As far as a straight-up travel card goes, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card is the cheapest and most efficient option that you can get before setting foot in Barcelona.
The best way to make the most out of your time is to combine your Hola Barcelona Travel Card with a tourist card such as a Barcelona Pass (my favorite).
What is the Hola Barcelona Travel Card?
This travel card is a transport pass. It’s basically a personal card that allows you to travel unlimitedly on the Barcelona public transport system.
As soon as you get yours, you’re entitled to get free unlimited rides using all public transport services in Barcelona: the subway (Metro), the city bus (TMB), the tram (TRAM), the Montjuïc funicular railway, the urban railway (FGC trains, in zone 1), and the regional railway (Rodalies de Catalunya trains, in zone 1).
It’s available for a set number of hours (48, 72, 96 and 120 hours).
How much does is cost?
Have a look at the Hola Barcelona Travel Card fares.
How does the Hola Barcelona Travel Card work?
It’s super simple.
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card is valid unlimitedly once your purchase it. It means that you can purchase the card online well in advance of your trip and keep the confirmation for as long as you want. The card will be activated after you use it for the first time.
The validity of the pass begins the moment you activate it. For example, if you activate a 72-hour pass at 13:00 on Monday (the activation occurs the first time you use the pass), the pass will be valid until 16:00 on Wednesday.
You can use your Hola Barcelona Travel Card in:
- All subway (Metro) lines, including the airport line. You cannot use this route with regular single tickets or a 10-trip metro card (T-Casual). If you do not have a Hola Barcelona card, you must buy the Airport Ticket.
- All city buses (TMB) lines, except for the airport Aerobus line and all night lines (all are privately operated).
- All tram (TRAM) lines.
- The Montjuïc funicular railway.
- All urban railway (Ferrocarriles de la Generalitat de Catalunya or FGC trains) lines (only the stops included in zone 1).
- All regional railway (Rodalies de Catalunya trains lines (only the stops included in zone 1).
Why should you buy it?
Tourists have been buying the Hola Barcelona Travel Card for years because:
- You can start using it as soon as you get to Barcelona.
- There’s no need to buy single tickets from the ticket machine (and may have to stand in line during rush hours).
- You don’t have to worry about the validity of single tickets.
- Unfortunately, local transport is operated by different companies. Even the Metro has two operating companies (TMB, FGC). But the good news is that the Hola Barcelona Travel Pass is valid for all of them: TMB (Transporte Metropolitans de Barcelona), FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) and Rodalies de Catalunya.
So why shouldn’t you?
Hola Barcelona Travel Pass FAQ
Is the card’s validity for days or hours?
Confused about the card’s validity – days or hours?
As I mentioned earlier, the travel pass’ validity is for hours. Imagine you activate a 72-hour card at 19:00 on Friday. It means you have until 19:00 on Monday to use it without any limits.
Now, you might wonder why some websites mention days instead of hours. Truth is, the change from days to hours was done recently, and these sites might not have caught up with the update. Rest assured, I’ve got you covered with the latest info.
Where can you buy the Hola Barcelona Travel Pass?
While you can purchase the Hola Barcelona Travel Card at any of the vending machines at the subway and train stations of Barcelona, I suggest you buy it online. It’s easier, safer, you won’t waste any time after getting to Barcelona and you’ll avoid any technical problem.
As soon as you’ve purchased your travel card online, you’ll receive an instant bar code confirmation.
Once in Barcelona you only need to go to one of the vending machines at the subway and train stations of Barcelona to redeem your travel card. At the vending machine, touch the Hola Barcelona option on the screen and enter your bar code. Your Hola Barcelona Travel Pass will then be issued.
It’s quick and easy.
Remember that the validity of the card starts once you use the card for the first time.
Is the Hola Barcelona Travel Pass valid for the Aerobus?
No, unfortunately the Aerobus (bus linking the airport and the city center) is privately operated. So it’s not included in the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.
However, you can always use the subway (Metro) to travel from the airport to the city center, because this trip (either one way or round) is included.
What is the difference between the Hola Barcelona Travel Pass, the Barcelona Card Express and the Barcelona Card?
- The Hola Barcelona Travel Card only includes unlimited use of the Barcelona public transport.
- The Barcelona Card Express and the Barcelona Card include unlimited use of the Barcelona public transport, plus a wide range of free and discount entries to many attractions across the city.
Can different travelers use the same card?
No, trips are only permitted to the holder of the card.
Is there a Hola Barcelona Travel Pass for children?
No.
Children aged 0-3 travel for free in Barcelona public transport. So you don’t need to buy any ticket or travel pass for children aged 0-3.
However, from the age of 4 children pay the same rates as adults. Therefore, if you’re traveling with kids that are 4+ and want to purchase a Hola Barcelona Travel Pass for them, select the adult rate.
And for students or seniors?
No. You can’t get any transport discounts in Barcelona.
Are there Hola Barcelona Travel Card options for more than 120 hours?
No, if you plan to stay in Barcelona more than 5 days (120h), the only option you have is to combine cards (e.g. 48h + 120h).