The Costa Brava stretches for more than 153km (95mi) along the northeast coast of Spain, from the town of Blanes, 60km (37mi) northeast of Barcelona, to Cadaques near the French border.
The Costa Brava is easily explored by road from Barcelona, Girona and from the French border. Local buses offer a frequent and efficient service along the coast.
The most convenient route to the Costa Brava is by air to Barcelona–El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN), previously known as Barcelona-El Prat and also El Prat Airport, located 12km (7.5mi) southwest of the centre of Barcelona.
From the airport, it's easy to either hire a car or take a train or shuttle bus to any of the towns located on the Costa Brava, including Blanes, Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar and Cadaques.
By bus, from Barcelona to Tossa de Mar takes 1 hour 20 minutes, with an hourly service.
Alternatively, you may prefer to fly into Girona–Costa Brava Airport (GRO) located 12.5km (7.8mi) southwest of Girona. The airport is well connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees, but typically receives much of it's traffic during the summer season from budget carriers and charter flights.
By train, the high-speed Tren de Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) runs between Madrid and Barcelona, with 17 trains daily in each direction – non-stop trains take just 2 hours, 40 minutes.
The following are the most convenient and quickest routes to Barcelona–El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN).
Within Spain: Iberia, Vueling Airlines and Air Europa offer convenient daily direct flights from Madrid to Barcelona.
Madrid to Barcelona is 1 hr 15 min, direct flight
From United Kingdom: British Airways, Vueling Airlines, Ryanair and easyJet offer the most convenient daily direct flights to Barcelona.
London to Barcelona is 2 hrs 5 min, direct flight
Manchester to Barcelona is 2 hrs 20 min, direct flight
From Ireland: Aer Lingus and Ryanair offer the most convenient flights to Barcelona.
Dublin to Barcelona is 2 hrs 30 min, direct flight
From France: Vueling Airlines, Air France and EasyJet offers the most convenient direct flights to Barcelona.
Paris to Barcelona is 1 hr 40 min, direct flight
From Germany: Vueling Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa and Ryanair offer the most convenient flights to Barcelona.
Berlin to Barcelona is 2 hrs 35 min, direct flight
Dusseldorf to Barcelona is 2 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Frankfurt to Barcelona is 2 hrs, direct flight
Hamburg to Barcelona is 2 hrs 30 min, direct flight
Munich to Barcelona is 2 hrs 55 min, direct flight
From United States: Iberia, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines offer the most convenient daily flights to Barcelona.
Atlanta to Barcelona is 9 hrs 11 min, direct flight
Boston to Barcelona is 7 hrs 20 min, direct flight
Chicago to Barcelona is 8 hrs 20 min, direct flight
New York to Barcelona is 7 hrs 45 min, direct flight
Los Angeles to Barcelona is 10 hrs 55 min, direct flight
San Francisco to Barcelona is 11 hrs 25 min, direct flight
Dallas-Fort Worth to Barcelona is 11 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
From Canada: Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet and British Airways offer the most convenient daily flights to Barcelona.
Toronto to Barcelona is 7 hrs 45 min, direct flight
Montreal to Barcelona is 7 hrs 15 min, direct flight
Vancouver to Barcelona is 12 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
From Australia: Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Barcelona.
Adelaide to Barcelona is 23 hrs 5 min, connecting flightˆ
Brisbane to Barcelona is 22 hrs 35 min, connecting flightˆ
Sydney to Barcelona is 22 hrs 55 min, connecting flightˆ
Melbourne to Barcelona is 22 hrs 10 min, connecting flightˆ
Perth to Barcelona is 19 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
From New Zealand: Qatar Airways and Sky Express offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Barcelona.
Auckland to Barcelona is 26 hrs 45 min, connecting flightˆ
From Singapore: Singapore Airlines and Emirates offer the most convenient scheduled flights to Barcelona.
Singapore to Barcelona is 13 hrs 50 min, connecting flightˆ
(ˆincludes transfer time.)
Barcelona–El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport (BCN) is located 12km (7.5mi) southwest of Barcelona centre.
A pedestrian walkway links the A, B and C concourses of Terminal 2. A free shuttle bus operates between Terminals 1 and 2, running every four minutes at peak times.
Taxi: Taxi ranks (tel: +34 932 235 151) are located in front of the terminals. Journey time to Barcelona city centre is approximately 25-35 minutes and fares start at around €20.
Bus: The Aerobús (tel: +34 902 100 104; www.aerobusbcn.com) service to Plaça de Catalunya departs from the front of Terminal 1, taking about 35 minutes with a fare of €5.90. Tickets are purchased on board.
Local AMB (tel: +34 902 075 027; www.tmb.cat) buses 46, L77 and N17 depart from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (concourse B and C), and terminate at various central Barcelona destinations, taking about 45 minutes, with a fare of €5.90).
There is also a night bus operating at 20-minute intervals from 10:00pm to 5:00am.
A shuttle bus service runs from the airport to all Costa Brava towns.
Rail: The RENFE (tel: +34 902 320 320; www.renfe.com) R2 suburban train links Barcelona Airport with the city centre, Estació de Franςa and intermediate stops, taking about 30-45 minutes, with a fare of €3.80.
The airport railway station is linked to Terminal 2 by a walkway. Free shuttle buses run from Terminal 1 to this station.
Metro: The Metro line L9 (www.tmb.cat) has stations in both terminals, and links the airport with a number of stops in Barcelona, along with connections to other lines and the main Barcelona rail station. A single one-way 'airport ticket' costs €4.50.
Car hire companies at Barcelona Airport include Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. Car hire desks are located in both terminals.
Money: Bank branches can be found in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2's B concourse. ATMs and currency exchange services are available throughout Barcelona Airport.
Food: A large choice of restaurants, cafés and bars are located in the departure and arrival areas of both terminals. Options range from fast-food outlets to sit-down restaurants and tapas bars.
Shopping: A selection of shops found in both terminals include bookshops, newsagents, fashion outlets and retailers selling branded Barcelona Football Club goods. Duty-free shopping (for passengers leaving the EU) is also available in both terminals.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Barcelona Airport. There is a mailbox on the ground floor of Terminal 2's B concourse and on floor 3 of Terminal 1, and mobile phone chargers can be hired.
Other: Other facilities at Barcelona Airport include a pharmacy, 24-hour medical service, a chapel, tour operators, travel agents, a spa and children's play areas.
VIP lounges are located post-security in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Barcelona Airport has lifts, ramps, escalators, lowered telephones and dedicated disabled toilets.
Reserved parking spaces are available for disabled travellers in the airport car parks. There is a free assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility, which passengers can book up to 48 hours in advance.
Any passengers who may require additional assistance are advised to contact their airline before travelling.
A passport valid for at least six months beyond intended period of stay, a return/onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.
The best way to explore the Costa Brava is by hiring a car or catching a bus from town to town.
Latest update: How to get to Costa Brava: 14 January, 2023
Advertising