Taxi to hotel in Barcelona from airport

This is a good guide to transport from the airport: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/airport/barcelona-airport-transport.html It says that taxi from the airport to downtown is around 25 to 30 euros, plus suppplements for luggage and airport pickup. We found the Aerobus to be very comfortable and convenient, and at only 6 euros each a great deal. You might consider taking that to Placa Catalunya and taxi (or walk) from there.

When we arrived at the Barcelona airport we talked to the man at the Tourist Information desk. He said a taxi would cost about 30 euros into Barcelona. We took a taxi , showed the taxi driver the piece of paper the TI guy had written down for us, and he mumbled something about it " it might be 32 euros". He then put the meter on. When we arrived the meter read 24 euros. .He charged us 30 euros. We were two people with two suitcases,, I felt a bit ripped off, but don't understand the system there.

The luggage charge and airport supplement are added at the end, on top of the meter drop fee. You were told it would be 30 euros and it was. Why would you feel ripped off? Taxi drivers have to make a living too.

Airport supplements for taxis are common in Spain (I don't know about other countries, as we almost never use taxis from the airpport, only from train stations). For example, the airport supplement at Malaga is 5,50 euros; at Barajas airport (Madrid) it is 5 euros. Barcelona cabs also have a supplement for service to and from Sants train station of a bit over 2 euros. It is a good idea to be aware of these things in advance. Maybe they are mentioned in Rick's Spain books?

Well Sasha, that was 6 extra euros, and considering we had only two small roll suitcases I do find a 3 euro charge per bag a bit much, but perhaps to you that is reasonable. I have never heard of an airport supplement.. what is that charge Sasha?

Well Pat, it wasn't 3 euros per bag. The airport supplement, which is indicated on the window sticker, is 3,10 euros. Luggage fee is 1 euro per bag. Extra charges apply after hours and on holidays. You can see all the details on the Barcelona taxi site: http://www.taxibarcelona.cat/Portals/0/pdfs/Adhesiu%20TARIFES%202012%20ok.pdf The estimate you got from the information kiosk included the supplement charges and was correct. I repeat, you were not "ripped off." My guess is that you did not tip the driver because of your misunderstanding the charges. so maybe it was the driver who was "ripped off." If you wanted the cheapest way you should have taken the Aerobus. Taxis always cost more than the public transportation.

Well actually we did tip him, we always do usually 5% as we consider that normal for taxi drivers, but glad to see you assume people are cheap in poor countries, cause we all know Americans are the only decent tippers in the world, right? I understand you are saying that the extra airport charge is normal in Spain, i was unfamiliar with that, they don't do that in most places I have travelled to, including my own country, but hey, what ever . They apparently charge more to drive you from the airport to town,, even though in fact those fares are more desirable then the 5-10 euro fares around town.
Now that I know there is an extra 3 euro charge to be taken from the airport, well, know I know.

pat, I did not "assume people are cheap in poor countries" (since when is Canada a poor country---you are better off than we are in the US). I figured you might not have tipped him because you felt "ripped off" to the tune of 6 euros. Most people do not tip when they feel they have been cheated or given poor service. It is your use of the term "ripped off" that I find objectionable, it was your mistake that you did not know about the supplements and you assumed ---and yes this time I mean assumed---that he was "ripping you off" instead of applying a legitimate fare. That attitude is demeaning to the Barcelona taxi triver, IMHO.

First,, I did admit I didn't know the system so of course we didn't argue or anything, now I know.
Second I wrote poorly, I meant I would never cheap out when dealing with people in poorer countries, Spain is hurting, and I wouldn't want to add to that by treating someone in a service job( likely low paying) by not tipping them if a tip would normally be given.