Which Airport to Fly to When Visiting Barcelona?

By Michael Ferguson

Barcelona is a top tourist destination in Europe, with millions of visitors every year. The city’s vibrant culture, delicious food, and beautiful architecture attract people from all over the world.

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, you’ll need to decide which airport to fly into. There are two main airports servicing Barcelona: El Prat and Girona-Costa Brava. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each airport to help you make an informed decision.

El Prat Airport

El Prat is the main airport serving Barcelona and is located just 14 km southwest of the city center. It’s one of the busiest airports in Spain, with over 50 million passengers passing through each year. Here are some reasons why you might want to choose El Prat:

  • Proximity to City Center: El Prat is much closer to the city center than Girona-Costa Brava, making it a convenient choice if you want to get to your hotel quickly.
  • More Flights: As the main airport in Barcelona, El Prat has more flights and airlines operating there than Girona-Costa Brava.
  • Public Transportation: There are several options for getting from El Prat to the city center via public transport, including trains, buses, and metro lines.

The Cons of El Prat

Of course, there are also some downsides to flying into El Prat:

  • Crowds: As one of the busiest airports in Europe, El Prat can be very crowded and chaotic at peak times.
  • Traffic: The roads around El Prat can also be busy, so if you’re taking a taxi or shuttle bus to your hotel, you may experience some delays.

Girona-Costa Brava Airport

Girona-Costa Brava is a smaller airport located about 100 km north of Barcelona. It’s a popular choice for budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air. Here are some reasons why you might want to choose Girona-Costa Brava:

  • Cheaper Flights: As a smaller airport, Girona-Costa Brava often has cheaper flights than El Prat.
  • Less Crowded: Girona-Costa Brava is much quieter than El Prat, so you may have an easier time navigating the airport and getting through security.

The Cons of Girona-Costa Brava

However, there are also some drawbacks to flying into Girona-Costa Brava:

  • Distance from City Center: The biggest drawback of flying into this airport is the distance from the city center. You’ll need to take a shuttle bus or train to get to Barcelona, which can take up to two hours depending on traffic.
  • Limited Public Transport: Unlike El Prat, there are fewer options for getting from Girona-Costa Brava to the city center via public transport.

Conclusion

So which airport should you choose when visiting Barcelona? Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.

If convenience and proximity to the city center are most important to you, then El Prat is probably your best bet. However, if you’re looking for cheaper flights and don’t mind spending a bit more time traveling to the city, then Girona-Costa Brava may be a better choice. Whatever you decide, we hope this article has helped you make an informed decision and enjoy your trip to Barcelona!