Barcelona is the busiest cruise terminal outside the USA with over 2.5 million people cruising there every year. With so many customers, this means lots of options for things to do before or after your cruise and multiple ways to get to your ship to embark on your cruise.
Whether you’re driving and need to find parking or a hotel, or flying in and need to get from the airports to the port area, we’ve covered all the options for you to make the best decision.
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Barcelona is in the Catalan region of Spain in the north-east of the country. It is served by E-15 which runs along the Mediterranean coast in both directions – E-90 which comes in from Madrid and E-9 which heads towards Andorra.
Driving times from nearby major cities are:
- Madrid: 6 hours (620 km)
- Valencia: 3.5 hours (350 km)
- Toulouse, France: 3.75 hours (400 km)
- Zaragoza: 3 hours (310 km)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Code: BCN)
The second busiest airport in Spain offers connections throughout Europe and around the world. It is a hub for Iberia, the national airline of Spain.
The cheapest way to get to the cruise terminal, or into the city is by public transport.
The A1/A2 train (yellow) goes from the terminals into the city where you can change at Pl. Espanya to the D20 bus (purple) or L3 metro (green) to Columbus Monument. From there the T3
With the airport not too far from the city, a taxi doesn’t cost too much, and if you are a family or group, the cost per person is competitive. Expect to pay €39 from the airport to the Barcelona Pier if you pick up a taxi from the stand at the airport. If you want the luxury of a private transfer, the companies below can accommodate you.
Our tours and excursions partner, Get Your Guide, can provide a transfer from Barcelona Airport to Port of Barcelona cruise terminal for as many people as you need. Prices are €56 per car and each car can hold three passengers. Click here for more information.
Offering everything from town cars for three people to coaches for large groups, Tourist Active should be able to meet your transport needs.
With taxis good value, a shuttle only really makes sense if you are a solo traveller and even then an Uber/Lyft might be preferable to a shared shuttle.
If you need a shuttle, Aeropuerto Barcelona charges €22.82 per person for a round-trip between the airport and the cruise terminal.
Unless you are planning on using a rental car to head out and see the sights, it really doesn’t make sense to use this option from Barcelona Airport. None of the rental companies have offices particularly close to the port, so you will need to factor in the cost of getting from the rental centre to the port.
Paying the cruise company to get from the airport to the ship is rarely good value, especially if more than one or two people need a transfer. You will invariably be better off using one of the alternatives above. For example Carnival prices as of Apr 2018 – BCN $24.99 – One way.
With the cruise port right in the heart of the city and the airport not too far away, it could be worth looking at a hotel which provides a shuttle service to the airport. Check out our Barcelona hotels section for more info.
Looking for more information to plan your visit to Barcelona?
You may find these articles helpful.
Barcelona Cruise Port Guide
Where to Stay in Barcelona Before Your Cruise
Barcelona Cruise Parking Options
Things to See and Do in Barcelona
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