Passeig de Gracia, ariel view
[Note: Prices given are only estimates. Inflationary increases are to be expected.]
The airport name is El Prat de Llobregat (tel 478 50 00), 12 km southwest of Barcelona You will need Euros for transport to town and for your initial expenses. While the banks at the airport do not usually give the best rates, they have a monopoly, and you will probably need $100-$200 for your initial expenses. See Barcelona Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) on changing money.
There are three ways to reach Barcelona from the airport during the day. Aerobus is the cheapest; during the rush hour, RENFE train is the fastest; and a taxi is the most convenient, especially if you have heavy luggage. If you are going to the program office at the University of Barcelona, the closest in-town destination is the Estacio Central-Sants; the Placa d'Espanya is several blocks further away, while the Placa de Catalunya, while considered the transportation center of Barcelona, and being the location of the Tourist Office, is several miles further east. All three spots are on the same GREEN (L3) metro line to the University, and a taxi should be easy to hail at each place, but more expensive from the Placa de Catalunya. If planning to go by metro, please be aware that at some stations, there are more than 60 steps up and down, and neither escalators nor elevators are common.
AEROBUS
The Aerobus leaves the airport, then stops in the city at Placa d'Espanya, Gran Via, Placa Universitat, Placa de Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia. Placa de Catalunya is the transportation center of Barcelona. The bus requires about half an hour to reach the Placa de Catalunya, longer in the rush hour.
To get the bus at the airport, walk outside and look for a bus stop with a small blue & white sign. Pay the driver in Euros. The cost is about $5.25. The driver has change, but if you give him a bill, try to make it the smallest denomination possible. From the airport , the bus runs every 15 minutes Monday through Friday 6am to 11pm, and every 30 minutes Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 6:30am to 10:50pm. [For your return to the airport, the bus leaves Placa de Catalunya every 15 minutes Monday through Friday 5:30am to 10:05pm, every half hour Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 6am to 10:20pm.]
RENFE Trains
RENFE Trains leave the airport, then stop in the city at the Estacio Central-Sants, then Placa de Cataluyna. The train takes 20 minutes to arrive at the Placa de Catalunya.
To get the train at the airport, look for a causeway jutting out perpendicular to the airport building. The train station is at the end of that causeway. The cost is about $6 one way. Trains leave every half hour 6am to 11pm.
At the Estacio Central-Sants, there may be self-service lockers where you can leave your luggage. There is a single fee for the first 24 hours. Put the luggage in, put in the money, and take the key and go.
TAXI
A taxi from the airport to the school is about $40, including airport tax and luggage surcharge. It would be more expensive to Placa de Catalunya or elsewhere in central Barcelona.
NIGHT BUS
There is a late night bus service on bus EN from the airport to Placa d'Espanya on the EN bus 9pm - 2:40am, and outbound to the airport 9:40pm to 3:15am. The Placa d'Espanya stop is at the corner of Av Reina Maria Cristina and Gran Via.
Rambles ariel view #1
Les
Barcelona Metro Map
The Univ of Barcelona, where classes will be held, is on the L3 Green Line. Look at this map under the words "Barcelona Vacation.com", then look down to the right and you will find the 2 closest metro stops to classes, Maria Cristina and then Palau Reial. The Faculty of Law offices are located between these 2 stops.
For more information on the metro and bus system, see Barcelona Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)