Best way from Barcelona Airport to Polble Nou, Nova Icaria beach area

unsure

Hi, I'm hoping some of you cosmopolitan MSEr's can help.

We've booked flights to Barcelona (El Prat) and apartment near beach in Poblou Nou/Nova Icaria area and we're trying to figure the best way to get five people with cases from airport. Is it just a question of grabbing a cab (or possibly two given the numbers!) or should we pre-book, if so any recommendations? Would public transport be a better/more MSE way to go(... or would it be more hassle than it's worth!)?

Would welcome advice from anyone who knows their way around the city.

Thanks.

daveyjp

If you can carry your gear there's an excellent rail service from El Prat to the centre which takes about 20 minutes, then a metro to the beach area. Train to Passeig de Gracia then yellow line to beach area. Below is a map of the zone 1 area.

http://www.mapametrobarcelona.net/mapas-metro/mapa-metro-barcelona.jpg

Buy a ten trip metro ticket for 9.25 euros and share it. You need one trip each and this covers the rail and metro fare, just pass the ticket back as you go through the barrier.

Less than 1 euro each (80p) compare this to Heathrow Express prices!

alba7

Hi

I'm visiting Barcelona in June with some friends and we had a similar dilemma. We discussed at length the possibility of getting public transport, but I've heard there can be a lot of pick pocketing on the airport bus.

In the end I booked our transfers with Sun Transfers. One of our party of 4 tends to travel with a walk-in wardrobe, so we booked a larger taxi (mini van type for 7 people).

I guess the time of your arrival may also make a difference. We arrive at 10 pm, so taxi seemed like a better option.

unsure

Hi Alba,
We're arriving late morning so all options open. I'll check out Sun Transfer as I think we're unlikely to fit in a standard taxi. What was cost of transfer pls.

re thieving on airport bus, this one took the biscuit I think (glad I'm not flying into Girona):

http://boingboing.net/2011/06/08/contortionist-thief.html

MrSmartprice

There is also a bus to the airport from Placa Espanya which can be used on a normal ticket for under €1, unlike the actual airport bus. It is the one the locals use, along with those who know about it.;) Can't remember the service number but it shouldn't be that difficult to find.

alba7

Hi Unsure

I booked a 7 seater mini van, costing £48 each way. It sounded fairly expensive, but there are 4 women, 4 suitcases, 4 sets of hand luggage...

The small taxi would have been about £30 each way, but I couldn't be sure how much luggage it would hold!

Regards

alba7