Metro (subway) in Barcelona –
Information, tickets, network map & tips for passengers
In this travel guide, you will find important information for passengers and practical tips on using the Barcelona metro.
The metro in Barcelona is popular with locals and tourists. It allows you to travel around Barcelona quickly and without traffic jams. Since 2016, it also provides a fast connection from El Prat airport to the city centre. (Image: P.Sableman, CC 2.0 licence).
One metro network – two operators – two logos
The logos of Barcelona’s two metro operators. Above “TMB”, below “FGC”. Both can be found at the entrance of a metro station. (Image: Fototenes, CC BY-SA 2.0 licence)
Since 2014, the subway network is operated by two separate companies. The “Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB)” and “Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC)” companies share the network.
Two operators – two logos
This is why you will find two different logos at the entrance to the metro stations. In metro stations where the TMB and FGC lines cross, both logos are used.
Two operators – one fare / one ticket
Thanks to the integrated fare system under the roof of the ATM “Autoritat del Transport Metropolità” (ATM), it makes little difference with which operator you are traveling.
Metro Barcelona – fast & reliable
The metro is very popular among locals and visitors. You can travel around in the city very fast and independently of road traffic and traffic jam. This is an unbeatable plus in the dense road traffic in Barcelona.
Metro Barcelona: Network map & lines
Since 1924, the Metro rolls through the underground of Barcelona. It was expanded piece by piece to today’s 12 lines with over 180 stations (2024).
The network of the Barcelona is operated by 2 companies. There are plans to expand the network continuously.
The lines do not have their own names. They are numbered from L1 to L12. Each line has a colour.
→ Download: Network map of Metro Barcelona (2024)
A free paper version of the metro network is available at every ticket counter.
List of current Metro lines (2024)
How to find the right ticket for the Barcelona Metro
The entire fare system for Barcelona’s public transport is organised by the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità.
Whether you are looking for a single ticket, a 10-ride T-Casual or a “Hola BCN!” travel card, here you will find information and current prices.
So you can find easily the right ticket for your stay in Barcelona. Knowing which ticket is best for you can save you a lot of time and money when you are abroad.
Our tip – if you don’t like to read details about the fare systems and the Barcelona public transport network –
For most visitors of the city the “Hola BCN” day ticket is the best choice.
With this card, you can use unlimited the metro, bus, tram and suburban trains (Rodalies, Zone 1) during the entire validity period (2, 3, 4 or 5 days).
Metro travel to and from the airport is also included. You don’t need to buy the “Metro-Airport Ticket” (11 euros return).The “Hola BCN!” card is very cheap compared to other major European cities. The actual price (2024) is between 8.15 and 8.75 euros per day, depending on the validity period chosen.
Save time and stress, by buying the „Hola BCN“ travel card online before departure
⮕Link:
Here you can buy the „Hola BCN“ card onlineSave yourself time and stress abroad.
The Hola BCN! Online Ticket can be purchased via this website (in English).
With an online ticket, you don’t have to deal with ticket purchase and fare systems after your flight. You already have the right ticket to get from the airport to the city and/or back by metro or RENFE train.
Hola BCN Ticket: easy & cheap use of local transport including airport transfer. Tip: You can buy the ticket online
The right ticket can save you time and money (Image: Passion Leica, CC 2.0 licence)
By metro from El Prat Airport to Barcelona city centre
Barcelona El Prat Airport is located approximately 15 km south-west of Barcelona city centre. The Barcelona Metro offers a good and fast connection from El Prat Airport to the city centre.
However, there are some special rules for tickets.
Here you can find out all about journey times, stops and our tips for buying tickets.
El Prat Barcelona Airport: The metro offers a fast, direct and cheap connection to the city centre of Barcelona.
El Prat Barcelona Airport station – how long does it take to get to the city centre by metro?
Since 2016, El Prat Barcelona Airport has been connected to the city’s metro network. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have their own metro station. They are located under the terminal buildings and are well signposted.
There is a metro to the city centre every 7 minutes. The journey takes about 31 minutes.
The metro is a fast and reliable way to get to the city centre. It is much more predictable than the congested road traffic.
Each of the two terminals at Barcelona’s El Prat airport has its own metro stop (Image: ©David Pirmann)
How much does a ticket cost to travel by metro to the city centre?
Attention when buying a ticket: Regular single tickets or the 10-trip T-Casual card are NOT valid for travel to and from the airport!
For visitors to the city who are not staying for several weeks, these two options are practical:
Option 1
Buy a special “Airport Ticket” from the ticket machine. It costs €11 for a return trip for anyone over the age of 4 (as of 2024).
Option 2 – our tip:
Many visitors to the city opt for the “HolaBCN!” travel card. This is a multi-day ticket that gives you unlimited use of Barcelona’s public transport (metro, bus, tram). It is also valid on the airport line of the metro or train. With the HolaBCN! travel card you save the €11 for the metro “Airport Ticket”.
Current prices for the HolaBCN! Ticket (2024):
2 days / 48h validity: 17.50 Euro
3 days / 72h validity: 25.50 Euro
4 days / 96h validity: 33.30Euro
5 days / 120h validity: 40.80 Euro
Hola BCN Ticket: easy & cheap use of local transport including airport transfer. It saves you €11 because you don’t have to buy the “Airport Ticket” for the Metro. Tip: You can buy your ticket online.
For a 48h HolaBCN! Ticket you pay 6.50 euros more than for the “Airport Ticket”, but gives you 48 hours of free local transport. It pays for itself quickly and is easy to use as you no longer have to deal with the fare system for the other tickets.
Tip: You can buy the “Hola BCN” card online before your trip at no extra charge via this website – click here –
This saves time and stress abroad.
→ Barcelona local transport:
More information on tickets, fares and prices 2024.
→ Find out more about airport transfer:
All transport options, journey times, prices 2024
Without changing trains, take the Barcelona Metro from the airport to the city centre?
The metro line “L9 Sud”, which goes to El Prat Airport, has 15 stops:
- Aeroport T1 (Airport Terminal 1)
- Aeroport T2 (Airport Terminal 2)
- Mas Blau
- Parc Nou
- Cèntric
- El Prat Estació
- Les Moreres
- Mercabarna
- Parc Logístic
- Fira
- Europa | Fira
- Can Tries | Gornal
- Torrassa
- Collblanc
- Zona Universitària
This allows you to reach the central places in the city centre with just one change.
Tips for using the Metro in Barcelona
To enter and exit the station, you have to pass automated fare gates.
- Touch your ticket on the validation devices at the start and end of your journey to ensure your ticket is valid and the correct fare is paid.
- Make sure you use the correct validation device (right side) of the turnstile.
- Don’t forget to pull the card out again.
Operating hours of the metro
- Monday to Friday: 5.00 am – midnight.
- Fridays and evenings before a public holiday: 5.00 am until 2.00 am
- Saturday night: no interruptions
- Sunday night: until midnight
Make sure you use the correct validation device (right side) of the turnstile. (picture: travelguide.barcelona)
Are dogs or pets allowed on the Barcelona Metro?
The answer is not simple.
Here are the main rules for travelling with dogs on the Metro:
- Assistance dogs, guide dogs and patrol dogs are allowed.
- Dogs and pets transported in special transport containers are allowed. It must be ensured that they do not disturb other passengers.
- Dogs that are registered in the Municipal Pet Register and carry an ID chip are allowed to travel on Barcelona Metro under the following conditions:
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- Dogs must be muzzled from the moment they enter the Metro station.In addition, dogs must be on a non-extensible leash and must not be more than 50 cm away from the handler. Of course, they are not allowed to be transported on the seats of the Metro.
- Travel times for dogs:
From 11 September to 24 June, dogs are not allowed on the Metro from 7.00am to 9.30am and between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.
In summer, on weekends and public holidays, dogs are allowed on the Metro at all times. However, if the metro is overcrowded, dogs may not be allowed. - Only one dog per adult. The dog handler/owner is responsible for any misbehaviour or damage..
Dog in the Barcelona metro – actually, he should wear a muzzle (Image: A.Bhat, CC 2.0 licence)
The metro is a quick way to get around Barcelona. (Image: © John Carter)
Wheelchair access
As the Metro has been in operation since 1924, not all stations are fully accessible. Improvements are being made all the time, but retrofitting lifts is very expensive, especially in the older stations.
8 of the almost 180 metro stations are not fully accessible and can’t be used without restrictions by wheelchair users or parents with prams.
Barcelona Metro stations, which are not fully accessible:
Lini L1: Clot, Plaça de Sants, Espanya, Urquinaona
Lini L3: Espanya, Vallcarca Linie
Line L4: Maragall, Verdaguer, Urquinaona, Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
Lini L5: Plaça de Sants, Virrei Amat, Maragall, Verdag
The metro company TMB recommends wheelchair users to use the second door in the first car of the subway train. This is how you are best seen by the driver.
Non-barrier-free changes (both directions):
Line L1: Catalunya L1/Rodalies suburban train ↔ L3/FGC (Metro L6/L7 and suburban train).
Line L1 / L2: Clot L1 ↔ L2
Line L2 / L4: Passeig de Gràcia suburban train↔ L3/Rodalies suburban train
Line L4: Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica ↔ Trambesòs
Funicular de Montjuïc – part of the Metro Barcelona
The well-known funicular Montjuïc connects the metro station “Paral-lel” (line L2, L3) with the hill Montjuïc. The Funicular de Montjuïc is part of the public transport system and is listed in many metro line maps.
The Funicular de Montjuïc is very popular with visitors to the city. You can use the same tickets as on the metro. (Image: © Yeagov_Cat)
For the cable car “Telefèric de Montjuïc”, on the other hand, you need extra tickets. (Image: © @joanlopezphoto)
Montjuïc – lots of history – great view
The Montjuïc hill is only 127 metres high. It has always been of strategic importance due to its location between the Mediterranean Sea and the river Llobregat. The name is of Latin origin and means “Jewish mountain”.
The hill is very popular with visitors to the city. It offers great views and plenty of photo opportunities. The beautiful park was created for the 1929 World’s Fair. The hill is also home to many sports facilities and the magnificent National Palace “Palau Nacional”.
Besides a great view, the Montjuïc hill also offers numerous sights, such as the national palace “Palau Nacional” (Photo: © Alejandro Medina)
Tickets for the Funicular Montjuïc
The Funicular Montjuïc works similarly to the metro. There are two stations, the bottom station “Paral-lel” and the top station “Parc de Montjuïc”. You can use the same tickets as for the metro, as well as the handy Hola BCN Travel Card.
Frequently asked questions to our travel guide – FAQ 2024
How much is a ticket for the Barcelona Metro 2024?
The metro in Barcelona is cheap. A single ticket costs €2.55 in 2024.
An interesting option for visitors to the city is the “Hola BCN” travel card. With the “Hola BCN” ticket, you can use the metro (including the airport transfer), city buses, tram, suburban train (Rodalies, zone 1), suburban trains (FGC, zone 1) and funicular (Funicular de Montjuïc) for an unlimited period (2, 3, 4 or 5 days).
More information and tips can be found in our online travel guide.
Where can I find a map for the Barcelona Metro?
Currently (as of 2024), the metro network in Barcelona consists of 12 lines and 180 stops. You can find a map for download in our travel guide.
Is the metro in Barcelona wheelchair accessible?
As the metro has been in operation since 1924, unfortunately not all stations are completely barrier-free or step-free. Although improvements are constantly being made, the retrofitting of lifts is extremely costly, especially in the old stations.
Currently, (as of 2023), 8 of the almost 190 stations are not completely barrier-free and cannot be used without restrictions by wheelchair users or prams. You can find a list on our website.
Barcelona: How do I get from the airport to the city centre by metro?
Barcelona El Prat Airport is located about 15 km southwest of the city centre of Barcelona. The Barcelona Metro offers a good and fast connection from El Prat Airport to the city centre, as the airport has its own metro station.
However, some special rules apply to tickets / travel cards.
Tips on how to save time and money when buying tickets can be found in our travel guide
Are dogs allowed on the Barcelona Metro?
Here are the most important regulations for metro journeys with dogs:
- Assistance dogs, guide dogs and patrol dogs are allowed
- Dogs and pets transported in special carriers are allowed. It must be ensured that they do not disturb other passengers.
- Dogs that are registered in the municipal pet registry and carry an ID chip are allowed to travel on Barcelona Metro, subject to certain conditions.
More information about this in our travel guide.
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