Visiting Barcelona is every traveller’s dream. Getting to experience the exotic Catalonian spirit, the merrymaking people and, of course, the fantastic architecture among other things – that is a once in a lifetime adventure. However, getting around the city, all the while managing to see each and every spot you desire can be difficult. Moving from place A to place B can be hard if you are not familiar with the transportation Barcelona has to offer. For that reason, we’ve listed all types of transport that you can find in this city, as well as must-have information related to each of them.
Metro
Barcelona’s metro is a detailed system that covers the majority of the city, making it extremely easy to navigate through. The lines cover all sides of the city, and there are eight of them, if we exclude lines 6, 7, and 8, which are actually a part of FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) – the railway company of Catalonia. Where there is a gap in the metro line, it is covered by bus or tram. Therefore, you will not have a problem moving from spot to spot.
When it comes to the timetable, the trains operate frequently and start from 5 AM, all through the day and night. Of course, the working hours may vary depending on the day of the week, as well as national holidays. For instance, on Saturdays, the metro is open all day, 24 hours. Furthermore, trains arrive on time, sometimes just 2 minutes apart. At night, however, they might have a bigger gap between arrivals, but it doesn’t exceed 10 minutes. This definitely makes it the perfect means of transportation.
When it comes to the map, all the lines carry a different colour, like red, blue or green. This makes them distinguishable and easy to manoeuvre. Also, each car has a map of stations on that specific line, which illuminate with every stop.
Bus
Because there are hundreds of bus lines in Barcelona, they are often used by both locals and tourists. Even better, they reach places where the metro doesn’t go. However, there are no fixed timetables for all the lines, as each one has its own schedule. Luckily for you, this can be checked out on the official TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) website, or with a TMB app.
Moreover, you can search for a bus by putting in your current location, and it will give you suggestions to the nearest bus stop, and the time of the next bus’ arrival. No doubt, this is a quite convenient option from the TMB.
The working hours are usually from 6 AM until around 23 PM. Nevertheless, for those going back home later than this, there are night buses (Nit Bus). To get an accurate schedule, make sure you check the official website for verified information. They travel on a lesser number of lines, but still represent a commodity.
Taxi
If you are looking for faster movement through the city, then getting a taxi could be the best option for you. For example, if you just landed in Barcelona and you want to get to your accommodation as quickly as possible, then hail a taxi. They are also great for late night drives.
Nevertheless, there is one time when getting the metro might be better, and that is at the peak hours when the traffic is just awful. The metro could move faster than a car, which could get stuck in traffic. Recognizing a Barcelona taxi is simple – they are all painted black-and-yellow. Just look for a green light on the car, signifying that it has not been taken.
The prices depend on the time of day or night. There are three tariffs, each lasting for a specific time frame. Moreover, specific driving routes and factors, like to and from the airport, have different starting prices, and each bag you bring will cost you 1€. Be wary that the minimum price of each ride is always 7€, no matter the tariff and time of day.
Tram
This is the newest addition to the public transport in Barcelona. For this reason, the tram has the fewest lines, but it can still be useful, especially if you move around the Avinguda Diagonal. It offers a nice tour of the city, allowing you to see everything as you ride along the tracks.
The trams start working from early in the morning to 5 AM, until midnight. In the first and last hours, they travel two times per hour, while during the busy part of day, the trams frequent as much as four times per hour.
Where to buy tickets?
Before buying a ticket or a pass, you need to consider a few things that could influence your final decision. For instance, a single ticket will cost you 2.15€, and they can be bought at the metro/tram station or upon entering a bus. However, if you plan on taking several trips throughout the day, it might be best to buy a pass that covers a specific number of journeys. The T-10 pass covers ten journeys, and will cost you €10.30.
There are more types of these tickets, and all of them are integrated, meaning that you can ride the metro and a bus with the same ticket. Moreover, there is an option of buying tickets that last for several days or months. Those that last a few days have an unlimited number of rides. So, think about your Barcelona plan, and choose the most convenient ticket pass for you.
Before getting to Barcelona it would be best to have everything planned, like being informed about socially acceptable conduct, the type of money they use or what the best places to see are. Also, having your transportation covered beforehand would save you a lot of time and money, too. Therefore, get to planning and enjoy your stay in this magnificent city.