How to get to Barcelona: Best ways for Aston Villa fans to travel

Aston Villa fans travelling to Spain for the club’s Champions League clash with Barcelona have several options for reaching the Catalan capital.

Unai Emery’s side will face Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday, November 3, with kick-off at 8pm UK time.

Here, FootballGroundGuide explains how Aston Villa fans can travel to Barcelona and get to Spotify Camp Nou for the game.

Getting to Barcelona by plane

Flying is the most straightforward option for supporters travelling to Barcelona and direct flights are available from several UK airports, including Birmingham, Manchester and London.

Travelling from Birmingham Airport to Barcelona-El Prat is likely to be the most convenient option for most Villa fans, with the likes of easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and Vueling all offering direct flights that take approximately two hours and five minutes.

All options are worth considering, although the operating days, departure times, baggage allowances and fares will vary. With the match taking place on a Tuesday evening, travelling on Monday or earlier is recommended as it will allow more time to reach the city and avoid the risk of a delayed flight affecting matchday plans.

Getting from Barcelona Airport to the city centre

Barcelona-El Prat Airport is well connected to the city centre, with metro, bus, rail and taxi options available.

Metro line L9 Sud serves both airport terminals and runs to Zona Universitària, where passengers can connect with other lines. The journey to central Barcelona takes around 32 minutes, according to local transport operator TMB.

The Aerobus shuttle is another option for reaching central Barcelona, while the 46 bus and the R2 train from Terminal 2 are alternatives. Supporters arriving at Terminal 1 should check their onward route carefully if planning to use the train.

Taxis are also available outside the terminals, although journey times will depend on traffic and the location of your accommodation.

Fans should check current timetables, fares and ticket requirements before travelling. An airport metro ticket may be required if using a ticket that is not valid for the airport stations.

Getting to Barcelona by train

Travelling to Barcelona entirely by train from the UK is possible, but it is a lengthy journey involving several connections.

One option is to take the Eurostar from London to Paris, before continuing by rail to Barcelona. However, supporters should check the itinerary carefully, as the London–Paris and Paris–Barcelona services may use different stations, requiring a transfer across the French capital.

Barcelona Sants is the city’s principal railway station and provides onward connections across the Spanish rail network and local public transport.

Getting to Barcelona by coach

Coach travel is another option for Aston Villa fans looking for a cheaper alternative to flying.

FlixBus lists London-to-Barcelona journeys from around £58.47, with the fastest advertised journeys taking approximately 25 hours and five minutes.

Fares and journey times depend on the date and availability, and supporters should check the latest options before booking.

Check the departure and arrival points, any changes en route and the baggage allowance before booking.

How to get to Spotify Camp Nou

Spotify Camp Nou is well-served by Barcelona’s metro, tram and bus networks, although ongoing redevelopment work means supporters should check the latest matchday access information before setting off.

Metro stations serving the area include Palau Reial, Les Corts, Maria Cristina and Zona Universitaria on line L3, as well as Collblanc, Badal and Ernest Lluch on line L5. Collblanc is also served by L9 Sud and L10 Sud.

Tram lines T1, T2 and T3 stop at several locations around the stadium, including Avinguda de Xile, Palau Reial, Pius XII and Maria Cristina.

A number of local bus services also serve the surrounding area, but some routes are diverted or restricted around matches. Barcelona’s transport operator and the club publish updates on affected services, so supporters should check the latest information rather than relying on a route used during a previous visit.

FC Barcelona advises fans to arrive early, follow the pedestrian access point shown on their ticket information and have their ticket details and identification ready. Stadium gates are scheduled to open one and a half hours before kick-off.