Barcelona Airport (BCN) Guide

Barcelona Airport offers short-term and long-term parking at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with options including covered, economy and premium car parks. It’s a good idea to book in advance online through Aena for the best rates. 

The Renfe R2 Nord commuter train runs approximately every 30 minutes from the airport to Barcelona Sants and Passeig de Gràcia stations, with a journey time of around 25 minutes. The train station is located at Terminal 2 – if you’re arriving at Terminal 1, you’ll need to catch the free shuttle bus to T2 first. 

Major car rental companies, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Budget, have desks in both terminals at Barcelona Airport. Talk to your Travel Expert about organising car hire for your trip or book it yourself online before you leave. 

TMB city bus number 46 runs during the day between both terminals and Barcelona city centre, and the NitBus N17 provides a night service. These are the most budget-friendly options, and you can use a standard T-Casual transport ticket. 

The Aerobus is an express bus service running every 5–10 minutes between the airport and Plaça de Catalunya in the city centre. Line A1 serves Terminal 1 and Line A2 serves Terminal 2, with a journey time of around 35 minutes. It’s one of the most popular ways to get into the city and runs from early morning until late at night. 

The L9 Sud metro line connects both terminals to Barcelona’s metro network. You’ll need a special airport metro ticket for this journey, which is separate from standard metro fares. 

Official taxis are lined up in ranks outside both terminals and are easy to spot with their distinctive black and yellow livery. A ride to Barcelona city centre takes around 20–30 minutes and typically costs between €25 and €45, depending on traffic and time of day. Fares are metered, with set surcharges for airport pickups. 

A free shuttle bus connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 every 5–10 minutes, making it easy to transfer between the two. You can also use the metro L9 Sud line to travel between terminals. 

A large number of airlines fly into and out of Barcelona Airport, including major carriers such as British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia, Emirates, Lufthansa and many more. With around 80 airlines operating from BCN, you’ll find direct flights to over 200 destinations across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia. 

As a general rule, you should aim to arrive at Barcelona Airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time for domestic and Schengen flights and three hours before non-Schengen international flights. This should give you plenty of time to complete check-in, drop your bags and pass through any necessary security screenings before your boarding time. Keep in mind that you may experience longer queues during busy travel periods, so check with the airport, airline or your Travel Expert directly for more information on recommended arrival times. 

There are plenty of transport options available from Barcelona Airport to the city centre, including the Aerobus express service, the Renfe R2 Nord train, the L9 Sud metro line, taxis, local buses and car rental. The Aerobus and train are particularly popular, getting you into the heart of Barcelona in around 25–35 minutes. 

Yes, Barcelona Airport has several VIP lounges, primarily located in Terminal 1. These include the Pau Casals Lounge, Sala VIP Colomer and Sala VIP Joan Miró. Access to airport lounges may be possible depending on your ticket class, frequent flyer membership, credit card benefits, lounge programme membership or by purchasing a day pass. Check with the airline directly or talk to your Travel Expert for more information on how to access the lounges at Barcelona Airport. 

Terminal 1 offers sleep pods and comfortable seating areas for passengers looking to rest during a layover. Several of the airport’s VIP lounges also provide quiet spaces with shower facilities. If you’d prefer a proper bed, there are a number of hotels located close to the airport. For longer layovers of six hours or more, the Aerobus or a taxi can have you exploring Barcelona’s city centre in no time. 

You may be able to earn loyalty points or rewards on eligible flights to or from Barcelona Airport booked with us. When booking online, you’ll see a place to add your loyalty program or frequent flyer membership details if this is available, or you can ask your Travel Expert for help when booking in-store. If the booking meets your program’s requirements, you’ll earn points! For more information, check with your specific loyalty program and see our Booking Terms and Conditions. Keen for even more travel perks? Subscribe to our email list for birthday surprises, competition entries, exclusive deals and VIP pre-sale access to the hottest holiday savings around. 

Check-in times and baggage rules for flights departing from Barcelona Airport will vary depending on your ticket, so make sure you confirm with your airline in advance. Remember, it’s often possible to check in online or via your airline’s app, which can help save time at the airport. For more information or help finding your check-in times and baggage limits, talk to your Travel Expert. 

Barcelona Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is the main terminal and handles most international and full-service airline flights, including Vueling, British Airways, Emirates and Iberia. Terminal 2 is primarily used by low-cost and regional carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet. Always check your airline’s designated terminal before heading to the airport, and remember there’s a free shuttle bus running between the two. 

Yes, Barcelona Airport offers both short-term and long-term parking at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with options including covered, economy and premium car parks. Rates vary depending on the type of car park and duration, and you can often save by booking in advance through the Aena website. 

Barcelona Airport offers family-friendly facilities including baby rooms, children’s play areas and barrier-free assistance services throughout the terminals. Check the airport’s website or enquire at an information desk for the most up-to-date details on what’s available for families travelling with little ones. 

Keen to do a little retail therapy at Barcelona Airport? You’ll find a wide range of duty-free shops, designer boutiques, souvenir stores and dining options across both terminals. Terminal 1’s Sky Center shopping area is particularly well stocked. Check Barcelona Airport’s website for an up-to-date list of stores and their opening information. 

While last-minute sale fares to and from Barcelona Airport may become available, you’ll generally find it pays to plan ahead, especially if you’re booking international flights. As a rough guide, we recommend booking domestic flights three to six months in advance and international flights six to nine months before you plan to fly. When it comes to balancing flexible travel dates with the biggest savings, this should give you the best of both worlds!