Barcelona - Aerobus
 

I was planning on taking the Aerobus to Plaza Catalunya and walking down Las Ramblas 500 yards to my hotel. But after reading all the posts about pickpockets and safety in Barcelona, it sounds like I would be a target rolling my small suitcase and small backpack, both on wheels, even that short distance. A woman travelling alone, standing there on the Plaza trying to figure out which direction is Las Ramblas doesn't sound like a good way to start my vacation. Cab it is. Any comment, addl info would be appreciated.

I'll be in your situation as well in November, and I think it'd be wise solo-traveling to splurge on a cab, myself.

While I can't comment on the Aerobus (there were 4 of us coming from the airport together, so we did take a cab), I will comment on the fear expressed about pickpockets in Barcelona. The apartment we rented was right on the Ramblas, and I walked up and down that street many, many times to get to various places--sometimes with my husband or another family member, sometimes alone. I also walked and took the metro all over the city. When I carried a purse or a shopping bag I kept it close to my body, with my arm through the strap. While I kept alert to where my belongings were, I went about my daily life as I would in New York City. And I made it out alive!

Bottom line: I don't agree that you need to fear standing on a corner getting your bearings, or taking a roller bag and small backpack from the Placa Catalunya 500 yards to your hotel. This sounds to me like an unreasonable way to approach to Barcelona.

For me, it'd be one thing if it was a city I'd been to before and knew my bearings, but personally I'm just not comfortable anywhere new to me being dropped in the middle of the square and, particularly after 12+ hours in flight and jetlagged, having to mind my luggage on my own and find directions. To each her own, I suppose.

Thank you Amyb. I'll take a cab. No worries, Aprillilacs, I'll enjoy my visit. I am most relaxed in NYC, lived there 15 years. I'll adopt the same posture for Barcelona. I can look confident even if walking in the wrong direction! Thanks again.

I've done exactly this and it's not as bad as you think. Just be aware and act defensively if anyone gets suspiciously close to you or want to stop you and ask you a question.

Don't put valuables in your backpack. I recommend that you carry the backpack towards the front of you body or stuff your backpack and wallets into your rolling bag. It's hard to pick from your rolling bags down low.

Perhaps someone who's been can comment on a suggestion that was given to me: Aerobus to Plaza Catalunya & then taxi from there to the hotel? I don't know if that really would save any money.

I remember that taxi from airport to hotel on the La Ramblas was approx. 25 euros (this was a few months ago.)

If you take the Aerobus, it's approx 5 euros (don't remember exactly the correct amount). Taxi from bus-stop to hotel nearby is probably 5 euros.

You would save ~15 euros if traveling solo, give or take. The second option takes around 20 min more and probably not worthwhile if there are 2+ people traveling together.

One thing to remember is that, depending on where your hotel is located, your cab might have trouble getting to it. On the East side of the Ramblas, cabs have to go all the way around to Via Laietana, then back up, which is a really long ride. Where is your hotel? I don't think walking down the Ramblas is dangerous during the day. It is the night that is worrysome.

I have used this bus and most people on the bus are just like you. Most of the people on the bus were backpackers. Along along with a few people like me and my friend who were not back packers but staying in a hotel. The hotel we had booked, had a how to get there on their website with a little map, and it was just 5 minutes walk from the Plaza Catalunys. It felt safe enough to me. Surely you have the details of of were you are staying. You can then use a map before hand to work out what direction you need to go in, If your worried about looking lost.

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...elona-map.html

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts. If I am able to sleep on the plane, I'll take the Aerobus and walk since I'm on the north end of Rambla. Otherwise, it'll probably be more efficient to just cab it.

I also took the aerobus to Placa Catalunya and wheeled my luggage across the square to the hotel. There were many tourists doing the exact same thing. It was very easy; the only difficulty was dragging the luggage around in the heat.

If your hotel is in the North end of Ramblas, then definitely walk to it. Wouldn't take more than 5 min walking. Ask hotel beforehand for landmarks to look for.

Is the hotel right on the Ramblas, or off the Ramblas on a small street. The cabs will have to navigate a lot of 1 way streets if you have to go off the Ramblas. Also, the Ramblas itself is also one way on each side, separated by a pedestrian median. So if a cab needs to go north on the Ramblas, it will have to go all the way to the southern end in order to turn around.

Thank you for your thoughts, everyone! My hotel is only a couple of blocks on the left side, same side as traffic from Plaza, runs south. I should be able to walk it if I'm rested, alert; otherwise, I'll cab it, no need for a U turn. I decided I don't even need my backpack, just one small suitcase on wheels.

There will be dozens of people getting off at the same stop with rolling luggage, back packs and that lost look. Once you've all departed the bus you will join the dozens of tourists already on the street with luggage and that lost look. This was our experience in May. Make sure everything is all zipped and secure and head on out. You won't have any problem.

Is it very easy to catch a cab at the Paza Catalunya?

Our hotel (Astoria) just off the Diagonal, so we're debating taking the Aerobus to Plaza Catalunya and then a short cab ride to the Astoria, vs. just getting a cab all the way from the airport. There are two of us.

We walked to our hotel from Plaza Catalunya.
email your hotel, they can probably advise the best method or give you the bus details.

Lots of taxis around Placa Catalunya.