Public transport without counting trips
Hola Barcelona Travel Card: unlimited public transport and how it works
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card allows unlimited travel on metro, bus, NitBus, tram, and train for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours from the first validation. One round trip on the metro between the airport and Barcelona is included.
- Unlimited public transport
- 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours
- Airport metro included
- Metro, bus, NitBus, tram, and trains
Transport Card
Hola Barcelona Travel Card
A single card allows you to use Barcelona's main public transportation without buying a new ticket for each journey.
Unlimited transport
Hola Barcelona Travel Card
24 to 120 hours of unlimited public transport
A personal card for unlimited travel on the main public transport in Barcelona for the chosen duration. It also includes a one-way and a return trip by metro between the airport and Barcelona.
- Unlimited public transport
- Metro and TMB buses
- NitBus
- Tram
- FGC in Zone 1
- Rodalies in Zone 1
- Montjuïc Funicular
- Round-trip metro between the airport and Barcelona
The Essentials
The Hola Barcelona Travel Card at a Glance
| Type | Unlimited Personal Public Transport Card |
|---|---|
| Durations | 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours |
| Start of validity | From the first validation |
| TMB Metro and Bus | Included |
| NitBus | Included |
| Tram | Included |
| FGC | Included in Zone 1 |
| Rodalies | Included in Zone 1 |
| Montjuïc Funicular | Included |
| Airport metro | 1 outbound + 1 return included |
| Aerobús | Not included |
| Montjuïc Cable Car | Not included |
| Tourist Bus | Not included |
The Hola Barcelona is a transport card, not a tourist pass: it does not include entry to monuments or museums.
Official source: Hola Barcelona Travel Card on the TMB website — included transport, durations and terms of use.
Travel Without Limits
Which transportation options are included with the Hola Barcelona?
The Hola Barcelona covers the main networks used to get around Barcelona: metro and TMB buses, NitBus, tram, FGC, and Rodalies in Zone 1. The Montjuïc funicular is also included.
© Agm, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Metro
Unlimited travel on the TMB metro network for the entire validity period of the card.
© Javierito92, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
TMB Bus
TMB urban buses are included for the entire validity period of the card.
© Ssola, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
NitBus
The NitBus night bus network is officially included in the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.
© Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tram
Barcelona’s tram services are included in the card.
© Enric, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
FGC
FGC trains are included for journeys covered by Zone 1.
© Noah Toro i Calzado, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rodalies
Rodalies de Catalunya trains are included for journeys covered by Zone 1.
Understanding the Coverage
Zone 1 of Barcelona's Public Transport
The Hola Barcelona covers integrated transport in Zone 1 for the FGC and Rodalies networks, as well as the main public transport needed to visit Barcelona.
This zone includes the city center, major tourist districts, beaches, Montjuïc, and the vast majority of trips during a typical stay.
The map allows you to see the boundaries of Zone 1 and the connections between the different networks.
If you plan an excursion outside of Barcelona, check the fare zone of your destination before you leave.
Note: the Hola Barcelona also includes one round trip by metro between the airport and Barcelona, according to the specific conditions of the card.
Zone 1 Map: Download the official Barcelona fare zones map (PDF, source TMB).
For visiting Barcelona, Zone 1 is sufficient in the vast majority of cases. The main monuments and tourist districts of the city are served by the transportation covered by the card.
Choose your card
Which Hola Barcelona Travel Card duration should you choose?
Choose the duration that covers your travels: 24 hours for one day, 48 hours for two days, 72 hours for three days, 96 hours for four days, or 120 hours for five days.
The validity starts at the first validation and is counted in hours. For example, a 48-hour card activated on Friday at 3 PM remains valid until Sunday at 3 PM. Consider your arrival and departure times to select the appropriate duration.
Arrival in Barcelona
Does the Hola Barcelona include the airport metro?
Yes. The Hola Barcelona includes a one-way and a return trip on the metro between the airport and Barcelona.
You can use the L9 South line from the Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 stations without purchasing the special airport ticket separately, under the conditions provided by the card.
This is one of its main advantages for travelers arriving by plane.
However, the Aerobús is not included and requires a separate ticket.
Airport metro: yes. Aerobús: no. If you wish to use the Aerobús between the airport and the center of Barcelona, you need to purchase its ticket separately.
User Guide
How does the Hola Barcelona Travel Card work?
1. Purchase your card
Choose a duration of 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours.
2. Exchange the voucher
For an online purchase, exchange your voucher for the transport card at the metro's automatic machines.
3. First validation
The duration starts upon the first validation. For example, a 72-hour card validated on Monday at 4 PM remains valid until Thursday at 4 PM.
4. Validate contactlessly
The card is personal and works contactlessly: simply hold it near the validator for each journey.
5. Travel without limits
During its validity period, you can make as many trips as needed on the included transport services.
© Barcelona.com
Locate the ticket dispenser
Don't activate the card too early. Its duration starts with the first validation: if you don't need transportation right away, wait for your first actual trip.
Our Analysis
Is the Hola Barcelona worth it?
The Hola Barcelona card becomes particularly appealing if you plan on making several trips per day, if your accommodation is outside the city center, or if you use the metro to get to or from the airport.
It also offers an advantage that's hard to quantify: you no longer have to think about which ticket you need before each journey.
However, if you're staying right in the center and plan to explore Barcelona mainly on foot, an unlimited card might be less useful.
It is especially suitable for first-time visits to Barcelona, visitors who frequently use the metro, families looking to simplify travel, accommodations far from the center, and travelers using the airport metro.
The right criterion isn't just the price. If you frequently use public transport, the freedom to hop on a metro or bus without counting the trips quickly becomes very convenient.
Which card to choose?
Hola Barcelona or Barcelona Card?
Both cards include public transportation, but they cater to different needs.
Hola BarcelonaBarcelona CardUnlimited public transportYesYesAirport metroYesYesIncluded museumsNoYesTourist discountsNoYesMain useGetting aroundTransport + cultural visitsChoose the Hola Barcelona if your priority is simply to get around easily.
The Barcelona Card becomes more appealing if you also want to visit several museums and enjoy the included tourist benefits.
Transport only: Hola Barcelona.
Transport + museums: Barcelona Card.
The Hola Barcelona is probably one of the easiest cards to understand in Barcelona: you choose a duration and no longer worry about your trips.
It is particularly convenient if you arrive by plane and plan to use the metro frequently. However, don't buy it thinking it grants access to monuments: it covers transportation, not visits.
Plan Your Travel
Everything You Need to Know About Transportation in Barcelona
To organize all your travel, check out our guide to transportation in Barcelona: metro, bus, airport transfers, and tourist solutions to get around easily during your stay.
© Wistula, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Barcelona Airport
All the ways to reach the city center from Barcelona-El Prat: metro, train, Aerobús, bus, taxi, and transfers.
© Patrick1977, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Barcelona Metro
Lines, schedules, map, tickets, and tips for easily using the metro network during your stay.
© Barcelona.com
Barcelona Tourist Bus
An alternative to traditional transportation for reaching major landmarks with hop-on hop-off tours.
© AlbertRA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Aerobús Barcelona
The direct shuttle connects terminals T1 and T2 to the center of Barcelona, including Plaça Espanya and Plaça Catalunya.
FAQ
FAQ - Hola Barcelona Travel Card
Yes. You can purchase it at the metro vending machines, at the Punt TMB customer service points, at the Hola Barcelona Store in the Catalunya station, or at the Barcelona tourist offices. Buying online is another option; simply follow the pick-up instructions provided in your confirmation.
No. The Hola Barcelona is a personal card: it does not allow multiple people to travel with the same ticket. Each traveler using this option must have their own card.
Children under 4 years old travel for free and do not need a Hola Barcelona card. From the age of 4, if you choose this option for their travel, each child must have their own card.
Yes. The card is reusable: once the ticket is used up, you can load a new Hola Barcelona plan onto it at the metro network's vending machines, at the current rate. So keep your card if you wish to continue using public transport.
To take advantage of the transfer included in the Hola Barcelona, use the metro, via line L9 South, to or from Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2: the card includes a round trip between the airport and Barcelona. If you prefer the Aerobús, you will need to purchase a separate ticket.