Barcelona Transfers

moreofthegoodstuff

Hi, I am looking for some advice on getting from the airport to the Raval area of Barcelona next month, we are looking on various websites but when you select the area where you want to be dropped off, Raval does not come up, do I select Barcelona City Centre?

Also, does anyone know of any cheap ways of getting to and from the hotel to the airport? We would share a shuttle bus as I know this will be a cheaper option. I would happily take a normal bus but I don't think it goes near my hotel... Do the prebooked shuttle buses drop you outside the hotel?

Any help/tips are greatly appreciated!!

moreofthegoodstuff

Just to add...I have just been on Aerocity's website (through ryanair) and managed to put in the Raval hotel, it came to 32.40 (in euros) I have absolutely no idea what the transport is but guessing it's a shuttle bus, does anyone have any information on this company? Is it going to be a ryanair special where loads of charges are added on at the end??

stoneman

The Ravel area is a little south west of the top of La Ramblas, and to be honest is not the best area of Barcelona, it is home to many prostitutes and immigrants, so just be aware (and that's something, saying to "be aware" in a city that you really have to be aware in anyway)
Anyway, you can get the aerobus from the airport to Placa Catalunya and walk down from there. It is about 1/2 an hour on the bus and cost about 3 euros or so.
Are you flying into El Prat or Girona?

moreofthegoodstuff

I have read that about the Raval area but I still went for it as the hotel is very modern and a little bit different, we decided we would stick to taxis when going into the centre...I couldn't find a similar hotel at the right price in the centre so we thought we would chance it.

We are flying into El Prat, I was considering the bus option, do you have any idea how much would a taxi be from Placa Catalunya to the Raval area? One thing is that we are getting in for about 9pm so I'm wondering if a shuttle would be better!

moreofthegoodstuff

I've read some worrying shuttle reviews so I think I might go for your idea of the normal bus and then a taxi and then possibly taking the train back as we leave at a more normal time of day! Hmm, decisions!

stoneman

moreofthegoodstuff wrote: »

I have read that about the Raval area but I still went for it as the hotel is very modern and a little bit different, we decided we would stick to taxis when going into the centre...I couldn't find a similar hotel at the right price in the centre so we thought we would chance it.

We are flying into El Prat, I was considering the bus option, do you have any idea how much would a taxi be from Placa Catalunya to the Raval area? One thing is that we are getting in for about 9pm so I'm wondering if a shuttle would be better!

A cab shouldn't be more than 4 euros I would think. From the Placa to the Casino near the port is 7 euros, and Ravel is lots nearer than that. Let me know the name of the calle you you are staying on and I will tell you if it's walkable.
A tip with the cabs, don't stand in the queue with everyone else, walk towards where the taxis are coming from and hail one when you are out of site of the line, cabs can pick up from anywhere, works for us:rotfl:

moreofthegoodstuff

We are staying at the Barcelo Raval hotel but I can't seem to find the street it is on!

Good tip with the taxi, thanks for that!

System

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Barcelo+Raval&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=Barcelo+Raval&cid=0,0,10441726909769438109&sa=X&ei=Esv5T4ncIYeGhQfp8oywCA&ved=0CKwBEPwSMAE&oi=local_group&ct=image

Hotel Barcelo Raval
Rambla del Raval, 17
08001 Barcelona, Spain

933 20 14 90

stoneman

OK that's not a problem to walk to if you find the taxis busy from the Placa. (which they can be at times) If you get the Aerobus it will drop you off at the far side of the Placa outside Corte Ingles department store and the tourist information centre. With your back to the department store look diagonal left and start walking, you will go past a Hard Rock and from there down onto La Rambles. Stay on the right hand side and about 50 yards down on the corner of Carrer Tallers there is a cocktail bar called Boadas, (next to a Pans & Co.) Not important to the directions just thought I would mention that this is our favorite bar in the whole world!
Anyway carry on and turn right into Carrer Hospital and along for a bit and left onto Rambla del Raval and you are there. This will take no more than 10 minutes and is less than 1/2 mile from the bus terminus
That part of Raval is OK as you will be sticking to the main roads

moreofthegoodstuff

That's good to hear about that area of Raval...I have heard good and bad reports about the area, I guess we will just need to be on our guard and stick to taxis at night!

4 euro for a taxi from the centre is really good as well, I think I'm going to take the Aerobus as you suggested and taxi it to the hotel!

Very excited to go back, we used to live nearby and go all the time so I can't wait to see the city again!