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Franca Station ('Estacio França') is one of Barcelona's most important stations. The station has a total of fourteen train platforms. It is the station that you will be most likely to be heading to if you plan on catching a train to another country, such as France, Switzerland or Italy - it is the first/last stop for the popular 'Trenhotel' overnight trains (see below for more details). However, you can also take trains from Franca station to more local parts of Catalunya and Spain. The station is located inside arguably Barcelona's most beautiful station building. There are marble floors, a high ceiling and an art deco style to the interior.

Despite the importance of the station, it is not particularly well-equipped, compared to other Barcelona train stations such as Sants station or Catalunya station. For example, there are no shops or restaurants in the station building.

This page will provide you with details of the facilities in Estacio Franca station: opening hours, toilets, information desks, disabled facilities, parking, telephones and taxis. Plus information on where to find the closest shops and restaurants to the station.

Opening hours at Franca station

Franca station is open every day:
05:00 - 00:00 midnight

Information desks at Franca station

There is one information desk in Franca station. It is located at the far left of the building. As you enter the building turn left and head towards the 'Sortida Ciutat' sign. Head underneath the archway and you will see an office directly in front of you called the 'Passenger Assistance Office'.

You should head to this office for any questions that you have about train times, facilities, platforms and routes.

Passenger Assistance Office is open every day:
05:00 - 00:00 midnight

Toilets at Franca station

There are two sets of toilets at Franca station. One is located in a downstairs area and the others are located next to the station platforms. It is important to note that there are no disabled toilets in the downstairs area.

To reach the downstairs toilets, head to the left on entering the station building and walk towards the 'Sortida Ciutat' sign. Head through the arches and down the set of stair on your left (there is also a lift here incase you need it). At the bottom of the stairs you will find men's and women's toilets.

To reach the platform toilets, on entering the station building, head straight ahead of you to the main entrance to the platforms area. It is worth noting that there is sometimes security at this entrance to the platforms - you will not need a ticket to get through, but you may need to put your bag through a bag scanner. As you arrive at the platforms, turn left and you will see the toilets on your right. There is where you will find the station's one disabled toilet.

The toilets have the same opening hours as the station.

Disabled facilities at Franca station

The majority of the facilities at Franca Station are all on the ground floor. The only service on another floor is one of two sets of toilets (see above). There is a lift to these toilets, however, it is best to use the platform toilets (see above) as they have a disabled toilet option.

Also, due to the relatively small size of the station (there is one main hall and the platform area), you are unlikely to need extra assistance in getting around the station. The platforms are on the same floor as the tickets and entrance hall.

There are wide ramps leading to the main entrance of the station building. The door to the information office (see above) is also widened.

For details and advice on disabled services on the trains and buying train tickets as a disabled traveller, see our Guide to Disabled Services at Sants Station. The information here is about a different, however, the advice in relation to buying train tickets is still relevant at Franca station.

Parking at Franca station

There is a car park located at the left hand side of the Estacio Franca building. It is open 24 hours. On entering the car park you will need to take a ticket from a machine to raise the bar that will allow you to enter the car park. On leaving the car park you will need to put your ticket back in the payment machine (so don't lose your ticket!). You can pay by cash, note or card. You do not need the correct change.

Prices for the car park at Franca station:
First 30 minutes: €0.0577 per minute
After 30 minutes: €0.0472 per minute

Telephones at Franca station

You will find three public telephones located in a small room opposite the station platforms. To get to the telephones, head through the main entrance to the platforms and turn left, the payphones are in a small room to your left with a telephone sign outside the door.

Taxis at Franca station

There is a taxi rank located directly outside the main entrance to Franca station, on the same side of the road. Taxis will be at this rank for the duration of the station's opening hours )see above).

For advice on getting a taxi from the station to the city centre, see our Guide to Transfers from Franca Station.

Shops and restaurants at Franca station

Unfortunately there are no longer any shops or restaurants located inside the Franca station building. However, luckily, perhaps as a reaction to this, there are an abundance of places to eat on the same road as the station, located directly opposite the station building. The station is located on Avenida du Marques de l'Argentera (see address below) - a large road that leads from the Port to Barcelona's Parc de la Ciutadella. Here you will find a number of spots for eating and drinking. Here are some examples:

Restaurant Navia

This large bar/restaurant sits directly opposite the station entrance. It has convenient opening hours and serves classic Spanish food such as tapas, fish dishes and 'platos combinados' (normally plates of meat, potatoes and vegetables).

Opening hours: 05:30 - 02:00

Nakupenda

This trendy little bar/cafe sits a few doors down, to the left of Restaurant Navia. It offers a selection of fresh sandwiches (including the option of salad ingredients), cocktails and tapas.

Opening hours: 08:00 - 03:00

If you would like to do some shopping to kill some time whilst you wait for your train, you will need to head into the centre of El Born (the part of town where the station is located). For full details and advice on what to expect from this area, see our Guide to the El Born area of Barcelona.

Estacio França
Avenida du Marques de l'Argentera, 6
08003

Franca station is one of Barcelona's most important and most beautiful train stations. If you are going there during your trip, it is important to remember that facilities at the station are minimal, so you may want to pick up your magazines and sandwiches elsewhere.