Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) is the principal international gateway to Barcelona and the wider Catalonia region. Situated just 12 kilometers southwest of the Barcelona city center, BCN is the second-largest airport in Spain and a major hub for both domestic and international flights.
Hub information
BCN serves as a crucial hub, especially for airlines like Vueling, and is a focus city for Ryanair and Iberia. The airport facilitates a wide network of flights and offers extensive connectivity across Spain, including frequent flights to Madrid, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.
When it comes to international flights, you find a broad range of options throughout Europe and direct services to North and South America, Asia and Africa.
See all airlines operating at BCN Airport
Terminal layout and gates
With continual upgrades, today's Barcelona Airport features modern facilities across two main terminals, T1 and T2, designed to handle over 50 million passengers annually.
Terminal 1 (T1): The newer and larger terminal, opened in 2009, handles the majority of international flights. It is segmented into five areas (A-E) that facilitate efficient passenger flow for Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
Terminal 2 (T2): Older but functional, T2 is divided into three subsections (T2A, T2B, T2C) and mainly serves domestic flights and some low-cost international carriers.
Connecting flights at BCN – luggage handling
Baggage handling at Barcelona El Prat Airport is streamlined to facilitate quick transitions, and depending on your type of connection you will experience either one or the other of the options below.
Single ticket connections
Passengers traveling on a single itinerary have their luggage checked through to the final destination.
Multiple tickets or different airlines
Those booked on separate tickets or traveling with different airlines might need to collect and recheck their baggage, potentially requiring extra time for security checks.
Find the best dining at the airport
BCN offers a variety of dining experiences, and there are options available at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Dining – Terminal 1
Porta Gaig: A refined eatery offering Catalan dishes, located in the Sky Center.
Caffe di Fiore: Across T1, serving coffee, pastries, and light meals, perfect for quick bites.
Asador del Mar: Offers gourmet meals and quality products, located near the shopping area.
Dining – Terminal 2
Ribs: Located in the boarding area is this restaurant that offers a menu of traditional American food.
Pans & Company: Known for its sandwiches, available in various locations throughout T2.
Lounges at the airport
If you care to relax a little before your flight, there are a number of different lounges at Barcelona Airport. Here we present some of the options available.
Joan Miró Lounge: This lounge is located in Terminal 1 and is accessed by VIP passes, special frequent flyer cards or by purchasing a specific ticket for the lounge.
Canudas Lounge: Found in Terminal 2 and offers a relaxed setting for passengers awaiting their flights. Here you find everything from a work and rest area to showers and food/drinks.
Airport hotels at Barcelona El Prat Airport
When it comes to accommodation at the airport, there are a number of different options to choose from. There are also several hotels located in the nearby area.
Barcelona Airport Hotel: Directly accessible from T1, this hotel offers premium services and facilities.
Best Western Plus Hotel Alfa Aeropuerto: This option is a four star hotel that is located close to the airport and has shuttle services.
Salles Hotel Ciutat del Prat: Offers comfortable lodging with additional amenities like a pool and fitness center. The hotel is found about four kilometers from the airport.
Barcelona, Spain
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