What leaves from Sants
The station is run by Adif, which describes it as the hub for high-speed, long-distance, medium-distance and commuter trains. For visitors, the useful lines are these:
- High-speed and long-distance trains to Madrid, Girona, Figueres and France, among others.
- Rodalies R2 Nord to the airport (Terminal 2) and Passeig de Gràcia; R2 Sud to Sitges.
- Rodalies R4 towards Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Vilafranca del Penedès, and the regional R14, R15 and R16 towards Tarragona.
- Metro L3 (green) and L5 (blue) at Sants Estació.
Onward from Sants at a glance
| Destination | Public transport | By road | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City centre (Pl. Catalunya) | Metro L3 direct; or R2 Nord to Passeig de Gràcia | About 8 min | L3 also serves Liceu and the Rambla |
| Airport | R2 Nord direct to T2; metro L5 + L9 Sud | About 19 min | The Aerobús does not stop at Sants |
| Cruise port | Metro and the port’s cruise bus, or road | About 16 min | See the cruise port guide |
| Sagrada Família | Metro L5 direct | About 10 min | No luggage storage at the basilica |
| Camp Nou and Les Corts | Metro L3 or L5 | About 7 min | Event-day closures apply |
Road times are without traffic and come from the route data we use for our own trips; allow more at rush hour.
Metro and taxis
The metro station, Sants Estació, is reached from inside the train station. L3 runs to Plaça d’Espanya, Plaça de Catalunya, Liceu and on to Gràcia; L5 runs to Diagonal and Sagrada Família, and to Collblanc for the airport line. Remember that the ticket rules change at the airport stations.
There is a taxi rank outside the station. The AMB adds a €2.55 supplement to journeys that start at Sants, on top of the metered fare. When several long-distance trains arrive together, the queue at the rank can be long.
Luggage and the rebuilding works
Adif’s station page lists a left-luggage service at Sants, run by a third party; check the current opening times on the Adif station page rather than relying on old guides. Adif also notes that the station is being transformed, so entrances, walkways and services can move. Allow extra time to find your platform, especially for high-speed trains, which have a security check before boarding.
If you have a few hours between a train and a flight, see the last day in Barcelona with luggage.
A pre-booked car from Sants
With children, a group or several suitcases, a car waiting at the station saves the queue at the rank and the changes on the metro. QuickPickups, which publishes this guide, sells private transfers from Sants at a fixed price agreed when you book, and its booking box is marked on this page. Give your train number when you book so the driver can follow any delay. For the airport run, see Sants to the airport.
QuickPickups booking service
Booking a private transfer: the usual questions
- Is the price really fixed?
- Yes. You see the full price for the vehicle before you pay, and it does not change with traffic, the route or the time of day.
- What if my flight is late?
- Your flight number is tracked in real time and the pick-up time is adjusted. At the airport you get 60 minutes of free waiting after landing; at the cruise port, 30 minutes.
- How will I find the driver?
- At the airport the driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign. Your confirmation email has the contact details.
- Can I get child seats?
- Yes, on request when you book, for a small supplement shown before you pay. Tell us the age or weight of each child.
- Can I get an invoice?
- Yes. QUICKPICKUPS S.L. can issue an invoice for your booking, including one made out to your company.
- What if my plans change?
- Cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance are free. You can manage the booking from your confirmation email or by writing to info@quickpickups.es.