On weeknights when the metro only runs until midnight in Barcelona, it’s easy to look for the easiest solution and hop in a taxi. But because taxi fares can really add up over time, looking into cheaper options can save you a lot of money on transportation in the long run.
If you find yourself needing public transportation in Barcelona late at night after the metro has closed and regular buses are no longer running, NitBus is for you. Here’s everything you need to know about NitBus, Barcelona’s network of night buses.
What you should know about the NitBus
The concept of NitBus
NitBus is Barcelona’s night bus service that runs from about 22:00/22:30 to 5:00/5:30 every night depending on the line. The service includes seventeen different lines, sixteen of which go through Plaza Catalunya in the very center of the city, making night transportation as easy and convenient as possible.
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The night buses allow passengers to easily move around the city at night, reaching any destination they could otherwise reach by metro during the day. They even travel to other nearby towns outside the city center of Barcelona including Badalona, Castelldefels, and El Prat de Llobregat.
The system allows residents and visitors to opt for public transportation at any hour of the night, providing an affordable solution to accumulating expensive taxi fares.
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Related article: The Barcelona Metro
Tickets for NitBus
The night buses accept all the same Barcelona transportation cards as the regular day buses and metro, so you can use the regular T-10 (ten trips) ticket, T-Día (day card) or longer-term cards issued by the TMB. However, the Hola BCN! transport cards are not accepted by the NitBus.
If you don’t have a transport card, you can buy a ticket directly on the bus for 2.20€ per ride, which is the bus ticket price in Barcelona.
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You can find a detailed map of NitBus routes and all of the bus stops online here.
So the next time you find yourself needing a ride home after the metro has closed, consider the option of taking the NitBus, either with your regular transport card or by paying a small fee.
Once you become familiar with the routes and stops, the night buses will become even more convenient and you might even start to save a little extra money that might otherwise go to taxi fares.
Have you ever taken the Nitbus in Barcelona?
Tell us about your experience!
Hi Rachel! We are visiting Spain next month. We have an early morning (5.50 AM) train from Barcelona Sants station and we are staying in the L’Hospitalet de Llobregat. Could you pls suggest which night bus can we take? Also, what time shall we leave from our hotel to ensure we are at the station by 5 AM?
Hi Jahanvi, It will depend on the area where you are located in l’Hospitalet, but the N2 bus leaves you in sants. You can also take the metro line L1 which is usually more punctual if you are in a hurry. The journey according to Google Maps takes about 15 min, from here it’s up to you.