Hola Barcelona Travel Card (Hola BCN Card):
Is It Worth Buying in 2025?
On this page, you will find all the important information about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.
This includes current prices, details about its benefits, and helpful tips for using it during your stay in Barcelona. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or longer, this guide will help you decide if the card is the right choice for your trip.
Hola Barcelona Card: Unlimited use of Metro (incl. airport transfer), TMB city buses, tram, FGC light rail zone 1, Montjuïc funicular and the Rodalies de Catalunya regional train (zone 1) – (Pictures: Blog Viajes, F. Lenn, R. Rodríguez, Alquiler de Coches, A. Marques – CC 2.0 licence)
Different Names: “HolaBCN!”, “Hola Barcelona,” or “Hola Barcelona Travel Card”
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card has been marketed under various names over the years. Before 2019, it was called “HolaBCN!” Today, you may encounter it as “Hola Barcelona” or “Hola Barcelona Travel Card.” Despite the name changes, the benefits of the card remain the same.
Prices for the Hola Barcelona Card in 2025
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is available at the following rates:
- 2 days (48 hours): €17.50
- 3 days (72 hours): €25.50
- 4 days (96 hours): €33.30
- 5 days (120 hours): €40.80
➡️ Tip: You can purchase the Hola Barcelona Travel Card online here. Buying in advance saves you time and reduces stress, particularly after a flight, when navigating ticket machines and fare systems can be overwhelming.
When Is It Worth Buying the Hola Barcelona Card?
Whether the Hola Barcelona Card is worth it depends on how you plan to explore the city. Here’s a breakdown based on a typical 3-day or weekend trip:
Why You’ll Likely Need Public Transport
- Size of the City: Barcelona, with nearly 5 million residents, is too large to explore entirely on foot. Public transport becomes essential to cover the distances comfortably.
- Comfort: Especially in the summer, air-conditioned public transport provides a welcome relief from the heat.
- Airport Transfer: The Hola Barcelona Card includes convenient travel from El Prat Airport to the city center, saving you from purchasing separate tickets. Standard single tickets or the T-Casual card don’t cover this route; you’d need either the “Airport Ticket” or the Hola Barcelona Card.
Cost Comparison: With and Without the Hola Barcelona Card
Benefits of the Hola Barcelona Travel Card
- Time-Saving: Skip ticket machines and queues—just board and go.
- Flexibility: Unlimited trips mean even spontaneous outings are hassle-free.
- Convenience: No need to track individual ticket validity.
- Comprehensive Coverage: One card grants access to metro, bus, tram, and regional trains, regardless of the operator.
When the Card May Not Be Worth It (and Alternatives)
There are situations where the Hola Barcelona Card might not be the best choice:
- Longer Stays: For stays of several weeks, a monthly pass is more cost-effective.
- Limited Use: For just a few trips, single tickets or the 10-trip T-Casual card are better options.
- Attraction-Focused Trips: The Barcelona Card, which includes free or discounted entry to attractions, might offer better value.
→ You can find more information about the Barcelona Card here.
Tip: Buy the Hola Barcelona Card Online in Advance
You can easily purchase the Hola Barcelona Card through an English-language website.
➡️ Click here to go directly to the provider.Advantages of Buying Online
English-Language Platform: Clear and simple instructions without the language barriers you might encounter at local ticket machines.
Time-Saving: Start using public transport immediately upon arrival, without worrying about buying tickets or figuring out the fare system.
You can easily purchase the Hola Barcelona Card through an English-language website.→ For more details on alternative options like single tickets or the T-Casual card, click here.
What Does the Hola Barcelona Travel Card Cover?
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card grants unlimited travel on almost all major public transport in the city:
- Metro
- City buses (TMB)
- Trams
- Light rail (FGC, Zone 1)
- Montjuïc funicular
- Regional and suburban trains (Rodalies de Catalunya, Zone 1)
Notes on Rodalies Trains
The Rodalies regional trains connect Barcelona to surrounding areas. With the Hola Barcelona Card, you can use these trains within Zone 1.
Restrictions
The card does not cover privately-operated buses like the Aerobús (airport shuttle) or the NitBus.
→Download: Map with public transport zones in Barcelona
With the Hola Barcelona Card, you can ride the red TMB bus. However, it’s not valid on the blue Aerobús, operated by a private company. As alternatives to the Aerobús, the card covers metro or train rides between the airport and the city center.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ 2025
Where can you buy the Hola BCN card?
You can buy the Hola Barcelona either in Barcelona at the ticket machine, or online before your trip.
We recommend buying the Hola BCN cards online before your trip. You can do this, for example, via this website – click here. This saves time and stress in Barcelona.
There are more exciting things to do in Barcelona than dealing with the local transport fare system.
You can find more information about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card in our online travel guide.
Where is the Hola Barcelona Travel Card valid?
With the Hola Barcelona Travel Card you can make as many journeys as you like on all lines of the metro (Metro), the city buses (TMB), the tram (Tram), the light rail (FGC, Zone 1), the Montjuïc funicular railway and the regional or suburban railway (Rodalies de Catalunya, Zone 1).
This zone includes almost all the sights of the city of Barcelona.
You can find more information and a map in our travel guide.
Is there a Hola BCN Card for children?
No, unfortunately not. As with most other tickets in Barcelona, the same applies here:
Children under the age of four do not need a ticket. From the age of 4, children must also have a valid, correct and paid ticket.
You can find more information about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card in our online travel guide.
Validity: What exactly is the period of use of the Hola Barcelona Travel Card?
The period of use is no longer measured in days, but in hours. The time starts running with the first validation.
So, for example, you can use the 3-day ticket 72 hours after the first validation.
You can find more information about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card in our online travel guide.
Is the Hola BCN Card valid on the Aerobús (Shuttle bus to and from the airport)?
No. As the Aerobús is privately operated, it is not part of the Barcelona city bus system.
However, you can use the metro to the airport or city centre for free with the HolaBCN card.
You can find more information about the Hola Barcelona Travel Card in our online travel guide.
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