New Year, new life. This saying is also fitting for Barcelona’s public transport, which regularly introduces new fares and travel cards. Therefore, if you are planning a short trip to the Catalan capital, learning about Barcelona’s transport cards will come in useful.
Below, we summarize the most relevant changes and what the current rates are, so that you don’t have a single doubt when you land at Barcelona airport on your way to your apartment in Barcelona, including which ticket to use once you’re there. In this way, it will be much easier to get to the city center, traveling with the correct ticket and without exposing yourself to possible penalties. Pay attention!
T-CASUAL: THE 10-TRIP TRANSPORT CARD
As we said, the Metropolitan Transport Authority (ATM), the entity that manages public transport in Barcelona, modified the public transport tickets of the Metropolitan Transport of Barcelona (TMB) back in January 2020.
One of the most remarkable changes was the disappearance of the ticket most used by tourists and those who don’t use these means every day: T-10. Even if you have never been to Barcelona, you are probably familiar with this formula, as it is used in many European cities, such as Madrid, Paris, Budapest or Munich. Its substitute is the T-Casual, the 10-trip card with 1 transfer included.
Although the operation of both is similar, the T-Casual presents two fundamental differences when compared to the old T-10: on the one hand, the price, which is higher than its predecessor’s. And on the other, it became unipersonal (although it is not for nominal use, so any carrier can use it without problems and without the need to present any identification document, such as a passport or ID). What does this mean? That the T-Casual, unlike what happened with the T-10, cannot be used by more than one person at a time. Its period of validity is one year.
The current T-Casual rates, which depend on the number of areas through which it will circulate – a system that is also used, for example, in London – are as follows:
- 1 area: € 13.00
- 2 areas: € 25.50
- 3 areas: € 34.70
- 4 areas: € 44.65
- 5 areas: € 51.20
- 6 areas: € 54.45
- 7 areas: € 57.60
One important detail if you’re arriving straight from the airport: the T-Casual is not valid on the L9 Sud metro line that connects El Prat airport with the city, nor on the Aerobus. If you’re travelling with a T-Casual, take the Renfe train (R2 Nord line) instead, which does accept it as a single zone-1 journey. The T-Usual monthly pass, by contrast, is valid on L9 Sud, including the airport stations.
OTHER CHANGES IN TRANSPORT TITLES IN BARCELONA
Another of Barcelona’s travel cards is the T-usual, which replaced the former T-mes and T-50/30. Although it isn’t widely used by tourists, as it’s valid for a month, here are the current prices in case you’re lucky enough to enjoy a holiday in Barcelona lasting 30 days or more
- 1 area: € 22.80
- 2 areas: € 30.55
- 3 areas: € 42.70
- 4 areas: € 52.15
- 5 areas: € 59.60
- 6 areas: € 63.85
- 7 areas: € 67.65
Two other cards for monthly and quarterly use, T-70/30 and T-Trimestre, have also been withdrawn and are no longer in circulation.
Do you plan to travel to Barcelona in a group? In that case, you can use the collective T-Grup card, which allows 70 trips in 30 days and is intended for groups, such as schools or sports clubs. Its validity is one month.
There is also T-Familiar, with eight trips and designed for the simultaneous use of one family — ideal if you’re staying in one of our family apartments in Barcelona. Its price starts at € 11.50 for one area and goes up to € 49.70 for seven areas, and it expires 30 days after the first validation.
In turn, the single ticket is valid for a single trip and without the right to transfer. Its price is fixed by areas, as follows:
- 1 area: € 2.90
- 2 areas: € 4.15
- 3 areas: € 5.40
- 4 areas: € 6.90
- 5 areas: € 8.80
- 6 zones: € 10.25
- 7 zones: € 11.60
If you’re travelling by metro to or from the airport, keep in mind there is also a specific airport single ticket priced at € 5.90.
Are you going to spend 2 days in Barcelona? If so, you should know that the T-Dia is also available. Destined essentially for tourists, it allows unlimited trips during a day on the public transport network, with the right to transfer. Its price now also depends on the number of areas, starting at € 12.00 for one area. In any case, choosing this option will help you save in Barcelona.
Another transport ticket that continues is the T-Jove, a card for young people under 30 (the age limit was raised from 25) that allows unlimited travel for 90 days across the whole network, no matter how many areas you cross. Its price is a flat € 45.50. The T-16, the free transport ticket for children under 16 years of age in their area of residence, is also maintained
LOW-COST HIGH-SPEED TRAINS BETWEEN BARCELONA AND MADRID
After reviewing the transport cards in Barcelona, we want to take advantage of this and explain another novelty related to transport, this time long distance. Since the Madrid–Barcelona high-speed line opened up to competition, several operators run affordable trains between the two cities, so it’s now easier than ever to combine your stay in one of our rental apartments in Barcelona with a day trip to Madrid or Zaragoza. Renfe’s own AVLO brand pioneered the low-cost segment on this very route back in 2020, and alongside Renfe’s regular AVE service, you’ll also find Ouigo and Iryo, with advance tickets sometimes starting from under € 20. How about it?
Do you have any questions related to the transport cards in Barcelona? If so, do not hesitate to contact us: we will be happy to guide you.
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