Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
vicesalsopassingthroughPlaçadeCatalunya (headingnorth)andPasseigdeGràcia(south).
Arrive in plenty of time to buy a ticket, as queues are often horrendous, though for all destin-
ations you can use the automatic vending machines instead (they take credit cards as well as
cash).
Taxis
Black-and-yellow taxis (with a green roof-light on when available for hire) are relatively in-
expensive - most short journeys across town run to around €9. There's a minimum charge
of €2.05 and after that it's €0.98 per kilometre (€1.24-1.44 after 8pm, and on Sat, Sun &
hols), with surcharges for baggage and picking up from Barcelona Sants station and the air-
port. The taxis have meters so charges are transparent - if not, asking for a receipt (
rebut
in
Catalan,
recibo
in Spanish) should ensure that the price is fair (and current rates are posted
on
www.taxibarcelona.cat
). Many taxis take credit-card payment.
There are taxi ranks outside major train and metro stations, in main squares, near large ho-
tels and along the main avenues. You can call a taxi in advance, but few of the cab company
operators speak English - you'll also be charged an extra €3.40-4.50 on top of the fare for
calling a cab.
TAXI COMPANIES
Barna Taxis
933 577 755
Radio Taxi
933 033 033
Servi-Taxi
933 300 300
Taxi Amic
934 208 088
Driving
Youdon'tneedacartogetaroundBarcelona,butyoumaywanttorentoneifyouplantosee
anything else of the region. However, in summer the coastal roads in particular are a night-
mare, so if all you aim to do is zip to the beach or wine region for the day, it's far better to
stick to the local trains. Driving in the city itself is not for the faint-hearted either, parking is
notoriously difficult, and vehicle crime is rampant - never leave anything visible in the car.
Most foreign
driving licences
are honoured in Spain - including all EU, US and Canadian
ones. Remember that you drive on the right in Spain, and away from main roads you yield to
vehicles approaching from the right. Speed limits are posted - maximum on urban roads is
60kph, other roads 90kph, motorways 120kph. Wearing seatbelts is compulsory.
Parking
Indoor
car parks
in the city centre are linked to display boards that indicate where there are
free spaces. Central locations include Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça Urquinaona, Arc de Triomf,