Barcelona Metro Guide

A ticket is required at all times while on the Barcelona Metro system.  If you do not have a valid ticket and are detected by ticket checkers, you’ll face either a €50 on the spot fine or a €100 fine if you pay later.

1) Fares

Single fare tickets are €2.20 and are the most expensive option.  Most locals opt to use a T10 card as described below.

2) T10 Card

Priced at €10.20, the T10 Card, good for 10 trips on the Barcelona Metro, is used by most locals as it is almost half the cost of a single ticket.

3) Day Passes

There are day passes for the Barcelona Metro available for one to five days priced from €8.60 to €35.  If you plan on making more than 7 trips per day on the metro then you should get these passes otherwise your best value in the T10 Card.

Tickets for the Barcelona Metro can be bought through machines at the entrances of all metro stations.  The machines offer both English and Spanish instructions.  T10 Cards can also be purchased through these machines or at the entrance to the RENFE train station at the airport.

1) At the station

You’ll find all signage, including the self service machines, is in both Spanish and English and the directional arrows to the different metro lines are all color coded so don’t worry about a language barrier. Validate your ticket or pass when you pass through the gate to the metro and hold on to your ticket until you have exited the metro as ticket inspectors may ask you to show proof of purchase.

2) Find your train

To find your train line just follow the colored directional arrows and signs.  As each line has trains going in two different directions, check the directional map on the wall to make sure you’re heading the right way.

3) Exiting the station

Once you’ve arrived at your final destination, find your desired exit and insert your ticket into the turnstile to leave the station.

Most trips will involve transferring from one line to another.  When you get off at your transfer station, follow the colored directional signage leading you to your next line.  Again, make sure you’re going in the right direction and off you go.