Placa Espanya Station​ in Barcelona: Gateway to Montserrat

Plaça Espanya Station isn’t just another metro stop – it’s your gateway to Catalonia’s Montserrat, major event venues, and quick connections to the city’s outskirts.

But is this the best station for tourists, or just a busy commuter hub?

Let’s break down everything you need to know about navigating Plaça d’Espanya’s most important transport hub.

What Is Espanya Station in Barcelona?

Espanya Station is one of Barcelona’s most important transport hubs, serving metro, FGC trains, and Barcelona city buses.

Located beneath Plaça d’Espanya, it has grown into a major interchange between metro lines, regional trains, and bus services.

Whether you’re heading to an event, the airport, or a scenic viewpoint, Espanya Station is one of the most convenient places to start your journey.

Who Uses Espanya Station?

If you’re taking public transport from Espanya Station, you’re probably:

• Visiting Montjuïc to see the Magic Fountain or museums.
• Taking a train to Montserrat to see Barcelona’s most epic mountain escape
• Heading to an event at Fira de Barcelona.
• Taking an FGC train to Catalonia’s outer regions.

If there’s one minor issue with Espanya Station, it’s that it gets packed during big events and fountain shows.

But thanks to its excellent transport connections, it remains a must-know station for travelers.

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🔎 Transport Available at Barcelona Espanya Station​

• Metro: Connected to L1 (Red Line) and L3 (Green Line).
• Bus: Several city and night buses stop here, including D20, H12, V7, 46 (Airport Bus), and N13 (Night Bus).
• Train: Served by FGC regional trains (S3, S4, S8, S9, R5, R6, R50, R60).

Unlike Barcelona Sants, Espanya Station does not serve high-speed AVE trains – you’ll need to transfer at Sants for those.

Top Routes from Plaça d’Espanya Station​

• Barcelona to Montserrat – ~1 hour 30 minutes (FGC + cable car).
• Barcelona to Manresa – ~1 hour 20 minutes (FGC R5 line).
• Barcelona to FGC Terrassa or Sabadell – ~40 minutes.
• Barcelona to the Airport – ~25 minutes (Bus 46 or Aerobus).

Booking Tickets at Plaça Espanya station​

🎫 Metro Tickets at Espanya Rail Station

Metro tickets can be bought at vending machines inside the station, offering options like single rides, T-Casual cards, and day passes.

As I mentioned in my article on how to get around Barcelona, I always grab a T-Casual card – it’s perfect for visitors planning multiple trips and works on buses too.

The machines are straightforward, but if you’re stuck, locals are usually helpful.

🎫 Train Tickets at Espanya Station

FGC train tickets can be bought at ticket machines near the FGC platforms or online via FGC.

The first time I used this station, I almost took the wrong train—the FGC platforms feel separate from the metro. If you’re heading to Montserrat, double-check the train sign before boarding!

🗺️ Where Is Plaza España Station in Barcelona?

Espanya Station is located beneath Plaça d’Espanya, one of Barcelona’s main squares, where Gran Via, Paral·lel, and Avinguda del Marquès de Comillas intersect.

This area is a major tourist and business hub, surrounded by hotels, some of Barcelona’s top attractions, and event venues.

I’m giving it an ease of reachability of 9/10.

Its strong metro, bus, and train connections make it one of the easiest stations to access, but expect crowds during peak hours.

🚀 How to Get to Espanya Train Station from Barcelona City Centre

• 🚗 By Car: ~10 minutes, estimated cost €5-€15 (parking can be difficult).
• 🚌 By Bus: ~10 minutes, estimated cost €2.40, bus lines D20, H12, V7.
• 🚇 By Metro: ~5 minutes, estimated cost €2.40, L1 (Red Line) or L3 (Green Line) stops here.
• 🚆 By Train: ~5 minutes, estimated cost €2.40, take an FGC regional train from Plaça Catalunya.

✈️ Getting to the Airport from Espanya Station

Espanya Station offers a direct airport connection via the Aerobus and Bus 46.

• The Aerobus (A1/A2) leaves every 5-10 minutes, costs €6.75, and takes about 25 minutes.
• Bus 46 is the cheaper option (€2.40) but makes more stops, taking around 35 minutes.

I always take the Aerobus – it’s faster, has WiFi, and plenty of luggage space.

Bus 46 is a good budget option, but it can be crowded.

🏛️ Barcelona Attractions Near Espanya Station

• Magic Fountain of Montjuïc – 5 min walk
• Fira de Barcelona – 3 min walk
• Las Arenas Shopping Mall – 2 min walk
• Montjuïc – 10 min walk
• Palau Nacional & MNAC Museum – 10 min walk

🛍️ Espanya Station Facilities

• Restaurants & Cafés: Small kiosks inside; more options in Las Arenas Shopping Mall above.
• Shops: Basic travel shops inside; full shopping center in Las Arenas.
• Luggage Storage: No lockers, but Locker Barcelona is nearby.
• Accessibility: Fully accessible with elevators and escalators.

Espanya Station in Barcelona FAQ

Can I take a train from Barcelona Espanya to Montserrat?
Yes! Take the R5 FGC train to Montserrat, then transfer to the cable car or rack railway.

How do I get from Espanya Station to the airport?
Take the Aerobus (A1/A2) from Plaça d’Espanya for a 25-minute direct trip.

What’s the best way to reach Montjuïc from Espanya Station?
Walk 10 minutes or take Bus 150 for an easy ride up the hill.

Does Espanya Station connect to high-speed AVE trains?
No, AVE trains leave from Barcelona Sants Station instead.

Is Espanya Station close to major attractions?
Yes! Montjuïc, the Magic Fountain, and Fira de Barcelona are all within walking distance.