BCN to Las Ramblas
 

What should we expect to pay for a taxi from the airport in Barcelona to our hotel which is a block away from Las Ramblas? Do they charge extra for luggage and if so how much. We will be arriving around 11:00am. Thanks.

The website of Barcelona airport says (in Spanish) that a ride to Plaza Catalunya (which is the big central square at one end of Las Ramblas) should be about 15,50 € + O,90€ per piece of luggage. At night, weekends and holidays it's 17,30€.

http://www.barcelona-airport.com/eng/transport_eng.htm

If you don't want the taxi driver to cheat on you, ask him the approximate price before you leave.

The Aerobus is also a great option. It leaves in front of the terminal, has luggage racks, and is about €3-4. It has several stops, including the Placa de Catalunya, which is handy to Las Ramblas.

MY

Depending on which side of Las Ramblas, you might like Aerobus mentioned above. Plaça de Catalunya is the last stop, coming from the airport. The bus stop just in front of the department store El Cortes Ingles. Which hotel are you staying at?

Where exactly is your hotel? I ask because I think that the Aerobus is the best option (it drops you off right smack in the Plaça) unless your hotel is in the lower Ramblas in which case walking there can be a little annoying if you have a lot of luggage. Remember that from Plaça Catalunya to the Port is just over a mile (though it is downhill, which is nice) and the Ramblas are jampacked with people.

If your hotel is within a few blocks of Plaza Catalunya, then I would recommend the airport bus, which is easy and inexpensive. I almost always take taxis from the airport to my hotel (usually because I'm tired after a long flight, don't know where I'm going, find it too much of a hassle to wait for the bus, etc). But one exception is Barcelona, when you're staying close to one of its drop-off points.

You can also take the train from the airport but I suspect, overall, the bus is more convenient and probably runs more frequently.

> You can also take the train from the airport ...

I don't know how it workd today but it used be that the train from airport goes to Barcelona Sants but not on to Plaça Catalunya. You had to change. That's a complication when you have big luggage.

+ Last time I was leaving Barcelona, 1st Jan this year, I also took a train for airport and had to change at the last stop (forget the name) before airport. There was a big railway construction work. I wonder this is over now. + Arriving at the airport station, the connecting pedestrain bridge for airport terminals was closed for another construction and there was a free shuttle bus to take you to the terminals. But it was so crowded. If any, the 2nd construction should be over before the 1st one. I alos suspect the 1st one is to connect airport station to Plaça Catalunya direct without changing the train at Sants. If that's the case and if it is completed now, it may be worth considering to take the train. Otherwise, no. You should take either taxi or bus.

By the way, I understand from other post, OP is taking a cruise ship at Barcelona. If he has lots of luggage, taxi would be so easy.

We will be staying at NH duc de la Victoria. On the map it looks like it is 4-6 blocks from Placa de Catalunya.

I thought you said 1 block. I think 4-6 blocks changes a bit.

Still looking at a access map of the hotel, I see it's like 2 blocks away between Las Ramblas & the pedestrian street pararell to Las Rablas, that leads to the cathedral. 1. I would walk this distance as I usually go to Barcelona with only a light suitecase. Would you do that with you luggage? It's up to you. 2. Hotel is said to be on a small pedestrian street. Perhaps a taxi cannot go to the front of the hotel. Still much closer than if you walk from Plaça Catalunya. On the map, it looks about 200 meters from the plaça.

Kappa; you are correct. I just looked at BCN airport information and there is a notice that during the construction you cannot get a train directly to Placa Catalunya as you used to be able to do and they also recommend using the bus.

In terms of getting FROm the hotel to the cruise ship, it might somewhat depend on where the ship is docked, either at the usual "moll" or near the World Trade Center but regardless I would definitely take a TAXI from any hotel to any cruise ship in Barcelona.

I was just at your hotel today and it is not at all far from the Aerobus stop. You walk down the Ramblas 1 block and get to a place where you can take Santa Anna or Canuda on your left. Take Canuda to the Plaza de la Vila de Madrid and continue on past the Decathlon sports store (to your right). Take the next right and you are there. A taxi will not do you much good in that area because they will have to go around everything (they can't enter Portal del Angel from the top, and coming from Plaza Catalunya they can't turn onto either Santa Anna or Canuda).

Thanks for all the info. I mentioned a block as that is what the hotel said, but when I looked at a map it appeared further. Where do you all find the detailed maps that give you so much information? Proves what a 'newbie' Fodorite I am. I will check the rates for the aerobus to see if it is much of a savings over a taxi. We were told that if you tell the driver ahead of time that even though the hotel is on a pedestrian walk that they have a way to get directly to the hotel. I think I'll be a little ticked off if we take a taxi and end up walking the same distance as with the aerobus.
P.S. We are going on a cruise after our 3 days in Barcelona and will likely take a taxi to the port just to make is simple.
L

I often use mappy.com to find a location on city maps.

Like some of the posters above, I've been to Barcelona more than a few times so I'm familiar with the city more or less and especially the area in question, near Plaça Catalunya although I have to admit I did not know the name of the street where your hotel is situated. But I'm sure I wandered around there too.

Aerobus should cost €3 or less.

I think the question here is to what cost vs convenience means to you. Taxi for 1 to 3 people with luggage will be less than $30 and would be the simple thing to do. If you are coming into Barcelona from a transatlantic flight you might want to "splurge" for this. Taking the bus might save you $20 and only you can decide what $20 means to you.

I came back from Barcelona yesterday. As other posters have said, the Aerobus is really easy - costs just EU3.75 one way from the airport, and it stops at Placa De Catalunya.

If you've only got one wheeled case, you'll be fine - I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything was much closer than the maps suggest.

However, PLEASE be aware that pickpockets are a problem in Las Ramblas - if you've got all your luggage with you, you're clearly advertising your wares!

As long as you are aware of your bags and your surroundings, and avoid others invading your space, you'll be fine. I had a great time - Enjoy!! :-))