The Ultimate Accessibility Guide to Getting Around Barcelona by Metro

The red capital “M” indicates that you are standing nearby to a metro line entrance. At the entrance of every metro station, there is a sign that indicates which stop that you are currently at and which lines stop at this station. In this case, you are standing in front of the stop “Urquinaona” at which you can take the red L1 line or the yellow L4 line. The elevator heading inside the metro station is always located near the stairway entrance.

Standing next to the stairway entrance you will always be able to spot the elevator. In this case the elevator was located 15m (50 ft) behind the stairway entrance.

Before you set off on your journey, take a moment to check the metro map and familiarize yourself with the train directions. Each metro line’s final destination is displayed in capital letters, making it easy to identify where the train is heading. You’ll also find these endpoints clearly marked on signs throughout every station. Need assistance? The TMB staff are available to help with any questions about your route. Plus, digital monitors on every platform display real-time updates on waiting times, so you’ll always know when the next train is arriving. With metros running every 3 to 6 minutes, you’ll never have to wait long to continue your adventure!

Once you are on the metro train itself, they announce the upcoming stations and connections over the PA system. You can also see them on banners in the metro itself. Press the button or push the handle on the door to get off and then follow the exit signs.

Metro accessibility and assistance in Barcelona

To enter and exit the metro, you can use the elevators, escalators or stairs. We recommend that you use the elevators, please note that these can be placed at a different entrance point than the stairs. However, these can easily be spotted when standing/rolling nearby the stairway entrance. Unfortunately, a few metros still don’t have elevator entrances. The city of Barcelona is working hard to make its metro network 100% accessible.

The metro system in Barcelona consist of 165 stations, of which 12 stations are not accessible:

L1: Plaça de Sants, Espanya, Urquinaona and Clot

L3: Espanya

L4: Verdaguer, Urquinaona and Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica

L5: Virrei Amat, Maragall, Verdaguer and Plaça de Sants

We recommend that wheelchair users board and disembark the train via the second door of the first carriage. This part is one of the areas that offers the best in terms of visibility. You will find designated seats for the elderly, pregnant and people with reduced mobility in each carriage.

There are SOS buttons in each carriage of the train, which are connected to the intercom of the metro if you need them. These are only for emergencies and when you press the button, the metro control center will assist you.

Barcelona metro tickets and prices

At the entrance of each metro station you will find ticket machines where you will be able to purchase tickets. There are a large variety of tickets available, each suitable for a different situation. For example, tickets for a single ride, 48 hour tickets, 10 rides tickets,… Pricing depends on the type of ticket that you purchase. However, the price for a single ride ticket (“Bitlett Senzil”) is € 2,65 and the price for a 10 ride ticket ( “T-casual”) is €12,55. If you are curious about all the different types of tickets available and their pricing, have a look at this link.

At the ticket machines you are able to make a payment via cash/coins, Bank card or credit cards. Pay attention that you always use the correct currency on your payment (euros). Whilst paying via card please note that contactless payment is not possible, you must fully insert your card into the ticket machine.

Upon purchasing your ticket walk/roll upto the turnstiles and scan your ticket at the top of the turnstiles. Larger wheelchair accessible turnstiles are available at each metro station. After making your way through the turnstiles, hold onto your ticket and keep this fragile paper in a safe place. Because, you might need to use it again upon exiting the metro. After going to the turnstiles head to the correct platform for your destination. This will be indicated via maps, Line number, line color and the name of the final stop.

Your metro ticket is also valid for all the other public transport network throughout the city, such as busses and trams. All the busses in Barcelona have been made accessible through the use of redactable ramps at the middle entrance of the bus. Aswell as the placement of dedicated wheelchair spaces on the bus itself, these spaces are indicated via pictograms on the floor and these spaces also have strap-on seatbelts and extra cushioning. We recommend the busses in Barcelona as the best form of accessible public transport in the city. If you are interested in finding out more information about the accessibility of public transport in Barcelona. Have a look at this link.

At the entrance of the metro station, you will find a couple of these red machines. These are the ticket sales machines. Trap the screen on the machine with your finger to proceed to the next step.

This is the first screen you will be presented with on the ticket machine. In the bottom right-hand corner, you can select your preferred language (indicated with the red circle on this picture). If the type of card that you are looking for is not presented on the first page, click the grey button “alters” translated to more options in English (blue circle on this screen) after which you will be presented with more options. If you wish to purchase a T-mobilitat card, press the green button. When you have found which type of card you wish to purchase select the icon by clicking on the touchscreen of the machine.

After selecting the type of card you want, you will be greeted with this screen. Here you are able to select the quantity of tickets that you wish to purchase as well as be able to view all the payment options. (cash or card) If you wish to continue press the grey “confirm” button in the bottom left corner.

After you have purchased your ticket, head towards the turnstiles and place your ticket on the white scanning pad on top of the machine. After which the doors will automatically open. Larger, wheelchair accessible turnstiles are also available at the entrance of every metro station.

At every metro station there are signs which indicate which line you are about to take. The red letters indicate the starting and finishing stations as well as the station that you are currently at. You will also be able to see at which station you are able to transfer onto a different train.

After arriving at your destination you will see a lot of signs indicating where the wheelchair accessible exits can be found. Simply follow the arrows towards the elevator which will bring you up to ground level. Please note that the word “Sortida” translated into English means “exit”.