Key Highlights
Here’s a summary of the most important things you should know about Barcelona Airport:
- Its official name is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
- The airport has two main areas for flights, the new Terminal T1 and Terminal T2.
- There are many domestic and international flights.
- Barcelona airport is very well connected to the city centre thanks to public transport.
- Going from Terminal T1 to Terminal T2 or vice versa is very easy and free of charge.
- The airport is served by several airlines that connect the city of Barcelona with other parts of the world.
Introduction
Welcome to your Barcelona Airport guide! If you’re traveling to or near Barcelona, your trip will most likely begin here. Its official name is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. This airport is one of the busiest in Europe. It’s located in El Prat de Llobregat, just a few kilometers from the city of Barcelona. Millions of tourists and business travelers pass through this airport every year.
Full name and location of BCN Airport
The airport’s official name is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. However, most people simply call it Barcelona Airport. The official name commemorates an important historical figure. The airport is located within the municipalities of El Prat de Llobregat, Viladecans, and Sant Boi.
It’s very close to Barcelona city center. You only have to travel about 15 kilometers to get there. That’s why many people use it as a starting point for exploring the region. Below you’ll find the exact address and how to easily get to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport from Barcelona city center and other locations in the city.
Official address and IATA code
The official address of the airport is: Avinguda de l’Aeroport, s/n, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. This is important if you plan to enter the route into your GPS or need to give it to a transportation service. The IATA code for Barcelona Airport, which you will see on your tickets and baggage tags, is BCN. These three letters help everyone in the aviation industry know which airport is being referred to.
If you need to make a general inquiry about Barcelona Airport, you can use the contact details of Aena, the airport operator. The main telephone number for information is +34 913 211 000. They don’t have a direct email address for general inquiries, but their official website has a contact form for procedures and complaints.
Having this information about El Prat de Llobregat and its contact details will help you plan your trip well. That way, you’ll get there without any problems.
Access and geographic location
The location of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport is very important. The airport is situated in the Llobregat River delta, southwest of the city center. Its proximity makes it quick and easy to reach, allowing you to visit Park Güell or the Sagrada Familia in no time.
Access by road is simple via the C-31 motorway. This road connects to the main ring roads around Barcelona. If you are going to Terminal T1, take the B-22 exit. If your destination is T2, you can use the C-32B. The two terminals are linked by a connecting road, making getting around the airport easy.
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona Airport also has good public transport connections. Options include the metro, train, and bus. This allows you to choose the way to reach the city center or your final destination that best suits your schedule and budget.
Barcelona airport terminals
Barcelona Airport has two main terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). Each has its own distinct style and is used by different airlines. Terminal 1 is newer and larger. Terminal 2 (T2) consists of three interconnected buildings: T2A, T2B, and T2C.
It’s important to know which terminal your flight departs from. This helps you plan your arrival at Barcelona Airport. Terminals 1 and 2 are in separate areas, so you should check this information before you go. Below, we’ll see what makes each terminal different. We’ll also tell you how to get around between the airport terminals.
Characteristics and differences between T1 and T2
The main difference between Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2) lies in their design, size, and the airlines that operate from them. T1, opened in 2009 as part of a major airport expansion, is a modern and spacious building that handles the majority of air traffic, including intercontinental flights and those of major airline alliances.
On the other hand, Terminal 2 is the airport’s original terminal and, although it has been modernized, it maintains a more classic structure. It is generally used by low-cost carriers and charter flights. Terminal 2 is subdivided into three areas (T2A, T2B, and T2C) that previously operated as independent terminals.
Here’s a table so you can see the differences at a glance:
| Feature | Terminal T1 | Terminal T2 |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 2009 | 1968 (with subsequent renewals) |
| Airlines | Main airlines and alliances (Vueling, Iberia) | Low-cost airlines (Ryanair, easyJet) |
| Size and Design | Large, modern and unified | Smaller, composed of T2A, T2B and T2C |
| Destinations | Most domestic and international flights | Mainly European and low-cost flights |
Transfer between terminals
If you need to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, don’t worry. The airport has a free shuttle bus called Bus Trànsit. This bus connects the two terminals and is essential for airport transportation. Passengers can easily travel between terminals.
The bus runs 24/7. No matter when your flight is, the bus is always available. During the day, the bus runs every 5 to 7 minutes. At night, it runs every 10 to 15 minutes.
The bus stops are clearly marked outside each terminal. At Terminal 1, the stop is in the arrivals area (level 0). At Terminal 2, there are stops in front of each area (T2A, T2B, and T2C). The bus journey takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
Airlines and destinations from Barcelona
Barcelona Airport is a key travel hub. Many airlines operate flights from here to various destinations, offering both domestic and international flights to all five continents. Want to know which airlines depart from here or where you can go?
The options are vast. There are short-haul flights within Europe, as well as long-haul flights across the ocean to the Americas and Asia. The famous Madrid-Barcelona air shuttle is one of the most popular domestic routes used by people worldwide. Here we show you the main airlines and favorite destinations to travel to from Barcelona Airport.
Main operating airlines
Barcelona Airport has a large number of flights, and many airlines operate there. Vueling, a low-cost carrier headquartered in Barcelona, operates the most flights at Barcelona Airport. Ryanair and Iberia follow. These airlines offer many European and domestic flights within Spain.
The most prominent route is the air shuttle service between Barcelona and Madrid. This service offers numerous flights daily, facilitating quick travel for business or leisure between Spain’s two largest cities. In addition to the airlines mentioned, several other international carriers also operate frequent flights from Barcelona Airport.
Among the best-known airlines that can be seen at Barcelona airport are:
- Vueling
- Ryanair
- Iberia
- easyJet
- TAP Air Portugal
- Air Canada
National and international destinations
From Barcelona, you can fly to many domestic and international destinations. The airport has excellent connections, making it an ideal starting point for both short breaks and longer trips. Domestic flights are in high demand, connecting the mainland with the islands and other major cities in Spain.
Within Spain, some of the most popular destinations to fly to are Madrid, Seville, Ibiza, and Palma de Mallorca. These domestic flights are operated by several airlines, offering different schedules and prices throughout the day.
For international flights, there are many options. It’s easy to find direct flights to many major European cities, such as Paris, London, Rome, and Lisbon. There are also routes to other destinations in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
- Madrid (MAD)
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
- Lisboa (LIS)
- París (CDG/ORY)
- Londres (LGW/LHR/STN)
- Roma (FCO)
- Ámsterdam (AMS)
- Nueva York (JFK/EWR)
Transporte público y traslados desde el aeropuerto BCN
Llegar desde el aeropuerto al centro de Barcelona o a los pueblos cerca es muy fácil. Esto es porque la red de transporte público es muy buena. Hay una gran oferta de medios de transporte para todos. Puedes encontrar opciones rápidas y directas, y también otras más baratas.
Se puede viajar en tren, metro, autobús exprés, autobuses urbanos y autobuses interurbanos. También hay servicios de traslado que te llevan a otras ciudades de Cataluña, como Gerona o lugares en la Costa Brava. Aquí te contamos cómo ir al centro de Barcelona y qué otras formas de transporte público tienes para moverte a otros sitios.
Cómo llegar al centro de Barcelona
Hay varias formas de transporte público que te ayudan a ir al centro de Barcelona. La mejor opción depende de tu dinero, el lugar donde quieres llegar y la hora en que llegas. El Aerobús es uno de los medios de transporte más usados. Este servicio rápido conecta las dos terminales del aeropuerto con la Plaza Cataluña.
Si tú quieres viajar en tren, la línea R2 Nord de Rodalies de Catalunya (Renfe) tiene una parada en la terminal T2. Esta línea te lleva a lugares importantes como Sants o Passeig de Gràcia. Para todos los que llegan a la T1, se debe usar el bus gratis que va hasta la T2. El metro es otra opción cómoda. La línea L9 Sud va del aeropuerto a la Zona Universitària. Desde ahí puedes ir a muchas otras partes de Barcelona.
Aquí tienes un resumen de estos medios de transporte:
- Aerobús (A1/A2): Es rápido y va directo al centro. Sale de T1 y T2.
- Tren (R2 Nord): Une la terminal T2 con estaciones importantes como Sants y Passeig de Gràcia.
- Metro (L9 Sud): Conecta la terminal t2 y la T1 con el metro de la ciudad.
- Autobús urbano (Línea 46): Es la manera más barata para llegar a Plaza Espanya.
- **Autobuses nocturnos (N17
Servicios de traslado a ciudades cercanas
El aeropuerto no solo tiene una buena conexión con la ciudad de Barcelona. También te da muchas opciones para moverte a otros lugares de Cataluña. Da igual si quieres ir a la Costa Brava, la Costa Dorada o a alguna ciudad del interior, pues hay un servicio de traslado que puede encajar con lo que buscas.
Hay varias compañías de autobuses con rutas directas que salen desde el aeropuerto y llegan a lugares conocidos. Por ejemplo, tienen servicios regulares a Sitges, Gerona, Tarragona, Reus y también a Andorra. Los autobuses suelen partir desde las áreas señaladas en la terminal T1 y la terminal T2. Para la época de mucha gente, te recomiendo mirar los horarios y comprar tus billetes antes de viajar.
Algunas líneas de autobús interurbano que salen desde el aeropuerto son:
- Autobuses a Gerona y Figueres: Van directo a lugares del norte de Cataluña.
- Buses to the Costa Dorada: It goes to cities like Tarragona, Reus and Salou.
- Buses to the Costa Brava: They have routes that pass through Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and other coastal areas.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions that people have when they travel and arrive at Barcelona airport.
Where can I check real-time arrivals and departures at BCN airport?
You can see up-to-date flight departure and arrival information in real time on the official Aena website for Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. You can also download the Aena app to your mobile device. This way, you’ll quickly receive flight schedules and real-time notifications.
What services and facilities does Barcelona El Prat airport offer for travelers?
The airport offers many services and amenities to help you have a pleasant experience. There is free Wi-Fi, shops, restaurants, and VIP lounges. If you have reduced mobility, there is support and special services available. Children can play in designated areas. You can find currency exchange offices. There is also a Fast Track service in the departure area.
Where can I find information about parking at BCN airport?
All information about parking, such as rates, the location of parking spaces, and availability at the different passenger terminals, is available on the official Aena website. There, you can reserve your parking space before you go, guaranteeing your spot and potentially getting better prices.
Conclusion
In short, Barcelona Airport is more than just a transit hub. It’s a modern and efficient gateway to one of Europe’s most captivating destinations. Both terminals are well-equipped to welcome everyone. There’s an excellent transport connection and services tailored to every type of traveler, including those with reduced mobility. Your journey gets off to the best possible start here. Enjoy your time at Barcelona Airport (BCN).