Girona Airport - www.aena-aeropuertos.es, Budget airlines typically arrive at Girona Airport near the Costa Brava, some 87 km away from Barcelona city centre. Rental cars and taxis are available. The bus to Estació del Nord takes 70 minutes - departure times depend on incoming flights, but they usually run every 3 hours. Advance bookings are not essential. If you want to catch the train, you’ll need a taxi to Riudellots station 4km away.

There are two main stations for train travel within Barcelona – Barcelona Sants (the main transport hub) and Passeig de Gràcia (the most central). Both stations have shops and restaurants nearby and offer easy and quick connections to local trains and the metro. If you’re travelling to destinations outside of Barcelona, you’ll probably depart from Barcelona Sants - bookings can be made online in advance or purchased from a service desk.

Barcelona's relatively modest size and reliable Metro network make it an easy place to travel around. You can buy single, monthly or ten-journey tickets for the Metro. The ten-journey option costs around EUR 10 and can be used by several people, so you don't necessarily have to buy one each. These tickets can also be used on the bus. Stations are readily available and well-marked throughout the city.

Taxis are well marked and readily available throughout the city. Official taxis are black with yellow stripes. Simply go to a taxi stand or hail one from the street – taxis that are available will have a green light on top. If you have special requirements (for instance, facilities for wheelchairs, larger vehicles) it’s best to book in advance.

If you rent a car at El Prat Airport, getting to the city centre is simple. Follow the signs to Centre Ciutat on the C-31 highway. There are very few turns involved. If you’re looking for a rental, there are plenty of options available within the airport and most international chains (Hertz, Budget etc) are represented. On street parking can be difficult, but there are plenty of ‘Saba’ branded garages around the city.

Bus travel within the inner city is not recommended – the metro is extremely efficient and easier to understand for non-locals. If you do need to catch a bus, bus numbers are listed on the signs and stops are clearly marked throughout the city. Unfortunately, there are no maps displayed at the bus stops, so you may need to ask a local for help. Single journey tickets are available on board.

Barcelona’s relatively compact size and growing number of cycle lanes make it a great place to explore on two wheels. There are many bike rental places in the centre of town, such as Green Bikes in the Gothic Quarter and Bornbike in Born. Both of these operators offer cycle tours of the city that will take in some of the most popular sites.

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