Barcelona has en efficient and practical transport system. The local TMB company (Barcelona’s Metropolitan Transports, www.tmb.net), a public enterprise, coordinates the different kinds of public transports:
TAXI
Barcelona taxis are easy to identify (black cars with yellow doors) and they are not too expensive, as a ride within the city does not usually cost more than 10 €. If you do not have much time available, it is the best way of moving around the city. Taxis charge a supplement for carrying luggage and for journeys to and from the airport. All fares can be checked on a sign located on the back window. If you search for a taxi in the street just check for those with a green light on the top; at the hotel you can book a taxi at Reception
METRO
It is clean, cheap and easy to use; in fact, it is the means of transport mostly used by Barcelona’s citizens. It is run by 2 companies: Metro de Barcelona and Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, even though tickets and timetables are the same for both. There are 8 metro lines, plus one train line (L10) that takes you to and from the Airport - this train service being included in the normal transport ticket system. All lines have different numbers and colours. Running hours are as follows:
. From Sunday to Thursday: from 5:00 am to 00:00 am
. Fridays and Public Holiday Eves: from 5:00 am to 02:00 am
. Saturdays and Public Holidays: 24 hours a day
BUS
The city has 100 urban bus lines available, and other interurban lines. They all have a number, and routes are displayed on signs located at all bus-stops and also on the website www.tmb.net . Bus lanes exist to help make traffic more fluent but in spite of this the volume of traffic will necessarily influence the duration of your trip. Timetables vary according to line, but buses generally run between 5.00-6.00 am until 10.00-11.00 pm. Their frequency range from 5 to 20 minutes.
NITBUS (night bus)
As from 11.00 pm, when the daytime bus service ends, the Nitbus starts its service with 11 lines that connect the different areas of the city with the centre (Plaça Catalunya).
All these services (Metro, Bus and Nitbus) are part of the same fare system and therefore they accept the cards and tickets issued at any of their respective sales points.
Fares of Barcelona’s urban transport system
| TYPE OF TICKET | |
| Single ticket (1 trip) | 1.30 € |
| T-10 card (10 trips) | 7.20 € |
| 1 day ticket (no limit in the number of trips) | 5.50 € |
If you would like to have more information, check with any Metro station or on the website www.tmb.net .
TRAMVIA (Tram)
For many years, the only tram available in the city was the Tramvia Blau (Blue Tram), located at the foot of the Tibidabo hill. It is an attraction for the city, as old fashioned tram carriages are used for its journey between Plaça Kennedy and the Funicular station (called Peu del Funicular). It allows you to access the Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo (Tibidabo’s Fairground Attractions).
| TYPE OF TICKET | |
| Single ticket (1 trip) | 2.60 € |
| Return ticket | 3.90 € |
However, nowadays the tram situation is different: there are two more tram lines that provide a regular service and accept the same tickets and cards issued at any of the other public transport services. There is one line that departs from Ciutadella and heads for both the Fòrum and Sant Adrià, and another one departing from Plaça Francesc Macià heading for the nearby town of Sant Feliu de Llobregat.
MONTJUÏC FUNICULAR AND CABLE CAR (Telefèric)
The Montjuïc hill is accessible from the city by the Funicular that can be accessed from the Paral·lel metro station. This service is included in the public transport ticket system. You can find the station from where the cable car (Telefèric) departs by leaving the funicular through its upper exit. It can take you to the Castell de Montjuïc (Montjuïc fortress) where you can enjoy magnificent views over the city.
| TYPE OF TICKET | |
| Adult single ticket | 5.70 € |
| Child single ticket (4-12 years old) | 4.50 € |
| Adult return ticket | 7.90 € |
| Child return ticket (4-12 years old) | 6.00 € |
TOURIST BUS
This service, one of the most used by visitors to the city, allows you to discover the most interesting points of Barcelona. There are three routes available (or two in winter since the Fòrum Route, the Green one, is closed), and the service is offered in open air double-decker buses. The North Route (Red) and the South Route (Blue) are connected with the city centre; both can be taken using the same ticket.
In addition, you will get a map and a booklet with discounts for the main tourist attractions, shops, restaurants plus other advantages when you buy a ticket. Once onboard the bus you will be given different explanations, available in several languages, regarding where you are and what to do there. The service starts between 9.00 am and 9.30 am, and ends between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm; its frequency ranges from 6 to 15 minutes.
| TYPE OF TICKET | |
| Adult 1-day ticket | 20 € |
| Child 1-day ticket (4-12 years old) | 12 € |
| Adult 2-day ticket | 26 € |
| Child 2-day ticket (4-12 years old) | 16 € |
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