One of the quickest and easiest ways to travel around in Barcelona is without any doubt the subway. The subway network of the city belongs to one of the longest of the world, the only cities that have bigger networks are London, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Stockholm and Saint-Petersburg. On the 31st of July in 2010 the subway system of Barcelona counted 123 kilometers and 164 stations. Most of the trains consist out of 5 carriages and have air-conditioning.

To give an idea of how intensively the subway is being used in Barcelona look at the daily flow of 2010: there were 405,1 million passengers this year, or 1.109.863 a day or 46.244 an hour, so a really busy place. The network is constantly being expanded. Since December 2009 there are even subway carriages, the L9, L10 and L11, that function automatically, without train drivers.

The subway in Barcelona drives from Monday until Thursday and on Sun- and Holidays from 05.00 till 24.00 and on Fridays and early eves of holidays from 05.00 till 02.00. On Saturdays and the early evenings of the 1st of January, the 24th of June, the 15th of August and the 24th of September, the subway drives all night. On the 24th of December the subway closes at 23.00.

The metro tickets are valid for all public transport of the ATM, the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità. That means: subway, bus, tram, local trains and the funiculars of Montjuïc and Vallvidrera. The network of the public transport in Barcelona is divided in 6 zones and the ticket prices are based on the amount of zones you travel through. The biggest part of the touristic attractions are located within zone 1.

Most of the tickets you can buy at box offices and machines in the subway, tram and train stations, in bigger bus stations, the terminals of ServiCaixa (from the bank LaCaixa), in tobacco and lottery shops and kiosks.

Next to the one-way tickets you also have a ‘10 ride’ ticket. This can be used by different persons at the same time and is valid unlimitedly after the first validation (that is at least until the first rate change). You can also choose for a one day ticket you can use unlimited times. These tickets can only be used by one person. You also have tickets for 1 month, that can be only used by one person too.

Besides this there are also other tariffs for tickets for 3 months, a tickets for 50 rides (to be used within 30 days), a family ticket with 70 rides (also to be used within 30 days) and a youth card (valid for 90 days for passengers under the age of 25).

If you will choose for a ‘10 ride’ ticket you can use 3 different forms of transport within one trip max. The ticket has to be validated with every transfer but will not be counted for an extra ride provided that you will keep yourself to the following maximum transfer times: 75 minutes for 1 zone, 90 minutes for 2 zones, 105 minutes for 3 zones, 120 minutes for 4 zones, 135 minutes for 5 zones and 150 minutes for 6 zones. With a unlimited ticket you can of course make unlimited transfers.

Finally, specially for tourists there are also tickets for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days, as well to be used in the subway, bus, tram, and local trains. They are only available for zone 1. The prices for 2011 are as following: €11,50 for 2 days, €16,50 for 3 days, €21,- for 4 days, €25,- for 5 days. These tickets are being sold at box offices at subway stations and in the offices of the Touristic Service of Barcelona.

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