Ultimate guide to Barcelona public transport with Hola BCN Card

A Guide to Public Transport with Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Barcelona’s public transport system is one of the most efficient and tourist-friendly networks in Europe. With metros, buses, trams, and even funiculars, navigating the city is seamless. For tourists, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card stands out as the ultimate solution for unlimited, hassle-free travel across the city.

Public transport in Barcelona

Benefits of the Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Barcelona Travel Card with city landmarks and public transport icons
Tourists exploring Barcelona city with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card Pass for 2 to 5 days, visiting famous landmarks and enjoying local experiences
Tourists exploring Barcelona city with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card Pass for 2 to 5 days, visiting famous landmarks and attractions
Tourists exploring Barcelona city with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card Pass for 2 to 5 days, visiting famous landmarks and attractions
Tourists exploring Barcelona city with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card Pass for 2 to 5 days, visiting famous landmarks and enjoying local experiences
Tourists exploring Barcelona city with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card Pass for 2 to 5 days, visiting famous landmarks and enjoying local experiences
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Unlimited travel across Barcelona

The Hola Barcelona Travel Card provides unrestricted access to the city's comprehensive public transport network, including metros, buses, trams, and regional trains within Zone 1. It connects major attractions like La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Montjuïc, ensuring easy navigation throughout the city.

Convenience for travelers

This card eliminates the need for individual tickets, making travel simple. Start using it immediately upon arrival—redeem it at the airport metro station to avoid taxi costs and head directly to the city center. It’s a swipe-and-go solution for hassle-free exploration.

Significant savings

A single metro ride costs €2.55, while the Hola Barcelona Travel Card starts at €17.50 for two days of unlimited travel. With just five rides daily, the card pays for itself, saving you money while offering unlimited access to all included transport modes.

Flexible options

Choose from 2, 3, 4, or 5-day passes, valid for consecutive calendar days from first use. The card’s 90-day purchase validity allows for flexible planning, making it ideal for short or extended stays.

Comprehensive coverage

The Hola Barcelona Travel Card covers:

Metro lines: Efficient, air-conditioned, and perfect for major attractions.

Buses: Ideal for reaching areas not covered by the metro or for scenic rides through the city.

Trams: Access quieter neighborhoods and suburban areas with ease.

Montjuïc Funicular: Ride to the summit of Montjuïc Hill for stunning views and attractions like Montjuïc Castle.

Regional trains: Convenient for airport transfers and destinations within Zone 1.

Time-saving and hassle-free travel

Forget juggling multiple tickets or calculating fares. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card simplifies every journey—just swipe, and you’re on your way. This ease is especially valuable during peak travel times or when navigating unfamiliar areas. You’ll also avoid long queues at ticket machines and minimize time spent planning transport logistics.

Exploring public transport with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Metro

The metro is the fastest and most efficient way to explore Barcelona’s key attractions, such as Casa Batlló, La Sagrada Família, and Camp Nou. With 12 color-coded lines connecting the city, it runs from 5am to midnight on weekdays, with extended hours on weekends.

  • Savings: A single metro ticket costs €2.55, and with 5-6 daily rides, you’d spend over €12.75 per day. Using the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, you pay €17.50 for unlimited metro rides for two days—less than the cost of two days’ single tickets.
  • Airport transfer: The card includes a metro ride from the airport, saving an additional €5.15.
Barcelona by Metro

Buses

Barcelona’s buses complement the metro by connecting areas not covered by subway lines. They’re particularly useful for reaching neighborhoods and attractions such as Tibidabo and Park Güell. Buses run frequently during the day, but night buses are not included in the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.

  • Savings: A single bus ticket also costs €2.55. Even with just a few trips per day, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card significantly reduces costs.
  • Convenience: Swipe the card at the front of the bus to start your journey without worrying about cash or single-ticket purchases.
Barcelona by bus

Trams

The tram network is ideal for short, scenic routes in the city and suburban areas. Lines like Trambaix and Trambesòs connect quieter neighborhoods, providing a relaxed travel option.

  • Savings: Each tram ride costs €2.55. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card allows unlimited access, making it cost-effective for visitors who rely on trams for local travel.
Barcelona by tram

Montjuïc Funicular

The Montjuïc Funicular is included in the card, offering a convenient way to reach Montjuïc Hill, home to attractions like Montjuïc Castle and the Magic Fountain.

  • Savings: A single funicular ride costs €2.55. Frequent use of this scenic route makes the Hola Barcelona Travel Card a valuable option.
  • Connectivity: The funicular seamlessly connects to the metro, allowing a smooth transfer.
Montjuic Funicular

Trains

Trains operated by RENFE and FGC (Zone 1) are part of the integrated transport network, making it easy to travel within the city and to nearby destinations such as Castelldefels Beach.

  • Savings: A single RENFE or FGC train ticket costs €2.55. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card covers unlimited rides, ideal for those planning multiple train journeys.
  • Airport Connection: Like the metro, the card includes train travel to and from the airport, saving an extra €5.15.
Barcelona by train

Major attractions included with your Barcelona travel card

Barcelona Travel Card
Barcelona Travel Card
Barcelona Travel Card

Tips

  • Redeem your card at the L9 Sud Metro Station at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. This saves you the €5.15 airport transfer fee and gives you unlimited travel to the city center and beyond.
  • The metro is the fastest way to navigate Barcelona’s top attractions, such as Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Camp Nou. Plan routes using Google Maps or the TMB app to avoid peak-hour congestion. A single metro ride costs €2.55. With the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, unlimited metro rides cost as little as €8.75/day (2-day pass).
  • While the metro is efficient, buses provide scenic views of the city and access to areas like Tibidabo or Barceloneta Beach. Use buses to explore neighborhoods off the beaten path or travel directly when the metro requires multiple transfers. Each bus ride costs €2.55. Frequent use makes the card indispensable for budget-conscious travelers.
  • The card is valid for consecutive calendar days, so activate it early in the morning to get the most out of your first day. For example, activating a 3-day card on Monday morning means it will remain valid through Wednesday evening.
  • Plan to use public transport frequently, especially the metro and buses, which cover most tourist hotspots. For example, Visiting La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Barceloneta Beach in one day can cost over €12.75 for a single ticket. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card ensures unlimited access for a flat rate.
  • The card is valid for consecutive calendar days, so activate it early in the morning to get the most out of your first day. For example, activating a 3-day card on Monday morning means it will remain valid through Wednesday evening.
  • The card automatically activates on its first use and remains valid for the consecutive days you selected. For example, a 2-day card first used on a Monday afternoon will expire at midnight on Tuesday.
  • Plan multiple stops along metro lines to save time and maximize the card’s value. For example: Line L3 (Green): Plaça Catalunya → Passeig de Gràcia → Park Güell. Line L4 (Yellow): Barceloneta → El Born → Poblenou

Traveling by Metro? Read here

Book Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Hola Barcelona Travel Card: Unlimited Public Transportation

Flexible duration

#Aerobus: One-way/Round-trip Bus Transfers Between Barcelona Airport (El Prat) & Plaça Catalunya

Free cancellation
35 min. - 40 min.
Transfers available

Combo (Save 15%): Aerobus One-Way Tickets Barcelona Airport + Park Güell Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

Free cancellation
35 min. - 1 hr. 30 min.
Guided tour
Transfers available


Combo (Save 17%): Aerobus Barcelona Airport Bus Transfers + Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Free cancellation
Flexible duration
Audio guide
Transfers available


Frequently asked questions about public transportation in Barcelona

Yes, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card covers both your arrival and departure trips via the airport metro (L9 Sud) or the airport train (RENFE R2). Simply swipe your card at the turnstiles—no additional tickets are needed. For late-night flights, check the metro and train schedules as the last rides are around midnight.