Car rental or public transportation in Barcelona?

[jstducky]

If we are arriving early for our cruise out of Barcelona, would it be a good idea to rent a car and drive ourselves around?

 

Or is it better to take a cab from the airport to the hotel. Take public transportation (ie, cab, bus and train) to the different sights. And then take a cab from the hotel to the pier?

 

Thanks for the advice!

[DEL67]

I agree. Not only are rental cars expensive, but so is the parking. We used public transportation while in Barcelona. Taxis to/from the airport and pier and the off/on bus to tour the city. And of course we walked a lot.

 

Staying an an hotel located centrally for what you want to see helps. We stayed near Placa Catalunya so on our first afternoon we were able to walk to the Picasso museum and then up the Ramblas. It was a great introductiion to the city.

[Bruin Steve]

I'll agree with the others...

We had a rental car one trip...but, of course, it was a land trip and most of our need was getting there and back, getting up to Gerona...and, also, we were staying at the fairly inconvenient Barcelona Hilton...

 

But, remember this...Parking is not easy or cheap...A lot of the sites, in order to visit or enjoy, you will need to be on foot (Las Ramblas is a boulevard you must stroll down to appreciate, the Barri Gotic has many narrow streets that will not accommodate cars)...and your hotel may not have free parking...or any parking...

 

If you stay in close proximity to the Placa Catalunya, then Las Ramblas, Barri Gotic, Casa Mila and Casa Batllo and many other sites are within walking distance...

 

Parc Guell is an easy #24 bus ride from the Placa...or you can use the underground or a cab...Sagrada Familia is a short cab ride away...

 

Barcelona is a pedestrian friendly city with a lot of public transportation options as well...

[jstducky]

Thanks for all your help guys! I definitely won't waste time with a rental car then and just cab it or use public transportation!