The Ultimate Guide to Barcelona Travel Passes: Which One is Right for You?
Barcelona is a city full of culture, history, and stunning architecture, and exploring it efficiently can save you both time and money. There are several travel passes available, but not all of them are worth the investment—some can be tourist traps. Additionally, it's important to note that
there is no true 'skip-the-line' ticket for Sagrada Familia, as all visitors must pass through security. In this guide, I'll break down the most popular Barcelona travel passes, including their benefits, costs, and whether they truly offer good value.
Barcelona Travel Card (Hola Barcelona Card)
- Unlimited travel on public transport (metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains).
- No attraction entry included.
- Price: Starts at €16.40 for 48 hours.
- Worth it?
A great option for those who need to get around the city affordably but doesn’t include attraction discounts.
Barcelona Card
- Includes unlimited public transportation (metro, buses, trams).
- Free entry to over 40 museums and discounts on various attractions.
- Price: Starts at €57 for a 3-day pass.
- Worth it?
If you plan to visit many museums and use public transport frequently, it can be a good deal.
Barcelona Pass
- Entry to major attractions like Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
- Hop-on-hop-off bus tour included.
- Price: Starts at €94.
- Worth it? Only if you plan to visit the included attractions. Otherwise, buying individual tickets might be more economical.
Barcelona Modernista Card
Free admission to 10 modernist highlights:
Free visits with or without audio guide:
- Casa Amatller
- Casa Batlló
- Casa Milà
- Casa Vicens.
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
- Cripta Gaudí - Colònia Güell
- Palau de la Música Catalana
- Sant Pau Recinte Modernista
- Torre Bellesguard
- Palau Güell.
- Price: €130
More details here: Modernista Card
- Worth it? If you're an architecture enthusiast, this card is a great deal. If modernist buildings aren’t your main interest, skip it.
Barcelona Family Card
- Discounts on family-friendly attractions (zoo, aquarium, CosmoCaixa science museum).
- Public transport for families included.
- Price: Varies based on family size.
- Worth it? If traveling with kids, this pass can help save on family attractions. Otherwise, it's unnecessary. More details here: Family Card
Montserrat Travel Pass
- Covers train from Barcelona to Montserrat, rack railway or cable car, and entry to the monastery.
- Includes discounts on other Montserrat experiences.
- Price: Around €45.
- Worth it? If you’re planning a day trip to Montserrat, this is a convenient and cost-effective choice.
| PASS | INCLUDES | BEST FOR | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOLA BARCELONA | PUBLIC TRANSPORT ONLY | BUDGET TRAVELERS | FROM $18 |
| BARCELONA CARD MUSEUM | MUSEUMS TRANSPORT | MUSEUM LOVERS | FROM $58 |
| MODERNISTA CARD | ADDMISION TO 10 MODERNISTA HIGHLIGHTS | ARHITECTURE FANS | FROM 130 |
| FAMILY CARD | ZOO AQUARIUM AND MANY OTHERS AND TRANSPORT | FAMILIES | FROM 110 |
| BARCELONA PASS | SAGRADA FAMILIA PARK GUELL CASA BATLLO OR HOPP ON-HOP OFF | FIRST TIME VISITOR | FROM 93 |
| MONTSERRAT PASS | Train from Barcelona + Rack Railway + Moreneta Access | MONTSERRAT TRAVEL | FROM 47 |
| MONTSERRAT PFOOD AS- | Train from Barcelona + Rack Railway + Moreneta Access FOOD | MONTSERRAT TRAVEL | FROM 76 |
Not all travel passes in Barcelona are a good deal. Some, like the Hola Barcelona Card, are great for unlimited transport, while others, like the Barcelona Pass, might not be the best value unless you visit all included attractions. If you're an architecture fan, the Modernista Card is a great buy, while families can benefit from the Barcelona Family Card. The Montserrat Travel Pass is a must if you're planning to visit the monastery.
Before purchasing a travel pass, calculate whether it truly saves you money based on your itinerary. Some passes include attractions you may not even want to visit, making individual ticket purchases the smarter choice.
Pro Tips:
- Always check the included attractions before purchasing a pass.
- Compare individual ticket prices with the pass cost to ensure savings.
- Some attractions require reservations even with a pass (e.g., Sagrada Familia, Park Güell).
- If you’re staying longer, consider a T-usual card, a monthly metro pass that can be a cheaper transport option.
Have you used any of these Barcelona travel passes? Share your experience in the comments below!
