Barcelona-El Prat Airport (officially Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat) has two terminals, T1 and T2, in separate buildings linked by a free shuttle bus that runs 24 hours a day. Your terminal depends on the airline operating your flight: Vueling, Iberia, British Airways and nearly all long-haul carriers use T1, while Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Jet2 and other low-cost airlines use T2.
If a driver is meeting you, it also helps to know which exit you will come out of. T2 has three separate baggage halls, each with its own exit, and flights from the UK land in two of them depending on the airline.
T1 and T2 at a glance
| T1 | T2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Building | Opened in June 2009 | Older building split into T2A, T2B and T2C |
| Schengen gates | A, B and C | R, S and U |
| Non-Schengen gates | D and E | M, W and Y |
| Aerobús airport bus | Line A1 | Line A2 (T2B and T2C) |
| Metro L9 Sud | Aeroport T1 station | Aeroport T2 station |
| Rodalies R2 Nord train | No station: take the shuttle to T2 | Aeroport station |
The shuttle adds 10 to 14 minutes if you go to the wrong terminal. Add the wait at the stop and the walk to your check-in desk.
Which airlines use T1 and T2
The lists follow each airline's page on the Aena website. Airlines move terminals from time to time, so check your own flight before you travel.
Terminal 1 (T1)
- Vueling and Iberia.
- British Airways, Air Europa, TAP Air Portugal and Swiss.
- Lufthansa, Air France, KLM and Turkish Airlines.
- Emirates and Qatar Airways.
- Delta, United, American Airlines and Air Canada.
Terminal 2 (T2)
- Ryanair, Wizz Air, Jet2, Transavia, Norwegian, Volotea, Eurowings and Aer Lingus.
- easyJet, which has its own section, T2C, with check-in desks and a baggage hall separate from the rest of T2.
How to check your terminal
Your boarding pass or the airline's confirmation email usually shows the terminal. If it doesn't, search your flight number in the flight search on the Aena website or app, which lists the terminal, the check-in desks and, closer to departure, the gate.
On codeshare flights, look for the "operated by" line. A ticket sold by one airline and flown by another normally leaves from the operating airline's terminal.
When you book a private transfer from Barcelona Airport with us, give us your flight number. We use it to check your arrival or departure terminal, so your chauffeur goes straight to the right door.
The free shuttle between T1 and T2
Aena runs a free inter-terminal shuttle every day of the year, including public holidays, around the clock. Aena publishes these frequencies:
| Time | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 5:00 to 8:00 | Every 7 minutes |
| 8:00 to 20:00 | Every 5 minutes |
| 20:00 to 0:00 | Every 7 minutes |
| 0:00 to 5:00 | Every 10 minutes |
The ride takes about 10 minutes from T1 to T2 and about 14 minutes from T2 to T1. From T1, the first stop is T2B and the second is T2C, which is the one you want for easyJet. Inside T2 you can walk: T2A to T2B takes about 2 minutes on foot, and T2B to T2C about 5.
If your connection means changing terminals, you must leave the international transit area, collect your bags unless they are checked through to your final destination, and go through security again. Aena advises checking your travel documents in advance and allowing enough time.
Which exit you use in arrivals
Arriving at T1
At T1, passengers on Schengen flights walk straight to baggage reclaim and the exit. Arriving from outside the Schengen area, including the UK, the US and the Middle East, you go through passport control first. The queue there varies with the time of day and the number of flights landing together.
Arriving at T2
T2 has three baggage reclaim halls, each with its own exit:
- Baggage reclaim A: non-Schengen flights of every airline except easyJet. You clear passport control before reaching the belts.
- Baggage reclaim B: Schengen flights of every airline except easyJet.
- Baggage reclaim C: all easyJet flights, Schengen and non-Schengen.
If you are meeting someone at T2, ask which airline they fly with and where from. An easyJet flight from Gatwick and a Ryanair flight from Dublin land at the same terminal but come out through different doors.
Where your chauffeur meets you
We track your flight in real time, so your chauffeur knows the actual landing time and terminal without you having to call. The chauffeur waits at the exit of your flight's baggage hall holding a sign with your name, helps with the luggage and walks with you to the car.
We wait free of charge for 1 h 15 min after your flight lands. This allowance includes taxiing, passport control and baggage reclaim. Tell us by WhatsApp or phone if you expect longer, for example because you need to report lost luggage. We charge extra waiting separately.
Groups meet the same way. A Mercedes V-Class takes up to 7 passengers with 7 suitcases, and from 8 people we use a minibus (8–19 seats) or a coach (20–55 seats). If your group arrives on different flights or at different terminals, tell us when you book and we will suggest how to arrange the pick-ups. If you are going straight to a cruise ship, our Barcelona Airport to cruise port transfer page covers the drive to the terminals.
In Spain, chauffeur cars run under a VTC licence, the official category for private hire vehicles with a driver, and every ride is booked in advance.
Flying out of Barcelona
For departures, your chauffeur drops you at your terminal's departures area. If you fly with easyJet, let us know, because its check-in is in T2C, not T2B. At hotels, offices and homes your chauffeur allows 15 minutes' courtesy waiting from the agreed time.
We agree the pick-up time with you based on where you start, the time of day and your terminal. Check your airline's check-in closing time and tell us if you have bags to drop. Our guide to getting from Barcelona Airport to the city centre compares the Aerobús, metro, train and a private chauffeur, and the Barcelona Airport to city centre transfer page has the details of that drive.
Aena's VIP services
Aena sells a meet-and-greet service at El Prat called Meet & Assist. Its staff welcome you, accompany you through check-in, the airport controls and baggage reclaim, and give you access to the VIP lounges. You must buy it at least 48 hours in advance, and only through Aena's official channels.
If you are hosting a senior executive or a guest of honour, it pairs well with our VIP airport transfer: Aena looks after the inside of the terminal, and our chauffeur waits at the exit with the vehicle you chose.
FAQ
How long does it take to get from T1 to T2?
About 10 minutes from T1 to T2 and about 14 minutes from T2 to T1 on Aena's free shuttle, plus the wait at the stop. A bus leaves every 5 minutes at peak times and every 10 minutes overnight.
Do Ryanair and easyJet fly from T1 or T2?
Both use T2. Ryanair checks in at T2B and easyJet at T2C, about 5 minutes' walk from T2B.
Which terminal do British Airways and Vueling use?
Both use T1, as do Iberia, Air Europa and most long-haul airlines, including Delta, United and American Airlines.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
We track the flight and your chauffeur adjusts to the actual landing time. The 1 h 15 min of free waiting starts when the plane touches down.
How do I book a chauffeur for the airport?
Ask for a quote by WhatsApp, phone, email or through our booking form. Include your flight number, how many passengers and suitcases there are, and the drop-off address. We confirm a fixed price before the trip, with tolls and luggage included, and you pay nothing up front to get a quote.
