The best way to get to and from the Barcelona Airport
 

My family will be traveling to Barcelona in October after spending some time in Morocco. I am trying to decide which is the best way to get to and from the Barcelona airport. I really don't want to take a metro or train with the luggage. I found a shuttle service but I'd like to know if anyone else has used them or any other service. I'm especially concerned that they be reasonably timely on the return trip to the airport if I choose to use them for that too. I probably would wait until they carried through with the first trip before booking them for the return though. Any help would be appreciated.

http://www.viator.com/tours/Barcelon...-3864BCNAPTHTL

The "best" way? A taxi. OK, it costs a little more but it's a hell of a lot simpler.

Have you looked at the prices for that shuttle? It's a lot more expensive than a taxi. I paid E20 for a taxi to Eixample in April.

Airport is near city... Take a taxi.

Taxi, hands down.

I take the Aerobus which is cheap and easy, if I'm going right near the stops. Otherwise, I agree, just take a taxi, that airport isn't that far out and won't cost you that much.

Last time I did that a few months ago (airport to Eixemple), I think it was only 20 euro.

You can check the AeroBus (www.aerobusbcn.com), which actually is quick an easy, but might be difficult when handing luggage for a family.

To arrange a private taxi transfer service in Barcelona, check out Taxis Barcelona (www.taxis-barcelona.es), Radio Taxi Metropolitano de Barcelona (www.radiotaxibcn.org) or Ràdio Taxi 033 Barcelona (www.radiotaxi033.com). You can book online.

Or you can simply use one of the taxis you'll find waiting in front of the arrivals terminal.

Taxis in Barcelona charge €1 for each bag the driver handles. There is also an airport supplement (tax) added to the bill. €20 may be a little on the light side in going beyond Plaça Catalunya.

We used the aerobus this summer and found it easy and reasonably priced. I think it was approximately 6 Euros per person.

Great. I thought a taxi would be more than that and I really hadn't considered the aerobus either. I will look at those options and I appreciate the links too. Thanks a lot.

We recently returned from a cruise in Barcelona. We took a taxi to the airport and it cost €50 to get from the cruise terminal to the airport for five people with five luggages. I should note that there was no trouble in getting a taxi To take five people. Hope that helps.

We also took the Aerobus and it was very easy even w/ luggage. However, I would never go back to Barcelona. The unemployment rate has turned the city into a hell hole where thieves are on every corner.

huh, well, I was just there a couple months ago and didn't have any problem with the thieves.

That Aerobus makes a couple stops, be sure to check them all out. Most useful if you are right near placa Catalunya or Universitat (or Espana, but not a lot of people stay there). One tip in that going back, you can't get on at Universitat, you can only get off there.

"The unemployment rate has turned the city into a hell hole where thieves are on every corner." And just which corners where you hanging out on? Pickpockets have been around since the dawn of time, so get used to it.

When we were there recently, we also had no problem with thieves. Sure, there are shady types and worse in any city, so one always needs to be aware.

Also, with Aerobus, going to airport, be sure to know which terminal you need to go to because there are two different Aerobus lines, and one goes to each terminal.

Enjoy your trip!

You don't say how many are in your family, and that will make a difference on the cost of a taxi. We are in BCN frequently and it's never been less than €25, and in May it was over 30, for two persons. Still, it's the most convenient and fastest way. For the return, we've left the city as early as 6 a.m. and had no trouble flagging a taxi (on a larger street).

Sorry if you had a bad experience, Tnelson, but we've seen remarkably little change in safety over recent years. Never been accosted or pickpocketed, and we've stayed all around the city.

I was in Barcelona at the end of April...taxi from the apt. was close to 30 euros

" thieves on every corner"? really?
in seven visits to the city I have never had a bad experience.

I found the Aerobus very convenient and easy to use. Our hotel was near the Placa Catalunya.

Love Barcelona, but the only thief we encountered was the taxi driver on the way back to the airport early one morning.

Despite almost no traffic, he took a circuitous route. I speak Spanish and refused to pay his full charge. Our friends in another taxi at the same time were charged €35 for the same trip. He wasn't happy, so I iinvited him to call the police to settle the matter. He chose to take €20 and no tip.

"When we were there recently, we also had no problem with thieves."

This is really, really dumb. And arrogant. You think that your one trip represents all experience of all people at all times? It's like saying that you drove drunk and didn't have an accident so driving drunk is OK.

"Sure, there are shady types and worse in any city,"

Now this is even dumber. It ignores reality and probability. You may not have an accident driving drunk but you've drastically increase the odds that you will eventually. Barcelona is more dangerous than other large cities. The odds are much high of being robber there than most places. If you ignore that fact, then you are a fool. Constantly betting against the odds is sure to lead to disaster.

"so one always needs to be aware."

People travel for fun. Not to spend their time worrying about being robbed. There are plenty of other cities in the world where being robbed is not a concern. Who needs the hassle.

"Barcelona is more dangerous than other large cities. The odds are much high of being robber there than most places." Really? And what do you base your conclusion on? Have you been to the "other large cities" you mention? Doubtful! There are some large cities where you could be kidnapped or shot dead in the street, not something likely to happen in Barcelona. But yes, you may get your pocket picked if not aware of your surroundings.

Yes, most people travel for fun, but that does not mean you step out into traffic without looking both ways simply because you're on holiday.