Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a cheap Barcelona travel pass that gave you unlimited transport?
That way we’d avoid the single ticket pitfalls of fumbling for change, worrying about time validity, and mumbling through some basic 9th grade Spanish.
It’d also be nice if this tourist travel pass had the potential to save us money.
That brings us to the Hola Barcelona Card (formerly the Hola BCN).
Why Get an Hola Barcelona Travel Card
Having an all-inclusive transport card with unlimited rides makes your holiday run like a clock.
Tourists have been buying Hola Barcelona Card (previously the Hola BCN Travel Card) for years because:
- You get unlimited public transport on the metro, bus, tram, and funicular.
- There’s return Barcelona airport transport via airport train, metro, or bus 46.
- There’s easy pickup at Barcelona Turisme kiosks.
- It eliminates stress of constantly buying tickets.
- It’s cheap.
Remember: if you have any questions about Barcelona transport options like how to get to any of the city’s top attractions from your holiday apartment just write me in the comments below.
What Does this Barcelona Tourist Travel Pass Include?
Your super-handy Barcelona travel card will include unlimited journeys in zone one on:
- Overland trains (including the R2 from El Prat Airport to central Barcelona).
- The metro (all lines including the L9 from Barcelona airport, a €9.00 value).
- All TMB buses.
- Tram.
- The Montjuic Funicular (careful! This is not the Montjuic Teleferic).
Some of you might be asking what exactly is zone one?
The simple answer is it’s the entire city centre and all suburban areas. Unlike bigger cities like New York and London the area of zone one is the entire reach of the metro system.
This encompasses basically all main tourist attractions in Barcelona.
Hola Barcelona Travel Pass Prices 2023
Strike through prices are offline prices so it’s best to book online with the 5% discount.
The price of a single ticket in Barcelona has increased to €2.40 in 2023 so your break even point on the 48 hour pass is 3 uses a day – a virtual guarantee when visiting the city.
Here are the multi day ticket prices:
- 48 hours:
€16.40€15.58 (online). - 72 hours:
€23.80€22.61 (online). - 96 hours:
€31.00€29.45 (online). - 120 hours:
€38.20€36.29 (online).
These prices apply to everybody (including students, 65+ etc.) – only children under 4 ride free.
As you can see, buying this Barcelona transport pass online means you’ll spend just around €7.00 a day for unlimited travel on public transport plus your connection from the airport to Barcelona city centre.
Keep in mind that return metro service from Barcelona airport alone costs €10.30!
Tack on the Aerobus for the Ultimate Tourist Transport Pass
Looking to throw in the best airport transport on top?
Thanks to Tiqets you now have the option to package a one way or return ticket on the Aerobus (up to a €13.20 value) with the Hola Barcelona Card – you can book the Barcelona Transport Pass clicking the button below:
Where Can I Buy an Hola BCN Travel Pass?
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is available via Barcelona Turisme, the official tourism board of the city.
Here you’ll earn me a small commission (at no extra cost to you) to cover server costs and the effort/time I put in… if you want to help please click the button below:
It is very much appreciated! 🙂
Where to Pick up Your Hola Barcelona Travel Card
Once you’ve got your voucher code sent to your email you can pick up your Barcelona city travel pass at any of the following Tourist Information points:
- Airport: Terminals T1 + T2: Daily from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. January 6th and December 26th from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Closed: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
- Plaça de Catalunya: Plaça de Catalunya 17. Daily from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. January 1st from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. January 6th and December 26th from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Closed: Christmas Day.
- City Hall: Carrer de la Ciutat 2. Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Closed: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
- Sants Station: Plaça Països Catalans. Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm (high season till 8:00 pm). Closed: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
- Mirador de Colom (Columbus Monument): Plaça Portal de la Pau. Daily from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. January 6th and December 26th from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Closed: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
- Plaça Espanya: Daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (high season from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm). January 6th and December 26th from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Closed: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
- Sagrada Familia: Daily from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm (high season till 8:00 pm). January 6th and December 26th from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Closed: New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
Travel Pass Validity & Restrictions
Your Hola Barcelona Travel Card becomes live the first time you use it.
This means if you have a 72 hour tourist travel card and take your first public transport trip at noon on January 1st, you’ll have until noon on January 4th to ride as many journeys as you want.
Night Buses and the Hola Barcelona Card
Unfortunately the Hola Barcelona Card is not valid for night buses since they are operated by a private company.
To use night buses you can pay the bus driver €2.40 for a single ticket using cash.
Keep in mind that from Sunday to Thursday the metro closes between 00:00 and 05:00 and between 02:00 and 05:00 on Friday.
On Saturday night (to be clear, the night between Saturday and Sunday) the metro is open all night!
If you’re looking for a big club night make it Saturday unless you’re rich enough for a Barcelona taxi.
Why Not Another Discount Card?
The Barcelona Card
The good thing about this discount Barcelona travel pass is that it costs much less than its sister the Barcelona Card, which is more aimed at people looking to get lots of Barcelona attraction tickets in addition to getting unlimited transport.
If I’ve confused you a little make sure to check out my page comparing the two tourist travel cards.
The Barcelona Pass
The popular Barcelona Pass is a great option because it gets you into mega-attractions La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, and a one or two day pass on the Bus Turistic.
You’ll also get 10% off your Hola Barcelona Card plus 10% discounts on virtually anything you can do in Barcelona from flamenco to Camp Nou.
Deciding Which Barcelona Travel Pass to Get
If you’re sure you want to see a lot of attractions you may be better off going for the Barcelona Card or the Barcelona Pass – but as far as a straight up travel card goes the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is the cheapest and most efficient.
Still a bit confused about which discount pass to get? Make sure you write me in the comments below with a list of things you’d like to see and a budget and I’ll do my best to help out 🙂
Hola Barcelona Travel Card Zones
If you’re staying a bit outside the city centre here’s a list of nearby municipalities included in zone one:
Sant Adriá del Besos, Badalona, Montgat, Montcada i Reixac, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despì, l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Cornellá de Llobregat, Sant Boi de Llobregat, El Prat de Llobregat e Castelldefels.
All of these communities can be reached by train using the Hola Barcelona Card.
Related: How Many Days Should I Stay in Barcelona?
Hola Barcelona Travel Pass FAQ
Is the validity of the card for days or hours?
Again, the validity is for hours. If you activate a 72 hour card at 6 pm on Friday you’ll have until 6 pm on Monday to take advantage of your unlimited tourist travel card.
Why do some websites say that it’s days and not hours?
Because the change from days to hours was very recent and they probably haven’t updated the information 😉
Can I get a refund on my Hola Barcelona Card?
Yes. To cancel your travel card get in touch with [email protected].
I lost my Hola Barcelona Card, can I get a replacement?
Unfortunately this is not possible so be careful!
Is the Hola Barcelona Card interpersonal?
No, trips are only permitted to the holder of the card.
Can I use my Hola Barcelona Card to get to Girona/Montserrat/Sitges?
No, this Barcelona travel pass is only valid for zone one of the Barcelona transport network.
Is the Hola Barcelona Travel Card really worth it?
If you’re planning on visiting the main tourist attractions and don’t have the money to get around by taxi, then yes!
I’m a student/retiree, can I get any transport discounts in Barcelona?
No, only children under 4 travel free on public transport in Barcelona.
Does the validity kick in from the time I pick it up or the time I first use it on transport?
The clock starts ticking on this Barcelona travel pass from the time you first use it.
I’ll be in Barcelona for six days, are there Hola Barcelona Card cards for more than 120 hours?
No, in these cases you’ll need to combine cards (e.g. 48h + 96h)
Do I have to book my Hola Barcelona Travel Card way in advance?
In general there are no rules for booking your Barcelona travel card but obviously the sooner the better in case you incur any unexpected issues along the way.
Is the Hola Barcelona Card valid for the Aerobus?
No, though bus 46 departs from the same area at both the airport and Plaça Catalunya. You’ll also be able to grab the airport train or metro.
Ready to Get Your Hola Barcelona Travel Card?
If the Hola Barcelona Card isn’t the best Barcelona travel pass then what is?
Remember, you can drop me a line below about anything regarding visiting Barcelona and I’ll respond ASAP with something so good you won’t even know what to do 😉
Also don’t be afraid to join the Hola Barcelona Travel Card discussion by liking the Barcelona Hacks Facebook page then joining my group I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions and chat with 10,000+ Barcelona travelers.
Enjoy your Barcelona tourist travel pass 🙂
You might be interested in:
-
Is the Barcelona Card Worth it? Breaking Down the Cost
Whether or not the Barcelona Card is worth it is a difficult question to answer. In truth, the answer is like many travel-related questions: it depends on your specific circumstances and what you want to see and do in Barcelona. However, I’m gonna try to list the cases in which I think it’s a wise […]
-
Barcelona Attraction Tickets + Up to 15% Off Discounts
We’ve put together a comprehensive list of Barcelona’s best attraction deals and guided tour discounts… so you don’t have to!
-
Barcelona Card: 26 Free Attractions + Unlimited Transit & Discounts
Don’t leave home without it! All you need to know about the ultimate Barcelona discount card: The Barcelona Card.
-
January 24, 2020 at 11:25 amHi There, I will be visiting Barcelona from the 2nd March until the 5 March as a solo traveller. I will be staying in the Les Corts area. I would like to visit the main tourist attractions in the few day I have such as Sagrada Familia,Park Güell,Parc de Montjuïc & Font Magica,Gothic quarter of Barcelona,Boqueria Market,La Rambla, Gothic quarter, La Barceloneta and maybe any others you can suggest are must sees. I am worried that I won't be able to figure out the bus and metro sysytem as we have nothing like that here in South Africa. I also considered the hop on hop off bus to get me around to the main sites, but it seems quite costly and then I would have to pay entrance fees too. What do you suggest would be the best for me and the less stressful, cost is a factor too and I would need to get back to the airport on my departure day. Thank you.
-
January 20, 2020 at 7:17 pmdoes hola barcelona card works from Barcelona central to Casteldefels ? If yes, which route is that ? Thanks
-
January 21, 2020 at 2:20 am
Team MemberAshHola Manish, Yes, Castelldefels is in Zone 1 of the TMB network so it is covered! Trains leave from Sants Estacio in Barcelona. Enjoy :) Ash
-
-
January 18, 2020 at 4:36 pmHi Ash! Thank you for all the information you share! Honestly amazing. The only thing I couldn’t find anything about, and if you do have a post about it I’m going to feel silly, is the Hola BCN and getting back to the airport? Do we use the metro? Or is there a separate train? I’m a little confused . The closest metro stop to us is Diagonal . I’d appreciate any clarification! :-)
-
January 18, 2020 at 9:32 pm Team MemberAshHi Selena, You're very welcome! Always glad to help :) To get back to the airport you can use the metro, the city bus, or the airport train. From Diagonal I would honestly just walk down to Passeig de Gracia and take the airport train from there. Cheers, Ash
-
January 18, 2020 at 10:32 pmThanks Ash! Does the hola BCN cover that?
-
January 20, 2020 at 9:10 am Team MemberAshNo problem, and yes it does :)
-
-
-
-
January 13, 2020 at 3:22 amwhere can i pick up the hola barcelona card at the Amsterdam Airport (terminal 2)?
-
January 13, 2020 at 10:08 am Team MemberAshHello, You won't be able to pick it up in Amsterdam. You must do it in Barcelona. Did I misunderstand something? Ash
-
January 15, 2020 at 4:27 amhahaha will be in barcelona March 20-30,2020 and pls advice what's the best card to get pls.... regards
-
January 15, 2020 at 8:30 pm Team MemberAshHi Cherie, It depends what you're planning to do! Please give me a list of attractions you're planning on seeing and I can help further :) Cheers, Ash
-
-
-
-
January 13, 2020 at 1:21 amHi! Please help me ;-) I am taking the train up with my niece from Valencia to Barcelona and will be there Fri-Sun. My niece will take the train back to Valencia and I am going to the airport to fly to Seville. Over the weekend we will be doing the tourist thing and also a lot of walking and just taking it as it comes. I’ve been told to purchase tickets for sights directly through their website. Which pass should we get? I’m a little confused on how one of the passes gets you discounts to sites. How does that work? Thank you!!
-
January 13, 2020 at 10:01 am Team MemberAshHi Krista, I have a page explaining the difference between the popular Barcelona passes. Here you'll get a good idea of what's in store. In short, the City Pass allows you to book everything in advance online at 20% off while the Barcelona Card gives free museums but also the chance at discounts which can be redeemed only at ticket windows (not online). It's hard for me to comment any further on what's best for you without knowing what you're planning to see though. What's the plan as far as attractions you'll see from the inside? Please let me know and I'll recommend what's best :) Ash
-
-
January 10, 2020 at 12:51 amHi, your site is amazing, thanks. My husband and I arrive in Barcelona after a cruise. We are 65+ and will be staying in the Gothic area... I think. Can you advise how to get from the port to this area please and approx. fare to expect. Also we want to sight see... but not too much, just the mains however not sure what means of transport to use and so confused with all the options! Is there a way to enter the sights without having to have a time scheduled? Looking forward to your help. Val
-
January 10, 2020 at 10:23 pm Team MemberAshHi Valerie, Yes indeed... you'll need to take the Port Bus from your cruise ship terminal (impossible to miss the signs) to the Columbus Statue and from here you're just 25 meters from the bottom of the Gothic Quarter. You should be able to walk up to any hotel within 10-15 minutes or even less depending. I break down how to do this as well as fares etc. in my Barcelona cruise ship article. As for the sights... pretty much all of them allow for walk up tickets but it is ill advised. Typically ticket windows cost up to €4.00 more per ticket, you run the risk of being asked to come back later, or even miss the entire day. For big attractions like Sagrada and Park Guell and the Gaudi mansions it's highly advised to book advance online and get a scheduled time. Cheers, Ash
-
January 11, 2020 at 3:35 amHey just found out that you are a fellow Canuck......really impressed with your extensive page and very much appreciate your reply....didn't really think I'd get one....LOL! So, now we have booked into the El Avenida Palace Hotel.... it looks a bit father away from the Gothic area, how would you advise getting there from the cruise port? Thanks Valerie
-
January 11, 2020 at 5:39 am Team MemberAshHi Valerie, Yes indeed! I am actually back in Vancouver today and we've received the first snow of the year and they're saying it's going to go down to minus 7 degrees next week! Just my luck. Anyway, thanks so much for the kind words on the blog :) I was at the El Avenida Palace recently sampling their breakfast buffet and I must say it's the best I've been to in the city. It's where the Beatles stayed when they played one of only two Spanish gigs as well, so it must be great. But yeah... to get up there I'd grab the Port Bus to the bottom of La Rambla and then grab the green line of the metro at Drassanes upt o Passeig de Gracia. From here it'll be a short walk. Cheers, Ash
-
-
-
-
December 30, 2019 at 2:04 pmHi! I just stumbled upon your website today, I read and skimmed a lot of super helpful info, but I’m feeling unsure of which card to buy. I’ll be in Barcelona for about 8 full days, from 31 December to 8 January and definitely am planning on seeing as many museums and attractions as possible. I’m a student in my 20s and I’m staying at the 360 arts and culture hostel. Just wondering which card you would suggest for this trip, thanks again!
-
December 31, 2019 at 11:10 am Team MemberAshHi Genasee, Honestly for longer trips like these I recommend grabbing an Hola Barcelona Card for the first few days (let's say 72 hours) to get the major sights out of the way. You'll have the airport transport covered and won't have to worry about getting new tickets and fooling around in a new city. It's all taken care of. From around day four though I'd recommend a T-Casual Card which will give you ten trips in the city. You'll have your bearings by then and will do a bit more walking with the confidence you have so then there's less need for a all inclusive pass. My two cents! Cheers, Ash
-
-
December 28, 2019 at 3:31 pmDoes the Hola Barcelona Card get you to Tibidabo? I assume it doesn’t get you out to Montserrat but if you could confirm that, that would be great.
-
December 28, 2019 at 4:41 pm Team MemberAshHi Jennifer, It is possible with your travel card: grab the FGC train S1 or S2 from Plaça Catalunya and get off at Peu de Funicular. From here you can get the Vallvidrera Funicular to Vallvidrera Superior where you'll get bus 111 (every 30 minutes) to leave you right at the Tibidabo mountain amusement park entrance. Cheers, Ash
-
-
December 28, 2019 at 2:43 pmGood day, I have purchased the Barcelona City Pass and would like to secure the Hola BCN card using the 20% discount but I do not see how to do this anywhere. Your assistance is greatly apreciated Kind Regards
-
December 28, 2019 at 4:25 pm Team MemberAshHi Omar, No worries... you'll have to click the link that they send you and you'll find it in the 'attractions' section of the list, strangely! Here it is: https://barcelonacitypass.rgi.ticketbar.eu/en/ticketbar-barcelona/#Attractions Cheers, Ash
-
-
December 27, 2019 at 12:02 amI read this pass also includes the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC) city network and RENFE suburban trains.Can I use it to get to Girona, Montserrat, & Port Adventura Park? Thanks
-
December 27, 2019 at 10:39 am Team MemberAshHi Stephanie, Unfortunately all of the places you have listed are located outside of zone 1 of the transport network and as such the card will not work for those. You'll have to buy the tickets separately. Cheers, Ash
-
