(content by Pol Gomà Deàs)
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world, ranking 3rd in Europe just after Rome and Paris. Unsurprisingly, moving around can be challenging during summer. Here’s a local guide so you can get around with ease.
Short distances
If you’re not going far, then there are loads of great options for getting around, Avoid crowded public transport, and choose your own path while enjoying the city’s sights.
Bike
Probably one of the best ways of moving around Barcelona, as the city is very bike friendly with safe bike lanes and a great weather.
- – Bicing is Barcelona’s own bike sharing service and has stations all over the city. It’s best suited to those staying in the city for an extended period as they only offer year-long contracts starting at 35€/year.
- – Bike sharing: several bike sharing services have launched in the past months offering dockless bikes. Donkey starts at 1.7€ for 15 minutes,
- – Bike rental: you will find dozens of places offering decent bikes for 6€ for the first 2 hours. The downside? The bike needs to be returned where you picked it up.
E-scooters
Unlike the rest of the world, e-scooters are not a thing in Barcelona due to local law restrictions. There are some rental shops available, but bikes and motorbikes are way more popular than e-scooters.
Motorbikes
Motorbikes are also super popular in the capital of Catalonia and there are several companies with a good density of vehicles operating all year round and offering rides by the minute. E-cooltra and Yego are probably the best options, with prices starting at 0.25€ per minute.
Public transportation
Barcelona has invested heavily in its public transportation system and offers integrated tickets for all its multiple services. Short trips start at 2.20€ but if you will be in town for a couple of days, getting a T-10 is a smart choice: 10 trips for 10.20€.
Tickets can be bought at any metro station and be used for all public transportation services: metro, bus and tram. If your trip requires a few different modes of transport, such as metro followed by a bus, its counted as a single trip!
Metro
When workers aren’t on strike, the Metro is an affordable and reliable option for medium distances. Trains come often and are clean and have aircon, which is very needed in summer. It operates all night round on Friday and Saturday night and until midnight the rest of days.
Beware of pickpockets! Probably the biggest downside of the metro system. They operate in gangs, and are very sophisticated, with the ability to nab wallets from even the most conscientious travelers pocket.
Bus
With an abundance of routes crossing the entire city, bus is the only public transportation service in Barcelona serving its visitors 24/7.
Tram
Built to cover the gaps of the other two main services, tram lines run the length of Diagonal, the longest street of Barcelona.
Airport transfers
Uber has pulled out of Barcelona due to a recent law, so there are fewer airport transfer options than before. However, there are still options for all budgets:
- – Underground: the new Metro L9 has recently reached both airport terminals and prices start at 4.60€ one way. It takes 35 minutes to get to the city.
- – Aerobus: private bus line serving direct lines between the two airport terminals and downtown for 5.90€ one way. It takes 35 minutes and it’s not impacted by public strikes.
- – Cabify: the only ride-hailing company operating in Barcelona offers 25 minute transfers starting at 25€.
- – Taxi: like Cabify, but with non-English speaking drivers and if you are unlucky they won’t accept credit cards.
– Black car: for those looking to travel with peace of mind or to have an exclusive experience, booking a car service in Barcelona may be the best option. Starting at 40€, it includes 60 minutes of waiting time and the driver will meet you at the arrivals gate.
