Are you planning to explore Barcelona’s stunning architecture and the endless collection of spread-out attractions? Thinking about how to see all the major sights without wearing out your shoes and burning a hole in your pocket? A Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus tour might be your answer!
Barcelona offers two main options for a hop-on, hop-off bus tour: Barcelona City Tour and Barcelona Bus Turístic. But, which one should you choose?
Well, in this blog, we’ll compare both Barcelona bus tours. We’ll go into the details like routes, major attractions covered, prices and discounts. We’ll also help you decide which one fits your budget and style. So, let’s delve into the guide to choose the best Barcelona bus tour and find the perfect match for your adventure!
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1. Overview of City Tour and Bus Turístic: The Basics
Barcelona’s every attraction needs to be explored. But the problem is, these attractions are not located in a single place, which is quite natural for a city like Barcelona. So, its sprawling attractions make it perfect for sightseeing by bus. There are two major bus tour companies, as mentioned above, and they offer similar services. They allow you to hop on and off at various stops throughout the city.
City Tour Bus Barcelona Spain: It operates with red buses for two comprehensive routes covering Barcelona’s major landmarks. It offers slightly more affordable pricing and often less crowded vehicles. The audio guides come in 15 languages with interesting commentary about the city’s history.
Bus Turístic Barcelona Spain: It runs with red and blue vehicles, by the city’s official transport company, TMB. This company operates distinctive red and blue vehicles on three different routes. It provides more extensive coverage with additional stops and more frequent service, and its system includes a special Barcelona tourist bus discount for many attractions. The audio guides come in more languages, including Norwegian and Turkish.
Both the companies offer one-day and two-day tickets with unlimited access to their routes. This makes them ideal for visitors who want flexibility in their Barcelona sightseeing schedule.
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2. Routes and Stops Comparison
Barcelona City Tour operates two primary routes:
The East Route:
This route allows you to explore the classic sights of Barcelona such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and Plaza Catalunya. You should definitely explore this if you are visiting Barcelona for the first time and don't want to miss out on the major attractions of the city.
The West Route:
This route offers a scenic tour through some of the city's most famous landmarks. It focuses on the iconic sites like Montjuïc mountain, Camp Nou stadium, and the Olympic area. The complete loop takes about 1 hour 40 minutes without stops.
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Bus Turístic offers three main routes:
The Red Route:
This route covers Barcelona's major attractions such as Sagrada Familia, Plaza Catalunya, and Gothic Quarter. This is similar to City Tour's East Route and gives you an overview of the major landmarks and attractions of the city.
The Blue Route:
This route focuses on Barcelona's northern area. It takes you to attractions like Park Güell, Tibidabo, and the uptown districts. The complete loop takes about 2 hours without stopping.
The Green Route:
Running primarily in summer, this coastal route follows Barcelona's beautiful Mediterranean shoreline. It covers the Forum area and beaches not included in other routes. This shorter route takes about 40 minutes to complete.
The main difference here is the route frequency and coverage. City Tour's stops are slightly more compact, while Bus Turístic has more extensive coverage with its third route, allowing for access to a wider range of landmarks.
Some Must-See Stops on Barcelona Bus Tour Map for Both:
Sagrada Familia: Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece
Park Güell: The fantastical park designed by Gaudí
Casa Batlló and La Pedrera: Stunning modernist buildings
Plaza Catalunya: The heart of Barcelona
Gothic Quarter: The historic center of the old city
Barcelona Beach: The beautiful Mediterranean coastline
3. Ticket Options and Flexibility
Barcelona City Tour offers a variety of ticket options:
1-Day and 2-Day Passes: Unlimited access to both routes as per the chosen duration.
Online Discounts: Special rates for tickets purchased through their website.
Family Passes: Discounted rates for families traveling together.
Combo Tickets: Including City Tour access along with entry to attractions such as Sagrada Familia or Camp Nou.
Bus Turístic's ticketing is straightforward with several options:
1-Day and 2-Day Passes: Unlimited access to all three routes for the chosen duration.
Discount Vouchers: Each ticket includes vouchers for popular Barcelona attractions.
Children's Discounts: Kids under 4 travel free, and ages 4-12 get reduced rates.
Attraction Combo Tickets: Bus Turístic offers bundle options with entry to various museums and experiences.
Both services offer flexible ticketing and convenient combo options. City Tour often provides slightly lower base prices, while Bus Turístic includes more discount vouchers with each ticket purchase.
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4. Amenities and Comfort
Barcelona City Tour
With a modern fleet of buses, City Tour provides a comfortable sightseeing experience.
Features include:
Free Wi-Fi onboard all buses.
Audio guides in 15 languages with clear Barcelona history and facts.
Open and covered seating options for all weather conditions.
USB charging ports on newer buses for keeping devices powered.
Bus Turístic
Bus Turístic provides a classic, open-top bus experience, which many travellers enjoy for panoramic sightseeing.
Features include:
Audio commentary in 17 languages with more detailed historical information.
Frequent service with less waiting time between buses.
Covered seating area on the lower deck for weather protection.
Mobile app with route information and real-time bus tracking.
While both Barcelona hop-on hop-off tours offer useful amenities, City Tour takes the lead with newer buses and USB charging, while Bus Turístic may appeal more to those who prefer more frequent service and extensive audio commentary.
5. Customer Experience & Accessibility
Barcelona City Tour
Customer feedback for City Tour is generally positive, especially for its less crowded buses and value pricing. The modern vehicles provide a smooth ride, and many visitors appreciate the slightly lower prices. However, City Tour buses can sometimes be less frequent on some routes, which may affect wait times.
Bus Turístic
Bus Turístic customers appreciate the extensive coverage and frequency of buses, which adds convenience to the experience. This service is often recommended for visitors who want to see more of Barcelona beyond the main tourist areas. However, Bus Turístic can get crowded during peak times, which may impact comfort levels.
Accessibility:
Both services provide accessible buses and offer assistance for passengers with limited mobility. Both companies have designated spaces for wheelchairs on the lower deck of each bus.
6. Pricing and Value for Money
Barcelona Bus Tour Comparison for Ticket Pricing:
Pricing for Adults: Barcelona Bus Turístic is slightly cheaper than Barcelona City Tour for both 24-hour and 48-hour tickets (€29.70 vs. €33 for 24 hours; €39.60 vs. €44 for 48 hours).
Child Tickets: Barcelona Bus Turístic offers free rides for children under 4, making it more cost-effective for families with younger kids. For children aged 4-12, prices are comparable.
Reduced Rates: Barcelona City Tour provides discounted rates for seniors and disabled passengers, which may be beneficial for those eligible.
Both services offer discounts when tickets are purchased online, making them more affordable than buying on-site. Your choice may depend on the budget and additional features offered by each company.
Which is the Best Barcelona Sightseeing Bus to Choose?
Ultimately, the choice between Barcelona City Tour and Bus Turístic comes down to your travel preferences:
Choose City Tour if: you’re a budget-conscious traveller, prioritise value for money, prefer less crowded buses, and want a comfortable, straightforward sightseeing experience covering the main attractions.
Choose Bus Turístic if: you’re looking for more extensive coverage, enjoy having discount vouchers for attractions, and want more frequent service with three route options.
Both tours offer unique advantages, so consider your sightseeing style, budget, and the type of Barcelona experience you want when making your decision.
Both Barcelona City Tour stops exclusively cover all major attractions of the city, so if you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll see them with each service. However, return visitors might appreciate Bus Turístic's more extensive coverage. If you’re planning a Barcelona City trip in the summer, kindly note that only Bus Turístic offers the coastal Green Route.
Practical Tips for the Best Barcelona Bus Tour
Book your tickets online before your trip. Both companies offer digital tickets and discounts for online booking.
Start your tour early in the morning. The buses get crowded after 11 AM, especially during summer months.
Consider starting at less popular stops. Plaça Catalunya is the busiest boarding point. Beginning elsewhere might get you better seats. The top deck offers the best views, but you should bring sun protection during summer!
Download the company's app before your trip. Both offer useful mobile applications. These show real-time bus locations and estimated arrival times. They also provide offline maps and attraction information.
Don't try to see everything in one day. Pick your must-see attractions and enjoy them fully.
The two-day ticket offers much better value if you're staying longer. It removes the pressure to rush through sites.
Final Thoughts
Whether you go with Barcelona City Tour or Bus Turístic, a hop-on hop-off bus tour offers a fantastic way to see the Catalan capital at your own pace. With either choice, you will enjoy easy access to Barcelona's top attractions, the flexibility to explore at your own speed, and the freedom to hop off at landmarks you want to dive deeper into.
Remember to book your tickets online before your trip for the best rates. Start your tour early in the morning to avoid crowds, and consider a two-day ticket if you're staying longer. Don't forget sun protection for Barcelona's bright Mediterranean sunshine!
So, grab your tickets, hop on board, and start your Barcelona adventure with the perfect bus tour for your travel style!
