A smart traveler’s guide to saving money on Barcelona airport transfers while still enjoying the city to the fullest.

Barcelona’s the way! Medieval alleys and Roman remains tucked in the Gothic Quarter, electrifying nightlife in neighboring El Born, and Gaudí’s modernist masterpieces shaping the city’s character. Barcelona’s architecture ebbs and flows through centuries and styles as you stroll from one barrio to another.

Picture yourself partying the night away; sipping a glass of delicious sangria or two in stunning rooftop terrazas, indulging in every flavor of gourmet tapas, and hitting Barcelona’s buzzing dancefloors. Sigh. Idyllic as it sounds, sustaining your Barcelona dream trip takes a bit of strategy and a lot of budgeting.

Smart travel isn’t about denying yourself the good stuff; it’s about balancing your expenses by learning where to trim and where to treat. Save on airport transit, so you can splurge on awe-inspiring moments for an unforgettable feel of the city. Ditch taxis. Embrace strolling through Barcelona and catching public transport with the locals for a cost-effective, fun, and authentic feel of the city.

Splurge on experiences: relax on a rooftop terraza serving signature cocktails with a glimpse of the spires of Sagrada Família, take a sunset catamaran tour along Barcelona’s magnificent coastline, stop off at a tablao for a traditional Flamenco show, visit the Fundació Joan Miró and the Museu Picasso of Barcelona. Do it all!

Whether you're a savvy solo traveler, a backpacker on a shoestring, or simply someone who finds joy in getting the best deal, Barcelona welcomes you with efficient, clean, and yes, remarkably affordable airport transportation. All it takes is just a bit of know-how and your readiness to roll your suitcase a few extra meters.

With that in mind, here’s a guide to the cheapest ways to get from Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) to downtown (under €5) without compromising on the Barcelona experience.

And if you’re falling for a city you’d return to in a heartbeat, this time with your partner, family, or the whole crew in tow, save the link for Kiwitaxi airport transfer whisking you straight from Barcelona-El Prat to your hotel in style. Here’s another link to Kiwitaxi’s Chauffeur Hire Service to bookmark for your future Barcelona trips, when you want the journey to feel just as special as the destination.

For travelers keeping a close eye on their budget, the most wallet-friendly way to get from Barcelona Airport (BCN) to downtown is via the city’s public bus network. Enter the TMB Bus 46, a reliable, direct daytime ride that connects both Terminals 1 and 2 with Plaça Espanya, one of Barcelona’s key transport hubs. The journey takes roughly 40 to 55 minutes, depending on traffic and stops, and runs from early morning till just before midnight. It’s not the quickest, but if you’re in no rush, you’ll get a scenic taste of local Barcelona life along the way. A single ticket costs only €2.65 and can be bought from the driver via credit card or cash. The savvy traveler will opt for the T-Casual card, a 10-trip pass priced at €12.55 that drops the per-ride cost to just over €1.25. Just remember to grab your T-Casual card from a vending machine before boarding, as the bus doesn’t sell them.

Trip duration: 40–55 minutes Fare: €2.65 (single ticket) or €12.55 for T-Casual 10-trip pass Availability: Approx. 05:00–23:45 (every 15–20 minutes) Best for: Budget-conscious travelers, light packers, those with flexible schedules

Arriving at Barcelona Airport after dark? The NitBus is your go-to budget choice. The N17 serves Terminal 1, while the N18 covers both Terminals 1 & 2, taking you straight to Plaça Catalunya in the city center. The journey takes around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic, giving you plenty of time to relax or plan your night out. Tickets cost just €2.65 when purchased from the driver. Savvy travelers can also use their T-Casual card to enjoy low fare per ride. NitBus runs from approximately 10:00 PM till 5:00 AM, so even the night owls can save on transport and splurge on experiences.

Trip duration: 40–60 minutes Fare: €2.65 (single ticket) or covered by T-Casual card Availability: Approx. 22:00–05:00 (every 20 minutes) Best for: Late arrivals, budget travelers, night owls eager to dive into Barcelona’s nightlife

Another smart budget move? The RENFE R2 Nord suburban train is a local favorite that blends affordability with efficiency. It’s especially convenient if you're landing at Terminal 2, where the train station is just a short walk from Arrivals. From there, the R2 Nord line zips you into the city in under half an hour, with stops at major hubs like Estació Sants and Passeig de Gràcia, where you can easily connect to the metro network and continue your journey. At around €4.90 for a single ticket, it’s already a deal. But if you’re traveling with a T-Casual card, the savings get even better. Just note that trains run every 30 minutes, so check the schedule to time your arrival and avoid unnecessary platform lingering.

Trip duration: 25–30 minutes Fare: €4.90 (single ticket) / €12.55 (T-Casual card for 10 trips) Availability: Every 30 minutes (approx. 06:00–23:30) Best for: Travelers arriving at Terminal 2 who want a fast, affordable ride into central Barcelona

If you're flying into El Prat’s Terminal 1 or 2 and want a no-fuss metro experience, the L9 Sud line offers a fast and air-conditioned ride directly into Barcelona’s metro network. While it doesn’t drop you right in the city center, smooth transfers at Collblanc (L5), Torrassa (L1), or Zona Universitària (L3) make it easy to get to the Sagrada Família, Plaça Catalunya, or the Gothic Quarter. The catch? The airport metro stops require a special €5.70 ticket, which pushes this option just above the €5 budget cap.

The workaround? The Hola Barcelona Travel Card. It covers this journey and unlocks unlimited access to metro, bus, RENFE trains (from Terminal 2), and night buses for 2 to 5 consecutive days. If you're planning to use public transport extensively, the Hola Card becomes the most practical and stylish solution.

Trip duration: 50 minutes (including transfer) Fare: €5.70 (single airport ticket) / included with Hola Barcelona Travel Card Availability: Every 7 minutes (from 5:00 AM to midnight; extended hours on weekends) Best for: Travelers using the Hola Card, those heading to the Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Família, or Plaça Catalunya via metro

Want to navigate Barcelona’s public transport without breaking the bank? The T-Casual card is a savvy essential. At just €12.55 for 10 rides, it slashes your cost per journey to around €1.25, less than half the price of a single ticket. With each trip granting up to 75 minutes of travel time and multiple transfers between metro, bus, tram, or RENFE trains (including the airport train from Terminal 2), it effortlessly fits into the rhythm of your city explorations. While it doesn’t cover the airport metro line L9 Sud and the private Aerobús, it does include the RENFE train from Terminal 2, metro lines, buses, and trams within Zone 1, making it ideal for budget-conscious visitors. The T-Casual pass is now a loadable ticket on Barcelona’s modern, contactless T-mobilitat card system. Simply get a reusable T-mobilitat card for a one-time fee of €1, load the T-Casual pass onto it, and recharge your card whenever you run out of journeys.

You’ll find vending machines selling the T-Casual at all metro and train stations across the city, including those at Barcelona Airport. The machines offer multiple languages, so just select the T-mobilitat option, choose a new, non-personalized card, and pick the T-Casual pass. Payment is easy via credit, debit, or cash, and your contactless card will be ready to tap and go in moments, leaving more euros to indulge in Barcelona’s tapas bars, rooftop terrazas, and vibrant exhibitions. Here, you have it all!

Still weighing your choices or seeking more comfort-driven alternatives, visit our Barcelona Airport to City Center: Complete Transportation Guide to have all transportation options in one place.