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To locate stations from the street level, look for signs with a blue letter "M" inside a squat red diamonds. Ticket windows and automatic vending machines sell Metro passes. Once you pass through the turnstiles, keep your ticket with you, as inspectors may ask to see it. Traveling without a ticket carries a €40 fine. A single ride costs €1.25.
Several passes, "los abonos," are a good idea for anyone planning to use public transportation often. All passes work interchangeably for the Metro, bus, urban lines of the FGC commuter trains and the Nitbus. The T-10 pass is valid for 10 rides and can be used by multiple people. At €6.90, it's a savings of nearly 50% off the regular price of 10 full-cost rides. The T-Dia pass is €5.25 and is good for a full day of unlimited travel. The 3 Dies at €13.70 gets customers 3 days of unlimited travel and the 5 Dies at €20.80 does the same for 5 days. The T-Mes for one month and the T-Trisemestre for 90 days are €44.35 and €122, respectively.
Most trains run Monday-Thursday from 5 a.m. until midnight, Friday and Saturday all night long, and Sunday and holidays, from 6 a.m. until midnight.
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya, FGC, are the commuter trains with service to Monserrat. Blue symbols made of two interlocking 'V's indicate connections with the Metro. It costs €1.25 per ride until the Tibidabo stop. After Tibidabo, the rates go up by zone. Zone 2 destinations cost €1.85 to reach and getting to zone 3 spots will set you back €2.60. Metro passes are valid on the trains. For more information visit the Ferrocarril website.
The Barcelona Bus System
The bus system in the city is made up of more than 80 lines. Passes for the Metro and the FGC also work for buses. You can easily find stops by locating red signs with brown benches under a small roof. Try to get a ticket before you get on the bus, avoiding confusion with bus drivers or the possibility that they cannot make change.
Upon entering the bus, you will see two machines. If you have a Metro pass, insert your ticket into it, printed side up, with the arrow pointing down. The machine will stamp your ticket. Most major lines are wheelchair accessible. At least some, though not all, buses on the line have wheelchair lifts. Buses keep the same hours and charge the same fee as the Metro (see above).
When main bus lines stop running, the Nitbus takes over. Running on 16 lines, 12 of which stop at Plaça Catalunya, the Nitbus runs from 10:30 p.m. until 4:30 a.m., every 30 minutes. Metro passes are valid on all Nitbuses. You can also buy a single ride or 10 rides right on the bus. Nitbuses stop in front of many popular nightclubs and most work their way through the Ciutat Vella and Zona Alta. Some go to the airport. Metro maps, which also mark Nitbus routes, are available at Metro stations and tobacco shops ("los estancos").
Taxis in Barcelona
Taxis zip their way all over Barcelona. On weekend nights, however, you might have to wait up to 30 minutes to grab one. Passengers waiting for taxis form lines at popular spots. The "lliure" or "libre" sign in the windshield or a lit green light on the roof of the car signals a vacant car, while yellow means it's occupied. Taxis prices are set in Barcelona. The price for a taxi during the day (6 a.m. until 10 p.m.) is €1.15 plus €.69 per km. After 10 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the cost is €1.30 plus €.88 per km. More info can be found at the taxi commission's Web site. Information for disabled travelers is available. Call 93 420 80 88 for more information.
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