Types of Transport Tickets and Cards in Barcelona

If you're planning to explore the vibrant city of Barcelona using public transportation, knowing which ticket to buy can be a daunting task. This guide will delve into the various types of tickets, cards, and public transport subscriptions in Barcelona. We’ll outline their key features, current prices, and help you determine the best option for your travel needs.

* Updated in 2023.

First, it's essential to identify the type of transport ticket in Barcelona that suits your situation best. Options range from monthly subscriptions aimed at residents, to unlimited travel cards suitable for tourists, and single journey tickets. Below, we will explore these various ticket types, subscriptions, and transportation cards in detail:

Understanding the Single Ticket

The single ticket is designed for occasional travelers taking the metro, bus, or tram in Barcelona. Priced at €2.40, this ticket is not integrated, meaning transfers between different types of transport are not allowed. When using the bus, payment can be easily made by tapping your credit or debit card on a reader beside the driver, who will then issue a receipt.

Exploring the T-Casual Ticket

The T-Casual ticket is an abonement offering 10 journeys across all urban transport in Barcelona. This ticket is unipersonal—if you’re traveling in a group, you cannot purchase one ticket for everyone. However, it can be used by different individuals at different times of the day.

Costing €11.35 (for one zone), each journey effectively costs about €1.135. With this ticket, you have a 75-minute window after validation to transfer between various urban transport modes (e.g., metro to bus to tram).

What is the T-Familiar Ticket?

The T-Familiar ticket is a pluripersonal option allowing up to 8 journeys without a limit on the number of passengers. This means you can validate it multiple times during a single trip, making it an excellent choice for couples or small groups.

This ticket costs €10 (for one zone), equating to €1.25 per journey, and functions as an integrated ticket with a 75-minute validity between the first and last validation.

Discovering the T-Grup Ticket

Another pluripersonal ticket available is the T-Grup, which provides 70 journeys to be used within a 30-day period.

Priced at €79.45 (one zone), this ticket also allows travel on all forms of transport, with the same 75-minute transfer limit.

Understanding the T-Usual Ticket

The T-Usual ticket is ideal for Barcelona residents or those staying long-term in the city. This card allows for unlimited travel on all transport for a consecutive 30-day period. Being unipersonal and non-transferable, it must be linked to a national ID. If checked by inspectors, you must show your ID; failing to do so could result in a fine.

Its price is €40 (for one zone), covering all urban transport, including metro access to the airport (line L9 Sud).

What is the T-Dia Ticket?

The T-Dia ticket allows for unlimited journeys within 1 day, calculated as 24 hours from the first validation rather than by calendar days. This unipersonal ticket is beneficial for those planning to travel extensively within a single day. If you need travel for several days, consider the Hola BCN card, which offers options for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days.

Costing €10.50 (for one zone), it can be used across all transport methods, including a round trip to/from the airport via metro L9 Sud.

Other Public Transport Tickets in Barcelona

There are additional tickets with discounts for specific demographics. For instance, there are special rates for individuals under 25, children under 16, single-parent families, numerous families, seniors, and more.

For a comprehensive view of all transport tickets in Barcelona, you can visit the official site here.

Traveling to/from the Airport

While some of these tickets aren’t intended for airport travel, there are exceptions. The metro line that serves the airport (Line 9 Sud) accepts the T-Usual and T-Dia tickets. However, if you use the Rodalies train (Line 2R Nord), any integrated transport ticket is valid. This means that using the T-Casual for this journey costs just over €1, which can result in significant savings.

→ For more details, see our guide on how to reach downtown Barcelona from the airport.

Summary Table of Ticket Options

Here's a summary table outlining the different ticket types, their prices, and key features:

Types of Urban Transport in Barcelona

With these tickets, you can access various modes of transport that make up the Metropolitan Transport of Barcelona (TMB). These include:

• Metro
• Bus
• Tram
• Rodalies
• Generalitat Railways
• Funicular

Keep in mind that if your ticket is not integrated (like the single ticket), you will not be able to transfer between different types of transport. Instead, you would need separate tickets for each mode of transport you use. For example, if you buy a single ticket for the metro, you can switch lines within the metro but cannot use the bus.

On the other hand, if it is an integrated ticket, you can make 3 transport changes, all within the 75-minute validity period from the first to the last validation. You must validate your ticket each time you board a new transport, except when transferring between metro lines.

If no transfers occur, the maximum time is 2 hours for the metro, while for buses, the limit is until the end of the route.

→ For more information about navigating Barcelona, check out our guide on how to get around Barcelona.

Where to Buy Transport Tickets in Barcelona

Tickets can be purchased at automatic machines located in metro stations, commuter train stations, and railways. Additionally, they can be obtained at tram stops, kiosks, and TMB information points. The only ticket available for purchase on buses is the single ticket.

Understanding Different Zones in Barcelona's Transport System

Barcelona's metropolitan area features a total of 6 zones. However, if you plan to stay within the city, where 99% of attractions are located, you will primarily be traveling within zone 1. This zone also includes the airport, but remember that a special (and more expensive) ticket is required to reach it.

Choosing the Right Transport Card

In our analysis, we focus on scenarios involving tourist visits to Barcelona, where frequent public transport use is expected. Consequently, monthly subscriptions aimed at residents are not considered. Common situations include:

• Traveling alone: The T-Casual is ideal if you plan to use transport 5 times or more, up to a maximum of 10 journeys. For fewer trips, single tickets are more economical.
• Traveling as a couple: Either one or two T-Familiar tickets are advisable if you expect to use transport between 5 and 16 times (combined). For 17 to 20 journeys, two T-Casual tickets would be more beneficial.
• Traveling in a group: If your group requires 64 validations or more, the T-Grup is the best choice; otherwise, purchasing T-Familiar tickets would be more cost-effective.

Tourist Cards for Enhanced Experience

Often, obtaining a tourist card that includes transport is more advantageous than merely a transport subscription, as it typically includes additional benefits like entry to attractions, discounts at local businesses, and more. In Barcelona, you can consider these options:

• The Hola BCN card, which allows unlimited travel across all transport in zone 1, plus one round trip to the airport. Prices are €16.40 for 2 days, €23.80 for 3 days, €31 for 4 days, and €38.20 for 5 days.
• The Barcelona Card, which not only includes transport but also provides skip-the-line access to some of the top museums in Barcelona, such as the Picasso Museum, Joan Miró Foundation, MUHBA, and CaixaForum, among others.

We hope this guide to the types of tickets, cards, and transport subscriptions in Barcelona clarifies your choices. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out! 😉

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