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Girona to BCN airport

Posted by (California, USA) on

Hello! It's my first post, but I've been lurking for a while. There's so much great information here!

I have a trip planned with my family (me, husband, kids ages 6 and 9, plus my mom) for June. We're going to London (7 nights), Barcelona (6 nights), a Med cruise (7 nights), then a bit unexpectedly another 4 nights due to flight schedules. I decided to add Girona those 4 nights and do day trips to Besalu/Castellfollit de la Roca and Tossa de Mar. I have a rental car reserved (picking up at Centre de la Vila - somewhat close to the cruise port but still need a taxi, and drop off at BCN airport). I priced out taking the train to Girona and renting a car there for 2 days, but with 5 people it'll be cheaper to rent a car and drive there.

Our flight back to the U.S. is at 11:30 am on a Tuesday. I'm thinking we'll leave Girona at 6:30 am. Is the traffic usually okay along that route? Looks like there's 2 routes we could take, if there's a major problem on one, maybe we could switch to the other? I've thought about staying the last night in Barcelona, but it just seems easier to drop off the rental car and be at the airport. With 2 kids in tow, easy is nice! But if it's too risky, I'll reevaluate. Thanks!

Posted by
28085 posts

I have never driven in Europe and don't know anything about the route from Girona to El Prat, but I don't think you're allowing enough time. Unless you get different information from your airline, you should be standing in the check-in line at 8:30 AM. I spent almost one hour standing in the United line in August 2016 and would probably have missed the flight if I hadn't been at the airport three hours ahead of time.

I wouldn't count on making the drive from Girona, getting the car returned to the agency, and getting yourselves and your luggage to the right terminal in two hours. As a believer in Murphy's Law, I wouldn't consider three hours sufficient, give the cost of five last-minute one-way tickets back home.

I love Girona, but I'd want to spend the last night closer to the departure airport. If you don't want to return to Barcelona, perhaps you can consider Sitges if you can find a nice place to stay with parking. It's less than 20 miles from the airport, vs. about 70 for Girona.

I'm nervous about the situation at the car-rental counter, though. Folks have said it often takes longer to pick up and return cars in Europe than it does in the US.

Posted by
43 posts

Thank you! Your suggestion of Sitges led me to look along the ocean but closer to Barcelona. Found an apartment in Castelldefels with free parking about 10-15 minutes to the airport. Now trying to figure out if I can do everything I wanted in and around Girona if we leave earlier to spend our last vacation afternoon on the beach in Castelldefels.

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