Getting around a big city can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the public transportation system. However, rest assured that during your stay in Barcelona you’ll be zipping around the city in no time! Here you have some tips to easily navigate public transportation in Barcelona that will make it a cinch to get where you need to go.
Ready? Let’s get moving!
What are the options for public transportation in Barcelona?
There are various ways to get around Barcelona quickly and efficiently through the TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) and AMB (Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona). Regular services include:
- Bus
- Night bus
- Tram
- Metro
- FGC: Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (light rail system)
- Rodalies (short/medium distance trains)
- Taxis
- Bicing bike rental
As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to move around Barcelona! All you have to do is decide which method of transportation works best for your journey.
Regular services
The easiest way to get around Barcelona is simply by walking, but this isn’t realistic for all trips and destinations. The Metro, bus, ferrocarrils (FGC), and tram are the most popular methods of public transportation in Barcelona. There are frequent stops for all of them, and many of these modes of transportation connect, making it easy to switch from one network to another. Once you have bought a ticket, you can easily transfer networks on the same ticket, not having to pay again. The schedules are quite reliable, operating from 5AM-midnight Sunday-Thursday, 5AM-2AM Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday.
If you are only taking metro and bus, you can download the TMB app to track Metro and bus schedules and services. This comes in handy if you’re unsure of the quickest way to your destination, or want to know all of the possible options. Or else, using Google Maps is always very helpful too.
The NitBus (night bus) runs during the week from 10PM to 5AM when the Metro and regular bus schedules resume. There are 17 NitBus lines, the majority of which pass through Plaça Catalunya. You can find route information on the NitBus website.
Bicing is a great option for those looking to get a bit of exercise! This bike rental service in Barcelona costs less than 50€ a year for a membership, giving you access to bikes at 420 points across the city. It’s a quick and easy way from Point A to Point B, while burning a few calories.
The Rodalies train network can take you to to the surrounding towns and areas of Barcelona, and has several stations within the city. Whether you want to go on a day trip or are just trying to get to work outside of the city, the train network is fast and relatively well-priced.
Special services
The AMB has special services that it offers that are a bit more out-of-the box. These options are aimed at tourists or those visiting the city. These services are:
- Barcelona City Tour bus
- Barcelona Bus Turístic
- Telefèric de Montjuïc (cable car)
- Tramvia Blau
The Barcelona City Tour and Barcelona Bus Turístic are two bus services where you can pay a flat rate for the day and can hop on and off as you like. There are several stops at many of Barcelona’s top attractions, which is quite convenient for sightseeing.
The Telefèric de Montjuïc is a cable car that zips you up to the iconic Montjuïc Mountain and gives you unbeatable views of Barcelona from the sky.
Tramvia Blau is a tram service that take you to the foot of Tibidabo and along an amazing architectural route to see many Modernist masterpieces. The Tramvia Blau is currently undergoing restructuring, so you can catch bus line 196 that runs the same route until the tram is up and running again.
Ticketing and fare information
All tickets of public transportation in Barcelona can be bought at Metro and FGC stations. You can also pay for a bus ticket on the bus, but drivers might not have a lot of change. It’s always best to buy a ticket or travel card ahead of time. If you want to buy just a single ticket for the regular TMB services, a single fare will cost you 2.20€. Most people prefer to buy their fares in bulk to save money. There are several different tickets that allow you to use the various networks for a different amount of rides per ticket. You can buy cards for 10, 50, or 70 rides a month, an unlimited monthly card, a trimester card, and so on.
You can find prices and more information here.
A good option for tourists is the Hola Barcelona ticket which gives you unlimited rides across the TMB networks over a set amount of days.
The Rodalies fares differ depending on your destination and frequency of travel. It is best to consult the Rodalies website for more information about your journey.
See more:
Barcelona: A Quick and Easy Guide to Visiting Montserrat in a Day
You Should Try These 8 Great Bars for a Vermouth in Barcelona
Summer Festivals in Barcelona this August that You Can’t Miss
7 Tasty Tapas in Barcelona, Approved by Local Foodies!
Now that you know how to get around the city, it’s time to choose your accommodation! All our apartments are conveniently located close to public transportation in Barcelona. Come stay with us at Olala Homes for the ultimate Barcelona experience!
