By train to and from the airport Barcelona-El Prat 
In addition to the metro, bus and taxi, you can also take the train to get from Barcelona-El Prat airport to the city center.
Here you will find important information and tips, as well as current prices (2024) for transferring by train from Barcelona airport to the city center or the surrounding area.
The R2 North train is a quick and easy way to get from the airport to Barcelona city center.
Which train goes from the airport to downtown Barcelona?
You can travel directly from Barcelona El-Prat Airport to the center of Barcelona without changing trains on the R2 North (R2N) train line. In addition to the main station Barcelona-Sants, the train line R2 Nord also stops at the famous boulevard Passeig de Gràcia. At both stations you have various possibilities to change trains, e.g. to the metro, bus, …
Line R2 Nord is part of the suburban railway network, the Rodalies Barcelona. This train network connects the metropolis of Barcelona with the surrounding area. The final stop of line R2 Nord is Maçanet-Massanes station, which is almost 70 kilometers from Barcelona city center in the direction of Girona.
Caution – risk of confusion
If you want to take the train to get from the city center to Barcelona-El Prat Airport, make sure you take the right train line. Only the R2 Nord train goes directly to the airport, with its final stop at Aeroport!
The R2 and R2 Sud trains will take you to El Prat de Llobregat. There, you need to change to the R2 Nord line to actually reach the airport.
➤ Download an overview of the Rodalies de Catalunya network map with fare zones.
Where is the train station at Barcelona-El Prat airport?
Barcelona El-Prat Airport has its own Rodalies de Catalunya train station. It is about 200 meters from Terminal 2B and is connected to Terminal 2 by a pedestrian bridge. You will find it under the name “Aeroport”. Inside the airport, look for the signs “R” (Rodalies de Catalunya) and R2 North.
Arriving at Terminal 1 and want to take the train to the city center? Then first take the free airport shuttle bus, which will take you to Terminal 2. There you will have access to the Aeroport station and the R2 North train line.
The train station “Aeroport” is within easy walking distance of Terminal 2.
The R2 North train (R2N) has its own station at the airport.
How long does the train take to reach Barcelona city center?
A journey on the R2 North line to Barcelona-Sants Central Station takes 20 minutes. To the Passeig de Gràcia stop, the journey takes about 27 minutes.
How often do the trains run between airport ↔ city centre – timetable 2024?
Trains leave every 30 minutes from the station “Aeroport” at Terminal 2B to the center of Barcelona.
The first train leaves at 5.42 am, the last train leaves at 11.38 pm.
From the main station Barcelona-Sants in the city center, the trains of line R2 North also leave every 30 minutes for the airport. Here, the first train leaves at 5.13am, the last at 11.13pm.
It takes less than 20 minutes by train from El-Prat Airport to Barcelona’s Sants Central Station (Photo: © Felix Marimon).
Current ticket prices (2024): how much is a train ticket from the airport to the city center?
Current Fares (2024) for train transfer Barcelona-El Prat Airport ↔ city center (Barcelona-Sants station)
The R2 North train stop at El-Prat Airport is in tarif zone 4 of the Rodalies de Catalunya.
A single ticket in this zone costs 4.60 euros. You can use it to get to Barcelona-Sants, Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona El Clot or Sant Andreu Comtal train stations.
Children under the age of 4 travel for free on the train.
ATTENTION: the train ticket does not entitle you to continue your journey on local transport (metro, bus, …) from Barcelona. You need an EXTRA ticket for this!
The train offers a fast connection between the airport and the city centre.
Our tips on buying tickets
Comfortable and simple: the Hola Barcelona Travel Card (Hola BCN!)
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is a multi-day ticket for public transport in Barcelona. It is also valid on the train line R2 North!
A single card for using the public transport of the four different operating companies in Barcelona saves time and stress when buying tickets. You don’t have to deal with the different fare systems, no standing in line at ticket machines, no fiddling with small change, …
Save yourself time and stress abroad.
The Hola BCN! Online Ticket can be purchased via this website (in English).
With an online ticket, you don’t have to deal with ticket purchase and fare systems after a flight. You already have the right ticket to get from the airport to the city and/or back by train.
Current prices for the Hola Barcelona Travel Card (2024)
At the moment (as of 2024) the Hola Barcelona Travel Card costs per person:
2 days / 48h validity: €17.50 (€8.75 per day)
3 days / 72h validity: €25.50 (€8.50 per day)
4 days / 96h validity: €33.30 (€8.33 per day)
5 days / 120h validity: €40.80 (€8.16 per day)
One card for all local transport in Barcelona – the “Hola Barcelona Travel Card”.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ 2024
Is it possible to take the train from El Prat airport?
In addition to the metro, bus and taxi, you can also transfer by train from the airport to the center of Barcelona. To do this, take the R2 Nord train line, which takes you directly from the “Aeroport” station at Terminal 2B to the city center without changing trains.
You can find more information about transferring by train on our website.
How long does the train journey take from Barcelona-El Prat airport to the city center?
The journey from the airport to the center of Barcelona takes about 20 minutes to Barcelona-Sants station and about 27 minutes to Passeig de Gràcia.
For more information and tips, visit our website.
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