Barcelona has an efficient and well-connected public transport system, making it easy to move around the city. The three main options—tram, bus, and metro—offer different advantages depending on your destination and schedule.
Metro
The metro is the fastest and most convenient way to travel long distances in Barcelona. It has eight lines (L1 to L5, L9 to L11) and operates from 5:00 AM to midnight on weekdays, until 2:00 AM on Fridays, and runs all night on Saturdays. Trains are frequent, and the metro network covers most of the city and surrounding areas.
Bus
Barcelona’s bus network is extensive, with over 100 routes connecting different neighborhoods. Buses are ideal for short distances and areas not covered by the metro. Regular buses run from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, while the NitBus (night bus) operates until the early morning. Buses are modern, accessible, and provide scenic routes through the city.
Tram
The tram system, known as Tramvia, consists of six lines (T1 to T6). It’s especially useful for reaching areas like Diagonal, Sant Martí, and suburbs like Sant Feliu de Llobregat. Trams are comfortable, eco-friendly, and run from 4:30 AM to midnight. They are a great option for traveling outside the city center.
🚇 Public Transport Zones in Barcelona: How Do They Work?
Barcelona’s public transport system is divided into zones to determine ticket prices and validity. Whether you’re using the metro, bus, tram, or trains (Rodalies & FGC), knowing the zones helps you choose the right ticket! 🎟️
📌 How Are the Zones Organized?
- Zone 1 🏙️ → Covers Barcelona city and most of the nearby areas, including major attractions.
- Zones 2-6 🌍 → Extend to the suburbs, towns, and the rest of the Barcelona metropolitan area.
🔹 The further you travel from Zone 1, the higher the number of zones on your ticket.
🔹 All T-mobility and multi-trip cards work within their chosen zone limits.
📌 Which Ticket Should You Buy? 🎟️
✅ T-casual (10 trips) → Single-user card. For Barcelona (1 zone) the price is 12,55€ (year 2025)
✅ Hola Barcelona Travel Card → Single-user card. Perfect for tourists, valid for 2 days (18,10€), 3 days (26,30€), 4 days (34,40€), 5 days (42,10€) year 2025, unlimited travel in Zone 1.
✅ T-usual (Unlimited 30 days) → Single-user card. Best for daily commuters. For Barcelona (1 zone) the price is 22€ (year 2025). It
✅ Single Ticket 🚉 → Only valid for one journey; not the best value. For Barcelona (1 zone) the price is 2,65€ (year 2025)
✅ T-grup (70 trips – 30 days) → Multi-user card. For Barcelona (1 zone) the price is 87,35€ (year 2025)
🚇 Barcelona Transport Pass: T-Usual vs. Hola Barcelona
If you’re visiting Barcelona and need a transport pass, choosing between the T-Usual 🆚 Hola Barcelona Travel Card can make a big difference in your budget. Depending on how many trips you take and how long you stay, the T-Usual can actually be cheaper. Here’s why and how to get it!
💰 Why is the T-Usual cheaper?
📅 Duration & Price:
- 🏷️ Hola Barcelona (3 days) → €26.30 ✅ Unlimited travel on metro, buses, trams & FGC within Zone 1 (including metro to the airport 🚆✈️).
- 🏷️ T-Usual (30 days) → €22.00 ✅ Unlimited travel for one month in Zone 1 (perfect even for short stays of 3+ days!).
🚨 Key Difference: The Hola Barcelona is valid for only 3 days, while the T-Usual lasts 30 days (though it’s personal and non-transferable 📸).
🎟️ How to Get the T-Usual?
🛒 Where to buy it?
✅ TMB Points of Attention ℹ️
✅ Online via TMB app 📱
📌 Important:
🔹 You’ll need your passport or ID number 📄 to purchase the T-Usual, as it’s a personalized travel card.
🔹 The T-Usual requires a physical card called T-mobilitat, which costs €4.50 💳.
🔹 If you have an Android phone with NFC 📱, you can use the TMB App to store the pass digitally and avoid the €4.50 fee.
✨ Why choose the T-Usual?
✔️ Cheaper than Hola Barcelona for 3+ days 🚇
✔️ Works for longer stays at no extra cost 📆
✔️ Covers all transport modes, including trains 🚆, metro 🚇, buses 🚍, and trams 🚋
✔️ Can be stored digitally if your phone has NFC 📲
💡 Best for budget travelers: If you’re staying at least 4 days in Barcelona and using public transport frequently, the T-Usual is your best budget-friendly option! 💶
💡 Tip: If you stay in Barcelona city, you only need a Zone 1 ticket!
📌 How Do Transfers Work? 🔄
🔹 You can change between metro, bus, tram, and train within 75 minutes on the same ticket (T-casual or T-usual).
🔹 If you cross into a different zone, you’ll need a ticket for multiple zones.
📌 Official information 🗺️
🔹 Find an official transport zone map at:
📍 TMB Official Map
🚀 Now you’re ready to travel smart in Barcelona! 🏙️🚇