The metro is the most popular means of public transport in Barcelona. The reason is simple - in a relatively small city, there are 10 metro lines that criss-cross the centre and outskirts of Barcelona, so that most places of interest can be reached by metro.

The fast rail service in and out of the centre is complemented by suburban trains, and the slower bus service to all corners. For details of other modes, see the Transport chapter.

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Metro tickets

You can buy metro tickets (as well as tickets for other modes of transport) at each metro station where there are machines.

These accept cash (coins and notes) and credit cards.

The following types of tickets can be used on the metro:

• 48-hour Hola Card - unlimited travel on all means of public transport, including the metro to the airport.
  • 16,29 eur online
  • 18,10 eur at the vending machine
• 72-hour Hola Card - unlimited travel on all means of public transport, including metro to the airport
  • 23,67 eur online
  • 26,30 eur in a vending machine
• 96-hour Hola Card - unlimited travel on all means of public transport, including metro to the airport
  • 30,96 eur online
  • 34,40 eur in a vending machine
• T-Dia for 24 hours - unlimited travel on all means of public transport, including metro to the airport
  • 11,55 eur
• T-Casual for 10 journeys - allows up to 10 different journeys, where 1 journey = 75 minutes. Valid for individuals only
  • 12,55 eur
• T-Familiar for 8 journeys - allows up to 8 different journeys where 1 journey = 75 minutes. Valid for multiple people
  • 11,05 eur
• Single - 75 minute ticket, can transfer between metro lines but not from metro to surface transport or train
  • 2,65 eur
• Single to airport - ticketfor one journey to/from the airport on the L9 metro
  • 5,70 eur

No discounts for children, students or senior citizens. Children under 4 years of age do not pay the fare.

How to use the ticket

You need the ticket before entering the metro where the automatic turnstiles are located.

Paper tickets - insert into the turnstile, wait for the ticket to come out of the second slot and you can go through the turnstile.

On the metro, tickets are only used to enter the station, while exiting the station involves going through the gates, which open by themselves even without a ticket.

Metro lines and map of Barcelona

You can download a high-resolution metro map in both .pdf and .jpg format from the transport company's website. There are also diagrams of each route.

There are currently 11 metro lines in operation in Barcelona, with the L9 and L10 lines being split into a northern and southern section for the time being, but within a few years they will always merge into one long line. See an example of the attractions along the routes of each line:

• L1 (red) - Barri Gotic historic centre, Arc de Triomf, Plaça d'Espanya, La Rambla (north end), Torre Glories
• L2 (purple) - Sagrada Familia, Barri Gotic historic centre, La Rambla (north end), Montjuïc cable car from Paral-lel, Casa Battlo
• L3 (green) - Plaça d'Espanya, cable car to Montjuïc from Paral-lel, Barri Gotic historical centre, La Rambla (whole street), Park Güell, Casa Battlo, Casa Milá, Camp Nou, Estació Sants station
• L4 (yellow) - Barri Gotic historic centre, La Rambla (north end), Barceloneta, Park de la Ciutadella, Casa Battlo, Estació de França station
• L5 (dark blue) - Sagrada Familia, Sant Pau Hospital, Camp Nou, Casa Milá, Estació Sants station
• L6 + L7 (navy blue) - Barri Gotic historic centre, La Rambla (north end), bus to the cable car to Tibidabo (L7 only)
• L8 (pink) - southern suburbs without tourist attractions
• L9 (orange) - BCN airport, Camp Nou
• L10 (light blue) - southern and northern suburbs without tourist attractions
• L11 (light green) - northern suburbs without tourist attractions

Metro operation and timetables

You don't have to worry about the timetable and the intervals between connections. On weekdays, the metro runs at a maximum of 4-5 minutes, on weekends at a maximum of 8-10 minutes.

Metro operating hours are as follows:

• Monday-Thursday and Sunday: 5: 00 to 0:00
• Friday, Saturday and days before public holidays: from 5:00 to 2:00

Station facilities

Metro stations in Barcelona are usually only equipped with ticket machines and sometimes there is also a vending machine on the platform for drinks or sweets.

There are no toilets in metro stations.

Most stations have only one exit, marked with a red sign with the letter "M".

Metro trains

The metro trains in Barcelona are clean, modern and spacious. You have to use a button to open the doors or, on older trains, turn a black or silver handle.

The metro in Barcelona is safe and reliable.