Search Flights from San Francisco to Barcelona

Located 21 km from the city center, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major transit center for passengers, particularly those traveling from Asia. San Francisco International is the second busiest airport in California, following Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Every year SFO handles a significant number of both domestic and international flights. There are a variety of transportation alternatives passengers can utilize to get to and from the airport.  

San Francisco International Airport stands out for the comfortable and exceptional services it offers. The airport features services aimed at meeting your every need, from comfortable passenger lounges, to restaurants that offer a wide variety of cuisines and a vibrant array of stores where you can go shopping.

San Francisco International Airport is accessible by taxi, bus, train, rental car, and personal car as the airport contains parking lots that offer short-term and long-term parking options.

Train

There are two rail systems that you can use to get to San Francisco International Airport from the city center. The first is the rapid-rail system, the BART. The BART starts running in the early hours of the morning, providing easy and fast transportation between SFO and the northern and southern parts of the city.

The other rail system that you can use to get to SFO is the CalTrain. This train departs on the hour, every hour, every day of the week, until 10 pm. This train provides transportation between San Francisco and San Jose and SFO.

Taxi

One of the most convenient and fastest transportation alternatives to get to SFO from the city center is by taxi. Taxi fares are calculated based on the kilometers traveled. A taxi from downtown San Francisco can cost between 42 and 62 dollars and takes about 20 minutes. For more information on taxi companies and their contact information please visit San Francisco International Airport’s website.

Bus

SamTrans buses provide transportation between the San Francisco city center and the airport. These public buses are operated by San Mateo County and run between San Mateo, various parts of San Francisco and San Francisco International Airport. SamTrans lines KX, 292, 397, and 398 run directly to the airport terminals. Buses stop at the arrivals and baggage claim level of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 and at Level 1 of the International Terminal.

Rental Car

Renting a car is another transportation alternative to get to the airport. There are many rental car companies located in the city. You can drop off your rental vehicle at the Rental Car Center before your departure. From the Rental Car Center the AirTrain Blue Line provides access to the airport terminals and it operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Alamo, Dollar, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, National, Budget, Fox and Thrifty.

Bike

San Francisco International Airport contains bike assembly stations and parking areas for those who want to access the airport by bike. The BART and SamTrans rapid rail systems provide passengers with bike/transit options and the airport features marked bicycle routes. Bike lovers can easily access the airport by bicycle.   

Airport Information

San Francisco International Airport is located 21 km from the city center. The airport covers an expansive area and operates domestic and international flights out of 4 terminals, Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. The AirTrain automated system provides free transportation between each terminal, as well as the Rental Car Center and BART station. The AirTrain Red Line links all terminals, terminal garages and the BART Station. The AirTrain Blue Line links the Rental Car Center with all terminals, terminal garages, and the BART Station. SFO also contains a variety of services and amenities to meet passengers’ pre-flight and post-flight needs.

The airport features health services in the terminals, rental car offices, banks, a lost and found, wireless internet, charging stations, clothing stores where you can go shopping, restaurants and cafes, the Aviation Museum & Library, rotating exhibitions, spa services, children’s play areas, free yoga rooms, a market, and much more. 

Capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain, Barcelona is one of Europe’s most important cities in terms of tourism and commerce. Barcelona is the 7^th most populated city in the European Union and is home to Spain’s second busiest airport.

Serving 40 million passengers annually, Barcelona Airport is one of the major factors to the city’s tourism economy. The airport is easily accessible from the city, which has undergone significant transformations since the 1900’s.

Rail

There is a rail system that connects the airport to Barcelona and other locations in the country. The R2 line provides transportation to various central locations in the city like Ciutat Vella, Barceloneta beach, Barrio Gotico and El Raval. To get to the Old City and surrounding areas you have to go to the Barcelona Sants Station, located 40 min from the airport.

From here, once you transfer to the L3 metro line you will reach the Catalunya station in 7 stops. This station intersects with other metro lines that spread across the city. It is also the closest station to Ciutat Vella.

Airport Buses

Another way to get to the city center from the airport, which is located 10 km away, is by bus. These buses are operated by the Barcelona Metropolitan Administration. Using the Aerobus express line you can get directly to Espanya Square and Catalunya Square located in the city center. Line A1 departs from Terminal 1 and line A2 departs from Terminal 2. In addition, bus line 46 provides transportation to the city center. However, this bus makes frequent stops and has a limited amount of space for luggage. Therefore it is not among the most popular choices. Bus lines N16 and N17 provide transportation from the airport to the city center after midnight. The bus ride takes anywhere between 40 minutes and 1 hour.

Taxi

There are taxi stands at each terminal exit that provide comfortable albeit expensive transportation to every part of the city. Getting to the city center from the airport by taxi takes approximately 30 minutes and costs around 60 euros. Taxis can accommodate a maximum of 3 people. Using a 4-8 person vehicle to get to the city center can cost around 79 euros.  

Rental Cars

Offices of world-renowned car rental agencies are located in the airport. You can rent a car for as low as 15 euros a day. Booking in advance online can ensure even lower prices.

To get from the airport to the city center continue north in the direction of Castelldefels to De la granvia L'Hospitalet Avenue. This avenue will continue to Gran Via De Les Corts Catalanes Avenue, which takes you to the city center. From here you can take Passeig De Gracia, which is one of the major avenues in the city, to Catalunya Square and the Old City.

Airport Information

Barcelona is a popular tourist destination, particularly for those coming from Northern Europe. Barcelona Airport, also known as Barcelona-El Prat Airport, offers a total of 42 restaurants, cafes, and pubs to ensure passengers have a pleasant time while at the airport.

Barcelona Airport also offers tax-free shopping services at the Duty Free shops. The airport also features free wireless internet connection and contains an area for exhibitions and performances.