How to pay for the Barcelona Metro and public transport in 2026 — T-Casual, Hola BCN tourist pass, and single ticket options explained.
How to Get the T-Casual Card & Barcelona Metro Tickets
Buy T-Casual and all tickets at any TMB metro station ticket machine. The machine has English options. T-Casual €11.35 for 10 trips in Zone 1, or buy single tickets at €2.40. Airport supplement tickets sold separately at airport machines.
T-Casual Card & Barcelona Metro Tickets Benefits
- T-Casual covers metro, buses, trams, FGC, and Rodalies — one card, all transport.
- 1h15 transfer window — multiple transport modes on one trip within the time limit.
- Hola BCN tourist pass includes airport supplement — best value for multi-day visitors.
- No card deposit required — throw away when done or keep for next visit.
- T-Usual (30-day unlimited Zone 1) at €42.50 is best value for monthly stays.
Fare Reference (EUR)
Payment methods: T-Casual (10-trip integrated) · Single trip ticket · T-Usual (30-day unlimited) · Hola BCN tourist pass · Contactless bank card (select gates).
💡 The T-Casual (€11.35 for 10 trips in Zone 1) is the best value for visitors — it works on metro, buses, FGC, trams, and Rodalies. At €1.135 per trip it's half the cost of single tickets.
| Journey | Off-Peak (EUR) | Peak (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip (Zone 1) | €2.40 | €2.40 |
| T-Casual (10 trips Zone 1) | €11.35 | €11.35 |
| Airport L9 supplement | €4.60 | €4.60 |
| Hola BCN 48 hours | €16.40 | €16.40 |
| Hola BCN 72 hours | €23.80 | €23.80 |
| Hola BCN 120 hours | €35.00 | €35.00 |
Peak hours: No peak fare surcharge — flat zone-based fares at all times. L9 airport supplement of €4.60 one-way for airport trips..
T-Casual Card & Barcelona Metro Tickets vs Single-Journey Ticket
| T-Casual Card & Barcelona Metro Tickets | Single-Journey Token / Ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare benefit | T-Casual covers metro, buses, trams, FGC, and Rodalies — one card, all transport. | Standard full fare |
| Queue time | Tap and go — no queue | Buy at machine each time |
| Initial cost | €11 | Journey cost only |
| Works on all lines | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Anyone staying 2+ days | Single one-off journey |
Tips for Using the T-Casual Card & Barcelona Metro Tickets
- Always tap in AND tap out at every fare gate — tapping out is required to correctly calculate the fare.
- Keep the card topped up before travel to avoid holding up queues at entry gates.
- The T-Casual Card & Barcelona Metro Tickets works for the airport connection — see the airport guide.
- If you lose the card, contact TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) — some systems allow balance transfer to a new card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a T-Casual between two people?
No — each person must validate individually. However, one person can use the same T-Casual card for two consecutive taps at the same gate, as the machine subtracts one trip per validation. For groups, each person needs their own card or you make multiple taps.
Does T-Casual work on the Aerobus airport bus?
No — Aerobus is a private service that does not accept metro or T-Casual tickets. Buy an Aerobus ticket separately (€6.75 one way, €11.35 return). The L9 metro is cheaper but requires an airport supplement. Aerobus is faster for the city centre (30–40 min to Plaça Catalunya).
Is there an unlimited day ticket for Barcelona?
Yes — the Hola BCN pass (€16.40 for 48h, €23.80 for 72h) gives unlimited rides including the airport supplement. A T-Día (single-day unlimited, €10.50) is also available. For short visits, compare how many trips you plan before deciding.
Can I use contactless bank cards on Barcelona Metro?
Contactless payment is being rolled out on Barcelona Metro gates from 2025–2026. Some stations now accept Visa/Mastercard tap-to-pay directly. Check TMB announcements for the current rollout status, or use a T-Casual to be safe.
See also: Barcelona Metro ticket prices · Airport connection · Full Barcelona Metro guide
Source: TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona). Fares and card terms subject to change — verify before travel.