By Bus, Barcelona

We bought tickets for 2 days,wasn't too expensive (like 22 euros) the buses rides 2 different circles around Barcelona and stops on every important thing,on the bus you get a headset and you can choose your language so during the ride you'll have a completely and full descriptions (audio commentary) of the things you'll see ...If you want you can make a closer look to the things you like most because the bus we'll be back on the station he left you every 20 minutes.

3 more images

During my first visit to Barcelona (quick 7 hours) before meeting my friend, renting a car and heading south, I decided to use the Aerobus for ease and price.

The Aerobus is one of the easiest and cheapest ways of getting to and from Barcelona Airport. The Bus runs two routes from the Airport, A1 and A2, depending on your arrival terminal. The tickets are sold either a ticket "stand/vending machine" prior to boarding the bus or the driver will sell you the ticket. At T1, there are no vending machines and tickets must be purchased by the bus driver (he stands outside the bus). I arrived at T1 and hopped on the bus to Placa Catalunya. The ride takes about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Ticket prices are €5.75 for a single and €9.95 for return.

Here is the Route for the A1 from the airport: (Note, Placa Catalunya is the last stop)

Airport, T1
Plaça Espanya (Torres Venecianas)
Gran Via - Urgell
Plaça Universitat
Plaça Catalunya (City Centre)

From the City Center:
Plaça Catalunya (City Centre)
Sepúlveda - Urgell
Plaça Espanya (Creu Coberta)
Airport, T1

For more information check out their website.

If you are staying in the center, consider to use Aerobus instead of Metro to transfer from and to El Prat Airport. You can avoid to carry your luggage up and down many stairs.
See the website for Aerobus stops and timetables.
Fares in 2012 are 5,65 one way and 9,75 round-trip is within 9 days. Tickets can be purchased on the bus with cash or using the automatic machines with cash or credit cards.

check the website below for up to date information.

1 more image

This is a definate 'must do' when visiting Barcelona. I would buy the 48hrs ticket. There are 3 bus routes - red, blue and green, and each is well worth it. You can travel on all 3 when you buy your ticket and you can puchase tickets on the bus or at a stand at the Placa de Catalunya.

We had 2 full days in Barcelona.... not enough. The red bus route was my favourite - check out my travelogue. The blue one is good for visiting Sagrada Familia and Parc de Guell. We didn't have time to check out the green bus route.

Make sure you get to the starting point (Placa de Catalunya) early so that you get a good seat on the top level of the bus (middle right hand side is the best). If you get there too late the lines are long!...check out my video - to be uploaded.

2nd pic is funny - the taxi, or the bus?... I'll take the bus thanks :o)

2 more images

There are a number of double decker buses that a person can take to see the sites around the city. A lot of the bus rides are 1/2 day, or 4 hours worth for 25-30 Euro normally. If you took a full day on/off ride on the bus, it may range around 30-40 Euro. If you were to choose a third option of guided tour to sites for a 1/2 day, the price is about 60 Euro. They stop at approximately 10 stops for 5-15 minutes each, and the guide describes the site history and information.

2 more images

The subway is easy t get to places around the city, but then the choice is to walk, or catch a bus. Bus fare is 1,40 Euro each, or a multiple ticket of ten averages ,80 Euro a ride. There is a 75 minute connection availability to get from subway to a bus, or bus to bus. In other words if you transfer within 75 minutes, the transfer is free.

After taking the subway toward Park Guell, the next choice is to walk up the steep streets, find the escalator to get more directly to the top, or take the bus to the stop there. We took the bus; number 24 from Plaza Lesseps stop from the subway. It takes about 20 minutes and around 10 stops to get to the park. The bus was jammed with excess of people while we were there at 11AM. Bus fee is 1,40 Euro, or .80 if buy the multiple tickets of ten.

Regular city bus is the cheapest way to get to the airport! Cheaper than Aerobus, cheaper than train, cheaper than taxi... they depart from both terminals and cost 1,45eur.
You can read the details (different busses and schedules) on: http://hguides.com/barcelona/airport/

On arrival at Barcelona airport, I headed to the Information booth to get a map, some info and my bus touristic tickets. The woman who served me was quite helpful and could speak English .

There are many ways to reach the city, but I found the Aero Bus to be cheap and convenient. I didn’t have to wait for a Bus, they run every 5 minutees. The only catch is you have to load your luggage in the rack yourself, which may be rather hard if you are a woman with heavy luggage.
You can buy your ticket from the staff at the bus stops (payment in cash or by credit card), automatic machines (payment in cash or by credit card), but we paid the Driver of the Bus direct (cash payments only).

It takes about 35 minutes to reach the City from either of the Airport Terminals (T1 or T2).

The ride to the city was fast and in …………
2011 cost 5.30 euro’s one way.
Return tickets are available for…9.15 Euro's and are valid for RETURN up to 9 days after purchasing.

We were dropped off in Rambla de Catalunya, this was very convenient, and for our return trip, it was from the same place.

When I visit a city for the first time I like to take a city tour to familiarize myself with the layout of the city. I highly recommend Barcelona Tours, they are one of several double decker busses offering a "Loop" tour going to most of the tourist attractions in Barcelona. You can pick up the bus anywhere on their route, you can purchase a 1 or 2 day pass and get on and off the bus as many times as you like within the purchased time. The tour is narrated in many languages; with your tour ticket you will be given a map and earphones which plug into the busses audio system.
My suggestion is to purchase a 2 day pass and spend one day touring all of Barcelona, take notes of what you want to see then on the second day go back to visit the places that interest you.
Look for the orange busses.