Getting Around Barcelona by City Bus
With 103 regular routes and 5 express lines, Barcelona’s TMB city buses form a dense and well-connected network—making them one of the city’s most important means of transportation.
The red and white buses are a reliable way to reach nearly every corner of the city, whether you’re heading to the center, the suburbs, or some of the lesser-known neighborhoods.
Route Map (2025)
With the red and white city buses, you can reach almost any corner in Barcelona (picture: Andrew Nash, CC 2.0 license).
Tickets for City Buses in Barcelona
Overview and Current Prices (2025)
- The entire public transportation network in Barcelona is part of a unified fare system managed by the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM).
- Whether you’re looking for a single ticket, a 10-ride pass (T-Casual), or a multi-day pass like the “Hola BCN” card, this guide provides you with all the information and the latest prices.
- Quickly and easily find the right ticket for your stay in Barcelona. With our tips for buying tickets, even using the vending machines will be hassle-free.
With the right ticket, traveling by bus in Barcelona is inexpensive. (Image: © John Carter)
Our Recommendation – Simplify Your Travel in Barcelona
- The Hola BCN Card is a popular choice among visitors to Barcelona due to its many advantages.
- With this card, you can enjoy unlimited travel on the metro, bus, tram, and commuter trains (Rodalies) throughout its validity period (2, 3, 4, or 5 days). The card also includes metro rides to and from the airport, which would otherwise cost €11.40.
- For a major European city, the card is surprisingly affordable. In 2025, the daily cost ranges between €8.40 and €9.05, depending on the duration you choose.
Comfort and Time Savings
Convenient Purchase: You can easily buy the Hola BCN card online before your trip through this website 👉click here. This saves you time and hassle upon arrival.
No Complex Fare Systems: Travel freely without having to figure out complicated tariffs.
Skip the Lines: Avoid waiting at ticket machines and plan your journeys spontaneously.
Night Buses in Barcelona: The Nitbus
In Barcelona, night buses are known as the Nitbus. The network currently consists of 18 routes, numbered from N0 to N17.
Operators and Tickets
Nitbus services are operated by private companies Mohn and Tugsal. As a result, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is NOT valid for use on these buses.
Operating Hours
Nitbuses run between 10:20 PM and 6:00 AM. On most routes, there are approximately three buses per hour, ensuring relatively short waiting times.
Stops
One unique feature of the Nitbus system is that all lines, except for the N0, stop at the central Plaza de Cataluña. This makes the square a key hub for night travel within the city.
The marking “N5” on the sign of the bus stop shows that line 5 of the Nitbus stops here (Image: E. Fischer, CC 2.0 License).
Taking the bus from El Prat airport to Barcelona city center
Barcelona El Prat Airport is located about 15 km from the city center of Barcelona. There are several bus connections for this route.
Here you can find out everything about journey times, stops and our tips for buying tickets.
El Prat Barcelona Airport: There are several bus connections from the airport to the city center.
#1 Bus 46 from the airport to the city center
Route: Bus 46 has a stop in front of each of the two airport terminals. The stop in the city center is at the central square “Plaza de España”. From there you have many transfer options to Barcelona’s local transport.
Advantages:
- The regular local transport tickets are valid, also the popular day ticket HolaBCN! is valid on this bus.
- More information on tickets and prices can be found here.
Disadvantages:
- Regular bus with longer journey time (approx. 40 min) and fewer connections.
- No storage space for luggage – you may have difficulties if you travel with more than hand luggage
#2 Express bus “Aerobús” from the airport to the city center
Route: The Aerobús has a stop in front of each of the two airport terminals. With no stops in between, the bus stops in the city center at the central square “Plaça d’Espanya” or “Plaça Catalunya”.
Advantages:
- Special express bus for the transfer airport ↔ city center, with space for luggage.
- Shorter journey time (to Plaça d’Espanya 23 min), more connections → less waiting time.
Disadvantages:
- More expensive than bus 46, single ticket €7.45
- Private operator: regular local transport tickets are not valid on this bus
Bus 46 or Aerobús? Both lines offer a connection from the airport to the city center.
Taking the Bus in Barcelona: What Passengers Need to Know
At many bus stops in Barcelona, multiple lines may pass by. If you see your bus approaching, signal the driver with a wave to let them know you want to board. Otherwise, the driver may skip the stop entirely.
What to Look For at the Bus Stop:
- A sign at the stop lists the bus lines that stop there.
- The display on the front of the bus shows the line number and destination.
- When your bus is approaching, give the driver a clear wave as a signal to stop.
Getting On and Off the Bus:
- Use the front door to board. If the bus has four doors, you can also use one of the two front doors.
- Passengers exiting the bus should use the rear doors to avoid congestion.
Don’t Forget to Validate Your Ticket:
- Make sure to validate your ticket as soon as you board the bus. Validation machines are located throughout the bus.
- Failing to validate your ticket means you’re traveling without a valid fare, which is considered fare evasion.
Several bus lines stop here. You should signal the bus driver that you want a ride by waving.
Accessibility for wheelchairs
Good news, since 2007 the entire TMB bus fleet in Barcelona is ready for the transport of people with mobility restrictions or wheelchair users. The door, where wheelchair users or large children’s strollers find the extendable ramp, is clearly marked.
If necessary, catch the driver’s attention with a hand signal, that he will activate the ramp.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ 2025
How much does a bus ticket cost in Barcelona 2025?
A single ticket for the public bus in Barcelona will cost €2.65 in 2025.
For visitors to the city, the “Hola BCN” day ticket is particularly interesting. With the “Hola BCN” ticket, you can enjoy unlimited travel on the metro (including airport transfers), city buses, trams, suburban trains (Rodalies, zone 1), FGC suburban trains (zone 1), and the Montjuïc funicular during its period of validity (2, 3, 4, or 5 days).
More information and tips can be found in our online travel guide.
Where can I find a route map for the buses in Barcelona?
Currently (2025), the network of regular buses in Barcelona consists of 103 lines.
You can find a downloadable map in our online travel guide.
Which bus route goes from Barcelona Airport to the city center?
Barcelona El Prat Airport is approximately 15 km from Barcelona city center. There are several bus connections for this route: the number 46 bus or the “Aerobús” express bus.
You can find more information (route, fares, advantages and disadvantages…) in our travel guide.
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