Although the centre of Barcelona itself isn't particularly large and can be walked through, many of the sights are scattered throughout the city, so you'll definitely come into contact with local public transport.

You can use the extensive network of metro, trains, buses and also several tram lines.

Cable cars are also available, but most of them are not incorporated into public transport and you have to pay a special fare for them.

All useful information about public transport in Barcelona can be found on the official website of the transport company TMB: tmb.cat/en.

Book a hotel in central Barcelona

Public transport tickets

The sophisticated integrated transport system allows you to travel on several means of transport on a single ticket.

Within Integrated Zone 1 (all of Barcelona and the nearest surrounding towns, including BCN Airport), you can travel on all metro lines, TMB buses, trams, Rodalies, FGC trains and the Vallvidrera and Paral-lel-Montjuïc cable cars.

A map of the zones can be found on the official website: atm.cat/mapa-de-la-zonificacio.

Prices and ticket types

These are the most commonly used tickets in Barcelona. We only show the prices for zone 1, which is the zone used by the vast majority of tourists.

Children under 4 years old travel free in Barcelona.

Ticket	Price	Validity
T-Dia	11,55 eur	24 hours
Hola Card 2 days	16,29 eur Online 18,10 eur in the machine	48 hours
Hola Card 3 days	23,67 eur online 26,30 eur in the machine	72 hours
Hola Card 4 days	34,40 eur online 30,96 eur in the machine	96 hours
Hola Card 5 days	37,89 eur online 42,10 eur in the machine	120 hours
T-Casual*	12,55 eur	10 rides of 75 minutes each (for singles only)
T-Familiar*	11,05 eur	8 rides of 75 minutes each (multiple people can use)
Single	2,65 eur	1 bus or metro ride

*Not valid for L9 metro journey to the airport.

For current single ticket prices, visit tmb.cat/en/barcelona-fares-metro-bus.

For the latest integrated fares, visit atm.cat/titles-i-tarifes.

For information on Hola Barcelona multi-day tickets, including online purchase options, visit: holabarcelona.com/hola-bcn-barcelona-travel-card.

Where and how to buy tickets for public transport

All of the above tickets are available from vending machines at each metro or train station. Payment can always be made by card or cash.

The best value multi-day Hola Barcelona tickets can only be used in paper form.

To buy a Hola Barcelona ticket with a 10% discount online, select the "Online Collection" option in the machine, enter the number under the barcode and collect the ticket.

The TMB mobile app only works if you have a T-Mobilitat plastic card (i.e. for example a T-Casual or T-Familiar ticket). In this case, the card can be loaded into the mobile app and the mobile can be attached to the turnstile via NFC technology.

Single tickets on the bus can only be paid for with a contactless card at the driver's machine. You will not receive any paper ticket, you just need to show your payment card / mobile phone with which you paid the fare in case of an inspection.

Metro

The fastest way to get around the city is the metro, which will take you almost everywhere, just make sure you don't get lost in the tangle of different coloured lines.

Barcelona's metro has 10 lines and is the best way to travel longer distances.

As the metro is by far the most popular means of transport, detailed information can be found in the separate chapter Metro in Barcelona.

Buses and night transport

Hundreds of buses ply the streets of Barcelona. They can take you everywhere, even where the metro doesn't take you.

However, be aware that the journey overland is lengthy, mainly because of the constant traffic lights.

Routes and timetables

Maps for specific bus routes and the network can be found at tmb.cat/map/bus.

Timetables for specific lines can be found at this site: tmb.cat/buses/lines. Normal daily services run from approximately 05:00 to 23:00.

Frequency is usually between 5 and 10 minutes, but can be up to 30 minutes at weekends and on marginal routes.

Bus stops and boarding

At bus stops, you will always find timetables and a digital screen with the time the line will arrive.

On regular buses, you only ever board through the front door, while on articulated buses you can board through the first two doors.

All stops are on signal, so you must wave to the driver before boarding and press the "stop" button well in front of the stop before getting off.

How do I mark my ticket?

Always mark your tickets when you enter the car in the validator, including multi-day tickets.

Night buses

The special Nitbus night buses, always marked with the letter "N" and a line number, are the only means of transport you can use all night to get around Barcelona. The night service operates from approximately 23:00 to 05:00 at intervals of 20 minutes.

Trains

In addition to the metro, Barcelona's underground is also served by a wide network of urban and suburban railways, which you can also use to move quickly from one end of the city to the other.

You can also use the trains to get to the airport or, for example, on a trip to the Montserrat Monastery.

All trains in Zone 1 are valid for all multi-day public transport tickets.

You can mark your tickets at the turnstile, just as you do on the metro. You insert the ticket into the turnstile, through which it passes and is returned to you.Two companies operate trains here:

• Rodalies Catalunya (for example, the R2 line to the airport and most lines across Barcelona).
• FGC (for example, the R5 line to Montserrat Monastery)

Trams

You will also encounter trams in Barcelona. Two separate networks operate here, one in the west of the city and one from the centre towards the north-east.

The trams are modern and fast, and if you have a choice between a bus and a tram, it is definitely preferable to choose the tram.

Tickets are marked in the same way as on buses in the validator inside the tram.

For official information about trams in Barcelona, visit tram.cat.

Cable cars

Cable cars are always one of the most attractive modes of transport and in Barcelona you can enjoy them on five different routes and in three different forms.

• Montujïc funicular - runs from Paral-lel metro station to the edge of the popular Montjuïc Park. The same tickets and fares apply here as on the metro, buses and trams, see above in the chapter "Public transport tickets". Operating hours vary in winter, summer and weekends, see the official website
• Montjuïc cable car - a modern suspended cable car follows the funicular railway and takes you almost to the top of Montjuïc hill. Here you have to buy a special ticket for 11 eur one way, or 17 eur return, if bought online for 15,30 eur. The first cable car always runs at 10:00, the last one varies according to the season, see timetables

• Aeri del Port cable car - The most famous of all cable cars is without doubt the iconic Teleférico del Puerto, which connects Parc Mirador to Port Vell and provides the best views of the whole city and the sea. Public transport tickets don't apply here either, a special ticket for a single ride costs 12,50 eur, return 20 eur. Operating times again vary according to the season, see the official website.

• Cuca de Llum cable car to Tibidabo - the funicular railway leads to the hill of Tibidabo, full of attractions and points of interest. A separate return ticket costs 12 eur, if you want to visit the attractions on Tibidabo, their price includes a return ride on this cable car.
• The Vallvidrera cable car - a cheaper way to reach the top of Tibidabo, this cable car is on the FGC train network, with multi-day public transport tickets. Especially if you don't want to visit the attractions on Tibidabo, but just the church and the viewpoint, for example, a trip on this cable car is well worth the price.

Bike share app

Barcelona is generally a very bike-oriented city, so there's nothing easier than enjoying the beauty of Barcelona from the saddle of a bicycle.

Several companies rent bikes, with prices often starting as low as 6 eur per day. As well as the ride itself, you can try an organised ride around the city or along the beach. Scooters or small yellow GoCar cars are also very popular.

The city's main bike-sharing system is Bicing, with Bolt also competing.

• Bicing - Google Play / Appstore mobile app
• Bolt - Google Play / Appstore mobile app

The Bicing app is more suited to locals as they pay a subscription fee that starts from 50 eur per month.

Taxi in Barcelona

Although elsewhere in the world the reputation of taxi drivers is tarnished, in Barcelona you don't have to worry about using their service.

All vehicles here have tariffs mandated by city ordinance, so the prices are clear and it doesn't matter who you ride with. Plus, if there are several of you, a taxi can cost you about the same as a bus.

A detailed breakdown of fares is available at infotaxi.amb.cat/tarifesdeltaxi.

The fares are divided into different periods.

• Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • 2,75 eur - Starting rate
  • 1,32 eur - 1 km of travel
• Working days at night (20:00 to 8:00), weekends and holidays
  • 2,75 eur - boarding rate
  • 1,65 eur - 1 km of travel

There is a surcharge for the journey from/to the airport 4,50 eur and for the journey from/to Sants station there is a surcharge 2,50 eur.

Barcelona also has mobile apps Uber and Bolt, which offer similar prices to taxis.