How to Use Barcelona Metro: Ticket Types and Easy Buying Guide

Some people say that the Barcelona Metro is dangerous because of pickpockets, or that buying tickets is confusing because there are too many options. Is this really true?

I personally stayed in Barcelona for about one month and used the Barcelona Metro several times during my stay. I did not feel that it was dangerous while riding the metro.

However, you should be careful when buying tickets. The Barcelona Metro has many types of tickets, and first-time visitors may feel confused.

On this page, we explain the different types of Barcelona Metro tickets and show how to buy them using real screenshots of the ticket machines.

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Barcelona Metro Tickets and Prices

The ticket machines for the Barcelona Metro offer several ticket options. You can choose the best ticket depending on your travel style and length of stay.

Which Barcelona Metro Ticket Is Best for Tourists?

For a short stay of a few days, the T-casual 10-ride ticket offers good value and is easy to use.

It works well for travelers who plan to walk most of the time and use public transport only when needed.

I stayed in Barcelona for one month and used the Barcelona Metro and buses only about six times in total. Depending on where you stay, many areas of Barcelona can be explored easily on foot.

» Barcelona Tourist Tax Update: Up to 15€ Starting October 2025

How to Use Barcelona Metro?

Barcelona Metro ticket machines accept credit card payments.
*It is recommended to prepare only your credit card in advance and avoid taking out your wallet or showing cash in public places.

Now, let’s start using the ticket machine.

First, look at the ticket options displayed on the screen and tap the ticket you want to buy.

If you need to change the language, tap the British flag icon 🇬🇧 in the bottom right corner of the screen to switch from Spanish to English.

This time, I purchased a 10-ride “T-usual” ticket.

Tap the image of the ticket you want to purchase and the following screen will appear.

Here, just select “1ZONE”.

1ZONE covers the center of Barcelona, ​​so if you’re staying there for sightseeing purposes, 1ZONE should be fine.

Next, you’ll be asked if you have a “T-Mobile card”.

If you have a T-Mobile card, you can load it. If you don’t have one, you’ll need to get a new one.

Just remember that there’s a card issuance fee of €1.

When you tap “Click here,” the following payment screen will appear.

The charge will include the ticket price (€12.55) plus a card issuance fee (€1).

If you are sure the type of ticket you wish to purchase is correct, tap “Confirm.”

You can purchase tickets with cash, but it’s more convenient to pay with a credit card.

Make sure the card slot in the top right corner of the screen is lit green, then insert your card to complete the payment process.

This completes the Barcelona Metro ticket purchase process.

Extra Tips for Barcelona Travel: Pickpockets Are Not the Only Risk

In Barcelona, and in many major European tourist cities, pickpocketing is a common problem.

However, theft is not the only thing you should be careful about when traveling in Europe.

Lost baggage is another serious issue in Europe.

Suitcases checked in at the airport sometimes do not arrive at the destination. This happens more often than many travelers expect.

Most credit cards do not cover lost baggage under their travel insurance benefits. Because of this, relying only on credit card insurance is not enough.

When traveling to Europe, it is strongly recommended to purchase separate travel insurance online in advance.

» Do You Need Spain Travel Insurance? Risks and Costs to Know

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SafetyWing Travel Insurance Review: Pricing, Coverage, And Benefits For Travelers

Taka

Japanese blogger

I've been a nomad abroad for five years, traveling through 10+ cities across Europe. Right now I’m spending time in places like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona. I’ll be sharing simple, useful tips for living abroad.