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By Air
British Airways, Iberia and easyJet offer direct flights from the UK to Barcelona. From the US, flights usually involve one stopover (in Madrid). Qantas flies from Australia and New Zealand to Barcelona via a series of stopovers.
90 211 13 33
90 240 05 00
807 260 026 (premium rate)
900 800 743
90 096 12 66
Iberia logo
From the Airport
One of the most convenient ways from the airport to the city centre is by Aerobús, which depart every 6 minutes from 6am to 1am, and make various stops, terminating at Plaça de Catalunya. RENFE trains leave the airport every 30 minutes, stopping at Estació de Sants and Passeig de Gràcia; both link up with the metro. A taxi from the airport into the city centre costs €20–€25.
93 415 60 20
90 224 02 02
Airport sign
By Train
Trains run throughout Spain and Europe from Estació de Sants and Estació de França. Both stations have lockers, ATMs and bureaux de change. RENFE is Spain’s national train company.
Av Marqués de l’Argentera
Pl dels Països Catalans
90 224 02 02 (24 hours)
By Bus
Both Eurolines and Linebús serve Barcelona from numerous European cities, including Rome, Paris and London. Buses usually operate from Barcelona’s main bus station, Estació del Nord, and also from Estació de Sants.
C/Ali Bei 80
90 226 06 06
90 242 22 42
90 233 55 33
By Car
Barcelona is linked to the rest of Spain and Europe by autopistes (toll highways) and toll-free roads. The tolled AP7 runs between Barcelona and the border of France.
Domestic travel
The city is connected to the rest of Spain by train, bus and plane. Iberia and its low-cost airline, Clickair, fly to and from many domestic destinations and offer a shuttle service between Madrid and Barcelona with up to 30 flights a day. Spanair, Vueling and Air Europa serve Barcelona from the rest of Spain. RENFE and several bus companies link Barcelona to most of Spain’s major cities.
90 213 14 15
90 240 15 01
807 00 17 17
Cheap Travel
Book long before your departure date to cut costs. If you’re flexible and open to stopovers, you’re likely to find better deals. The internet is great for cheap fares (try www.travelocity.com or www.cheaptickets.com). Many airlines offer discounts if you buy online.
Planning
Citizens from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand need a valid passport. For non-EU citizens, a visa is required if you intend to stay in Spain for longer than three months. If you’re taking any kind of medication, bring your prescription.
When to Visit
If you’re in search of sun, visit Barcelona during the summer, but remember that many businesses close through August. To avoid the summer crowds, visit around May or October.