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Barcelona’s five-line metro system is convenient, fast, easy to use and extensive. The metro stays open until 2am at weekends.

Metro mural

The FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) is the city’s commuter rail system, serving northern and eastern Barcelona. The FGC shares several key stations with the metro, including Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça d’Espanya, and has the same prices and similar hours.

Barcelona’s bus system covers the entire city. Bus stops are clearly marked and buses have their destinations on the front. For information on routes and schedules call 010 or pick up a bus guide from tourist offices.

There are about 15 Nitbús (nightbus) routes across the city, many of which pass through Plaça de Catalunya.

PassesA single fare on the metro, FGC, bus or nightbus costs €1.15. The T-10 personal ticket costs €6.5 and permits 10 journeys on metro, FGC and bus, providing the total jour-ney is completed within 1 hour 15 minutes. Also available are two-, three-, four- and five-day passes, which provide unlimeted travel on public transport. Tickets are available from attendants and machines at all metro stations.

Hail a yellow-and-black taxi on any major street in town; a green light on the roof indicates that one is free. For two or more passengers, taxis are almost as cheap as the metro for short hops. A minimum fare applies.

Barcelona is extremely compact and most areas are best negotiated on foot, especially the old town and Gràcia, where a leisurely stroll is the only way to soak up the architectural and cutural riches. Barcelona’s waterfront, from the Port Vell to the Port Olímpic, is also made for walking.Walks & Bike Rides .

Pedalling around the port, Barri Gòtic or Parc de la Ciutadella is a refreshing alternative to walking. There are over 70 km (43 miles) of bike lanes throughout the city, outlined on maps available from the tourist office and bike rental shops. Bikes are available to rent daily, between June and September, from Ciclobus. (See Walks & Bike Rides).

The airport bus is accessible to wheelchair users, as is Line 2 of the metro, some city buses, a few FGC stations and all nightbuses. Taxi Amic has cars and vans dedicated to wheelchair users – give advance notice. For general information on transport for the disabled, call Informació Transport Adaptat. For information on specific routes, call 010 or TMB, Barcelona’s bus and metro system.

Barcelona’s Institut Municipal de Persones amb Disminució (Sources of Information) has developed a detailed computer database that charts all the streets accessible to wheelchair users. This information is accessed by calling 010; give your departure point and destination and they’ll advise you of a route and places accessible en route.