Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport
Also known as: Barcelona Airport, El Prat Airport, Barcelona El Prat Airport.
Private transfer from BCNSee pricesSee pricesAbout Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is the airport for Barcelona and Catalonia, in Spain, and the country's second-busiest airport. It sits mainly in El Prat de Llobregat, by the sea, about 15 km (9 miles) southwest of Barcelona city center.
Vueling has its main base here, and Iberia, Ryanair and easyJet fly many routes across Spain and Europe. Long-haul flights go to New York, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta, Newark, Montréal, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Seoul and Beijing, among others; Level, the low-cost long-haul airline, is based here too. In 2025 the airport handled a record 57.5 million passengers.
There are two terminals, about 4 km apart by road. Terminal 1, opened in 2009 on the west side, handles about 70% of flights. Terminal 2, on the north side, is split into 2A, 2B and 2C; Ryanair and others use 2B, and easyJet uses 2C. A free shuttle bus links the two.
From the airport, most travelers head into central Barcelona, along the coast to Castelldefels and Sitges, or north to the Costa Brava, Girona and Andorra. The Aerobús, Metro L9 Sud and R2 Nord trains all run into the city.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Aena
- Runways
Three (06L/24R, 06R/24L and 02/20)
- Passengers per year
About 57.5 million in 2025, a record
- Terminals
Two: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (2A, 2B, 2C)
- Main airline
Vueling (main base)
Arrival tips for Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport
Check whether you land at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 before anyone comes to meet you; most full-service and long-haul flights use Terminal 1, while Ryanair and easyJet use Terminal 2.
Flights from other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. If you come from outside the Schengen area, such as the UK or the Americas, you queue at passport control, where non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System; eGates speed things up for some passports. After baggage claim you pass through customs into the arrivals hall.
Follow the signs to your transport. The Aerobús stops outside both terminals and runs straight to Plaça de Catalunya. Metro L9 Sud has stations at both terminals, and R2 Nord trains leave from Terminal 2 for Sants and Passeig de Gràcia; from Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus first. Official taxis wait at the ranks outside each terminal, and pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.
Spain is on Central European Time (CET), one hour ahead of the UK, and uses the euro.
Ground transportation
The Aerobús and the metro are the easy budget options; a taxi or pre-booked car is simplest with luggage, late at night or outside the city.
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Book a transfer from BCNAerobús to Plaça de Catalunya
Express coaches from both terminals straight to Plaça de Catalunya in the city center. Frequent and simple, with room for suitcases.
Metro L9 Sud
Stations at both terminals, with connections to the rest of the metro network. Slower to the center than the Aerobús, with changes for most areas.
R2 Nord train
Rodalies trains about every 30 minutes from the Terminal 2 station to Sants and Passeig de Gràcia. From Terminal 1, take the shuttle bus first.
Taxi from Barcelona airport
Official taxis wait at the ranks outside both terminals. Door to door, with an airport supplement on the meter.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups and trips to Sitges, the Costa Brava or Andorra.
City bus 46
TMB bus 46 links the airport with Par·lel avenue; night buses run when the metro is closed.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Free shuttle bus
A free bus links Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (stopping at 2B). Train passengers arriving at Terminal 1 take it to reach the R2 Nord station at Terminal 2.
- 2
Metro L9 Sud
The metro also stops at both terminals, though you need a ticket.
Terminals
Terminal 1
The main terminal, opened in 2009 on the west side of the airport, handling about 70% of flights, including most long-haul and full-service airlines. Divided into modules A to E.
Terminal 2
The older terminal on the north side, split into 2A, 2B and 2C. 2B is used mostly by Ryanair and other low-cost airlines, 2C only by easyJet. It has the R2 Nord train station.
Airlines commonly assigned here: easyJet, Ryanair
Airlines and destinations
Airport lounges
VIP lounges, Terminal 1
Terminal 1 has two lounges for eligible passengers.
Parking
Terminal 1 parking lots
About 12,000 spaces next to Terminal 1.
Terminal 2 parking lots
About 12,000 spaces at Terminal 2.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Barcelona airport from the city center?
Barcelona-El Prat Airport is about 15 km (9 miles) southwest of Barcelona city center, in El Prat de Llobregat. The Aerobús runs straight to Plaça de Catalunya, the Metro L9 Sud stops at both terminals, and R2 Nord trains run from Terminal 2 to Sants and Passeig de Gràcia.
Which terminal at Barcelona airport, T1 or T2?
Terminal 1 handles about 70% of flights, including most full-service and long-haul airlines. Terminal 2 is used by low-cost airlines: Ryanair and others in 2B, and easyJet only in 2C. Check your booking, as the two terminals are about 4 km apart.
How do I get between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Barcelona?
Take the free shuttle bus, which runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The Metro L9 Sud also stops at both terminals, but you need a ticket. Allow time, as the terminals are about 4 km apart by road.
Is there a train from Barcelona airport to the city?
Yes. R2 Nord Rodalies trains run about every 30 minutes from the station at Terminal 2 to Barcelona Sants and Passeig de Gràcia. If you land at Terminal 1, take the free shuttle bus to Terminal 2 first. The Metro L9 Sud is another rail option from both terminals.
What is the Aerobús in Barcelona?
The Aerobús is an express coach from both terminals of Barcelona airport straight to Plaça de Catalunya in the city center. It runs frequently, has room for luggage, and is one of the simplest ways into town.
Do I go through passport control arriving in Barcelona?
Only if you arrive from outside the Schengen area, for example from the UK, the US or Latin America. Flights from Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. Non-EU visitors are now registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System at the border.