Understanding Barcelona’s Public Transport Zones
Fares on Barcelona’s public transport network are based on zones, much as they are in London. Unlike London, the entire city of Barcelona and some adjoining towns are within Zone 1. Zones 2 to 6 cover surrounding towns and cities which are also included in the integrated fare system.
Different maps, different zones
One thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that the zones on the ATM map (Barcelona’s metropolitan transport system) aren’t exactly the same as those on the RENFE map (Spanish train network).
The differences are minor and only affect a few stations so it’s hard to spot if you check the individual maps online.
However, if you compare the maps side-by-side you’ll see that there are several discrepancies. One of which is especially interesting for budget-minded travellers visiting Barcelona.Spot the difference !
Firstly, Sitges and Mataró are both in zone 3 on the ATM map and zone 4 on the RENFE map. More importantly, Barcelona airport is in zone one on the TMB map and zone 4 on the RENFE map!
This means that if you purchase a single RENFE ticket from the airport to Sants train station it will cost you €4.60 whereas if you purchase a T-casual travel pass (10 journeys by bus, metro, tram and train) the same journey on the same train will cost just €1.13.
Another advantage of the T-casual is that it allows you to transfer to the metro or bus as part of the same journey whereas the single train ticket or Bonotren only covers the train.
Important information about the L9 sud airport metro
In 2016 the L9 sud metro line was inaugurated, connecting Barcelona Airport (terminals T1 and T2) Barcelona city centre by metro.
Despite the fact that the entire line is within metro zone 1 (check map) neither the T-casual nor the standard single metro ticket are valid for the airport metro stations. Instead, you have to purchase a special Airport Ticket which costs €5.
15 for a single journey and which is only valid for the metro*.
If you do decide to use the metro to get to and from the airport then you should think about purchasing a Hola Barcelona travel card which allows unlimited transport within zone 1 by metro, bus, train and tram and costs €14.76 for 48 hours when purchased online.
For longer stays 72, 96 and 120-hour versions are also available.
Find out more about Barcelona sightseeing passes and discount cards
If you mistakenly use a standard single journey ticket or a T-casual to travel to one of the airport metro stations you will have to purchase an airport ticket in order to be able to exit through the ticket barriers.
*Note: The T-casual and standard single journey tickets are valid when travelling to or from any of the other stations on the L9 sud metro line. You only need the special airport metro ticket when boarding / alighting at the airport T1 or T2 stations.
Zone two towns which sometimes count as zone one
If you look carefully at the ATM zoning map you’ll see that some areas of Zone 2 (2A, 2B and 2C) are coloured dark green, the same as zone 1.
The 18 towns in these areas are covered by the Tarifa Metropolitana (Metropolitan tariff). This means that if you start your journey in zone one the towns are effectively in the same zone and you can use a one-zone ticket or travel pass. On the other hand, if you begin your journey in zones 2 or more, then they are in zone 2.
This might sound confusing but it basically means that if you are travelling from the city centre then these towns, which are effectively suburbs of Barcelona, are in zone one. On the other hand, if you are travelling from outside Barcelona they are in zone 2, also saving you the price of an extra zone.
How many zones? Which ticket do I need?
As can be seen from the maps linked to above, there are a total of six transport zones radiating out from Barcelona city centre.
When you purchase a single-journey ticket you can simply select your destination, no need to worry about which transport zone it’s in.
If you will be travelling outside of zone 1 and want to save money by purchasing a multi-trip travel pass (T-casual, T-Jove, etc…) you will have to decide the number of zones needed.
To do this, you simply need to work out how many successive zones you will be travelling in, to a maximum of six zones.
For example, if you will be travelling from Barcelona (zone 1) to Mataró (zone 3) you need a 3 zone ticket, travelling in zones 1-2-3.
From Calella (zone 4) to Blanes (zone 5) you need a 2 zone ticket, travelling in zones 4 & 5.
The only exception is if you will be travelling between two consecutive stations which happen to be in different zones. For example from the last station in zone 3 to the first station in zone 4. In this case, you only need a 1 zone travel pass.
As always, if you’ve any questions leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer them.
All prices and fares mentioned in this post were checked and updated in January 2022.
Categorised as Tips Tagged maps, public transport, renfe, tmb
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Metro, Train, Bus, Airport Shuttle
Metro, Trains, Trams, Buses and Airport Shuttle
The transport system throughout Spain is very good, and coming from England I find it cheaper and so much more efficient in comparison.
Here’s a guide to getting around Barcelona on public transport.
The system allows you to buy a variety of tickets which cover all forms of transport in the city: Metro, Bus, Tram, and Train (Renfe Cercanías and Ferrocarrils). Renfe Cercanías are the local trains and the Ferrocarrils are the Catalan trains.
As well as purchasing tickets from the machines at any metro station, you can also buy tickets at lottery shops and newsagent kiosks.
Public Transport Tickets
There are six zones, however zone 1 covers pretty much all of the city and includes the airport. You can purchase all of the tickets below for all zones.
Map of Barcelona’s six transport zones.
The tickets listed below are the most popular tickets, but there are more available.
T-casual (used to be T-10)
The T-casual is probably the most commonly used and allows you 10 journeys. The current price is €11.35 for zone 1.
If you use the ticket for a journey – say one stop on the metro – you have 75 minutes when you can use the ticket for another journey without being charged again.
This time limit varies depending on the type of ticket you buy, but the more expensive the ticket the longer period of time you have. Not valid for L9 to the Airport.
Other available transport tickets are:
T-Dia
This ticket can be used for an unlimited number of journeys in one day. Valid for L9 to the airport – a single one-way trip only.
T-usual
Lasts for 30 days from the date of purchase and allows unlimited journeys during that period. Has to be used in conjunction with an ID card. Can be used on L9 to the airport.
T-familiar
This card is similar to the T-casual except that it can be shared and it’s only valid for 8 journeys. It’s valid for 30 days from the date of purchase. Not valid on L9 to the airport.
T-Jove
The T-Jove is a ticket for young people aged under 25 years. It gives unlimited journeys for 90 days on all forms of transport. The 90 day period starts when you first use the ticket. Valid on L9 to the airport.
There are many more tickets available including very useful tickets if you are just visiting the city for 2, 3, 4, and 5 day travel cards.
Full information on all Barcelona transport tickets.
Other Public Transport Links
Local train times
Local trains passing through Barcelona and the surrounding area are called Rodalies. At this link you can check out local train times for Barcelona and other parts of Catalonia:
www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/index.html
Ferrocarrils – Catalan railway (FGC).
Renfe – Spanish train network.
Night Bus – Night buses and map of routes.
Airport Bus – Timetable and route map of the Airport shuttle bus.
Tram – City tram website, with routes and timetables.
Barcelona Buses
There is a comprehensive bus service in Barcelona that runs throughout the day, and a good night bus service. From the main bus stations you can pick up a map of the bus routes, but there is a bus map of all the city routes at every bus stop, including more detailed maps of the buses that stop at each particular bus stop.
You can find all the individual Barcelona bus routes and their individual maps at the TMB website.
Here you can view the complete bus maps: all bus routes in Barcelona city.
And, if you’re not sure which route you need there is also a route finder if you know the name of the street you need to get to: Bus Route Finder.
During the night there is also a bus service called Nitbus: www.ambmobilitat.cat/Principales/BusquedaNitBus.aspx
Regional Buses
There is a very useful bus service that runs to the Costa Brava (there are no trains to the Costa Brava) called Segalés. The website is in English, Catalan and Spanish: www.sagales.com
Cycle in Barcelona – use
Bicing
Bicing is a public transport system on bicycles. Register first on their website, pay a small weekly or annual fee, receive your card in the post, then use their bikes from the many depots throughout the city. You need to have your NIE to register.
www.bicing.barcelona/es (website in Castellano or Catalan)
There is also car sharing in Barcelona (see below), and there’s more about that on the Driving in Barcelona page.
Car Sharing from
ubeeqo
A fantastic and very reasonably priced solution to not owning a car in Barcelona. Register with ubeeqo, and choose to pay as you go or a monthly subscription. The monthly subscription gives you cheaper hourly rates. Rates start at €4 per hour without a subscription. That includes petrol and insurance (not excess reduction insurance). You pay a price per kilometre depending on how many kilometres you travel. As with most car hire companies, the cost to reduce the excess makes the hire more expensive. The solution to this is to take out an annual car hire excess reduction policy with insurance4carhire.com. With that in place you’re fully covered.
Pick up and drop off from one of the many locations in and around Barcelona. You can hire cars of different sizes as well as vans.
ubeeqo.com/es-es
Transport to Barcelona Airport
Barcelona Airport Bus
There are regular buses from Barcelona centre to Barcelona Airport (El Prat) and they run every 7 – 15 minutes depending on the time of day. The times vary slightly depending on which route you take, but roughly they run from 0605 – 0105 from Plaza Catalunya to the airport, and 0605 – 0105 on the return journey.
They leave from Plaza Catalunya and Plaza España and a few other places, including one which leaves from Castelldefels. It takes about 30 minutes from Plaza Catalunya to the airport.
Barcelona’s Airport Terminals
Barcelona’s airport has two terminal buildings, and if you’re travelling via Terminal 1 (the newer terminal) then the bus is a good option as it goes to both terminals. If you take the train to the airport it arrives at terminal 2, and you then have to take the shuttle bus to Terminal 1. For terminal 1 take the A1 airport bus and for terminal 2 take the A2 airport bus.
Aerobus: This website covers both routes to Terminal 1 and 2 in English:
www.aerobusbarcelona.es
Going by Train to Barcelona Airport
Trains run every 20 minutes from the main railway stations in Barcelona, including Sants and Passeig de Gracia and arrive in about 20 minutes at Barcelona Airport Terminal 2. There are regular free shuttle buses running between the railway station (beside Terminal 2) and Terminal 1.
Transport to Other Airports
Girona Airport Bus
If you’re flying in or out of Girona-Costa Brava airport with Ryan Air, rather than Barcelona (BCN) then the best way of commuting to Barcelona is by bus. There is a train service, but it goes directly to Girona where you then have to take a bus back out to the airport in the direction of Barcelona.
Girona is roughly 64 miles from Barcelona (Girona airport is nearer, about 58 miles) and the bus ride takes just over an hour. Please note, Girona is also sometimes spelt Gerona (Catalan spelling).
The bus service is timed to coincide with the Ryan Air flights at the airport and leaves from Barcelona North Bus Station (Estació d’Autobusos Barcelona Nord). Make sure you get the airport bus not the Girona town bus. The nearest metro station to the bus station is Arc de Triomf on the red line (line 1).
Girona Airport Bus Timetable
The Girona airport bus is run by a company called Sagalés. Please use this link to go directly to their website where you can buy tickets and view the airport bus timetable.
http://www.sagales.com/index.php?Origen=cp316&Desti=15&secc=cerca
Train from Barcelona to Girona
The trains run regularly from Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gracia and Clot-Arago stations. Once in Girona you need to catch the airport bus – visit this link for the timetable:
www.sagales.com
Reus Airport Bus
Ryan Air and other airlines also fly into Reus airport, which is south of Barcelona. You need to get the train from Barcelona to Reus town, then take the shuttle bus which runs between Reus and Reus airport (Linea 50).
Reus Airport public transport.
Tourist Tickets
There are various other tickets aimed at visitors to the city:
Travel card 2-days, Travel card 3-days, Travel card 4-days, Travel card 5-days. All offer unlimited travel on all forms of transport for the number of days stated.
Barcelona Tourist Bus
This ticket is only valid for the Tourist buses which continually circle Barcelona stopping at the many places of interest. You can get on and off wherever and when ever you like.
Available as 1- and 2-day tickets, with discounted prices for children.
opening hours and schedule, zones, ticket prices
Using the subway, you can quickly and relatively inexpensively get to any point in the city, saving a lot of time.
On this page we will tell:
- about the scheme and opening hours of the metro in Barcelona
- we will help you choose the most economical type of ticket
- we will teach you to navigate at the stations
- will tell you about the dangers that may await you.
Contents
- Official sites
- Card
- Opening hours
- Tickets and passes
- Transport zones and interchange stations
- Operation features
Official websites and information
In Barcelona, two companies operate the underground transportation of passengers:
- TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) lines L1–L5 and L9–L11
- FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) lines L6-L8 and S1-S4
The Spanish Railway (Renfe) operates separately from the metro. On the map, their lines are marked with the letter R. Railway stations have different platforms and do not intersect with metro lines and are mostly used for trips along the coast to the resorts of Calella, Blanes, Pineda de Mar and Salou.
Metro map (2019)
The Barcelona metro consists of 12 different colored lines:
- L1 – Hospital Bellvitge – Fondo
- L2 – Paral-lel – Badalona Pompeu Fabra
- L3 – Zona Universitaria – Trinitat Nova
- L4 – Trinitat Nova – La Pau
- L5 – Cornella Center – Vall d’Hebron
- L6 – Pl. Catalunya – Sarria
- L7-Pl. Catalunya-Av. Tibidabo
- L8 – Pl. Espanya – Moli Nou-Ciutat Cooperativa
- L9 – Aeroport T1 – Zona Universitària, La Sagrera – Can Zam
- L10 – La Sagrera-Gorg
- L11 – Trinitat Nova-Can Cuias
Catalunya – Sarria Points of interest on the map are marked with yellow squares. Therefore, it is better to print the map on a color printer (download in high quality)
Opening hours
- Sunday-Thursday: from 5.00 to 24.00
- on Friday and pre-holiday days – from 5.00 to 02.00
- Saturday and public holidays – around the clock
On weekends and holidays, the subway closes later, but the interval of trains is significantly increased, so the speed of movement around the city decreases. This should be taken into account when planning your route.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased directly from the machine at the metro station (you will see the inscription “Tiquets” above them).
This is easy to do, because. The interface is quite clear even for those who do not know a foreign language. After selecting a language from the suggested ones (Catalan, Spanish, English, French), you will be prompted to specify the type of ticket. By default, the most common one will appear on the screen, in order to select the one that suits you, you must click the “Others” button. Once the type of ticket has been determined, the details of the itinerary must be specified, namely: the number of tickets and which zones. Next, the machine will tell you how much you need to pay in euros.
In addition, the stations have information centers or customer service centers that also sell tickets and passes.
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
| €2.15 | The best option for those who do not plan one trip. | |
| €4.50 | One trip from the airport to the city subway line. | |
from €9. 95 |
Travel card for 10 trips by any type of transport. One ticket can be used by a group of people. | |
| €8.40 | If you plan to make more than 10 trips in one day, it is better to buy an individual pass. | |
| €42.50 | Individual pass for 50 trips within 30 days in the first transport zone. Well suited for those who plan to spend a long time in the city and actively travel by public transport. | |
| Other types of travel cards | ||
| Tourist passes | ||
| €14.50 | Two-day pass for all modes of transport + transfer to the airport. | |
| €21.20 | Three-day pass for all types of transport + transfer to the airport. | |
| €27.50 | Four-day pass for all modes of transport + transfer to the airport. | |
€31. 20 |
Five-day pass for all modes of transport + transfer to the airport. | |
To go down to the subway:
- Go to the turnstile with the green arrow
- Insert your ticket into the yellow receiver – here it is checked, here the date and time are put on it.
- When you take out a “composted” ticket, the lock on the turnstile is released and you can enter.
- Don’t forget to pick up the ticket or give it to your companion (if it’s a multiple entry ticket).
Transport zones and stations-train stations
Barcelona transport network is divided into 6 zones (map below). The first zone is the city of Barcelona. Next come the suburbs (zone 2-3) and resort towns (zone 4-5).
You can transfer to Renfe trains at any of the key stations:
- Plaza Catalunya (pl. Catalanya) – city center
- Sants Central Station (Sants Estacio)
- El’Cot Arago
- El Prat de L’Lobregat
Features of the Barcelona metro that you should be aware of
- In order to enter the car, you have to press the green button located on the door. Only after that the door will open and you will be able to enter or exit the car.
- There is always a map of the lane you are currently on on the platform. There are also pointers to attractions that are located at a particular station, as well as information about which direction you need to go in order to get off near the place you are looking for.
- When going down the subway, always carefully look after your belongings. The backpack should be on the chest, not on the back. Wallets and phones should not be in pockets. Hold the bags so that they cannot be cut. Pickpockets commit most of the thefts in the subway and in crowded places. Be carefull!
- Please note that rail links to nearby towns close at 23:00. The subway closes an hour later. If you miss the train, you will have to get by night bus and taxi.
Only after that the door will open and you will be able to enter or exit the car. Barcelona metro – map and map, stations and zones, attractions, fares and tickets
Barcelona has to be explored slowly. Walking on paved sidewalks and looking at each house, afraid to miss some important architectural masterpiece.
But alas! As a rule, free time is sorely lacking even for tourists. “See the maximum!” – this is the slogan of a Russian who got to Europe. But how, being in the capital of Catalonia for only a week, to get around all the sights? You can’t do without the subway. This brief overview of the Barcelona metro is intended for our compatriots.
Don’t be afraid of the metro!
All Barcelona residents use the city’s underground transport: from elementary schoolchildren to respectable elderly ladies. And for visitors to the Barcelona metro, like a fabulous flying carpet, is the best means of transportation that will quickly reach any cultural monument.
Near all major museums, palaces, parks there are metro stations. For an experienced traveler, one glance at the map is enough to draw up an acceptable plan for a cultural trip and calculate the travel time to the desired place.
Example
You have left the Sagrada Familia and intend to go shopping.
The best shops are close to Passeig de Gracia station, 3 stops from the metro. On average, trains cover the section between stations in 2 minutes. You will need 6 minutes (2 x 3) plus 10 minutes to go down/up to the subway. Total 16 minutes.
Switching to another branch will take 10 minutes. On Sundays, the interval of trains is slightly increased.
Tickets
You will not find the usual windows where the cashier sells tokens here. Ticket sales are automated. Approach a massive red machine that looks like an ATM and stop…
flickr.com/passionleica
A dozen tickets at different prices are displayed on the screen. You choose the cheapest one for 2.15€ trying to save money. In fact, 2.15 € (this is the price of a single trip) is the maximum fare. If you went down to the Barcelona metro for a tour, then a single ticket is for you.
It is more profitable to buy a travel card for several trips.
Prices for 2017:
| Number of rides | Price |
| 1 trip | 2.15 € |
| 10 trips (T10) | €9.95 |
| 2 days (unlimited trips) | 14 € |
| 3 days (unlimited trips) | €20.50 |
| 4 days (unlimited trips) | €26.50 |
| 5 days (unlimited trips) | 32 € |
The T10 card can be transferred to each other. For this:
- Insert the ticket into the control device.
- Remove it and leave it on the turnstile.
- Go through the opened doors.
- Your companion can use the same ticket and it will count as a separate trip.
The ticket cannot be wrinkled, the control device will not let a damaged document pass. But the metro staff, when contacting them, will issue a new ticket, and absolutely free of charge if you say: “Esta tarjeta no funciona”.
Please note! Your ticket is valid for 1 hour 15 minutes. Having reached the desired station, you can easily transfer to a tram or bus without spending money on a second trip. So keep your ticket for an hour. But, if you decide to go to the subway for the second time (in the allotted 1 hour and 15 minutes), the control device will write off the next trip.
Tickets vary by number of trips and zone category. Multiple zones. Everything inside Barcelona is considered zone 1. Other zones can be viewed on the map, which will open on the ticket machine screen when you click on the “Zones” button.
flickr.com/bancsang
Beware! Most machines only accept small bills or change.
Veronica:
“The T-10 is cool. Bought and roll on what you need: tram, subway – all the same. Economically! Turnstiles at the exit are released without a ticket, I met the controllers twice. But one day, returning from Montserrat, I learned that the T-10 does not operate in this zone.
I bought a separate one-time ticket.
Miracle Card
The Local Tourist Board offers guests a special Barcelona Card. It gives the right to use the metro and any public transport. Moreover, Barcelona Card holders will be able to:
- visit attractions at a discount or for free;
- buy souvenirs at a special (lower price) from the official souvenir shop in Plaça Catalunya;
- get a discount at some restaurants;
- arrive at the airport free of charge by train or bus.
The Miracle Card lasts 2 to 5 days. The cost of one day is $22.73. You can book and buy it online. Read more about the Barcelona Card →
Metro map
The metro consists of 11 lines, , which have no names but are distinguished by numbers. The metro map (you can buy it at the kiosk) shows not only 11 subway lines, but also 2 tram lines (Trambaix and Trambesos) + funicular line.
Barcelona metro map (opens fully when pressed).
Sergey:
“Clean, a little stuffy, without Moscow luxury. Ticket machines are unusual, but sorted out quickly. But transitions with indistinct pointers exhausted us. Wandered the wrong way twice. Suburban train lines and stations are often combined. It’s hard to know where to go. It’s good that the subway on weekends lasts until 2 am. Once we lingered at the singing fountains, and then walked for a long time around Barcelona at night, not being afraid to miss the last composition.
Getting to know the metro will give you the opportunity to see more of the sights of the capital of Catalonia. And what to see in Barcelona in the first place – read the review of the most interesting places in this colorful city.
The highlight of the Barcelona metro
All Barcelona metro stations have not two platforms, as in the Russian metro, but three. Passengers enter or exit the train from two sides, the parking time is reduced, there is no “flea market” so familiar to Muscovites in the Spanish metro.
And, although a similar principle of arranging an iron “subway” already existed in the United States, experts gave it the name “Barcelona solution”.
flickr.com/pabelrock
Narrow corridors, uncomfortable transitions, stuffiness – the main thing. But for Russians accustomed to storming the capital’s metro trains during rush hours, it will seem like a trifle.
Both modern and very outdated trains roll along the underground rails. To the surprise of our compatriots, not every Barcelona carriage is equipped with an automatic door opening system. To get inside the old car, you have to turn the lever.
Olga:
“During my week in Spain, I learned the subway by heart, figured out how to use ticket machines. It is very convenient to navigate by electronic lines (they are marked at the station). It is difficult to miss a stop, even without knowing Catalan. I didn’t get into the crush, the crowd, about which I read reviews on the Internet, although I used the metro at different times.
Opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 5:00 – 24:00.
Fridays, pre-holidays and holidays: 5:00 – 2:00.
Saturday: 5:00 – 5:00 (next day).
Sunday: 05:00 -24:00
How to get to the main attractions
There is a rating of the most visited attractions in Barcelona. Each of them can be reached by metro.
- Sagrada Familia – blue line (L5) or purple line (L2), Sagrada Familia station.
- Spanish Village – Red Line (L1) or Green Line (L3), Espanya station.
- Barcelona Aquarium – green line (L3), Drassanes station.
- Dom Mila – green line (L3) or blue line (L5), Diagonal station.
- FC Barcelona Museum – blue line (L5), Collblanc station.
- Zoo – yellow line (L4), Ciutadella station.
- Picasso Museum – yellow line (L4), Jaume I station.
- Miro Museum – green line (L3) or red line (L1), Espanya station.
- IMAX cinema – green line (L3), Drassanes station.
- National Art Museum of Catalonia – Green Line (L3) or Red Line (L1), Plaça Espanya station.
flickr.com/symo0
Airport and train station
To get to the Barcelona train station, you need to come to the Barcelona Sants metro station.
There is no metro line to the airport. But the RENFE train leaves from Estació Sants, Passeig de Gràcia or Clot. He will bring you to the airport in 25 minutes. The ticket price is 4.10 €. For holders of the “Barcelona Card” the trip will be free.
A bit of history
The Barcelona Metro opened in 1924. Two years later, a rival company launched a second line, timed to coincide with the opening of the 1926 World’s Fair. Until 1929, 30 stations were launched. Today there are 169 stations. The length of the tracks is 218 km.
In 1968, the city commissioned two young architects to come up with an unusual design for the Drassanes station. For the interior, Edouard Munne and Jordi F.