Barcelona Airport, officially known as the Barcelona el Prat Airport (IATA Code: BCN) is located only three kilometers from the city’s port and 12 kilometers southwest of the city center. As the second largest airport in Spain – the first being the Madrid Barajas Airport – the Barcelona Airport provides service to more than 35 million passengers annually. A second terminal was opened to accommodate the additional flow of passengers experienced with the Olympic Games in 1992.
Brief History
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in the world – seven million passengers arrive through the Barcelona Airport to visit various landmarks and points of interest such as La Pedrera and La Casa Mila. The first operations at the airport took place in 1916 and once served as a base for the Spanish Navy feet of zeppelins.
Facilities
Barcelona Airport has all of the modern amenities travelers expect at a major airport, including restaurants and cafes, duty free shops and retail kiosks and passenger services. Throughout the two terminals, guests have access to a range of passenger services such as currency exchange, children’s play area and business centre.
Car Hire Services
Transportation to and from the airport to nearby points of interest are available through car hire companies located within the terminal. Passengers will easily find car hire desks located near the car park on the first floor. Car hire companies include Avis, Hertz and Sixt. Visible signs point passengers in the right direction through Terminal 1 and are easy accessed by foot. Passengers have a variety of companies to compare including:
- Avis – http://www.avis.es
- Hertz – https://www.hertz.es/rentacar/reservation/
- REntalcars – www.rentalcars24.co.uk
- Sixt – http://www.sixt.es
It is highly recommended to pre-book a car hire before arriving at the Barcelona Airport. As one of the most popular tourist destinations year-round, pre-booking through a major car hire company ensures passengers have a vehicle to accommodation travel arrangements. Car hire offices are not usually open 24-hours and may be able to provide service only through peak hours.
Be sure to review additional information about the Barcelona Airport by visiting the website at http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/Barcelona-El-Prat.html or by calling the customer service line at +34 902 40 47 04. Barcelona Airport is located at 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
References:
Barcelona Airport – http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/
Hertz – http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona/en/ServiciosDe_FP/1243303234327/1045569607595/Hertz.html
World Travel Guide – http://www.worldtravelguide.net/spain/barcelona-airport
