Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) serves one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations with a passenger experience that’s earned a 4-Star Skytrax certification and consistently ranks among the World’s Top 100 Airports. The airport is easily accessible via public transportation and has a spacious, modern feel in Terminal 1, with shopping and dining reflecting local culture. As a former resident of Barcelona, I’ve watched BCN improve significantly over the years. The main challenge? Security checkpoints can be slow, though paid Fast Lane passes help navigate this common complaint.
What to expect at BCN
BCN is Spain’s second-largest and second-busiest airport, spanning two terminals with distinct purposes. Terminal 1, featuring a striking design by award-winning Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill, is the modern hub serving major international carriers like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Terminal 2 is notably more dated, with three areas (T2A, T2B, and T2C) mainly serving low-cost airlines. Check-in lines can be long at T2, so allow extra time, especially for non-Schengen flights. If you’re not sure which terminal to use for your airline, check the airport website beforehand.
Getting to and from BCN
My top recommendation for traveling to and from BCN: the Aerobús. This express bus service is really efficient, running every 5 to 10 minutes depending on the time of day and costing €7. The ticket costs less than one-third of what you’ll pay for a cab. The easy-to-spot blue buses take approximately 35 minutes to reach the city center, with stops at landmarks like Plaça Catalunya.
You can buy tickets at self-service machines in T1 and T2, or at ticket machines in Plaça Catalunya when heading to the airport. Board the correct bus (A1 for Terminal 1, A2 for Terminal 2), and note that certain stops are only available on the route from the airport. Children under four years old ride for free.
If you’d prefer the ease of a taxi, just look for the signature yellow-and-black cabs, there are always plenty waiting outside both terminals. In my experience, the drivers are friendly and cheerful, though not all of them speak English. The drive to the city center usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the terminal, destination, and traffic conditions.
Speaking of traffic, if your flight arrives early in the morning or you’re leaving in the early evening, keep in mind that Barcelona’s rush hour traffic may be problematic. The workday in Spain generally starts and ends later than in some other countries, so factor that into your travel time.
While there’s no direct metro service from the city center, you can take a regional train. The R2 Nord train connects the airport to Barcelona-Sants in approximately 19 minutes and Passeig de Gràcia in approximately 26 minutes. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, the TMB Bus 46 is actually more affordable at around €2.55–€2.65 for a single ticket, compared to the Zone 4 train fare. The reviews for the train are mixed, with travelers often complaining about delays and dirty trains. If you can, I’d stick with the Aerobús.
Prepare for (possibly) long security lines
Security at BCN is pretty old-school. There are no state-of-the-art scanning systems yet, so get ready to take out your laptops and liquids, and maybe even your shoes. This can slow things down, so it’s a good idea to give yourself extra time, especially during peak travel times like Sundays. The airport recommends arriving two hours early for Schengen flights and three hours for non-Schengen flights.
If it’s an especially busy time, I recommend buying a Fast Lane (also called Fast Track) pass. For about the cost of a cup of coffee, you can skip the security line, which is especially handy during peak travel times. You can purchase tickets via the Aena website, and they’re valid for three months from the date of purchase. Children aged five and under get free access when traveling with adults who have tickets.
Each terminal has its own Fast Lane. In T1, look for it on the third floor (Level 3) in the boarding area. In T2, it’s available to passengers checking in at the B and C areas, with signs in both terminals to guide you.
A heads-up for easyJet passengers: you’ll need to go straight to T2C, which is about a five-minute walk from T2B. The airline has plenty of check-in desks, but the lines can be long. Give yourself extra time, especially if you’re flying to the U.K.
If you’re flying to a U.K. destination, be sure to grab any snacks and souvenirs you need before passing through passport control. Once you’re past that point, the options are slim, with only one cafe (Carlsberg) and one shop (Express Duty Free). The waiting areas can also get pretty crowded, so if you like to be near the front of the boarding line, that’s another reason to get there early.
Download the Aena app
Here’s a pro tip: download the airport app, Aena. The company that manages BCN and other airports in Spain runs it, and you can find it by searching for “Barcelona airport app.”
Not only can you check flight status and gate information, but you can also access the free Basic tier of the Aena Club. This gets you discounts on parking and VIP lounges. If you want more perks, there are paid tiers (Plus and VIP) available that offer additional benefits like increased discounts and fast track passes.
Relax in one of several comfy lounges
Barcelona has four VIP lounges, with three in T1 (Colomer, Joan Miró, and Pau Casals) and one in T2 (Canudas). The best is the Pau Casals lounge, which is open to Priority Pass members and features an impressive selection of Spanish specialities like tapas and jamón ibérico. The airy, spacious lounge has shower facilities and caters to various dietary needs including gluten-free, diabetic, Kosher, and Halal options.
Pau Casals offers a generous four-hour maximum stay immediately prior to your scheduled flight departure, longer than some other Priority Pass lounges in Europe. The entrance is easy to miss due to very small signage on the main boards (look for the VIP symbol at the bottom). The Joan Miró lounge in T1 also receives good reviews, with a modern vibe and plenty of space to spread out. You’ll find the Colomer lounge in the Barcelona-Madrid Corridor on Level 1 of Terminal T1, reserved for Air Shuttle passengers.
Enjoy Spanish-centric cuisine
One of my favorite things about BCN is that the dining options really showcase Spanish and Catalan food. For one last taste of tapas before you leave, head to the aptly named Tapa Tapa in Terminal 1, located on Floor 1 in Boarding Area B. It’s a chain, but it does a solid job with a big menu of small plates like tortilla española and larger dishes like paella. And if you’re a meat lover, don’t miss stocking up on Iberian ham at Enrique Tomás, which has locations in both terminals.
Take advantage of family-centric offerings
Traveling with the little ones? BCN has some lovely offerings that can make the experience a little less stressful. First off, there’s a dedicated family security area in both terminals (Terminal 1 on Floor 3 North and South, Terminal 2 on Floor 1) for families with children, which I really appreciate.
There are also several play areas across both terminals, perfect for letting kids burn off some energy before the flight. And parents can grab baggage carts fitted with infant carriers or child seats (just ask for them at a staffed Aena information desk or via telephones at unmanned counters, subject to availability).
The Barcelona-Madrid corridor
If you travel to Madrid often, you can use the Barcelona-Madrid Corridor, a dedicated area for Iberia’s Air Shuttle (Puente Aéreo) service with flights running all day. The service lets you arrive at the boarding gate just 15 minutes before departure and has its own dedicated space in Terminal 1 (Level 1), complete with three check-in desks and a private security checkpoint. It’s mostly used by business travelers, but it can be a handy option for anyone making the hop between cities.
Wi-Fi, water fountains, and no boarding calls
The airport offers free Wi-Fi through the “AIRPORT FREE WIFI AENA” network (you can register using your email, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Aena Club credentials), which is pretty standard these days. What’s less common in European airports, however, are water fountains. Fortunately, BCN has them, which gets a big thumbs-up from me and many other American travelers used to refill stations back home.
Finally, BCN is a “silent airport.” This means there are no public address announcements for boarding or final calls, except for contingency situations. So be sure to keep a close eye on the information screens and the app for your airline to stay on top of your flight status.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
