Flying to Catalonia

Overview

Along with Barcelona, Catalonia is home to Spain’s second-largest airport and one of the world’s major hubs. It handles over 35 million passengers annually, with extensive European traffic (thanks in part to Vueling, which has its base there) as well as flights from several other countries beyond Europe.

Taking advantage of the region’s popularity as a tourist destination—particularly Barcelona and its coastline—as well as the rise of low-cost airlines (including Ryanair), three other cities in Catalonia (not to mention nearby ones) have seen their airport traffic grow. Girona, Lleida, and Reus now welcome increasing seasonal and low-cost traffic, especially from the United Kingdom.

Types of flights

Charters, scheduled, and low-cost

As a major international metropolis and tourist destination, Barcelona and its surrounding region combine a tradition of holiday flights, scheduled airlines (including transcontinental routes), and, as elsewhere in Europe in recent years, a steadily growing low-cost sector—especially since Vueling established its base there. In short, you’ll find the full range of flights and connections.

Deals and special offers

Like any popular tourist destination served by charters or low-cost airlines, promotions and special offers are plentiful. Check with airlines or travel agencies, and look for packages that include additional services alongside airfare.

From France

From Paris

Apart from a seasonal Beauvais-Girona route, which is usually inexpensive, all traffic from Parisian airports is concentrated in Barcelona, with a variety of carriers. Flight time is roughly 1 hour 40 minutes. Prices: from 90 € to 180 € round trip.

Beauvais: Barcelona (Ryanair), Girona (Ryanair, seasonal)

Paris Orly: Barcelona (Transavia + Vueling)

Paris Roissy: Barcelona (Air France + easyJet + Vueling)

From the regions

A wide selection of flights to Barcelona, almost exclusively low-cost, with Vueling well-established in Catalonia and offering good value.

Bastia: Barcelona (Vueling, seasonal)

Beauvais: Barcelona (Ryanair), Girona (Ryanair, seasonal)

Bordeaux: Barcelona (Vueling)

Brest: Barcelona (Vueling, seasonal)

Lille: Barcelona (Vueling)

Limoges: Barcelona (Chalair, seasonal)

Lourdes: Barcelona (Vueling, seasonal)

Lyon: Barcelona (easyJet + Vueling)

Marseille: Barcelona (Vueling), Girona (charters)

Mulhouse/Basel: Barcelona (easyJet + Vueling)

Nantes: Barcelona (Vueling)

Nice: Barcelona (easyJet + Vueling)

Rennes: Barcelona (Vueling)

Strasbourg: Barcelona (Vueling, seasonal)

Toulouse: Barcelona (Vueling)

Choosing your flight

Given the relatively large number of options and price range for this destination, the first priority is to choose direct flights where they exist. These generally offer the best balance of quality, duration, and price—unlike some connecting routes, which can take nearly half a day to reach your destination. Since Catalonia is a destination that often benefits from promotions and special offers, especially low-cost ones, it’s worth exploring opportunities from both airlines and travel agencies. Additionally, some offers include customizable services (hotel, car, etc.) or all-inclusive packages, so you can compare those as well.

From the rest of Europe

Nearly all of Europe offers at least seasonal flights to Barcelona or, occasionally, other airports in the region. In short, there’s no real difficulty in finding a flight during the season, no matter where you’re based in Europe.

Belgium & Luxembourg

Antwerp: Barcelona (Jetairfly)

Bruges: Barcelona (Jetairfly)

Brussels: Barcelona (Brussels Airlines + Ryanair + Vueling, plus Thomas Cook in season), Girona (Jetairfly and Thomas Cook in season), Reus (Jetairfly and Thomas Cook in season)

Charleroi: Barcelona (Ryanair, seasonal), Girona (Ryanair, seasonal), Reus (Ryanair, seasonal)

Luxembourg: Barcelona (Luxair + Vueling)

Switzerland

Basel/Mulhouse: Barcelona (easyJet + Vueling)

Bern: Barcelona (SkyWork, seasonal)

Geneva: Barcelona (easyJet + Swiss + Vueling)

Zurich: Barcelona (Swiss + Vueling)