Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Barcelona El Prat Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Stepping inside the terminal from steamy heat into the freezer that was El Prat Airport gave me a helluva jolt. -Alex
BCN Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Barcelona El Prat Airport (Code: BCN).
What to Expect
Barcelona El Prat Airport has two terminals, both of which are fairly utilitarian. Terminal 1 is new, modern and easy to navigate. It handles most flights, including those going to European and International destinations. Terminal 2 has three sections, 2A, 2B, and 2C serving low-cost carriers. You can move between the terminals by shuttle bus. A trip takes from 10 to 15 minutes, and shuttles operate 24/7.
A variety of restaurants are located throughout the airport, several of which are open 24 hours. Some travellers report exceptionally high prices, making a case for bringing food in from outside. The airport offers free, unlimited WiFi. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges that economy-class passengers can pay to access. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Barcelona Airport
BCN Airport is fairly popular with airport sleepers; however, that is not because it is especially comfortable or convenient. The airport doesn’t have much in the way of frills or comforts. Most chairs have armrests, and the floors are tiled and cold. However, you may find some couches or cushioned benches if you arrive early. Staff tolerate overnighters, but some sleepers report being woken up to have their documents checked.
Regarding where specifically to sleep, Terminal 1 on the upper level is generally quieter with fewer overhead lights, and Gate U in Terminal 2 has armrest-free chairs and a 24-hour restaurant. However, given how many people stay overnight here, securing one of the better spots can be difficult. Be sure to bring a blanket, eye mask, noise-cancelling headphones, or earplugs. Explore our guide to sleeping in Barcelona el Prat Airport or read traveller reviews for more tips. And if none of this sounds like an experience you wish to have (and you don’t mind paying for comfort and privacy), there are private rooms in Terminal 1 and other hotels nearby that offer shuttles. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.
Good to Know
During Barcelona’s high season, the check-in and security lines can be very slow. Plan to spend at least 3 – 4 hours at the airport during this time.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Barcelona El Prat Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Premium VIP Lounge – Day beds and bedrooms are available. Location: Terminal 1, Landside, near the Air Shuttle/Air Bridge Barcelona-Madrid. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass.
- Sala VIP Colomer – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Barcelona – Madrid Shuttle Area. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Sala Pau Casals – Location: Terminal 1, Level 2, Airside. Schengen and Domestic flights only. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
- Sala Joan Miro – Location: Terminal 1, Level 2, Airside, towards Gates D. Non-Schengen flights only. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Sala CIP Canudas – Location: Terminal 2, Level 1, Airside, B Gates, opposite Gates 30-39. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass.
- Business Centre – Several meeting rooms and working stations can be found on both terminals. Some of these include the Catalonia Meeting Room, located in Terminal 2, Floor 1, the Cargo Parc Meeting Rooms, located in the Air Cargo Centre, and several other working stations found all over Terminal 1 and 2.
Related Pages: Barcelona El Prat Airport Lounges
Barcelona Airport Hotels & Day Rooms
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
- Sleep Cabins or Pods: Yes
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there is good news for those of you who are looking to sleep at Barcelona Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you will need to pass immigration/security as there is no transit hotel. A small hotel, located in the public area of the terminal, offers rooms that can booked on a short-term or overnight basis. Several nearby hotels provide free airport shuttles.
Hotel inside Barcelona Airport
Sleep & Fly Barcelona – There are 9 rooms and 1 suite available located inside Terminal 1 on the 1st floor. Rooms come equipped with a double bed, private bathroom, flat screen TV, telephone, robe and slippers, and additional amenities and services. Rooms can be booked for day use (3-6 hours) between the hours of 10:00AM – 6:00 PM or overnight. Showers are available for 20€. Location: Terminal 1, landside area at the Business Centre, next to the Barcelona-Madrid corridor. » Check Rates
Hotels near the airport
- TRYP Barcelona Aeropuerto – This is the closest hotel to the airport. A free airport shuttle bus is available 24/7. » Check Rates
- BAH Barcelona Airport Hotel – A free airport shuttle is available 24/7. » Check Rates
- Salles Hotel Ciutat del Prat – Free airport shuttle is available 4:30 AM – 11:45 PM (Mon – Fri) and 4:30 AM – 1:30AM. » Check Rates
- Best Western Hotel Alfa Aeropuerto – Free airport shuttle is available 5:00AM to 10:30AM and 6:15PM to 12:30AM. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Barcelona Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Unlimited free basic WiFi is available at Barcelona El Prat Airport. Connect to the “AIRPORT FREE WIFI AENA” network.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Communications
- Post Office – Do you have postcards to send to your friends and family? Post boxes are available in both terminals. Locations: T1, Floor 3 • T2B, Floor 0.
- SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
- WiFi – see “Airport WiFi/Internet” above.
Family Services
- Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to a children’s play area. Locations: Terminal 1, Level 3 and 1 (P3 and P1) • Terminal 2, Level 0 and 1.
- Nursing Rooms – Nursing mothers looking for comfort and privacy can use dedicated nursing rooms. Locations: Terminal 1, Floor 3, Boarding Area D • Terminal 1, Floor 3, Boarding Area E • Floor 1, Sky Centre.
- Security Lanes for Families – If you are travelling with children, you can take advantage of the security lanes that have been designated for families. Locations: Terminal 1, Floor 3, South • Terminal 1, Floor 3, North • Terminal 2, Floor 1.
- Strollers – Make getting around the airport with your child much easier, thanks to the airport’s luggage trolleys which are equipped with child seats. Locations: T1, boarding areas A, B, C • T2, boarding areas R, S, U, W.
Food & Drinks
- Drinking Water – Thirsty? Drinking fountains are available landside and airside in both terminals.
- Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours:
- Terminal 1: Burger King (Level 1, Departures, SkyCentre) • Dehesa Santamaría (Level 1, Departures, SkyCentre) • Enrique Tomás Experience (Level 1, Departures, SkyCentre) • EAT (Level 1, Departures, SkyCentre) • Go Natural (Level 1, Departures, SkyCentre).
- Terminal 2, Landside: Burger King (Floor 1, Departures, Airside) • EAT (Level 0, Arrivals, Landside) • Food Market (Level 1, Departures) • Slam (Level 1, Departures).
Information
- Information Desks – Have any questions? Information counters are located throughout the airport terminals.
Luggage
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – Information not available.
- Luggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your bags? Regular baggage carts are available free of charge in the parking lots, check-in, arrivals and departures areas. For the luggage trolleys equipped with Maxi-Cosi child seats, visit the Information Desk. They are available in the boarding, check-in, and baggage reclaim areas.
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having your bags wrapped in plastic. SecureBag luggage wrapping services are available in T1, landside, Check-In Hall, 3rd Floor • T2B, landside, Check-In Hall, Ground Floor. Rates and hours unknown.
Medical Services
- Pharmacy – Farmacia Locations: T1, landside, Departures 3rd Floor. Hours: 7:00AM – 8:30PM • T2, landside, Departures Ground Floor. Hours: 8:30AM – 8:00PM (Sun – Fri) 8:30AM – 15:00 (Sat).
Mobile Charging
- Mobile Phone Charging – Several charging stations are located throughout both terminals.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside areas of Terminals 1 and 2.
- Banking Services – CaixaBank offers full-service banking and currency exchange in the airport. Locations: T1, 1st Floor in La Plaza (Hours: 7:30AM – 10:00PM daily, year-round) • T2B, Arrivals Hall, Ground Floor (Hours: 7:30AM – 2:30PM daily, year-round).
- Currency Exchange – Global Exchange Locations: T1, landside, Check-In Hall, 3rd Floor • T1, airside, 3rd Floor, Boarding Area D (non-Schengen) • T1, airside, 1st Floor, Sky Center (Schengen) • T1, landside, 1st Floor, Baggage Claim Hall • T2A, landside, Floor 0, Arrivals Hall • T2B, landside, Ground Floor, Baggage Claim Hall • T2C, landside, Ground Floor, Forecourt • T2, airside, 1st Floor, Boarding Areas U-W.
Prayer
- Chapel & Prayer Room – A Christian chapel and an interfaith chapel are available at the airport. Location: T1, landside, La Plaza, 1st Floor (both chapels are next to each other). Hours: 6:00AM – 10:30PM.
Rest & Relaxation
- Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
- Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
- Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Security
- Police & Security– Available 24 hours per day. A police station can be found in Terminal 1, Floor 3, Check-in Hall. The airport also features two civil guard offices. Locations: T1, Floor 3, Check-in hall • Terminal 2A, Floor 0, Arrivals Hall. Mossos d’Esquadra, the police forces of Catalonia, can be found on T1, Floor 3, Check-in Hall and T2B, Floor 0, Check-in Hall.
Shopping
- Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available in the boarding areas of Terminals 1 and 2. A wide variety of retail shops are available throughout the airport. Locations: T1, Floor 1, Departures, Boarding Areas A, D, Sky Centre • T2, Departures, Boarding Areas U, W, R.
- VAT Refund – All foreigners or Spanish citizens not residing in Spain or in a European Union country who are travelling to a third country are entitled to a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund on their purchases in Spain. To do this, after stamping Tax Free cheques at Customs, passengers must go to one of the banks where they can receive their VAT refund. There are a few Guardia Civil locations: Terminal 1, floor 3, Ticketing Level • Terminal 2B, Floor 0, Arrivals Level. Hours: open 24 hours.
Showers, Salon & Spa
- Hairdresser – Temporarily Closed – Hairdressing and hair removal are services available in certain Aqua Spa locations. Locations: Locations: T1, airside, Departures 1st Floor • T1, airside, 2nd Floor, west side • T2, airside, 1st Floor.
- Showers – Showers are available in the Air Rooms [ see Airport Hotels above ]. Location: Terminal 1, landside, 1st Floor. Rate: €20 for a 30-minute shower, including a toiletries kit. Breakfast is available for €6, and WiFi is also available for a fee. Showers are also available in a few of the lounges. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
- Spa & Salon Services – At one point there was a spa service available at the Aqua Salon Spa. We were unable to confirm this at the time of our August 2023 update. If you know whether they are still there, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hours
BCN airport is open 24 hours.
A reader tells us that Terminal 2C is closed 1 hour after the last arriving flight from Easyjet (as it’s an exclusive Easyjet terminal) and opens every day at 4:00 AM. (January 2020)
Layover Sightseeing
Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by getting out of the airport to do some sightseeing? Check out our Barcelona Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in Barcelona on Tripadvisor.
Airlines
Barcelona El Prat Airport is served by the following airlines:
Terminal 1: Aegean Airlines • Air Algérie• Air Canada • Air China • Air Europa • Air France • Air Nostrum • American Airlines • Arkia Israeli Airlines • Asiana Airlines • Austrian Airlines • Avianca • BA Cityflyer • British Airways • Brussels Airlines • Croatia Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Egyptair • El Al Israel Airlines • Emirates • Etihad Airways • Finnair • Iberia • Israir • ITA Airways • KLM • Korean Air • LATAM • LEVEL • LOT • Lufthansa • Qatar Airways • Royal Air Maroc • Royal Jordanian • Saudia • Scandinavia • Singapore Airlines • Swiss • TAP Portugal • Tunisair • Turkish Airlines • United Airlines • Vueling.
Terminal 2: Aer Lingus • Air Arabia Maroc • Air Baltic • Air Cairo • Air Horizont • Air Senegal • Air Serbia • Air Transat • Avion Express • Azerbaijan Airlines • Blue Bird Airways • Bulgaria Air • EasyJet • Eurowings • Fly Egypt • Fly One • Fly Play • Ibero Jet • IcelandAir • Jet2 • Luxair • Nesma Airlines • Norwegian • Pegasus Airlines • Ryanair • Sata • Trade Air • Volotea • WestJet Airlines • Wizz Air.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Car Rentals
The following car rental companies have offices onsite in both Terminals: Avis • Enterprise • Europcar • Goldcar/InterRent • Hertz/Thrifty • Sixt • Record Go. Terminal 2 also has a Firefly office.
Bus
Bus transportation connects travellers from terminals 1 and 2 to the centre of Barcelona and other strategic stops along the way. A trip to the centre will take you about 35 minutes. Buses operate 24/7. For more details visit the Aerobus web site.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western Alfa Aeropuerto • FrontAir Congress • Salles Hotel Ciutat del Prat.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Metro
L9 Sud metro line connects BCN airport (with stops at both terminals) to Zona Universitària, stopping at Fira, Parc Logístic and Mercabarna.
Ride Sharing
Uber is available throughout Spain. A ride to the city centre will cost you from €25 to €30.
Train
A commuter train is also available that services areas between the airport, Barcelona and various parts of Catalonia, such as El Prat de Llobregat, Granollers. The estimated travel time is 27 minutes to Passeig de Gràcia, with El Prat de Llobregat only 6 minutes away. The North Line R2 departs every 30 minutes.
Taxi
Taxi service is available opposite terminal T1, Barcelona-Madrid Corridor, and terminals T2 A and T2 B arrivals areas. Reservations are not required.
Photo Gallery
To share your photos of Barcelona Airport, write a review or click here to send us a update:
Last updated: 2023-09-04
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
