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Girona airport to beach area in Barcelona

Hello,
I made the unfortunate mistake of not realizing I booked tickets into the Girona airport when I searched for Barcelona airport. Oh well. Please tell me the best way to get to Barcelona for four people. Arriving on a Thursday around 15:00.

TIA!

Posted by
26840 posts

There are reasonably frequent fast trains running from the Girona station to Barcelona Sants. The running time is about 40 minutes. I don't think the Girona airport is heavily used--except by RyanAir, so it's possible you won't find a convenient bus departure into Girona. In that case, I'm sure taxis will be available and quite reasonable into Girona for a party of four (if you and your luggage fit into a single cab). It would be a long trip all the way to Barcelona; I have no idea how much that would cost.

I wouldn't be surprised to find there are buses from the airport to Barcelona, in which case you should easily find that information by Googling.

If you give us your exact destination in Barcelona, one of our Barcelona experts will be able to tell you how to get there from Sants station.

In case you are not aware, Girona itself is a fabulous, historic, destination with a medieval center and a walkable wall. Worth a full day, or longer if you like to wander.

Posted by
891 posts

Where in Barcelona do you actually want to go? From Girona Airport to Barcelona takes a little over an hour by either public transportation or car. Use Google maps from your home computer to plan your transportation. If you are getting there at 3:00 PM, plan on rush hour.

Posted by
891 posts

It will take you about an hour by taxi.

Posted by
4025 posts

Many airports include information on ground transport in their websites. Girona, for instance, says this about commuting from the airport to Barcelona:

https://www.girona-airport.net/girona-airport-to-barcelona.php

However, if your schedule allows, Girona itself is worth a full day visit, then go on by train to Barcelona. Picturesque, lots of restaurants, several important buildings to see.

Posted by
2927 posts

WARNING for those thinking they got a "cheap fare" to Barcelona with Ryanair by landing in Girona airport.... think twice!

Ryanair has a questionable policy (IMHO very unethical!) to name this airport as "Girona-Barcelona" in its advertising. However, note that:

  • (1) the official name of the airport is GIRONA-COSTA BRAVA, not Girona-Barcelona, an invention from Ryanair to mislead customers by the allure of the name Barcelona.
  • (2) it's in no way near Barcelona -96km away. Administratively speaking it's not even in the province of Barcelona, in fact, is in the province of Girona,
  • (3) there's no train station at Girona's airport, one has either a station at 4km from the airport (Riudellots de la Selva) where one can catch a regional train to Barcelona -slow!- or another station in Girona (city) located 13km away, where one can catch a fast train -just 40' to Barcelona. To get to any of both... taxi... or regular bus but frequency might not be that handy at times.
  • (4) Ryanair has a "site for transfers" (https://airporttransfers.ryanair.com/) which offers "convenient bus transfers"... go ahead, get a quote from Girona-Barcelona airport to the centre of Barcelona... (irony mode on) you'll be tickled pink (irony mode off).
  • (5) Fortunately, there's a private local company (https://www.sagalesairportline.com), arguably the market leader in bus transportation in Catalonia, which has a regular service FROM THE AIRPORT itself to Barcelona city, for a reasonable 16€ (june 2019), and with a decent frequency (every 30-60'). You can choose from three stops in Barcelona where is more convenient for you to get off. Note though, to me, the procedure for checking schedules at its website might be a tad confusing because when you choose your origin/destination, it shows a box saying "select an origin point" but it doesn't allow you to click on the name displayed... you need to click on the circle "next" to the name displayed.

So in all, those cheap airfares didn't result in being so cheap after all, huh? (not counting here the wasted time transferring to your final destination, of course). Shame on this company and its lout CEO. In short, yet another disgraceful attempt by this low-cost air carrier to "make a buck" by misleading customers.

Don't get me wrong, Girona airport is perfect for those visiting say, Costa Brava, the Pyrenees, and of course, Girona in itself, but for those whose final destination is Barcelona (city) might not be the best choice... if taking into account the "extra time" to get to Barcelona and the extra cost.

Posted by
2927 posts

... also, just for info, Southam above -well intendedly, no doubt- presented a link to a website purposing as "Girona airport"... but it's not the official site. The official site of the airport is http://www.aena.es/en/girona-costa-brava-airport/index.html which is run by AENA, the public Spanish government-owned company which operates the 46 airports in Spain.