During my visit to Barcelona, I was pleasantly surprised by how modern, clean, and efficient the metro and buses are. The public transport network covers all the main tourist attractions, making it incredibly easy and comfortable to get around the city. I didn’t have to worry about complicated routes or traffic – public transport was truly a great choice.
Discover Barcelona stress-free – with public transport, you’ll get everywhere quickly, comfortably, and hassle-free!
Kate
If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Barcelona, be sure to think about which transport card to get. I tried a few options myself, and I have some helpful tips for you. Of course, there are tickets mainly meant for residents, but I’ll focus on the ones that are best for a short, tourist stay. With these, exploring the city will be even easier and more enjoyable!
Overview of Public Transport Cards in Barcelona
| Type of ticket | Current prices and description |
|---|---|
| Hola Barcelona (tourist pass) | – Unlimited public transportation within Zone 1 (including metro, train, bus, tram, and railways). – Available for 48 hours (€16.62), 72 hours (€24.22), 96 hours (€31.63), or 120 hours (€38.76) – Buy online |
| Single ticket | – €2.55 (Zone 1) – You can purchase it at the payment kiosks in metro, train, or tram stations. |
| T-Dia – one-day transport card | – Individual ticket (unlimited transportation) – Valid for 24 hours – €11.20 (Zone 1) – You can buy it at the payment kiosks in metro, train, or tram stations. |
| T-Casual – 10-journey travel card | – Individual ticket – Valid until January 15, 2025 – €12.15 (Zone 1) – You can purchase it at the payment kiosks in metro, train, or tram stations. |
| T-Grup – shareable transport card for 70 journeys | – Shareable ticket – Valid for 30 consecutive days – 70 trips – €84.80 (Zone 1) – You can purchase it at the payment kiosks in metro, train, or tram stations. |
| T-Familiar – shareable transport card for 8 journeys | – Shareable ticket – Valid for 30 consecutive days – 8 trips – €10.70 (Zone 1) – You can purchase it at the payment kiosks in metro, train, or tram stations. |
Hola Barcelona – tickets
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is a great option for those who want to travel around Barcelona freely, using unlimited public transportation. With this card, you can travel as many times as you like, using the metro, buses, trams, or trains within the city zones.
Depending on your needs, you can choose a version of the card for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days. Importantly, it doesn’t refer to specific calendar days, but rather the number of hours that start from the moment the card is first used. It’s an ideal solution for those who want to see as much as possible without worrying about additional travel costs!
Below is the current price list for cards in zone one:
| Price | Validity period | Number of rides | Coverage area |
|---|---|---|---|
| €16.62 (zone 1) | Hola Barcelona 48h (2 days) | unlimited | Metro, train, bus (excluding night buses) – Buy online |
| €24.22 (zone 1) | Hola Barcelona 72h (3 days) | unlimited | Metro, train, bus (excluding night buses) – Buy online |
| €31.63 (zone 1) | Hola Barcelona 96h (4 days) | unlimited | Metro, train, bus (excluding night buses) – Buy online |
| €38.76 (zone 1) | Hola Barcelona 120h (5 days) | unlimited | Metro, train, bus (excluding night buses) – Buy online |
- The Hola Barcelona card entitles you to unlimited travel by metro, train, and bus within the specified zone and validity period of the card.
- (!) Good to note: The validity period of the card begins from the moment of its first use. For example: If you use a 2-day card today at 9:00 AM, it will be valid until 9:00 AM in 2 days.
- (!) Tip: With the Hola Barcelona card for zone one, you can take the R1 train from Plaça de Catalunya to nearby Badalona. I highly recommend visiting there – it’s peaceful and cleaner.
Single ticket for the metro and public transport in Barcelona
During my visit to Barcelona, I found that the metro and public transportation were a real game-changer for exploring the city. The metro network is incredibly well-developed, allowing you to easily reach all the main attractions. Plus, the buses and trams complement the system perfectly, making getting around Barcelona both convenient and hassle-free.
New metro ticket price in Barcelona for 2024
| Price | Number of rides | Passenger age |
|---|---|---|
| free | One ride | from 0 to 3 years old |
| €2.55 | One ride | above 3 years old |
- Ticket prices have changed as of January 15, 2024.
- (!) Good to note: metro, bus, tram, and train in Barcelona are free for little ones aged 0 to 3.
- (!) Tip: If you’re planning multiple rides on public transport or traveling with others, buying individual tickets might not be worth it – it’ll cost more and be less convenient. Buy a Hola Barcelona card.
T-Dia
T-Dia is a ticket that allows unlimited travel for 24 hours from the moment it is validated until the end of service on that day. This gives you the freedom to move around the city, planning your trips without worrying about purchasing additional tickets.
| Price | Validity period | Number of rides | Coverage area |
|---|---|---|---|
| €11.20 (zone 1) | T-Dia (1 days) | unlimited | Metro, train, bus (excluding night buses) |
T-Casual
An individual travel card for 10 intermodal trips is a great solution for traveling through zones 1 to 6. For one zone, we have 75 minutes for transfers between lines or modes of transport. This time increases by 15 minutes for each additional zone. It’s an ideal option for those who need flexibility when moving around the city.
| Price | Validity period | Number of rides | Coverage area |
|---|---|---|---|
| €12.15 (zone 1) | T-Casual (valid until January 15 of the following year) | 10 trips | Metro, train, bus (not valid at the Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on the L9 Sud line) |
- (!) Good to note: The card is not valid at the Aeroport T1 and T2 metro stations on the L9 Sud line.
T-Grup
If you’re planning a trip with family or a group of friends, it’s worth considering purchasing a T-group transport ticket. Why? Mainly because this ticket can be shared among all members of the group. It’s a really convenient solution, especially if you’re planning a longer stay – from a week to even a month.
| Price | Validity period | Number of rides | Coverage area |
|---|---|---|---|
| €84.80 (zone 1) | T-Grup (30 consecutive days) | 70 trips | Metro, train, bus (not valid at the Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on the L9 Sud line) |
T-Familiar
I recently had the chance to try the T-familiar card, perfect for 8 trips over 30 days. It’s great for those who frequently use public transport in Barcelona. The card allows 75 minutes for transfers within one zone, with an extra 15 minutes for each additional zone. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work at Aeroport T1 and T2 metro stations on the L9 Sud line, which might be a downside for airport travelers. Still, for daily trips, it’s a very convenient and flexible option.
| Price | Validity period | Number of rides | Coverage area |
|---|---|---|---|
| €10.70 (zone 1) | T-Familiar (30 consecutive days) | 8 trips | Metro, train, bus (not valid at the Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on the L9 Sud line) |
Where to buy metro and public transport cards?
Buying tickets in Barcelona turned out to be completely hassle-free. Every metro station has ticket machines that are simple to use and very intuitive. In many places, there are also traditional ticket counters, which is a great option if you need extra information from the staff. Outside of the stations, you can also find many ticket points, including a special tent on La Rambla – one of the most popular spots in Barcelona.
What surprised me was the lack of queues at the ticket machines. Thanks to the large number of machines, the flow of people is very smooth. On the stations, you’ll also find helpful TMB staff who are always ready to assist, whether with the machines or at the metro gates.
For those who prefer online purchases, I recommend the Hola Barcelona card, which can be ordered online. After purchasing, you’ll receive a voucher that can easily be exchanged for a ticket at one of the TMB machines. If you prefer mobile tickets like the T-Familiar or T-Casual, you can buy them through the TMB app. Just make sure your NFC is enabled if you’re using a physical T-Mobilitat card.
The only potential challenge might be buying a ticket directly on your phone if you don’t have a Spanish ID. The verification process can take up to 48 hours, so it’s good to keep that in mind when planning your trip.
How to use transport cards in Barcelona?
If you’re planning to visit Barcelona and want to move around the city comfortably, there are a few things you should know about the integrated ticket system. I’ve tried different options myself, so here are some useful tips!
By purchasing T-Casual, T-Familiar, or T-Grup tickets, you gain the ability to transfer within a single journey. This is a great option, especially when you transfer from the airport to the metro. However, it’s important to remember that from the moment you first validate your ticket, you have exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete your journey, regardless of the number of transfers. In practice, this means you can take a train, then switch to a bus or tram – all within the same trip!
For those who prefer full comfort and don’t want to worry about counting individual trips, I recommend the Hola Barcelona cards. I’ve used them myself, and they’re a really convenient option! With these, you get unlimited access to public transportation for 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours, depending on how long you’re staying in Barcelona. It’s a great solution if you plan to explore a lot and want to move around the city without restrictions!
Which public transport card to choose in Barcelona?
During my recent trip to Barcelona, I decided to test out different public transport cards to find out which one is truly the best option. In Barcelona, you can choose from several cards like T-Casual, Barcelona Card, or Hola Barcelona. While each has its own advantages, I found that the Hola Barcelona card is undoubtedly the most cost-effective option.
Why? Firstly, it’s a card specifically designed for tourists, offering unlimited travel on the metro, trams, buses, and trains within Zone 1. What’s more, it covers the airport transfer, saving you an additional fare. Whether you choose the 2, 3, 4, or 5-day option, you can travel around the city without restrictions, without worrying about the number of trips or complicated fare systems.
Compared to the T-Casual card, which is more aimed at locals, Hola Barcelona provides complete freedom. While T-Casual offers just 10 rides, it quickly becomes insufficient during an intense sightseeing schedule—which is typical during shorter stays. If you plan to visit major attractions like Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, or the Magic Fountain, and rely heavily on public transport, Hola Barcelona is simply more convenient.
Another bonus? You can buy the Hola Barcelona card online in advance and even get a discount, making it an even more budget-friendly option. In my experience, after trying various cards, the Hola Barcelona card is the best choice—especially if you want to fully enjoy the city without constantly stopping to buy tickets.
