Your Guide to Barcelona’s Metro, FGC & Trams

So you’re heading to Barcelona (or maybe already there) and wondering how the heck people get around? Good news – the city’s public transport game is strong.

Whether you're hopping on a metro, chillin’ on a tram, or taking the FGC to explore further out, everything’s super connected, affordable, and honestly… pretty easy to figure out once you know the basics.

Here’s your laid-back, zero-stress guide to riding around Barcelona like you were born there.

1. What’s the difference between Metro, FGC, and Tram anyway?
2. Is it easy to get around Barcelona using public transport?
3. What are the hours like? Can I get home late?
4. What kind of tickets do I need, and how much are they?
5. Is it accessible for people with disabilities or mobility issues?
6. What’s this Montjuïc Funicular thing? Should I try it?

1. What’s the difference between Metro, FGC, and Tram anyway?

Alright, let’s clear this up real quick.

The Metro is your classic underground subway – fast, frequent, and all over the city.

The FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat) is kinda like a mini-metro and commuter train mix.

It mostly covers spots the metro skips and connects more outer neighborhoods.

Then you’ve got the Tram, which is basically a modern streetcar that glides around in open air – especially handy for certain neighborhoods outside the central core. All three are part of the same ticket system, which is sweet because you can mix and match without stressing.

2. Is it easy to get around Barcelona using public transport?

Yep, totally.

The city’s network is really well thought out, and there’s pretty much always a metro or tram stop nearby.

The metro has 8 lines (color-coded and numbered), plus the FGC lines (L6, L7, L8), which are great for reaching quieter areas.

Trams are more chill and scenic – perfect if you wanna avoid the underground and enjoy the views. And guess what? Most of the city is covered, so wherever you're staying or headed, you're probably a short ride away.

3. What are the hours like? Can I get home late?

Totally depends on the day, but in general, the metro and FGC run from 5 AM to midnight, or even 2 AM on Fridays.

On Saturdays and certain special nights (like New Year’s Eve), they go all night – super handy if you’re out partying or just can’t be bothered to call a cab. The Montjuïc Funicular (that little train up to the park) and the Trams have slightly different hours, but still run pretty late – usually until 8 PM or 10 PM, depending on the season.

4. What kind of tickets do I need, and how much are they?

Barcelona uses a cool integrated ticket system, which means you can switch between metro, bus, tram, and FGC on one pass.

You’ve got options:

Single ride: €2.65
T-casual (10 trips): €12.55
T-familiar (8 trips, shareable): €11.05
T-usual (unlimited for a month): €22
Hola Barcelona cards (2 to 5 days): great if you're doing a lot of sightseeing.

No need to overthink it – grab what suits your stay and how much you plan to ride.

5. Is it accessible for people with disabilities or mobility issues?

Barcelona does a solid job with accessibility.

About 91% of metro stations have elevators, and there are ramps at the platform edges.

The trams are fully accessible too – wide doors, flat entry, all that good stuff. If you’re visually impaired, there’s a cool tech feature called NaviLens, which works with an app to help guide you through metro and bus stations using smart tags.

Pretty neat.

6. What’s this Montjuïc Funicular thing? Should I try it?

Absolutely! It’s a fun little ride – literally a 2-minute trip that connects the metro system (from Paral·lel station) to Montjuïc Park.

It’s not a tourist trap either – it’s part of the regular transport system and uses the same tickets.

If you're heading up to see Montjuïc Castle, gardens, or just wanna escape the buzz, this is a cool and easy way to get there without hiking uphill.

Barcelona’s public transport is honestly one of the best ways to explore the city – cheap, fast, and low-key relaxing once you get the hang of it.

Whether you're off to the beach, the Gothic Quarter, or some little spot in the suburbs, you’ve got solid options.

So grab your T-casual or Hola card, hop on a tram or metro, and go explore.

Barcelona’s waiting.

Sources:

Disclaimer:

Info in this guide was accurate as of the time of writing, but timetables and prices can change. Double-check the official sites (linked above) before you travel, just to be safe!

Images sources:

Wikimedia.org

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