Aerobús – Shuttle bus from the airport to the city centre
Aerobús offers a direct bus connection (without changing) from ElPrat airport to Barcelona city centre (Plaça Catalunya). The modern buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi and a ramp for wheelchair users.
Here you will find important tips, current prices and information on airport transfer alternatives – such as the metro line airport ↔ city centre.
The Aerobús offers a fast and direct connection to the city centre. With the opening of the metro line to the airport, there is also an alternative to this shuttle bus. (Picture: travelguide.barcelona)
Stops of the Aerobús (2022)
Apart from the stops at the airport (Terminal 1 or Terminal 2), there are only two stops en route.
Stops from airport → city centre:
- Airport Terminal 1 / Terminal 2
- Plaça Espanya
- Gran Via-Urgell
- Plaça Universitat
- Barcelona Plaça Catalunya
Stops from city centre → airport:
- Plaça Catalunya (city centre)
- Sepúlveda-Urgell
- Plaça. Espanya
- Airport Terminal 1 / Terminal 2
Tips and advice for Aerobús passengers:
- There is a separate line for each terminal: when returning, make sure you take the right bus. The buses are clearly marked with your destination (either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2).
When returning to the airport, there are two lines. Line A1 goes to Terminal 1, A2 to Terminal 2. (Image: travelguide.barcelona)
- All Barcelona public transport tickets are not valid on the Aerobús.
The Aerobús is operated by a private company and is therefore not part of Barcelona’s public transport system.
You need an extra ticket for the Aerobús (see below). - The bus fleet is equipped with a ramp for wheelchairs.
Aerobús: Can I take large luggage, bicycles, prams on board?
All items that were transported on the plane can also be taken on Aerobús. There is a reserved area inside the buses for wheelchairs, prams, bicycles…
Fares, travel times, ticket prices and travel duration
How much does a ticket for Aerobús Barcelona cost?
A ticket currently (2021) costs €5.90 for a single journey or €10.20 for a return journey.
Children under 4 years of age travel free of charge. From the age of 4, they pay the full price. Unfortunately, this is also the norm for the rest of Barcelona’s local transport.
Tip: You can buy tickets on this website before your trip. This saves time and stress at the airport. After your flight, all you have to do is get on the bus and go.
The journey takes about 35 minutes. As buses depend on the traffic situation or traffic jams, it can also take longer. We therefore recommend that you plan a time buffer for the return journey.
How often do the shuttle buses run?
The buses run every 5-10 minutes, depending on the terminal and time of day. At the airport, the service starts at 5:35 am and ends at 1:00 am. There is no difference between weekdays, weekends and public holidays.
Where is the Aerobús stop at Terminal 1?
The stop for travel to the city centre is located in the basement, directly in front of the terminal building. The bus stop for arrivals from the city centre is one floor up, also directly in front of the terminal building.
The bus stops are directly in front of the terminal building. They are very well signposted and easy to find. (Picture: travelguide.barcelona)
Map – Aerobús stop at Terminal 1
Here you can see where the Aerobús stops are located. A map with zoom function, which also shows the stops in the city centre, can be found below.
Aerobús stop at Terminal 1 (Map: openstreetmap.org, ODbl 1.0 licence; Image: travelguide.barcelona)
Where is the Aerobús stop at Terminal 2?
Aerobús stop at Terminal 2 (Image: Azchael, CC 2.0 licence)
Terminal 2 has two stops for the Aerobús towards the city centre. Therefore, the walking distances to the stop are short.
Both stops are located directly in front of the terminal building and are easy to find.
Map – Aerobús stops at Terminal 2
This map shows the two Aerobús stops. A map with zoom function, which also shows the stops in the city centre, can be found below.
Aerobús stop at Terminal 2 (base map: openstreetmap.org, ODbl 1.0 licence)
Tip: Buy Aerobus tickets online – saves time and stress in Barcelona
A ticket currently (2021) costs €5.90 for a single journey or €10.20 for a return journey.
You can buy tickets for the Aerobús before your trip via this website without extra charge. This saves time and stress at the airport. After your flight, all you have to do is get on the bus and go.
Where are the Aerobús stops in the city centre of Barcelona?
The two most important stops are at the central squares “Plaça Catalunya” and “Plaça Espanya”. There are also connections to the Barcelona Metro at both stops.
#1 Plaça Espanya stop
There is a stop for both lines at “Plaça Espanya” (Image M.Peinado, CC 2.0 licence)
At this central square, which is a huge roundabout, there is a stop for the Aerobús. Make sure you take the right bus (Departure Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, see below).
The Aerobús stop “Plaça Espanya” is located directly at the roundabout (base map: openstreetmap.org, ODbl 1.0 licence)
Due to its central location, the stop at “Plaça Espanya” is very popular. Environmentalists know this, too, and have put up a poster to speak out against the further expansion of the airport. (Image: By 2020 We Rise Up alternative advertisements, CC 2.0 license)
#2 Plaça Catalunya stop
The stops at Plaça Catalunya are located directly in front of the large department stores “El Corte Inglés”. They are easy to find.
Attention: There is one stop for each of the two Aerobús lines. When returning to the airport, make sure you take the right bus. Line “A1” only goes to Terminal 1, line “A2” only to Terminal 2. The buses are clearly marked.
At Plaça Catalunya you have direct access to the Barcelona Metro (Image: travelguide.barcelona)
Attention: Take the right bus for the return journey
There is a separate Aerobús line for each of the two airport terminals. When returning, you need to make sure you take the right bus. The buses are clearly marked with your destination (either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2).
Metro or Aerobús: Which is the better choice for airport transfers?
The most popular alternative to the Aerobus is the metro. El Prat Airport has had its own metro connection since 2016. That’s why you won’t find anything about it in older travel guides / websites.
The metro – a popular alternative to the Aerobús (Image: airport.barcelona)
The journey time is similar (about 35 min). Since the metro is not dependent on road traffic, the journey time of the metro is more constant.
Another advantage of the metro: In contrast to the Aerobús, the metro is part of the local transport system of Barcelona.
For example, you only need the popular “HolaBCN” day ticket to use the metro to the airport as well as the rest of the local transport. This saves money and makes buying tickets easier.