Guide to the Barcelona Airport Train – The C2 Train Service.

Many people opt to take the bus from Barcelona Airport to the city centre. However, the train can also prove to be convenient, particularly if you are watching your money or if you wish to reach a specific destination that is on the train route. You can also  be more certain of travel times as you have no traffic jams to factor in for.

It is important to remember that the trains available from Barcelona Airport have now changed and since January 2009 the train no longer runs to Estacio Franca – see below for more details. This also now means that the train does not terminate at Estacio Franca, but carries on out the other side of Barcelona! This is good reason not to fall asleep on the train journey and miss Barcelona completely!

This page will cover where to catch the train, the route, the prices, luggage space, where to purchase tickets, payment machines and journey times.

Where to Catch the Barcelona Airport Train

Airport Train From Passeig de Gracia In The City Centre:
This station has various entrances dotted along Passeig de Gracia. You will walk down the same set of stairs as if you were going into the metro station. You will need to ask which platform you will be catching the train from at the station.

Airport Train Leaving From Barcelona Airport:
The entrance to the train station is in T2B. It can be reached via the same set of escalators that also lead to departures. Follow the signs for RENFE, along a covered bridge across the main outside the airport. The train station is at the bottom of the stairs at the other side.

If you are arriving or departing from T1 you will not be able to walk to or from the train station. It is necessary to catch one of the free shuttle buses that run between the train station and T1.

On arriving at Barcelona Airport train station, to catch the shuttle bus, walk to the end of the train platform and leave the building through the door on your left. The shuttle bus stop is located just here. The shuttle buses are scheduled to coincide with the arrival of the train.

Route of Barcelona Airport Train

N.B. The train that runs from Barcelona Airport has revised its route since January 2009. If you have taken this Train before, make sure to remember that it no longer travels to or from Estacio Franca.

From Barcelona Airport:

1. Barcelona Airport (‘Aeroport’)
2. Estacio Sants
3. Passeig de Gracia
   
4. El Clot

From Barcelona City Centre:

1. El Clot
2. Passeig de Gracia
3. Estacio Sants
4. Barcelona Airport (‘Aeroport’)

Operating Times for the Barcelona Airport Train

Operating times for the airport train may vary during the year. We have therefore provided a link to the official RENFE website and detailed instruction on how to use their website on our Airport Overview page. See under ‘Timetable for Renfe Trains between the Airport and the City Centre’.

Frequency of the Barcelona Airport Train

From Barcelona Airport: The first train leaves the airport at 05:53 in the morning and the last train leaves the airport at 23:38 at night

From Estacio Sants: The first train leaves Estacio Sants at 05:53 in the morning and the last train leaves Sants at 23:09 at night.

From Passeig de Gracia: The first train leaves Passeig de Gracia at 05:28 in the morning and the last train leaves Passeig de Gracia at 23:02 at night.

Two airport trains run every hour to and from the Airport.

Ticket Price for the Barcelona Airport Train

For information regarding the train ticket prices, see our Airport Overview page.

Where to Buy Tickets for the Barcelona Airport Train – Ticket Machines

Train ticket vending machines can be found in both the airport station and the stations in Barcelona city centre. There are five ticket machines at Barcelona Airport. If you are struggling to use the machine you should look out for somebody wearing a high visibility jacket – there is normally somebody manning the machines who can help you to use the machine and purchase your ticket.

RENFE Trains Ticket Machine

It is possible to pay at the machines with both cash (coins and notes – 5, 10, 20 and 50 euro notes) and cash/credit cards.

The languages available on the machines are:

1. German
2. Castellano (Spanish)
3. Catalan
4. English
5. French

It is possible to buy multiple tickets with one payment.

It is also possible to purchase the T10 travel card (offering 10 metro, train or bus journeys within a zoned travel area) at ‘Tabac’ (tobacco) shops and some newspaper stands at both the airport and in town. This may prove helpful if you are in a rush, as queues may be shorter at these outlet, rather than at the ticket dispensers at stations.

Click here for more information on the T10 travel ticket

Journey Time for the Barcelona Airport Train

Departure Boards at the Train Station

From Airport to Estacio Sants: 19 minutes

From Airport to Passeig de Gracia: 26 minutes

From Passeig de Gracia to Airport: 25 minutes

From Estacio Sants to Airport: 18 minutes.

If you are running late for your flight, when alighting from the train you can instantly check the status of your plane. There are flight arrival and departure information monitors screens in the airport train station itself.

Seating and Luggage Space on the Barcelona Airport Train

It is worth noting that if you have a great deal of luggage the train can prove to be a difficult journey compared to a bus or taxi transfer. The carriages are often full, with many people standing. There is also no allocated room for luggage. Suitcase and bags must be stored in the aisles or by people’s feet.

The Barcelona Airport train is a quick and convenient way to get into Barcelona’s city centre. The train also continues to El Clot after Estacio Sants, which may also be convenient for you if you are staying outside of the city centre. It is also convenient if you plan to catch the Metro to your final destination, as you will be able to alight exactly where there is a Metro station. If you have bought a T10 ticket you will also be able to use this for your onward Metro journey and it will count as a single journey provided that the journey does not take longer than 1 hour and 15 minutes in total.

Related Pages

TMB Barcelona Airport Bus Transfer: Bus From City Centre To Airport in Barcelona
Barcelona Airport Bus Options to Barcelona City Centre
Transfer between T1 and T2 - Barcelona Airport Shuttle Bus
Barcelona Airport Limousines
Barcelona Airport Parking
Aerobus - Barcelona Airport Express Bus
Barcelona Airport Taxis
Barcelona Airport Train - The C2 Train Service
Barcelona Airport Transport Options
Transfer from Barcelona Pier to Barcelona Airport
Car Rental at Barcelona Airport: BCN Airport Car Hire Agencies
Long Stay Parking at Barcelona Airport – Parking Details for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 Barcelona Airport
Airport Night Bus N17 - Barcelona Airport Bus Transfer at Night From City Centre To Airport in Barcelona
Petrol Stations at Barcelona Airport

Barcelona Airport Guide - Overview Page

Barcelona Airport Facilities Terminal 1 (T1)
Barcelona Airport Facilities Terminal 2 (T2)
General Information on Barcelona Airport
Barcelona Airport Hotels
Barcelona Airport Maps
Transfers From Barcelona Airport
Transport At Barcelona Airport

Barcelona Airport FAQ

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