Getting around in Barcelona is not difficult since this Spanish city has been designed in a very compact manner and most of the tourist attractions are in the vicinity. It is easy to get around this city on foot but there is also a very efficient bus and train network available. Those who prefer to get a personal means of transport can use the various taxis available here.
Traveling to Barcelona is made easier by the Barcelona Airport that is very efficient and is one of the busiest in the country. If you want to drive yourself in areas that are far from the city during your stay, you can rent a car. The major highways are easily accessible and traffic is only heavy during the peak hours. Driving licenses from foreign countries are accepted and the cars are usually right handed.
There are some taxis available if you do not want to drive or take public transportation. A green light above the taxi indicates that it is available. The taxis are not expensive and are easily available even late at night. The taxis usually allow a maximum of 4 passengers and it may cost you extra if you have baggage or if you are traveling on a public holiday.
The city has a commuter train that is referred to as the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya that is both cheap and very convenient if you want to travel outside the city. Train tickets are bought from the train stations and it is advisable to get them beforehand since the waiting lines are usually very long.
The metro in Barcelona is another efficient way to get around the city and the nearby towns. It provides a means of transport that is both easy and quick. There are about 5 different lines on the Barcelona Metro and the entrances are usually marked by a red sign that is diamond shaped. The Barcelona Metro runs from five in the morning to 11pm every Monday until Thursday. From Friday to Saturday, the metro runs from 5am to 2pm while on Sunday it runs from 6am to midnight.
There are also several buses that you can take to get around Barcelona and the nearby areas. The tourist offices offer maps that make it easy to understand the bus routes. Color is used to identify the routes and a majority of them run everyday from 5am to half past ten at night. Night buses are also available from 10pm to 4am.