Getting to Barcelona

By train

Barcelona has direct train links to several major cities in Spain (including Madrid, Valencia and Seville) and France (including Paris, Lyon and Perpignan). For an overview of all train travel options, check out Trainline.

Barcelona Sants is the city’s main railway station, with most national and international routes stopping here. The station has connections with local trains (Rodalies) and the Barcelona Metro network (lines 3 and 5) for onward travel to the city centre and conference venue.

See Getting around for more information.

By coach

FlixBus and BlaBlaCar operate bus links from various Spanish and European destinations. See the ComparaBus website to compare routes and prices.

By car

Barcelona is connected to the French motorway network via the AP-7, N-II and C-32, entering the city via the ring roads (B-20 Ronda de Dalt or B-10 Ronda Litoral) or Avinguda Meridiana, which leads to the centre. From the south, the city can be reached via the AP-7 and C-32, entering from Avinguda Diagonal. Keep in mind that traffic can be heavy at the main entry points of the city during rush hour.

Parking
On-street parking in the centre of Barcelona can be difficult due to time restrictions and resident-only parking spots. However, the city has a large number of car parks, several of which are near the venue. You can use the Parclick website to search for convenient options and prices.

Ride shares
You can search for and book ride shares (coche compartido) on the BlaBlaCar website, generally only a short time before travel. The private METM25 LinkedIn group* is also a great place to find travel buddies.

By air

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN)
Direct flights are available from many national and international cities and the airport is served by a large number of low-cost and full-service airlines.

Transfers
Barcelona El Prat airport is 14 km from the city centre, which can be reached easily by shuttle bus (to Plaça Espanya and Plaça Catalunya) and train (to Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gràcia and El Clot-Aragó), each taking approximately 30 minutes, and by metro (line 9 south, with connections to lines 1, 3 and 5), taking approximately 50 minutes. A taxi from the airport costs around €45 and is slightly faster. More information on how to get from the airport to the city centre can be found on the airport website.

Girona–Costa Brava Airport (GRO)
Direct flights are available from a number of European cities. The airport is served by low-cost airlines including Ryanair, Jet2 and Transavia.

Transfers
Girona airport is 95 km from Barcelona. There is a frequent, direct coach service to Barcelona (Estació del Nord), taking approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and costing €35 return.

Reus–Costa Daurada Airport (REU)
Direct flights are available from a number of European cities. The airport is served by low-cost airlines including Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet and Vueling.

Transfers
Reus airport is 106 km from Barcelona. There is an infrequent, direct coach service to Barcelona (Barcelona Sants), taking approximately 1 hour 30 minutes and costing €35 return. Alternatively, an hourly local bus service (L50) takes you to Reus railway station, where you can catch a Rodalies train to Barcelona.

Prices correct at time of writing (March 2025)

Travel buddies

Our private METM25 LinkedIn group* is the perfect place to find a travel companion. You can join the group once you have registered for METM25. If you have any questions in the meantime, write to Jacqueline Lamb.

* Link in your METM25 registration email