Barcelona Bus Guide
Navigate Barcelona easily with this guide to key city and airport buses, including routes 46, N16, N17, 116, the Barcelona Bus Turístic, and Aerobus.
Bus 46: City & Airport Link
- Route: Plaça Espanya ↔ Aeroport T1/T2
- Main Stops: Plaça Espanya, Gran Via, Hospital de Bellvitge, Aeroport T1 & T2
- Frequency: Regular service, every 15-20 minutes
- Duration: Approx. 40-45 minutes
- Fare: Standard TMB ticket
Best for: Budget airport-city travel
Aerobus: Express Airport Shuttle
- Route: Plaça Catalunya ↔ Aeroport T1/T2
- Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes
- Duration: 35 minutes
- Fare: Separate ticket required
- Features: Luggage space, free Wi-Fi
Best for: Fast, direct airport transfer
N16 & N17: Night Buses
- N16: Plaça Catalunya ↔ Castelldefels/Aeroport T2
- N17: Plaça Catalunya ↔ Aeroport T1
- Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes (overnight)
- Fare: Standard TMB ticket
Best for: Late-night airport travel
Bus 116: Local Gràcia Service
- Route: Connects Gràcia, Lesseps, and nearby neighborhoods
- Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
- Fare: Standard TMB ticket
Best for: Local journeys in Gràcia
Barcelona Bus Turístic
- Type: Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus
- Routes: Red & Blue lines covering main attractions
- Features: Audioguide in 16 languages, free Wi-Fi, panoramic views
- Ticket: 24h or 48h passes
- Best for: Tourists wanting an overview of the city
Best for: Sightseeing and city highlights
Quick Comparison Table
| Bus | Main Route | Frequency | Ticket | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Plaça Espanya ↔ Aeroport T1/T2 | 15-20 min | TMB | Budget airport-city |
| Aerobus | Plaça Catalunya ↔ Aeroport T1/T2 | 5-10 min | Separate | Fast airport transfer |
| N16 | Plaça Catalunya ↔ Castelldefels/Aeroport T2 | 20-30 min (night) | TMB | Night airport |
| N17 | Plaça Catalunya ↔ Aeroport T1 | 20-30 min (night) | TMB | Night airport |
| 116 | Gràcia local | 10-15 min | TMB | Neighborhood |
| Bus Turístic | City sightseeing | 10-15 min | Tourist pass | Sightseeing |
Tips for Using Barcelona Buses
- Buy a TMB ticket or travel card for regular buses (46, N16, N17, 116).
- Aerobus and Bus Turístic require separate tickets.
- Check real-time schedules and disruptions using apps like Transit or Moovit.
- Validate your ticket upon boarding.
- For airport travel at night, use N16 or N17.
- For sightseeing, Bus Turístic offers flexible hop-on, hop-off service with audio guides in multiple languages.
Barcelona Bus: The most important bus routes you need to know of!