Traveling by bus with Hola Barcelona Travel Card

Explore Barcelona by Bus: A complete guide to seamless travel

Traveling in Barcelona is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. The city’s efficient bus network lets you explore its vibrant neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and hidden gems with ease. Whether you're here for a quick getaway or a longer stay, using public transport, especially buses, is a budget-friendly and scenic way to experience Barcelona. And the best part? The Hola Barcelona Travel Card makes this experience smooth, economical, and utterly hassle-free.

Understanding the bus lines in Barcelona

Barcelona’s bus network is comprehensive and designed to make exploring the city convenient for both residents and visitors. Below is a breakdown of the key bus lines and how they serve different areas:

D Lines (Diagonal)

• Provide direct routes between strategic locations such as Diagonal Mar, Zona Franca, and Fira de Barcelona.
• Ideal for commuters heading to shopping centers, train stations, or business hubs.

H Lines (Horizontal)

• Run from east to west, connecting neighborhoods like Trinitat Vella, Gràcia, Sants, and the University Zone.
• These lines minimize the need for transfers and efficiently cover large sections of the city.

V Lines (Vertical)

• Run north to south, linking areas like Nou Barris, Montjuïc, and El Prat.
• Best for traveling between residential areas, such as Horta and Eixample, and tourist hotspots like Port Vell.

X Lines (Express)

• Designed for quick travel with fewer stops.
• Provide direct access to important destinations such as major transport hubs and shopping districts.

Lines 1 - 60

• Focus on central Barcelona, covering key areas like Plaza Catalunya, El Raval, Eixample, and Gràcia.
• Ideal for short trips within the city center and nearby neighborhoods.

Lines 61 - 100

• Extend to peripheral areas like Sants, Les Corts, Sant Martí, and parts of Baix Llobregat.
• Great for connecting the outskirts to the city center.

Lines 101 - 120

• Serve metropolitan areas such as Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, and industrial zones like Zona Franca.
• Useful for commuters traveling between the suburbs and the city.

Lines 121 - 140

• Connect residential neighborhoods with major transportation routes like Gran Via, Diagonal, and Meridiana.
• Cover areas such as Horta-Guinardó and Nou Barris.

Lines 141 - 200

• Reach the outermost neighborhoods and districts, including Sant Andreu, El Carmel, Sarrià, and even nearby cities like Hospitalet and Cornellà.
• Ideal for those traveling to the metropolitan fringe.

All buses operate on regular schedules, with stops strategically placed to make planning trips easy. Additionally, Barcelona offers an innovative on-demand service, "El meu Bus," which adjusts to user needs for more sustainable and convenient travel.

Tips to explore Barcelona by Bus

• Unlike metros, buses don’t automatically stop at every station. If you see your bus approaching, raise your hand to signal the driver. Similarly, press the red "Stop" button on board well in advance of your stop to give the driver enough time to halt smoothly.
• If you’re in a hurry, opt for X lines (express buses). These have fewer stops and offer faster connections between major areas like Francesc Macià and Glòries. Regular buses make more frequent stops, so they’re better for shorter trips within neighborhoods.
• When using the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, you can transfer between buses, metro lines, and trams without additional charges for up to 75 minutes from the time of validation. This is particularly useful when combining bus routes to reach more remote destinations.
• Barcelona has double bus stops, where two buses can load and unload passengers simultaneously. If the bus you’re waiting for stops further down at point 2 instead of point 1, don’t panic. Walk to the second stop marker and board from there.
• Some bus lines, like H6 and V13, have two final destinations. The destination is displayed on the illuminated sign at the front of the bus. Double-check this before boarding to ensure it’s headed to your intended stop.
• At €2.55 per trip, single tickets can add up quickly. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card provides unlimited rides for a flat fee, making it ideal for tourists planning to travel frequently. The card includes metro access from Barcelona-El Prat Airport, saving you an additional taxi fare of €30–€40.
• Barcelona’s Nit Bus service starts around 10:40pm and runs until 5am. While the Hola Barcelona Travel Card doesn’t cover night buses, they’re still a reliable option for late-night travel. Look for stops marked with an “N” to identify night bus routes.