Quick answer: Both terminals at El Prat have an official taxi rank directly outside arrivals, no booking needed, just follow the taxi signs and queue. T1’s rank is a short walk from the arrivals hall; T2’s is similarly close but the terminal itself sits about 10 minutes from T1 by shuttle, so make sure any pickup booking has the right terminal.
Terminal 1 Taxi Rank
Follow the taxi signs out of the T1 arrivals hall — the rank is a short, well-marked walk, staffed continuously with taxis queuing to pick up.
Terminal 2 Taxi Rank
T2 is split into sub-areas 2A, 2B, and 2C, but there is one main taxi rank outside arrivals serving all of them — signage directs you there regardless of which gate you land at.
What to Expect at the Rank
Ranks operate on a queue system — take the next available official taxi rather than picking one. Only get in a cab with the roof sign and a visible meter; unlicensed drivers sometimes approach arriving passengers before they reach the rank itself, and those should be avoided entirely.
FAQ
Yes, ranks are staffed and taxis queue continuously — waits are rarely more than a few minutes outside unusual demand spikes.
No, the rank system means you can walk up and queue — booking ahead only matters if you want a fixed price or a specific vehicle size.
Do not go with them — unlicensed drivers sometimes approach arriving passengers directly. Only use taxis at the official rank with a roof sign and visible meter.