Destination guides > Europe > Spain > Catalonia (Catalunya) > Barcelona > Local transport

Barcelona

Local transport

Barcelona boasts a very comprehensive public transport network made up of a metro system plus trains, buses, cable cars and funicular railways. It can be a little confusing at first because different parts of the train network are run by various companies, however it's a breeze getting around once you've got a hang of the system.

BUS

TMB operates most of Barcelona's buses. Although it is a fairly comprehensive bus network, most travellers find the metro and trains easier to use and only resort to buses at night.

 

The nitbusos (night buses) run between 11am and around 4am when the metro is closed with most routes terminating around Plaça de Catalunya.

 

All local buses cost €1.40 per trip. Bus travel is covered by multi-trip tickets such as the T-10 and T-DIA travel passes.

METRO

Barcelona's five-line metro system is the most useful part of the city's public transport system. Most metro stations are conveniently located close the major attractions and budget accommodation. However the main drawback being that the whole system closes down at around 11pm, just when most people are going out for the evening.

 

A metro ticket costs €1.40 per trip, although many people find multi-trip tickets a better option. Metro travel is covered by multi-trip tickets such as the T-10 and T-DIA travel passes.

SUBURBAN TRAIN

The metro is supplemented by two very extensive suburban train networks operated by Renfe and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC).

 

Renfe, which operates most Spanish trains, operates a suburban train network known as Rodalies in Catalan and Cercanias in Castillian Spanish. Although the Rodalies system runs right through the city centre with some lines that act a bit like an express metro, most visitors only use these trains to get to the airport and nearby beach resorts including Castelldefels and Sitges.

 

Renfe's C-3 and C-4 Rodalies suburban train lines between Torre Baró and Barcelona-Sants stations are included on the T-DIA and T-MES multi-trip tickets.

 

Prices for other routes are based on a zone system with prices increasing on weekends and public holidays. Trips within the city centre are within zone 1, zone 2 covers the area beyond the city fringe, zone 3 includes the beach at Castelldefels and zone 4 includes both the airport and the resort town of Sitges. Check the Rodalias zone map on the Renfe web site for information on which zone each station is located.

Zone

Renfe Rodalies suburban train fares

Zone	Single ticket	10-trip ticket (bonotren)	Monthly ticket
1	€1.40	€7.50	€30.50
2	€1.60	€10.70	€36.50
3	€2.35	€17	€56.50
4	€3	€22	€69.20
5	€3.60	€27	€84
6	€4.65	€31	€100

 

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) operates trains throughout Catalunya which includes a useful urban network within Barcelona. FGC operates two main branches, terminating at either Catalunya or Espanya where this service connects with the metro. The lines originating at Catalunya are useful for visiting areas to the north of the centre.

 

Urban routes operated by FGC are covered by multi-trip tickets, whereas longer trips are priced according to the distance travelled. Urban trips covered by travel passes include lines U6 (Catalunya-Reina Elisendra), U7 (Catalunya-Avenida Tibidabo) and lines S1 and S2 between Catalunya and Les Planes.

FARES

Barcelona's public transport network has a number of multi-trip tickets which are a better deal than single-trip tickets.

T-10

Valid for 10 journeys with the right to change lines between bus, metro and Renfe and FGC train lines in zone 1 during a 75 minute period. €7.85

T-DIA

Valid for an unlimited number of journeys on the day of issue. This ticket can be used on TMB and EMT buses the metro, urban FGC train lines, the Funicular de Vallvidrera and RENFE's C-3 and C-4 Rodalia suburban train lines between Torre Baró and Barcelona-Sants stations. €5.90

2-Day Travelcard

Valid for an unlimited number of journeys on TMB buses, the metro and FGC urban train for two consecutive days. €11.20

3-Day Travelcard

Valid for an unlimited number of journeys on TMB buses, the metro and FGC urban train for three consecutive days. €15.90

4-Day Travelcard

Valid for an unlimited number of journeys on TMB buses, the metro and FGC urban train for four consecutive days. €20.40

5-Day Travelcard

Valid for an unlimited number of journeys on TMB buses, the metro and FGC urban train for five consecutive days. €24.10

T-50/30

Valid for 50 metro and urban FGC train line journeys during 30 consecutive days with a right to change lines during a one-hour period. If, within an hour of starting your journey, you change trains from a FGC train to the Metro, or vice versa, at Pl. Catalunya or Provença stations, it counts as a single journey. €32.10

T-MES

Valid for an unlimited number of journeys in a one-month period on TMB buses and metro lines, urban FGC train lines, the Funicular de Vallvidrera, night buses and RENFE's C-3 and C-4 Rodalia suburban train lines between Torre Baró and Barcelona-Sants stations. You will need a "Targetren" or TMB's Identity Card to use this ticket. €48.85

 

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