Quick answer: the fastest door-to-door option is a taxi or private transfer (25–35 minutes, €35–45). The cheapest options are the RENFE train (25 minutes to Sants, a few euros) or bus 46 (€4.60), and the Aerobus express bus (about 35 minutes, €7.75) sits in between. Taxis and transfers are the only options that go door to door — everything else drops you at a station you still need to get from.
The Options at a Glance
| Method | Time | Cost | Door to door? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 25–35 min | €35–45 | Yes |
| Private transfer | 25–35 min | Fixed price, agreed upfront | Yes |
| Aerobus | ~35 min | €7.75 single / €13.30 return | No — drops at Pl. Espanya or Pl. Catalunya |
| RENFE train | 25 min to Sants | A few euros | No — needs a second leg |
| Bus 46 | 30–35 min | €4.60 | No — drops at Pl. Espanya |
| Metro L9 Sud | Varies, transfer required | Standard metro fare | No — does not reach the center directly |
Why Most Travelers Choose a Taxi or Transfer
With luggage, a group, or a late flight, door-to-door service is usually decisive — every other option means dragging bags through at least one station change. The airport supplement (€4.60) is added automatically to any taxi starting or ending at El Prat, and a pre-booked transfer folds that into one fixed number agreed before you land.
When the Train or Aerobus Makes More Sense
If you are traveling light, not in a hurry, and want the cheapest option, the RENFE train or Aerobus both work well — the train is faster and cheaper, the Aerobus is more central and simpler for first-time visitors.
FAQ
The train is faster to Barcelona Sants (25 minutes versus about 35), but the Aerobus drops you more centrally at Plaça Catalunya without needing a second connection.
Yes, line L9 Sud connects both terminals to the metro network, but it does not reach the city center directly and usually needs a transfer — better for residents than first-time visitors with luggage.
A taxi or pre-booked transfer — both go door to door in 25–35 minutes, with no station transfer in between.