HOW TO GET TO THE BARCELONA AIRPORT - news!

At last!

Metro de Barcelona has announced that in a few days the underground service will connect the El Prat Airport to Barcelona.

In spite of the different options to get to the airport that already exist, connection with Metro it’s been very awaited for.

Connection times may not seem faster than existing options but bear in mind that Bus and Taxi are often delayed by traffic jams. Taxi – on its side – is readily available but expensive. And train connection is discouraging, because of the bad commuting options in El Prat.

In conclusion, we will be very happy when the underground service is available. Will keep you informed!

In the meantime, here is some information on How to get to the BarcelonaAirport

BARCELONA TOUR: THE OLD TOWN IN A SMALL BUS (BUS 120)

When planning your visit to Barcelona, it is very worth to take a look at the web of the Public Transportation Authority, TMB, to check if it is worth to pay a touristic bus or it is better to use public transportation.

As already discussed in a previous entry, Barcelona has a good and quite reliable network of buses and underground. Fares vary. You can buy a single ticket, which is the most expensive option, or buy day-tickets or a T10 card, which are far more cheap.

In any case, if you decide for public transportation, there are small buses with very interesting. One of them is number 120. With a route that covers Raval to barri de Sant Pere, crossing Ramblas and Born, it will offer you a nice trip around the old town and a good idea of the area neighbourhoods. A plus: no tourists use the line, so you are bound to travel with locals.

BARCELONA APPS: PROXIMO BUS BARCELONA among others

The world seems to be drowned with apps these days. Some are very useful. Some others are less useful. Of course, Apps on Barcelona are popping up everywhere.

Here is a web page with APPs on BCN. Some claim to be “official”. I am sorry, I didn’t try any of them so I can not tell you if they are useful or not.

http://apps4bcn.cat/en/esp/experts/index/filter:AZ/Category:all/pagina:2/

And Barcelona Turisme has also published some APPS specifically addressed to visitors. You may find them in: 
http://apps.barcelonaturisme.com/?lang=en

But here is an APP I use so I can tell you for sure it is useful:

Próximo bus Barcelona


Bus stop in Plaça Molina

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cat.ereza.properbusbcn&hl=es

It will help you locating and using buses in Barcelona. Plus: it has a juicy story behind (It was “prosecuted” by the city council for using public data. Luckily, reason and public pressure imposed and we can continue enjoying this app).

I don't think they have an English version but it's quite intuitive so, that shouldn't be a problem. 

I hope you will find it useful too.

BEST WAY TO MOVE AROUND BARCELONA

As in any other town, first thing to consider is what king of traveler you are.

If you are short of time and like to have things ready for you, BUS TURISTIC may be your best choice. They have different routes and cover the key touristic points in Barcelona, including the “remote” ones. If this is your choice, check routes, timetables and prices in:

Barcelona city tour: http://www.barcelonacitytour.cat/en/

Bus turistic: http://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/web/guest/home

If you, like me, prefer to do as locals do, I would suggest you to buy a T-10 CARD for public transport + WALK. Barcelona is not spreaded and, except some places like Park Güell, Montjuic, Tibidabo and the Barça stadium, most of your visits can easily be done by foot. For T -10 card information, see specific entry in this blog.  Remember to ask for a map of the public transport network at the metro booths or at the tourist information points.

Supposing you like sport, there is always the possibility to rent a bicycle. You will probably see many BICING stations in Barcelona. Unfortunately, these are not addressed to the temporary visitors and they require a card (costs 100€ per year) which must be issued in advance, etc. Nevertheless, there are other companies to rent a bicycle, particularly in the Born area. Let me just remind you that Barcelona is not so well prepared for bicycles. Bike lanes are scarce and not always respected. Having said that, a visit to Barceloneta in a bike can be very pleasant in a sunny morning.

A link to the Bike rentals association with different phones, addresses and a map of the companies location: http://www.bicitoursbarcelona.org/lloguer/

Barcelona Rent a Bike (in Barceloneta): http://www.barcelonarentabike.com

Bicing Station in carrer Provença

Finally, have you considered renting a mopped or scooter? I think that is the best way to visit Barcelona (in fact, Barcelona is a “scooter city”, as you will surely notice). Just bear in mind, rent a scooter only if you are familiar with driving such vehicle in a busy town and remember to wear a helmet … always (helmets are rented together with the scooter).

For scooters rentals see:

Rent a Vespa: http://rentvespabarcelona.com/

P.S. Ups! I almost forgot. There are also taxis, of course. Painted in yellow and black they are quickly recognizable. Fares are fixed by the city council but try not to get cheated with longer routes than needed or similar tricks. Even if taxis in Barcelona are more affordable than in Paris or London, they are still quite expensive by Spanish standards. We would only recommend a company, which we know from personal experience to be quite reliable, it is Taxi Class: http://www.taxiclassrent.com/

In yellow and black, taxis are easy to see

BOOKING A TAXI IN BARCELONA: TAXI CLASS

transportation
Phone: +34 93 307 07 07

If you compare their rates to Paris or London fares, you will probably find Barcelona's taxis cheap. By Spanish standards, they are quite expensive. On the other hand, they have a well deserved reputation of trying to cheat tourists. And they have the right to charge you extra for picking up or dropping you at railway stations, airport, plus several other extra charges they are entitled to. A taxi ride from the city center to the airport, can easily go up to 40€ (prices of 2010). Having said so, if you are still in the mood to get a taxi, Taxi Class is not the worst option. All their cars are Mercedes Benz, they take credit card and do normally pick you up at the time and place agreed upon.

They have an app so you can reserve from your smartphone:

http://www.taxiclassrent.com/reservamovil.aspx

and online:

http://www.taxiclassrent.com/reservaonline.aspx

TICKETS FOR BUS AND UNDERGROUND IN BARCELONA: T-10 tiquet

T-10

costs 7,85 € for 1 zona (area) in 2010

transportation

for maps of the Public Transportation network in Barcelona, see www.tmb.cat

T-10 is the most popular bus-underground-ferrocarrils ticket. It is worth 10 travels within Barcelona (in case of T10 for Area or zona 1) and allows you to switch between bus, metro and ferrocarrils at no extra charge within 1h and 15 minutes from the moment you validate the travel. It can be used by different people travelling together – in this case, you have to remember that the "switching right" will only apply to the last travel validated.

UPDATE 2014: T-10 price has raised to 10,30€ for 1 zona.