The options at a glance
| Option | Route | Typical time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro + cruise bus | Metro L3 from Sants Estació to Drassanes, walk to Portal de la Pau, cruise bus to the Adossat terminals | Allow about an hour | Light luggage, plenty of time |
| Taxi | Rank outside Sants | About 16 min without traffic | Metered fare plus the AMB supplements |
| Private car | From your train to your terminal | About 16 min without traffic | Families, groups, heavy luggage |
Metro: TMB map. Cruise bus and terminals: Port de Barcelona. Taxi supplements at Sants and the Adossat Wharf: AMB.
Which terminal?
Barcelona’s cruise ships use the terminals of the Adossat Wharf and the World Trade Center; your cruise line tells you which one in your boarding documents. From the WTC terminal the bottom of La Rambla is a short walk, but the Adossat terminals are far along a port road, so on foot with suitcases is not an option. See the cruise port guide and the Port de Barcelona terminal list.
Timing on embarkation day
- High-speed trains can run late: leave a generous margin between your train and the end of the boarding window.
- At Sants, give your train number to whoever is collecting you, so a delay does not cost you the pick-up; see the Sants station guide.
- With a few hours to spare, see the last day in Barcelona with luggage before heading to the port.
- Arriving by air instead? See airport to cruise port.
A car from the platform to the ship
With suitcases, children or a group, a car from Sants to your terminal avoids the metro stairs and the change to the cruise bus. QuickPickups, which publishes this guide, sells private transfers between Sants and the cruise port at a fixed price agreed when you book; its booking box is marked on this page.
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.