Is There Uber in Barcelona? A Locals 2024 Guide

Planning a trip to the Catalan capital and wondering “is there Uber in Barcelona?” – I’m here to help.

I moved to Barcelona from the UK a year ago and I’ve become a bit of an expert in the best ways to get around the city.

In this guide, I’ll cover whether there’s Uber in Barcelona, and then go through some alternative transport options that could save you money.

*Some links in this post are affiliate links. It won’t make a difference to what you pay, but I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I’ve recommended. I’m really grateful for your trust in my advice, and if I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend, I won’t recommend it to you.

Is there Uber in Barcelona?

The short answer is yes, there is Uber in Barcelona. Uber operates across the whole city, and provides an easy way of getting around.

The downsides of Uber in Barcelona

Having lived in Barcelona for a year, there’s two major reasons I don’t love using Uber here.

1. It’s more expensive than hailing a cab. When I lived in London, I’d never jump into a black cab without pre booking, because I’d be anxiously staring at the meter going up and up.
   
   But in Barcelona, I’ve found that hailing a cab is around 15% cheaper than pre-booking an Uber. The only exception to this is when you’re travelling from the airport to the city centre, when an Uber is considerably cheaper.
   
   
2. It’s often difficult to get an Uber when you need one. Often when I go to book an Uber in Barcelona, it’ll say my wait time is around 5 minutes. But when I click confirm and it starts searching for my driver, the wait time will jump dramatically.
   
   Sometimes, it won’t confirm my booking and instead says it’s searching for drivers and I’m left waiting for ages for one to be confirmed.

For those two reasons, there’s other ways I prefer to get around the city….

Other ways to get around Barcelona

Barcelona is an extremely well connected city, so it’s really easy to get around, and you don’t need to rely on Uber. I’ve listed my favourite ways to get around the city below:

Walking

If you’re able to easily walk around Barcelona, it’s my favourite way to see the city. Not only is it free, but it’s a great way to discover hidden gems you might otherwise miss.

There’s so much beautiful architecture in Barcelona that it’s such a shame to be inside a taxi and missing it all.

The metro

Barcelona’s metro system is really well connected, with trains running really frequently.

The trains operate from 5am-midnight Monday to Thursday, until 2am on Friday, 24 hours a day on Saturday, and until midnight on Sunday. It’s a much more affordable option compared to taking an Uber or a taxi.

Hop-on Hop-off bus

It might be a bit cheesy, but when I’m visiting a city for the first time, I love a hop-on hop-off bus.

It’s a great way to get to the main tourist attractions, learn about the history of each one, and see the city as you drive around.

Segway

Taking a Segway tour is a really unique way to see Barcelona. This 2 hour tour will take you to some of the city’s best sights, including the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, the seafront and the Olympic village.

It’s rated 4.8*/5* and includes free cancellation if you change your mind later.

What’s the best way to get from Barcelona airport to the city centre?

You have a few options for getting from Barcelona airport to the city centre.

1. A taxi – getting a taxi is probably the easiest way to get from Barcelona airport to the city centre, especially if you’ve had a long flight. I’d recommend booking an Uber once you arrive at the airport rather than joining the taxi queue, as it’ll cost you more money.
   
   
2. The bus – the Aerobús takes you from Barcelona airport to the centre of Barcelona in 35 minutes, with a bus departing every 5 minutes. It’s really easy to find, just follow the signs to buses once you arrive at the airport.

What to do in Barcelona

Is there Uber in Barcelona?: FAQ

Are taxis cheaper than Uber in Barcelona?

Yes, taxis are cheaper than Uber in Barcelona. It’s a welcome change from other big cities like London, where you’ll pay more for a black cab. Expect to pay about 15% less when you hail a cab rather than pre-booking on Uber.

What can I use instead of Uber in Barcelona?

There’s lots of alternatives to Uber in Barcelona. Bolt, FREENOW and Cabify are most commonly used, and it’s worth checking them all to compare prices. Often, you’ll get introductory offers if you’ve not used an app before. The public transport in Barcelona is excellent, and a cheaper alternative to Uber.

Is Bolt used in Barcelona?

Yes, Bolt is used in Barcelona. It’s worth checking both apps to compare prices. I usually find that Uber is cheaper, but Bolt has offers on more frequently, so you can save money that way. Bolt’s in Barcelona usually arrive fairly quickly, so it’s a great alternative to Uber.

What is the best way to get around Barcelona?

Barcelona’s a well connected city, and it’s really easy to get around. The metro is the best way to get around Barcelona. It’s frequent, runs across the whole of the city, and it’s affordable. Plus, there’s air conditioning, which is very much needed in the summer months.

What is the cheapest way to get around Barcelona?

The cheapest way to get around Barcelona is to walk, which is also my favourite way to see the city. It’s a great way to see sights you might miss otherwise. Public transport is also really affordable in Barcelona, with a single journey on the metro costing around €2.

Is there Uber in Barcelona: The Wrap Up

Hopefully this guide answers the question “Is there Uber in Barcelona?”

There is, and it’s really commonly used across the city. But there’s also lots of alternatives, including Bolt, FREENOW and Cabify.

And if you’re after a more affordable alternative, the metro system in Barcelona is well connected and reliable, and there’s excellent bus links across the city.

Enjoy your trip to Barcelona!