Airports
Airports that serve Barcelona.
Josep Tarradellas Airport Barcelona – El Prat
13 km from the center of BarcelonaThe Barcelona – El Prat Airport (BCN) is at the forefront of airport services and design, and is one of the world’s most modern and well-equipped passenger air terminals.
The airport is located in the town of Prat le Llogbregat, which sits 12 km southwest of the city, and is easily reached by car via the Castelldefels thruway or on public transportation. The airport has two terminals: the more modern T1, and T2, serving over 50 million air passengers a year.
The new terminal, T1, opened in 2009. Designed by architect Ricardo Bofill, it features a truly unique design and when seen from bird’s eye view, resembles a bird’s beak. Inside, its security area is nimbler, and the baggage check-in and pick-up processes are automated in a technically advanced way that makes these and other aspects of air travel easier and more efficient.
T1 is the terminal that operates more flights: the Barcelona - Madrid shuttle and international flights. In T1 we find more than 80 stores and restaurants and cafes, Wi-Fi, Duty Free, VAT refund, ATMs, luggage packing and VIP rooms. You’ll also find car rental offices, 11,000 parking spots, a host of banking services, and a plethora of ATMS.
Terminal T2 is divided into three different zones: T2A, T2B, and T2C. Since the opening of T1, it only operates low-cost airline flights and regional services.
Both terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus (Bustransit) and by the rail station El Prat. Travel time between the terminals takes about 10 minutes.
In addition, Josep Tarradellas Airport has its own private flight terminal. In 2008 (December), Aena inaugurated the so-called 'Barcelona Corporate Terminal', a new 2,100 square meter building designed by the architects Artigues & Sanabria. This terminal has a baggage control and a separate check-in.
Aerobus
Aerobus is the official bus shuttle service that connects the Barcelona – El Prat Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) to the city center at Plaza Catalunya. The ride takes about 35 minutes and stops at various strategic points in the city, including Plaza España, Gran Via-Urgell, Plaza Universidad. It runs 365 days a year, with departures every 5-10 minutes.
Aerobus operates two lines: A1, with service to Terminal T1, and A2, serving T2. Both lines leave from Plaza Catalunya and follow pretty much the same route to El Prat.
Both shuttle buses can accommodate persons with limited mobility, and are equipped with ample room for luggage and all the services and amenities to make your ride comfortable.
Girona Airport
Located 100 km north of BarcelonaThe Girona Airport opened in 1967. In the 70s, it saw a boom in passenger air travel, owing mostly to charter flights organized in the summer season.
Located 15 km outside of Girona, the airport offers good connections to Barcelona and to points along the Costa Brava or the Pyrenees.
Today, it mostly serves private charter flights, as well as the airline companies Ryanair and Pobeda Airlines. The idea is to make the Girona airport the second most popular in Catalonia, and number one in the south of France.
Reus Airport
Located 108 km south of BarcelonaThe Reus Airport is located just 3 km outside Reus, and 13 km from Tarragona. Founded in 1935 on the initiative of the Reus Air Club (RAC), it was used for military purposes during the Spanish Civil War. In 1957, Reus opened up to national air traffic, and in the 1960s, it began to serve charter flights. In 1998, the airport was demilitarized and its operation and use was transferred to Aena, the national airports administration authority.
Since then, the Reus Airport has served civilian flights exclusively. In 2003, it began working with low-cost airlines (mainly Ryanair) to boost air traffic to Reus and to provide more convenient access to nearby tourist hubs, like Cambrils, Salou, or the Port Aventura theme park.
The Reus Airport is also located nearby the aviation school CESDA, part of the Rovira i Virgili University system.