BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 5 December 2009 by A Williams

Customer Rating : 4/5

Barcelona airport has had quite a few makeovers in the last few years - the last being the opening of what is now terminal 1 a few months ago. Given the fact that navigating the roads leading toward the airport is difficult and unintuitive actually getting to terminal 1 is fairly easy, however they now no longer allow you to drop off outside the terminal - you must park in the multi-storey (first few minutes are free). The new terminal is infinitely better that the old one - more spacious and easier to navigate, and with much better eating and shopping options. However the prices are not attractive so unless you have some spare euros to get rid of then I would stick to window shopping. One bonus is the ability to shop when you arrive as well as when you depart - though when I came through a few weeks ago at around 10pm everything was closed. The old terminal (previously terminals A, B and C) are now renamed Terminal 2 A, B , and C an though it is large it is now all but deserted, reserved almost exclusively for charter flights and budget airlines. Passing through there only this morning I noted that while Terminal 1 has around 20 flights an hour Terminal 2 has less than that a day! Of the 90 or so check-in desks we saw less than 5 open and it was clear that the shops and cafes are all running on minimum empty. Only a few weeks ago this place was still teaming with people. One good aspect of this is that parking is no longer an issue and queues are non existent. Unfortunately the biggest airline in terminal 2 - Easyjet - has relocated to terminal 2C which is itself a separate building a good 5 to 10 minute walk from terminal 2B. Our tickets still indicated terminal 2B so we joined several other passengers wandering aimlessly trying to find where Easyjet had moved to, and of course with the reduction in passengers in this terminal there were no information points - or even any staff available. Terminal 2 C then was the busiest but has no facilities other than 4 vending machines and a cafe which is now closed. All in all the the distinct differences between the 2 terminals are very evident. If you are in terminal 1 you should have a nice smooth, relaxing, if expensive time. In terminal 2 however you may as well be in a ghost town - remember to bring your own coffee!

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 14 October 2009 by Rick Crowley

Customer Rating : 4/5

On October 10th we had exactly the same problem. We saw that out tickets said go to D passport control, which we did. Then we were stuck! Below us were all the shops and nice looking restaurants, but on our level was a 3rd rate McDonalds, and a tea shop that sold cold potato sandwiches. I went back to passport control, and they would not let anyone back through. In the end there were about 10 of us all having two hours to waste, and Euros to spend. The escalators only come up. One couple tried to run down it, but were stopped. The lifts only go down if you have a security pass. Why is this, is it because we were flying to London HR, and we have such a bad reputation abroad? I hope not, but why were we treated in such a bad way?

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 29 September 2009 by A Wolff

Customer Rating : 1/5

I had the same problem as the last reviewer. If you depart from Gate D and E, do not pass through passport control until boarding is about to commence. Instead follow signs to gates A, B and C where you can enjoy the shops and eateries. Gates D and E trap you with only a McDonalds and a coffee shop and a surly teenager to serve you. We spent almost 2 hours in this cage looking at the lovely shops from the glass walls and sharing our grumbles with the other frustrated travellers. Absolutely ridiculous system and not something you'd expect from a major European airport.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 24 September 2009 by Margaret Burford

Customer Rating : 3/5

Terminal 1 - after checking in we were given boarding passes for Gate D. We then proceeded through the security search and saw that gates A B and C were down the escalator and that gate D was to our left and gate E to the right. We could see passports were being checked at D so we proceeded forward. Wrong. Don't go through passport control until you are ready to board your plane. Once through the security check go straight down the escalator to the shops and restaurants. The big glass balcony that houses the security check area and Gates D and E give you the impression that once you have passed through passport control you can still proceed downstairs to the shops and restaurants - you can't. Once we realised our mistake I felt such a fool that I thought I would not be telling anyone until I realised that the balcony had loads of people wandering around wondering how they could now get down to the shopping area. Although the passport booth had a sign saying you cannot return back once having passed through, this just conveyed the message to most people that you could not leave the airport. We did not realise it meant you would no longer have access to the shopping/restaurant area! Note to the Barcelona airport authorities: Please get the signage at the check in desks and through security to read, "Don't go through passport control until you are ready to board your plane." You are losing revenue with all those people stuck up on the balcony with boarding passes for gates D and E!

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 24 September 2009 by Eddie Buckle

Customer Rating : 3/5

I find Barcelona airport somewhat confusing. Coming in from Berlin we followed the sign from the gate for Schengen arrivals, only to walk up to a locked door, so it was back the other way to wave passports at somewhat bemused passport officers. Then you discover there are signs to three possible baggage delivery areas in Terminal 2 and have to peer at small screens to discover where yours will end up. Driving back to the airport, we found ourselves going round in a circle after filling up the hire car - you get to a crossroads and have to guess, and we guessed wrong. Once inside, check-in was quick enough, though there seem to be only very small departure screens to work out which desks you have to go to. Food is extortionate in the departure lounge.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 15 September 2009 by J Mills

Customer Rating : 1/5

The access to the airport is good but the signage from the motorway is terrible. The check out through arrivals is tortuous and the baggage and passport control very, very slow. Coming back through to leave Spain the same problems with the motorway signs but the check in desk was quick. Don't bother with priority boarding as you all get on the same bus to the plane and its an absolute scramble for seats. The food in the departure lounge is extortionately priced and even a simple sandwich will cost you about £5. No simple food and we went hungry until we got back to the UK and bought some good old fish and chips. A burger at Barcelona Airport was £10. Half the shops were shut and the others so expensive we didn't use them.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 3 September 2009 by Armand Martel

Customer Rating : 4/5

Arrival passport control was a bit slow, but bags delivered quickly. On departure our taxi driver didn't know which terminal housed Continental. I didn't see any signs on entering the airport, and there are no curbside signs to indicate location of check-in desks. Once you are in the terminal there is a similar deficiency of signs. This makes it a bit chaotic with people searching for their respective airline counters. T2 is divided into A and B concourses. We checked in at B but had to go to an A gate. Check-in was a breeze at 8 a.m. on a Monday. Security was quick, but the tables for placing your belongings in the provided baskets were separate from the scanners and required you to carry the baskets and bags to the scanner. If you have computer, electronic accessories, coat, and other items to remove, it could be cumbersome. At least you don't have to remove your shoes. Passport control had four open booths and was also very easy to negotiate. No free wireless service in terminal or private lounge. Overall, a nice experience.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 3 July 2009 by Nick Francis

Customer Rating : 4/5

Recently flew into El Prat having not been there in about 5 years. The departures area is very, very long and takes roughly 20 minutes to get from one end to the other. Plenty of shops, but not really enough places to have anything substantial to eat. The easyJet flights seem to go from non-Shengen gates at the far end of the terminal, so you have to pass passport control twice.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 27 June 2009 : by Nick Paul

Customer Rating : 4/5

Arrival from Edinburgh on a sunday. Arrived at Terminal A. Luggage promptly on belt and no delays in immigration etc. No signs evident for car hire desks - asked at Information booth for directions - advised to go to Terminal B, so agree with other comments that some signage needs improvement. Very large facility, with shopping for souvenirs etc in several areas. Taxis right in front of building if needed, and large car park (and car hire area....) very short walk from arrival. On departure, check in deks seemed under manned for many of the flights. Also, new staff training / check in procedures being implemented meant some delays, but no real issues. After passport control - quick and no delays - the usual range of shops and outlets all vying for the last money from the travller. Many of the gates are some distance from the check in desks - and are also on the first floor, one flight up, so allow time to get to gate if in a rush. Current time is not shown on departure boards with flight info - that should be addressed to help the traveller for sure! Overall a good airport.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 17 June 2009 : by J Boulerice

Customer Rating : 4/5

Upon arrival, I found the airport easy to navigate. Security was a breeze, and I was at my gate in no time. My return was just as simple. After disembarking, I picked up my luggage and walked right out (no immigration or passport check whatsoever). No complaints and no problems.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 6 April 2009 : by John Oram

Customer Rating : 3/5

Beautiful modern light and airy airport badly let down by inadequate or misleading signage on arrival. Our BA flight had parked at terminal A and we followed the non-Schengen signs on arrival. This led to our downfall as we were somehow supposed to know that BA baggage would be delivered to terminal B. We had a long walk along much the length of the terminal and had to go through every bit of security to get back to the B baggage hall. Taxi rank was well organised.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 13 December 2008 : by Steve Wadham

Customer Rating : 2/5

We recently travelled with Iberia from LHR arriving at 7pm. We were coached from the plane to the coaching arrivals area and had to join a queue with only one immigration man to deal with us. The Spanish passport holders were waved through by a Police officer after a cursory check of their passports to one side of us. We waited 45 mins to clear immigration (UK to Spain ? ) On return to UK a week later we were again coached out to the Iberia plane and suffered another detailed examination of passports for all on the flight which meant a long queue in the coaching gate again. I hate being coached out and wonder if UK flights are treated as such as we are not in Schengen, just a thought. Otherwise, we found the terminals to be decent places to wait for a flight out with plenty of space and light. Not much available for water, drinks papers etc but lots of designer outlets though. On arrival we found plenty of cabs available.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 18 November 2008 : by J Porter

Customer Rating : 3/5

This could be a nice airport and was for arrival. However on departure it was in a serious state of disorganisation at the check in desks with huge disorganised queues and little useful information. The time got later and later and the queues were hardly moving, not a pleasant experience. There seemed to be more than usual numbers of people demanding passports at all sorts of stages including just as we got in the but there was some kind of unpleasant swat team.

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 8 August 2008 : by Hugh Thomas

Customer Rating : 3/5

I have travelled to and through Barcelona several times and generally have found it efficient. However, I arrived off a BA flight at 12.45 on Wednesday, 30th July and was confronted with a huge queue for immigration. Only one of six booths was in operation and, as a result, it took me 50 minutes to get from the plane and into the airport, leaving me only 15 minutes to get to the gate for my connection. Also, I was not the last off, so some would have waited about an hour to get through. As a result I would advise that, when booking flights via Barcelona, you allow at least 90 minutes between flights, longer if you want to be sure of having time to use the airport's excellent shopping facilities!

BARCELONA AIRPORT review : 22 July 2008 : by D Fay

Customer Rating : 3/5

I've travelled through BCN several times over the last few years and it has always been relatively pleasant, with plenty of circulation space and shops. However arriving for a (subsequently delayed) 2215 flight to DUB last week revealed that the shops close at 2100, so it's not possible to buy so much as a magazine after that. At 9.30 on a summer's evening, when Spanish cities are thronged with life, the gateway to the second city is dark and forlorn! There were 25 flights scheduled to depart between 2130 and midnight so I'm sure the shops would do some business if they bothered to stay open.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by K Lamb

12 March 2008   Customer Rating :

Arrived by taxi and had to walk the full length of the terminal to the BA check in desk. Check in was easy and quick, and although as other people have said we all beeped through the detectors, it didn't take long to be on our way through the departures area. Lots of shopping choices but it is very expensive. Overall a nice airport though some may find it too vast.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Jim Scott

7 February 2008   Customer Rating :

Used Barcelona for a return flight BCN-LGW-BCN. Outward uneventful and efficient. The relative chaos I had observed in the security checks on an early evening flight about 2 months ago was not in evidence this time. However as a non-Schenegen flight on easyJet we were in terminal A [I think; certainly the one furthest from the city centre] this time as opposed to B last time.Inbound flight landed around 22:00,on time. The process of inspecting passports, collecting luggage and leaving the terminal was all effortless and very rapid. One final comment. Rising prices in Spain in general and in Spanish airports in particular are a given. I was however quite surprised to see ads for parking at LGW on my way back which quoted prices way below BCN. On arrival back in Spain,we paid €64 for the period mentioned above. When I compared prices with the BAA website for the equivalent time- scale at LGW this coming week, the quote for booking in advance and for a slightly distant from the terminal location was £24.80 which I translate at a rate of €1.33/£ as very roughly €33.00. Quite a difference!

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by J Segal

26 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Traveled in and out of BCN this past week. Services were nice, but must agree that the security (both arrival and departure) were odd. Very minimal at entry, and casual at exit. Never matced ID with ticket-in fact never looked at my ID.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Jim Scott

23 November 2007   Customer Rating :

We recently travelled out and back on a Clickair flight to Berlin. As a result we used terminal B rather than terminal C which we are more used to using with easyJet. Also we travelled out in early evening for a 17:00 flight as opposed to one much nearer 22:00 with easyJet. The differences were glaring and negative. The queues for security on departure in B were both long and slow. Much much worse security itself seemed no more than a formality. A tedious formality. But a pointless one too. I would estimate that about 65% of the passengers were setting off the security alarms on the body scanning equipment. As a result the checks were pure farce with hassled operatives unable to respond to the constant pinging of alarm bells and the whole process becoming pointless. Not very impressive given the rationale which underpins such checks. On a more mundane level, the decision to locate the trays for small items to pass through the scanners only a few feet before arrival at the scanners guaranteed the most inefficient approach possible to the machines. To be fair to Tegel, about which I have yet to form a clear opinion, the security checks there knocked Barcelona into a cocked hat. On the positive side, baggage return on arrival in BCN was very speedy at 20 minutes from touchdown, but this is as it should be at 22:30 with a fairly empty airport.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Henry Tib

16 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrived at Barcelona El Prat airport mid evening, Immigration an easy flow through and there was no customs check. Buses are easily located outside the terminal to Barcelona and we were able to alight at a stop near to our hotel.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by C McCafferty

9 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrival with Easyjet was hassle free, although as I had hand luggage only I was spared a long wait for luggage (although previously I haven't had to wait more than 20-30 minutes). Out through 'Terminal A' I was on the Aerobus within 20 minutes of landing. Departing was more stressful - the airport was packed to the rafters with departing travellers, I was forced to trek from the security line beside the BA desks to a new channel upstairs midway between Terminals A and B which was thronged with people (although the queue moved relatively quickly) and once airside there were people everywhere - the general impression was that the place was full to capacity, and then some. That aside the terminal itself is well supplied with shops, airy and spacious (if a little hot) and there are some perfectly acceptable food and drink options. I think the place copes as well as it can with the massive demand from visitors, but it is often a stressful experience - Barcelona is very much a victim of its own success in this sense.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Jim Scott

3 November 2007   Customer Rating :

We use this airport regularly and it is generally fine. Check-in desks with easyJet are generally plentiful and quick. Likewise BA though on a price basis we haven't used them that much recently. There is not that much seating space downstairs where check-in is located but this is hardly a unique problem. All lounges are located on the 1st floor and you proceed up a set of escalators and pass through security at once on the top floor before emerging to a wide, spacious series of lounge areas. Flights to the UK are invariable located to the extreme right, the non-Schengen area, with a passport check being conducted in the wide corridor as you go there.[One tip on arrival. Should your path into the terminal take you via the 1st floor which is I think the case for all flights arriving at an airbridge/finger, it is important to note from the screens which terminal, A,B or C your bags are going to, as going down to the wrong section can cause hassle when you try to rectify the mistake.] On arrival the passport control booths are labelled as either "EU" or "non-EU" but the distinction is not enforced, at least in terms of allowing the former to emerge through the latter booths. When we last arrived on Sunday 28th October near 22:00 the time from touchdown to receiving bags was 22 minutes which is as it should be at this time of night. At other times waits for baggage have been inordinate. But the same can be true in London.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Paul Jacobsen

1 November 2007   Customer Rating :

On the positive side both passport and security checks were quick and well organized, with enough opened lanes. On the 1st floor of Terminal B, just above the Arrivals area, the restaurant Buffet Catalunya offers a tasty buffet with hot and cold dishes for around 20 euro. The room looks rather sterile, but it is a heaven of peace amidst the overcrowded terminal. On the negative side BCN suffers from a lack of reliable signage. Upon arrival it was very difficult to locate the Tourist Information desk. Furthermore I happened to find the local city bus only by chance. To go in the city please note that the local bus no. 46 (to Plaza Espanya) is slightly cheaper than the Aerobus (to Plaza Catalunya via Plaza Espanya). Upon departure it was also hard to find the right check-in counters. The whole terminal was overcrowded, hot and suffered from bad air-conditioning: how would it feel like in the midst of high-summer temperatures?

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Dave Jaros

9 October 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrived on Oct3 from PRG to Terminal A, fast immigration and while not having checked baggage, out in 15 mins. If heading for the city train, head for the Terminal B, as this is not well signposted in the T-A. Departing on Oct6 midday, rather strong passenger stream and queues in the both Terminals B and A. Check-in counters displayed on screens not complete (and well ahead) so check out the lighting screen at the top for complete listings. The space in ground floor is very limited, especially in peak times. Encountered some local drunk and confused teenagers who obviously missed another plane to the same destination. Fortunately, the agent refused them and kept the queue going on. Another bad point to the pre-security check (boarding pass), as the security is just up the stairs and this may become rather dangerous when masses try to move up in a lines. Also beware that after security, there are no post boxes so leave your postcards etc. in the public area. Immigration check somehow comic - EU passport line moved much slower than the "all passports". I argued quite visibly so the officer left me pass by without any check. The gate 55 suddenly started boarding without any PA notice some 10 ahead schedule. Not even the last call was announced by voice so that one could easily miss its flight (what almost happened to few fellow passengers). Very limited duty free and two bars in the M5 pier, facilities neither polished nor dirty, but very unpleasant dry air con. When avoiding peak times, its a passable airport with low taxes. But otherwise you get the Spanish hassle in full force.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by W Cresswell

20 September 2007   Customer Rating :

Whilst the airport buildings are pleasant enough the passenger and baggage handling are somewhat chaotic. On arrival a wait of nearly an hour for bags to appear. On departure, arrived at terminal 'A' two and a half hours before the flight to find total chaos with the queues from the check-in desks on both sides of the terminal merging in the centre, with indicator boards giving incorrect information. After a two hour wait passengers with flights departing within the next few minutes were 'fast tracked', fine but unfortunately the security channels in terminal 'A' happened to be closed, requiring a rush to terminal 'B' and then back to 'A' airside to eventually board. Comments from the aircrew indicate that these events are not uncommon at BCN. Eventually arrived in the UK with one bag missing, not surprising considering the chaos at BCN. Hope that the new airport currently under construction will improve matters.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by K Ross

15 August 2007   Customer Rating :

Just flown in and out of Barcelona with Transavia and Vueling respectively. We had the unfortunate experience of arriving on 'Black Saturday', when half the holidaymakers pass through this airport. What that meant in practice was an hour long wait for luggage, a long fight through a narrow and extremely crowded terminal to the car hire desks, then an hour queue there to pick up the car. Outbound was better, although the terminal was just as busy. Once airside, things calmed down and I must say that the departure lounges are spacious with more than adequate facilities. One other point to note. We had long wait at the airport and decided to go into the city to pass the time. I'd advise anybody to use either a taxi (cheap) or airport bus for this. We decided to go by train and after a long walk to the station we were surprised to find that the service runs only half-hourly (and not always on time). This leads to a large build up of passengers on a narrow platform waiting for the train, which then turns up a disgorges a train load of people and luggage onto this already jam-packed platform. Chaos ensues and tempers are strained in the heat. I can't believe that the airport, city authorities and rail network can't get together to ensure a more regular service, say once every 10 minutes. Overall, a decent airport to use outside the summer months I'd imagine, but probably one to avoided during the July/August chaos.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Andrew Bennett

17 October 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

I had to make a very quick change here last week (50 minutes scheduled), en route from Alicante to Malpensa with Iberia. To my amazement, my luggage arrive in Milan with me! So well done the baggage handlers at Barcelona - and an altogether pleasant experience, albeit short, in this airport.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Angela Lyons

12 August 2006

The airport is nice with plenty of light and there are plenty of shops. The entire airport is now smoke free. Due to the increased traffic this airport has experienced in the past 3 years, check in can be a long process and gate areas can be sometimes crowded. Airport staff do their job but do not expect any extra help even if you are willing to pay. Security is very efficient and they will not give you a hard time like they do in the US. Taxi service to the city is plenty available and costs about 25 euros.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Andrija Matic

10 June 2006

Flying to/from BCN was a pleasant experience. The terminal building is bright and spacious, check in efficient, security/passport control quick, walking distances acceptable, waiting at baggage claim was short, great shopping opportunities with plenty of restaurants, bars and rest areas as well as designated places for smokers. My flight was delayed for two and a half hours which have passed quickly as I strolled around shopping and had a snack. On the other hand, airport staff in food and beverage areas basically does not speak any english which can be pretty inconvenient.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by A Greethurst

13 February 2006

BCN have just virtually doubled their parking fees for people wishing to park for more than a day. Whilst they can say this is only bringing it into line with other International airports they don't actually provide any long term facilities either on Airport or Off. As a result I'm finding other ways to travel and/or park and consequently they get less money from me now than they did before. I hope other people do the same.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by M Bolivar

24 October 2005

I have used it a few times as connection airport, and a few others as destination. Spacious check-in area, a bit crowded during the mornings, specially Iberia and Spanair desks. Fast police control, maybe because I'm spanish. Good pre-boarding and shopping areas. Baggage claim is not so good. Always slow and last time I used BCN I got my suitcase broken over the belt conveyor, with all my clothes spread over it, not funny at all. Only one delayed flight out of 5 for me.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Matthew Eden

13 September 2005

Long walks to baggage reclaim and slow delivery of baggage to carousels aside, Barcelona is a delightful airport to use. The terminals are spacious, have a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes, and staff are friendly. Gates are easy to find, and security checks are quick and efficient.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by William Agius

4 August 2005

We recently passed through Barcelona. I always like the airport because its so spacious and bright. The distances from the aircraft to the curbside are really short, which makes it easy to pass through the airport. Recently though, they built a new runway, parallel to the existing one. It's quite far away and has made the taxy time from landing to reaching the parking position a lot longer.

Barcelona El Prat Airport review by Derek Gollan

29 May 2005

No help available for elderly passengers who have to wrestle baggage off carousel. Email to Airport's administration brought response that help i.e. porter service was not available. On arrival was amazed to see many green jacketed airport employees in baggage area delivering trolleys but refused to assist even after 10 euro note offered. Why a modern airport like this can be so indifferent to needs of senior travelers is a disgrace. Contrast this with JFK where porters available in Customs area and signs on their carts adverting their service. BCN suggests delivering airlines provide help but both E8 inbound from VCE and later in AGP JK said they couldn't help.This is a government run operation and as Spain relies heavily on tourist revenues Madrid should get after the department that runs the country's airports.