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Getting Around

Getting Around

Visiting Barcelona? What you need know about the T-10.

16th July 2015

T-10 (Front)

One of the many wonderful and undersung aspects of Barcelona is the public transport network.

If visiting from the United States or the UK you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how clean, comfortable, convenient and reliable the local transport network is.

The best way to get around the city is to use public transport.

One of the first things to do after arriving in the city is to buy a

T-10 integrated transport ticket.

Think of it as your magic key to unlocking the city.

Why?

Because you’ll save a ton of money, save yourself a lot of time and hassle, and get to visit many more places and enjoy many more experiences.

Cost:

  • 9,95€ (for Zone 1)

Where to buy:

You can buy a T-10 [tay-dee-eth] from tobacconists, newspaper kiosks and newsagents, as well as all metro (subway) stations and all the main rail stations.

The touch screen ticket machines at metro and rail stations are easily navigated and accept cash (but NOT notes/bills larger than 20€) and most debit and credit cards. They’re pretty reliable — I’ve only once (in 12 years) had a problem with them. Should you have a problem you can press a panic button and speak with someone who will help you. In larger metro and rail stations there will be staff around to help you.

Here’s what you need to know:

You need to know that the T-10 is a multiperson, multi-use ticket, which means one person can use the ticket 10 times or 10 people can use it once, and every variation in between.

You need to know that a T-10 ticket is valid for travel on:

  • Busses, including night busses
  • The Metro
  • Local trains run by FGC, the Catalan public railway system
  • Local trains, known as Rodalies (or Cercanias in Spanish) run by RENFE, the Spanish national rail system
  • Trams
  • And two funiculars.

Exceptions:

You need to know that the T-10 is NOT valid for:

ZONES: Continue Reading…

Getting Around

How to get your bearings as you explore Gràcia

4th June 2015
Compass

Educated monkey calculators and compasses as displayed at Vinçon.

Arrival

Well done, you’ve arrived ready to explore Gràcia. Congratulate yourself on your good judgement.

  • If you arrived via metro Line 3 and alighted at Fontana you are now at the junction of Gran de Gràcia and Carrer d’Asturies. If you alighted at Lesseps you will be very near the junction of Gran de Gràcia with Traveserra de Dalt.
  • If you arrived via metro Line 4 at Joanic you will be at the junction of Carrer Pi i Maragall with Carrer de l’Escorial.
  • If you arrived by FGC train you’ll be on Via Augusta, in, or very close to Plaça de Gal·la Placidia, and very near the junction with Traveserra de Gràcia.
  • If you arrived by the 22, 24 or V17 bus you will be on Gran de Gràcia.
  • If you arrived on the V15 bus you’ll be on Via Augusta.
  • If you arrived on the 55 bus you’ll be at the junction of Passeig de Sant Joan and Traveserra de Gràcia.
  • If you arrived on foot, by bike, or fell from the skies — well, you could be anywhere, but not so very far from somewhere.

Orientation

First thing to understand is that although most maps seem to show Gràcia as being North of the city centre, because most maps situate the city as being between the mountain (usually at the top of the map) and the sea (usually at the bottom of the map) Gràcia is really north-west of the city centre.

Not that important, unless you’re using a compass to navigate around the city, but useful to know.

Second thing to note is that some maps confuse the barrio of Gràcia, i.e. what used to be the township of Gràcia, with the political district of Gràcia. So, for example, I live in Eixample Dreta but reside in the political district of Gràcia.

Again, not that important, but something to be aware of when consulting some maps, especially maps produced by the Ajuntament (City Hall).

IMPORTANT: Older maps and guidebooks will show a square called Plaça de Rius i Taulet. This square, the main town square, is now known as Plaça de la Vila.

Boundaries

For our purposes, Gràcia’s boundaries can be defined as Carrer Còrsega and Avinguda Diagonal Continue Reading…

Getting Around

6 ways of getting to Gràcia

28th May 2015
Plaça Trilla, Gràcia, barcelona by Bill Sinclair

How can you not explore a neighbourhood with streets called Danger, Liberty, Fraternity, and squares called John Lennon and Revolution?

Hot spots

You’ve probably come across articles, or heard friends talk about the cool bars, excellent affordable restaurants, bodegas, chic shops, cinemas, music venues, markets and lovely squares amid a warren of narrow streets in a barrio called Gràcia.

Warm words

Much of what’s written and said is true — Gràcia is a fascinating area at any time of day or night, every day of the week.
You may very well want to put at least one visit to Gràcia on your itinerary.

But where is this fabled land? And, how do I get there? Continue Reading…