Barcelona-El Prat — Aerobús A1 / A2
Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) to Barcelona — Updated 2026
Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) sits 12km south of the city and has two bus options that beat the taxi (€35-45 flat) on value. The headline bus is the Aerobús — a dedicated express that runs from both terminals to Plaça de Catalunya every 5-10 minutes (05:00-01:00). Two lines: A1 from T1 (€7.25 single, €12.50 return, 35 min) and A2 from T2 (€7.25, 30 min). Both end at Plaça de Catalunya via Plaça Espanya and Gran Via — putting you within walking distance of most central hotels. For budget travellers the TMB city bus 46 (€2.55 with T-casual) is slower (45-55 min) but drops at Plaça Espanya too. Between 01:00 and 05:00 the Nitbús N17 (T1) and N16 (T2) fill the gap at €2.55. The Aerobús accepts contactless card + Apple/Google Pay directly; no advance booking needed.
Aerobús A1 / A2 stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aeroport T1 (A1) | 0 min | Stop directly outside T1 arrivals, floor 0 |
| Aeroport T2 (A2) | 0 min | Stop outside T2B, terminal shuttle to T2A/C free |
| Plaça d'Espanya | ~15 min | Metro L1, L3, L8 interchange, Montjuïc |
| Gran Via — Urgell | ~25 min | Eixample hotels, Universitat metro nearby |
| Plaça Universitat | ~30 min | Metro L1, L2 interchange, Raval district |
| Plaça de Catalunya | 35 min | Terminus, Metro L1/L3/L6/L7, La Rambla starts here |
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Aerobús A1 / A2 vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobús A1/A2 | €7.25 | 30-35 min | Best value + speed. Every 5-10 min 05:00-01:00. |
| R2 Nord train | €4.90 | 25 min to Sants | T2 only. €4.90 with T-casual, or free with Barcelona Card. |
| Metro L9 Sud | €5.15 | 32 min to Zona Universitària | Direct from T1 and T2. Airport surcharge €5.15 single. |
| TMB Bus 46 | €2.55 (T-casual) | 45-55 min | Cheapest daytime option to Plaça Espanya. |
| Nitbús N17/N16 | €2.55 (T-casual) | 35-50 min | Night bus 01:00-05:00, only reasonable overnight option. |
| Taxi (flat fare) | €35-45 | 20-30 min | Flat €39 to zone 1 centre. Add €1 per bag. |
FAQ
Where does the Aerobús drop me in Barcelona?+
Plaça de Catalunya — the top of La Rambla and Barcelona's central plaza. It's the terminus for both A1 (from T1) and A2 (from T2). Intermediate stops: Plaça Espanya, Gran Via-Urgell, and Plaça Universitat. Any of these puts you within a 15-minute walk of most Eixample and Old City hotels. Metro connections to L1, L3, L6, L7 are underneath.
Aerobús or Metro L9 Sud from Barcelona airport?+
Aerobús is faster + drops you central (Plaça Catalunya, 35 min, €7.25). Metro L9 Sud drops at Zona Universitària (32 min, €5.15) — 8km west of centre, so you still need a metro transfer to reach the city. Take the Aerobús unless your hotel is specifically along L9 Sud (Zona Universitària, Torrassa, Collblanc).
Is the R2 Nord train worth taking from Barcelona airport?+
Only from T2. The R2 Nord (RENFE commuter rail) runs from BCN T2 to Barcelona Sants in 25 minutes for €4.90 (T-casual). It's cheaper than the Aerobús and drops at Sants — good for onward AVE high-speed rail to Madrid/Seville. But if you're at T1, the free inter-terminal shuttle to T2 adds 20 minutes, killing the time advantage.
How do I get from Barcelona airport at night?+
The Nitbús N17 (from T1) and N16 (from T2) run every 20 minutes from 22:00 to 05:00 for €2.55 (T-casual). Both end at Plaça de Catalunya via Sants. The Aerobús itself runs to 01:00 (from centre) and 00:30 (from airport). For flights arriving after 01:00, Nitbús is the only cheap option; taxi €40-50 flat.
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