurants that do.

That being said, you won’t easily find a good local restaurant open for dinner before 7 – 7.30 PM.

9. Try Tapas

No visit to Barcelona would be complete without tapas . In case you don’t know what tapas are, this is just a popular Spanish word for small snacks. Like appetizers in the US or antipasti in Italy. Basically, tapas are just small-sized portions of food – from seafood, meat, to all kinds of vegetables or potatoes ( patatas bravas ).

Everywhere you go, you’ll see tapas on the menu. It’s a great way to try a big variety of Spanish food without having to order an entire dish not knowing whether you’ll like it. It’s ideal if you are traveling with a bigger family or a group of friends because you can order a big variety of tapas and everyone will easily find something they like.

Some restaurants have set tapas menus which are a real lifesaver if you are feeling overwhelmed. After a couple of tapas meals, you’ll get more familiar with the concept, and ordering tapas will actually be fun.

Good to know: Tapas are EVERYWHERE in Barcelona, but they are not the only option (luckily). If you stay in Barcelona longer, it’s quite likely that you’ll eventually get tired of tapas. No worries – there are plenty of restaurants serving traditional Spanish food, seafood, paellas, but also a big variety of international cuisines. After five days in Barcelona, our kids didn’t want to see or hear of any more tapas, so we found a really nice pasta restaurant that the whole family loved.

TIP: If you want to try some of the best local dishes, consider joining a food tour as well! Food tours are our favorite thing to do when visiting any city! Check out this highly-rated tapas & wine tour . Another popular choice is this paella cooking experience + Boqueria market visit .

10. Tipping in Barcelona

Generally speaking, tipping is not that common in Europe, and so also not in Spain. However, American habits quickly find their way here too and it’s now more and more common to tip. That being said, it’s never really expected, let alone obligatory.

In Barcelona, you do not have to tip and locals usually don’t tip or just round up the bill. If you find the restaurant service exceptionally good, you can tip 5-10%. It’s not common to tip at a bar. Taxi bills are usually just rounded up. For bellboys – a euro or two is enough.

Many people tip tour guides, but it’s really your call how much. In Europe, we usually tip 20 EUR for a day tour that we take as a family of 5. If you are alone or traveling as a couple, 5-10 EUR is acceptable, but most Europeans don’t even do that.

11. It’s OK to Haggle

If you are planning to buy any souvenirs from street vendors, at the markets, or at the tourist shops in town, you should know that haggling is completely acceptable. Very often, you’ll see that no prices are advertised and in such cases, you definitely have to haggle or you’ll be overpaying up to twice the price, if not more.

It’s also very common that the same souvenirs will cost twice as much close to the most popular tourist landmarks, compared to some lesser-visited places. However, it’s not always the case.

My best advice is not to buy souvenirs immediately. Take your time, ask for prices, and get a better idea of what’s acceptable before buying anything.

12. Know That Things Are Laid Back

Barcelona is a very laid-back place. You’ll notice it in many ways. Depending on where you’re from and what you’re used to, things might seem a bit too relaxed, or maybe just normal…

The best way to enjoy your time in Barcelona is just go with the flow. Don’t get upset if it takes a bit longer for a waiter to take your order, or if the shops are closed for siesta a bit longer than advertised…

Good thing is that Barcelona is also much more casual in terms of clothing than, for example, Madrid. There is no need for fancy clothing and even at dinner at some nicer restaurants we dined at, most people were quite casually dressed. That being said, when in doubt, I’m always in favor of overdressing.

13. Beware of Pickpockets

Just as in any other big city or popular tourist destination, Barcelona has a problem with pickpockets. These guys are real professionals and it’s not uncommon that they manage to distract attention and even rob a big group of people at the same time.

So take precautions and don’t carry too much money or any other unnecessary valuables around. Also, make sure that you have good travel insurance! Be careful at the most popular tourist places, such as La Rambla or around La Sagrada Familia, and also when using public transport.

An anti-theft backpack might be a good idea too. Or – if you have a regular backpack – wear it in front of you and not on your back. Also, it’s really not a good idea to store your wallet or your smartphone in your jeans pocket.

14. Don’t Try to See Everything

Barcelona is a huge city and there is so much to see and do ! But… there’s no way to see everything in just a couple of days. So plan your itinerary well! If you don’t know where to start, check out our tips on how to spend 1 day in Barcelona and also an itinerary for 2 days in Barcelona .

I recommend choosing a couple of must-see places each day or maybe one specific area, and not try to do it all at once. You’ll enjoy the city much more if you also leave some time for a relaxing lunch at a nice café or some unexpected discoveries.

When it comes to visiting Barcelona, remember that less is more!

I know that it’s very tempting to try and see as many landmarks as you possibly can, but you’ll just get tired and frustrated. Take your time to sample some local specialties at the market, turn into a little picturesque alley and see where it leads, or explore some lesser-known places that don’t involve standing in line for hours… This brings us to the next tip…

15. Get off the Beaten Path

Barcelona is so much more than its most famous landmarks , La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, Barceloneta beach, or Gaudi architecture… There are so many other amazing places that are worth visiting just as much, yet are overlooked by most first-time visitors.

Some of our favorite moments in Barcelona were visiting the lesser-known and less-visited places . And while it’s not easy to find any truly ‘hidden’ gems, even just getting a bit off the main tourist routes will show you a very different side of Barcelona.

One of our favorite places in Barcelona was the beautiful Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site , which we had practically to ourselves. While it is not completely unknown, it was completely deserted when we visited it in the low season… And so worth a visit!

We particularly enjoyed the Port Vell and La Barceloneta – an old fishermen’s quarter with narrow streets and local restaurants. And yes, there is a really busy area in this part of town as well – with a seaside promenade, fancy yachts, and tourist restaurants. But if you take the time to explore deeper, you find a totally different place, just a few blocks away…

The same counts for the El Born and La Ribera areas which are like a labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways – so fun to just get lost and explore this area without a map.

We also went to a more local Poublenou area and explored Gracia , L’Eixample , and Montjuïc on foot. We visited some little-known sights and some really nice markets that had many more locals than tourists (Mercado de La Boqueria is really not the only market worth seeing in Barcelona)…

Each and every area has something special and unique. Behind the busier streets and popular areas, there are always lesser-visited gems just waiting to be discovered.

Even if you just see a few of these more local areas, it will make your trip to Barcelona so much more memorable.

16. Attend a Performance at Palau de la Música Catalana

If you want to experience something really special in Barcelona, try to get tickets for a performance at Palau de la Música Catalana . This stunning music hall is a real masterpiece and worth visiting in itself, but it’s even more special if you can attend a concert here.

They organize various concerts every evening and also during the day on the weekends. From classical music and dance to the most modern musical performances and traditional Flamenco dances – there are always plenty of choices to suit any interest. Most of the time, tickets are available just a few days in advance (or even on the day itself), so check the program and go. It will be totally worth it!

Good to know: You can also just visit the music hall itself. Self-guided and guided tours are available throughout the day and take less than an hour. Here you can get tickets for your visit .

17. Escape the Hustle of the City for a Day

Visiting a busy city like Barcelona can leave you exhausted, especially if you are not used to the crowds or if the summer heat becomes too much for you.

While most tourists head to Barceloneta beach , you’ll hardly find any locals there. The better beaches (nicer and also less crowded) can be found a bit further away. Try Playa de Bogatell if you don’t want to go too far. Or – outside of town – Platja de Castelldefels in the south or Platja de Badalona in the north of Barcelona.

The most popular day trip outside of the city is visiting Montserrat Monastery . Because it’s located in the mountains, the temperatures are usually cooler there too. We also took this day trip and here you can read all about our Montserrat tour .

These are just a few examples of places to visit outside the city. There are many more beautiful areas that you can visit on a day trip from Barcelona! Here are a few other popular options:

• Catamaran Sailing Tours (1.5-2 hrs)
• Kayaking & snorkeling (half a day)
• Hot air balloon flights (half a day)
• Vineyards near the city (half a day)
• Girona and Costa Brava (full day)
• Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum (full day)
• 3 Countries in a Day (full day)

So if you are staying in town for more than 2-3 days, I suggest you take at least one day trip to see more of the surroundings or just to escape the crowds. As a minimum, rent a bike and drive along the beach – there is a beautiful waterfront promenade with bike paths that bring you to the quieter beaches and districts of Barcelona.

18. Stay Clear of Politics and Protests

Political protests in Catalonia are not uncommon. There were huge protests and even riots in Barcelona just a few days before our trip, and there were also some violent protests in the city while we were there.

But, in general, these protests don’t really influence your travel experience much (unless they block an airport, which happened once a few years ago).

My best advice is to just stay clear of any political protests. If you see any demonstrations, just walk around or take another street. Barcelona is a big city and the chances that you’ll find yourself amidst the protesters are really not that high.

19. Don’t Forget Little Important Details

Here are some  more practical tips  to consider when traveling to Barcelona for the first time:

• You can  pay  by credit card pretty much everywhere, but it’s always useful to have some cash as well. Spain uses the EURO .
• If you don’t have a credit card with a chip and a 4-digit pin , check out this selection of  the best American credit cards for travel and get one – you’ll need a car with a pin everywhere in Europe. I recommend choosing  a card with no foreign transaction fees .
• While you can easily get around using English , it’s always useful to learn a couple of words of Spanish or Catalan. Hola (hello) and gracias (thank you) go a long way.
• Barcelona has a pretty good network of free WiFi with hundreds of access points throughout the city. Hotels and some restaurants also usually offer free wifi.
• Download an offline map of Barcelona using apps like Google Maps or Maps.me. It’s so much easier than a paper map and you can always easily find your way around.
• Make sure to pack a travel adapter . Spain uses  European plugs .
• Remember that many shops and markets are closed on Sunday . However, most museums and other attractions remain open. We chose to do a Gaudi tour on a Sunday and it worked out great.
• Pack comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the season. It can get really warm in Barcelona and sun protection is an absolute must in summer. Don’t forget your sun hat !
• Make a copy of your travel documents and send it to yourself by email (or save it in the cloud). As with any international trip, make sure that you have good travel insurance .

So, these are some of the most important practical tips that you should know when traveling to Barcelona for the first time.

Below, you can also find some frequently asked questions for your first visit to Barcelona. Take a look!

Barcelona Travel FAQs

The best time to visit Barcelona are the shoulder months between March and May and also from September to October. The weather is best for sightseeing and it’s not as busy as in the summer.

While you can see the main landmarks of Barcelona in one or two days, we recommend at least 3-4 days for your first trip to Barcelona. This will allow you to explore the city at a more relaxed pace, visit Gaudi buildings and a few museums, and maybe even take a tour to Montserrat.

Barcelona is a very popular destination, so it’s best to book your accommodation and the tours that you absolutely want to do in advance. Make sure to book skip-the-line tickets for the most popular landmarks such as La Sagrada Familia!

Yes, Barcelona is a safe destination. However, just like in any other big European city, you should be careful with pickpockets and common travel scams. If you are not sure about visiting certain areas at night, ask your hotel for advice.

We recommend staying in the area close to Plaça de Catalunya . The location is perfect for sightseeing and you can easily walk to the most popular attractions in the city center. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. Most tours also start in this area.

Do you have any questions or maybe want to share your experience when visiting Barcelona? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

More tips for your trip to Spain:

• Best Things to Do in Barcelona
• Barcelona 1 Day Itinerary
• How to See the Best of Barcelona in 2 Days
• Complete Guide to Visiting Montserrat
• Montserrat Tour Review
• Best Barcelona Gaudi Tour
• 1 Day in Seville
• 2 Days in Seville
• Flamenco in Seville
• One Day in Madrid: What to See & Itinerary
• Madrid to Toledo Day Trip

READ ALSO: Spain Bucket List: Top Places & Experiences

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

More travel inspiration for European cities:

If you are visiting other European cities and are looking for in-depth information for your trip, take a look at some of our city guides:

• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Antwerp, Belgium
• Bern, Switzerland
• Bologna, Italy
• Brasov, Romania
• Brussels, Belgium
• Bruges, Belgium
• Bucharest, Romania
• Colmar, France
• Edinburgh, UK
• Florence, Italy
• Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Krakow, Poland
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Liverpool, UK
• Lucerne, Switzerland
• Manchester, UK
• Milan, Italy
• Naples, Italy
• Paris, France
• Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
• Ravenna, Italy
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Rome, Italy
• Salzburg, Austria
• Siena, Italy
• Sintra, Portugal
• Venice, Italy
• Verona, Italy
• Read also our tips for traveling to Europe .

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Tuesday 13th of June 2023

Hi Jurga! I love your blog and I'm planning to visit Barcelona in October. Did the Acta Splendid charge you a resort fee in addition to the price of the room & tax?.....Elaine

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

Hi Elaine, I don't remember hotel charging us any special fees. When you book on Booking.com, it's always very clearly shown what's included. Usually, for most places, they already include the city tax in the price, or show you how much it will be. For Acta Splendid, if I try just random dates, I see that it shows me in the booking window that 10% VAT and City tax are included in the price. What sometimes happens is that you first get charged just for the room and then have to pay the taxes at the property separately. But the total price you see on Booking is usually the total of what you'll pay in the end (unless clearly stated otherwise). That's a big difference vs. booking with hotels directly. Most hotels don't show taxes in their price at first and then add it to your bill later. This way, you might think that you are paying less but, often, it's quite the opposite. Just one more reason why we always use Booking.com for all our accommodation bookings. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

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Hola Barcelona app: live the city!

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5 day Hola Barcelona Travel Card (120h)

The 5 day travel card includes unlimited journeys on Barcelona public transport over 120 hours after the first validation.

• Number of journeys: Unlimited
• Validity: 120 hours as of first validation

10% online discount

Description

Advantatges of the hola barcelona travel card.

• All the journeys you need for 5 days at one price.
• Hola Barcelona Travel Card covers travel between the airport and the city centre on public transport.
• Changeovers between different travel operators: metro, Montjuïc funicular, bus (TMB), urban railway (FGC, Zone 1), tram (TRAM) and Barcelona regional mainline trains (Rodalies de Catalunya, Zone 1). Montjuïc Cable Car not included.

Where can I get them?

• You can buy Hola Barcelona Travel Card online and get 10% off. You can also buy it at the Hola Barcelona Store, located in the L3 lobby os the catalunya metro station or buy them from vending machines and Punt TMB customer service centres in the metro, or from Tourist Information Offices around the city.
• If you buy online or at Hola Barcelona Store, change your voucher for travel cards at machines in the metro.

How it works

• You can start using your Hola Barcelona Travel Card at any time of day and get unlimited journeys over 120 hours on Barcelona public transport.
• Hola Barcelona Travel Card are valid for one person only.
• Unvalidated cards expire on 28 February of the year following purchase.
• To use your card, validate it at the beginning of every journey. Try to keep it in perfect condition.

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Watch on YouTube "Hola Barcelona Travel Card, the best way to visit Barcelona" video. 1'30"

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• Barcelona Metro (Underground / Tube / Subway)
• Getting around Barcelona
• Public Transportation in Barcelona

Updated Feb 16 2024

Barcelona’s metro ( underground / tube / subway ), opened in 1924 with one small section of the current Line 3 between Plaça de Catalunya and Lesseps, has continued to develop since, both in terms of the number of stops and indeed the number of lines that serve Barcelona. It is now one of the fastest and most reliable ways of getting across the city.

More information about Barcelona’s Metro

Now Barcelona’s metro lines, which are run by the TMB, cover the vast majority of the city , which means that they are used by both residents of Barcelona and tourists visiting the city.

Where to buy Barcelona metro tickets?

The 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-day Hola Barcelona travel card metro tickets can also be bought online . You can buy your Barcelona Card in Barcelona’s Tourist Information Centres or online.

BUY ONLINE BARCELONA METRO PASS

Hola Barcelona travel card (2, 3, 4 and 5 days)

Getting around with public transport

Barcelona Card Express (2 days)

Public transport included and discount in museums

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Barcelona Card 3, 4 and 5 days

Public transportation included and free admission to various museums

There are many places where you can buy the different metro tickets, and most people buy them in the automatic ticket machines that can be found in every metro station. Other locations include the TMB information points, kiosks, estancos (tobacconists shops that also sell stamps), and the stands in the streets that sell lottery tickets.

Differences between Barcelona Card and Hola Barcelona Travel Card The main difference between the Barcelona Card and Hola Barcelona Travel Card (also known as Hola BCN!) is that the latter only includes public transport while the Barcelona Card also offers free entry to various museums and places of tourist interest as well as discounts on cultural and leisure visits and some tourist services. Hola Barcelona Travel Card Barcelona Card Once you’ve bought your ticket or pass , you need to keep in mind that you will need to insert it when you enter each metro station. If you have bought a pass that allows integrated travel, you can use it on all of Barcelona’s public transport for 1 hour and 15 minutes from the first time you validated your ticket . It will count as one journey, but you still need to validate it on each method of transport that you use (bus, tram, FGC or Renfe). Tickets for other public transport in Barcelona Metro tickets are also valid on other forms of public transport in the city. Local buses + info Tram Zone 1 of the FGC and the Rodalies de Catalunya (RENFE). € Price of metro tickets in 2024

Although much more reasonably priced than the service in many other the European cities, during the past few years the price of metro tickets has risen significantly. It’s therefore important to buy the right ticket for your journey, and you may find that with the discounts available through the Hola Barcelona Travel card or Barcelona Card you could save quite a lot of money.

The Barcelona Metro lines

Barcelona’s Metro has a total of 11 lines that run underground across much of the city. Below we have included a map that shows the different lines, and a chart that shows more information about each line. We should point out that Lines 6, 7 and 8 actually form part of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), and not of the Metro, but the tickets and transport passes are the same as for the Metro.

Metro to and from the Barcelona Airport With the extension of Line 9 of Barcelona’s Metro network it’s now possible to travel by Metro from the city to both of the airport’s terminals. Unfortunately there’s not a direct line from the heart of the city centre to the airport and vice versa, so you’ll need to change lines to get to Plaça Catalunya and other central areas of the city Price The standard ticket isn’t valid on the airport service, so you’ll need to buy a special ticket that costs €4.50 per journey. Journey time Between Zona Universitaria and Terminal T1: 32 minutes Between Zona Universitaria and Terminal T2: 27 minutes Barcelona metro timetables

Barcelona’s metro timetable varies according to the day of the week , with the service being extended over the weekends, so that people can get around easily late at night.

The frequency varies from line to line, but there will be many more trains at rush hour, and fewer late at night.

Tomorrowland Brasil

The story of ‘Adscendo’ continues in Brazil

Prepare for a magnificent new chapter at Tomorrowland Brasil 2024, Pre-Registration for ticket sales opens on April 10

The story of ‘Adscendo’ continues… People of Tomorrow can start preparing for a magnificent new chapter in the history of Tomorrowland, as Tomorrowland Brasil 2024 will revolve around the mythical ‘Adscendo’ theme, turning Parque Maeda into a magical destination high on the horizon.

Pre-registration for the ticket sales opens on April 10 at 15:00 CEST | 10:00 BRT, the Worldwide Ticket Sale starts on May 2. Discover all ticket info and prices on brasil.tomorrowland.com .

Tomorrowland Brasil will take place on October 11-13, 2024, in the beautiful festival area of Parque Maeda in Itu, a municipality of São Paulo. Last year, Tomorrowland celebrated its grand return to Brazil with people from around the world uniting as one.

This year’s Brazilian edition will introduce people into the world of ‘Adscendo’, turning Parque Maeda in Itu into a magical destination high on the horizon.

Following many years of tradition, the captivating ‘Adscendo’ stage was brought to life by Tomorrowland’s creative team and is 100% crafted in-house at Tomorrowland, from idea to realization and made with love and passion.

The breathtaking stage was first unveiled at Tomorrowland Belgium in 2023 and will now find a new home in Brazil, taking the People of Tomorrow along to embark on a secret journey toward a peculiar destination and witness the rise of a magnificent tale at the festival grounds of Parque Maeda.

The ‘Adscendo’ MainStage in numbers

• 100% locally crafted
• 43 meters high
• 160 meters wide
• 740 square meters of video tiles – 1.517 video tiles in total
• 1.050 lamps
• 230 speakers & subs
• 48 fountains
• 15 waterfall pump

Global Journey & DreamVille

Offering a unique camping experience with a wide range of accommodations, DreamVille is a vibrant city where over 17.000 People of Tomorrow eat, sleep, live and enjoy their 5-day experience from Thursday to Monday.

Welcoming festival visitors after an exuberant day at Tomorrowland Brasil, DreamVille features a Marketplace with shops, food stands, a bakery, a tattoo shop, a barber shop and much more, as well as a Yoga Dome with daily morning yoga classes.

DreamVille guests will also be able to enjoy daily Daybreak Sessions from Thursday to Saturday. DreamVille is the People of Tomorrow’s home away from home – the place to make friends for life, share experiences and recharge your batteries.

Thanks to Global Journey, Tomorrowland’s official travel program, festivalgoers from every corner of the world can travel all united in an all-in travel experience to Tomorrowland Brasil by plane or bus from different cities all over Brazil and other countries, and stay at DreamVille, for a unique camping experience or sleep in one of the Tomorrowland hotels, making it the easiest way to come discover the beautiful scenery of Parque Maeda in Itu.

The Global Journey packages and tickets go on sale from April 22.

Tomorrowland Brasil 2024 will gather the planet’s best electronic artists at its fabulous stages to create memories of a lifetime, while festivalgoers from all corners of the globe will come together to celebrate love, music and unity during three spectacular days in the lush and green scenery of Parque Maeda, about 90 kilometres from São Paulo.

More info about the line-up will be announced in the coming months.

Pre-registration for the Tomorrowland Brasil 2024 ticket sales opens on April 10 at 15:00 CEST | 10:00 BRT and people can discover all ticket options, info, and prices on brasil.tomorrowland.com .

Use your Tomorrowland Account or create one to pre-register to be able to buy tickets during the different ticket sale dates.

• Global Journey & First 20 Ticket Sale: starts on April 22 at 15:00 CEST | 10:00 BRT
• Worldwide Ticket Sale: starts on May 2 at 15:00 CEST | 10:00 BRT

Tomorrowland Brasil 2024 ​October 11-13, 2024 ​Parque Maeda, Itu ​Pre-registrations & ticket info via brasil.tomorrowland.com

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Barcelona tech job fair autumn 2024.

Whether you're an employer seeking tech talent or a professional exploring career opportunities join the Barcelona Tech Job Fair!

Date and time

42 Barcelona

Refund Policy

About this event.

Join us for an evening of innovation, connections, and career opportunities!

Are you ready to take the next big step in your tech career or find top-tier talent for your company? Don’t miss the Barcelona Tech Job Fair Autumn 2024, presented by TechMeetups!

For Employers and Recruiters: Discover Your Next Tech Superstars:

• Showcase your company's brand, culture, and job openings to a targeted audience of skilled professionals actively seeking opportunities in the tech sector.
• Engage with potential candidates, discuss job roles, career paths, and company culture to find the perfect fit for your team.
• Build strategic partnerships, explore collaborations, and expand your network with industry peers and potential partners.

For Exhibitor Inquiries: For exhibitor packages and customized solutions, please contact Alexandra, our Global Manager, at [email protected] .

Explore our exhibitor packages designed to fit your company's needs and budget. Whether you're a nonprofit, HR professional, startup, or established brand, we have options like Startup, Bronze, Showcase, Silver, and Gold Exhibitor packages , each offering unique branding and promotional opportunities https://techmeetups.com/product-category/barcelona

• Promote your employer brand and stand out in the competitive market.
• Connect with qualified candidates face-to-face.
• Access a pool of diverse tech talent across various domains.
• Build valuable connections with potential candidates, partners, and industry peers.
• Gain insights into industry trends, market demands, and talent expectations to drive your recruitment strategies forward.

Target Audience: The Barcelona Tech Job Fair Autumn 2024 is designed specifically for job seekers passionate about advancing their careers in software engineering, data analytics, cybersecurity, UX/UI design, sales, marketing, finance, and related fields.

The event targets individuals in tech, marketing, finance and sales roles—not recruitment. HR professionals involved in recruitment and hiring processes are advised to secure an HR & Recruitment professionals Pass or opt for one of the exhibitor packages.

• Spain Events
• Barcelona Events
• Things to do in Barcelona
• Barcelona Networking
• Barcelona Business Networking
• #employment
• #job_search
• #career_fair
• #career_change

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