How to get to Barcelona Sants Train Station

Travel from Barcelona city centre to Barcelona Sants train station

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, known for its beautiful and unique architecture as well as its culture. Spotted throughout the city you’ll find structural masterpieces from the Spanish architect, Gaudí. The main train station serving the city is the Barcelona Sants station. It is in the district of Sants, southwest of the city centre of the Spanish metropolis. The Barcelona Sants station operates both domestic and international train routes. The international destinations are generally to France, to cities like Marseille, Lyon and Paris. If you’re on a train to Barcelona, getting to the city centre from the Barcelona Sants train station is fairly simple. The station has connections with the green L3 and blue L5 subway lines as well as public bus or train routes. To get to the Plaça de Catalunya main square in Barcelona, it’s a direct trip on the R1, R3 and R4 trains.

How far is it from Barcelona city centre to Barcelona Sants train station?

The Barcelona Sants train station is more or less 2 miles (3 km) from the city centre. In this case we are considering the city centre Plaça de Catalunya main square and its surroundings. To travel from Barcelona city centre to the Barcelona train station, head southwest from the square along Ronda de la Universitat until the road ends. Follow Carrer d’Aribau street northwest for about five blocks to turn left on Mallorca street. Continue down Mallorca street for about eight blocks, when it merges onto Roma Avenue. After more or less 0.5 miles (0.8 km) takes a sharp left turn when you see the Barcelona Sants Station building on Plaça dels Països Catalans. This whole route by car can normally take approximately 13min. However, this timing can depend on the time of day you have your train time out of Barcelona, and if is during rush hour.

What is the best way to get to Barcelona Sants train station from Barcelona city centre?

The best and easiest way of getting from the city centre to the train station in Barcelona is most likely by public transportation. Starting from the central Plaça de Catalunya square, the route is direct and there are multiple options. Travellers on their way to the Barcelona Sants train station can hop on one of three Cercanías train lines from the Catalunya station at the Plaça de Catalunya square. These train lines are either the Blue R1 or Green R3 heading towards L’hospitalet de Lobregat, or the Orange R4 train going towards Sant Vicenç de Calders. All of these routes are express and passengers should get off at the Barcelona-Sants stop to catch their intercity train. The trip on the public transportation to the Barcelona Sants train station can take about 5min from Plaça Catalunya, and the R lines are stopping through every 5min approximately.

Where is the airport in Barcelona and how to get there?

The major airport serving this Spanish city is the Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN). The airport is more or less 8.6 miles (14 km) southwest from the Barcelona Sants train station. By car you can arrive at the station in about 20min. However, there is also a direct train line, the R2N, which stops at Barcelona Sants about 28min later.

How accessible is Barcelona main train station for those with limited mobility?

The Barcelona Sants train station has been equipped and adapted to accommodate all passengers with barrier-free access. The entrance into the train station is at street level and wheelchair accessible, without any steps. Once inside the station, there are guide rails on the ground for travellers with vision disability. The train hall is large and with enough signage to find facilities and services. At the customer service areas it’s possible to get information about the train station in Barcelona and the assistance offers for passengers with reduced mobility.

Those who need it can ask for help to get around the station as well as boarding their train out of Barcelona Sants. Around the station, travellers have access to wheelchair adapted toilets, waiting areas and seating as well as adequate lifts to get down to the different train platforms. There is also accessible parking available in the parking lot with elevators to access the main train station from it.

Barcelona Train Station. Source: Shutterstock

Night trains to/from Barcelona Sants

The Spanish national railway, Renfe, offers a couple night trains in and out of Barcelona Sants station. There are domestic overnight train options to the Galician region, to A Coruña and Vigo as well as various train-cruise experience to Seville or Santiago de Compostela. These routes depart from Barcelona in the evening arriving at the final destination the next morning.

Travelling by train in Barcelona: sustainable journey

Renfe, the Spanish railway company, is constantly working towards energy efficiency on its trains as well as in its stations. The objective is to reduce carbon emissions for train travel and apply an efficient use of resources. Another way of achieving a sustainability is educating and raising awareness among their employees to respect the environment.

Local tips: Barcelona train station points of interest

The Barcelona-Sants train station is a busy terminal operating routes all around Spain as well as some international destinations in France. The building is modern and equipped with a variety of facilities and services to suit all passengers’ needs. There are multiple restaurants, as well as shops, tourist information and some car hire agencies. When you get off your train arriving in Barcelona, you’ll find yourself in the Sants neighbourhood. You’ll want to make your way into the city centre to find the top sites of Barcelona. In the famous Gothic Quarter you can stroll down La Rambla Boulevard, lined with stalls and markets. One of the most known markets in the area is the Mercado de la Boqueria. Stop and have a drink or some tapas before exploring the city more. Nearby is the Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona as well as the Picasso Museum.For more local tips, you can check Omio magazine.

• Check out the architecture of Casa Batlló and Casa Milà
• Take a look inside the iconic Sagrada Familia
• Take in the views and colours from Parc Güell
• Visit the Palau de la Música Catalana
• Watch a soccer game at the Camp Nou

What to do in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the top cities to visit when you’re in Spain. It’s known for its UNESCO World Heritage sites and beautiful architecture. Head towards the city centre and take some time to walk around the Gothic Quarter. The experience will take you back to the middle ages with the cobblestone roads and gothic-styles arches over the narrow streets. Some of the top Barcelona attractions are all known to be masterpieces of one Spanish architect, Gaudí. For instance, during your visit you won’t want to miss his beautiful Sagrada Familia Basilica, the unique and curved Casas Batlló and Milà as well as the Parc Güell overlooking the city.

If you’re in Barcelona during the summer, the temperatures can get high so it could be a good idea to explore the coast and beaches near the Spanish city. Make sure you also save time to try some of the traditional dishes of the city, such as “pa amb tomaquet” tomato toast as an appetizer, “calçots con salsa de romesco” grilled chives or maybe a “crema catalana” for dessert.