Landing at Barcelona Airport at Night: Getting to the City After Midnight
The Aerobús runs 24/7, the metro shuts around midnight, and two Nitbus lines cover the gap — what really works after a late landing at BCN.
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) receives long-haul and red-eye flights that land well after midnight — arrivals from the Americas, the Gulf, or delayed European flights are common in the small hours. If your flight lands after the last regular metro, you have three realistic options to reach the city: the 24-hour Aerobús, the Nitbus night bus network, or a private transfer. Here is exactly what runs, and when.
The metro closes earlier than most visitors expect
The L9 Sud line connects both terminals to the city, but it does not run all night most days. Monday to Thursday and Sunday it runs from around 05:00 to midnight; on Friday it extends to roughly 02:00; only on Saturday night does it run continuously through to Sunday morning. Land at 1am on a Tuesday and the metro is simply not an option.
Aerobús: the only 24-hour bus
The Aerobús runs around the clock, every day of the year, connecting both terminals (A1 from T1, A2 from T2) to Plaça Catalunya in the centre. Frequency drops overnight but does not stop: roughly every 5-10 minutes during the day, every 10 minutes from around 21:55 to 00:35, then every 20 minutes through to 05:00. It is a reliable fallback at any hour — the trade-off is the same as during the day: everyone gets off at the same square, whatever their actual address.
Nitbus: two night bus lines fill the gap
- N17 runs to Terminal 1 only, from Plaça de Catalunya (Ronda Universitat), roughly between 22:50 and 05:00, every 20 minutes (every 10 in summer), taking around 50-55 minutes each way.
- N18 covers both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, running roughly 00:15-04:40 from the same city-centre stop, every 15 minutes, in around 30 minutes.
- Both cost a standard single fare (a few euros) and, like the metro, drop you at a stop in the centre — not at your accommodation.
Taxi: available 24/7, at the night fare
Barcelona’s official taxis queue at both terminals around the clock. Airport trips overnight (roughly 20:00 to 08:00) apply the higher of the two metered tariffs, so a night fare typically runs above the same daytime trip. There is no flight tracking, so if your flight lands late, it simply means a longer wait in the queue rather than a missed pickup.
Private transfer: the same fixed price, day or night
A private transfer is booked and priced in advance, whatever time your flight lands — no night-tariff surcharge, no queue. We track your flight and include 60 minutes of free waiting after landing, so a delayed arrival at 3am does not leave you stranded or scrambling for a night bus timetable. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with your name, and takes you directly to your address.
Landing at a normal hour instead? See the full Aerobús vs taxi vs metro vs transfer comparison
More on airport transfers in Barcelona
Frequently asked questions
Does the metro run all night at Barcelona airport?
No — only on Saturday nights does the L9 Sud run continuously. Monday to Thursday and Sunday it stops around midnight, and on Friday around 2am.
What is the only public transport option that runs 24 hours?
The Aerobús. It runs every day of the year with reduced but real frequency overnight (every 20 minutes between roughly 00:35 and 05:00).
Do you charge more for a transfer at night?
No. Your price is fixed at booking regardless of the hour your flight lands — there is no night-tariff surcharge like with a metered taxi.
My flight is delayed and will land after 1am — will someone still be there?
Yes. We track your flight and include 60 minutes of free waiting after landing, so a delay does not change your pickup.