- Must visit
Museu Picasso
One of the world’s leading Picasso collections, especially strong on his formative years in Barcelona and early artistic development.
Cheapest price
€211
Average price
€226
Fastest journey
20 h 2 m
Average duration
21 h 56 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
809 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Basel to Barcelona is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Basel to Barcelona will cost around €226 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €211.
It's difficult to get from Basel to Barcelona without transferring at least 2 times.
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Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Basel to Barcelona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €46. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 25m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.7kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €46, and a train costs an average of €211.
Distance: 502 miles (809 km)
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€227 Average price | €112 Average price | €83 Average price Cheapest | €320 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 43m Average total duration 8h 13m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 25m Average total duration Fastest 2h 25m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 22h 54m Average total duration 22h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 30m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.2 - 0.7kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 2.4 - 4.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.8 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Basel to Barcelona:
A bus is €29 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Basel to Barcelona costing on average €112.
A bus is €144 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Basel to Barcelona costing on average €227.
Other travel options to Barcelona take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 13m.
Bus takes on average 22h 24m.
The journey is about 1h 17m faster (8h 13m by train vs 9h 30m by car) and roughly €92 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (€227 vs €320). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Basel to Barcelona trains for today, Friday, August 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:34 PM Basel | 20h02 | 12:36 PM Barcelona | 2 transfers | |
![]() | 7:34 PM Basel | 23h49 | 7:23 PM Barcelona | 2 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Basel to Barcelona run on average 1 times per day, taking around 8h 13m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €211 but you can travel from only €29 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 05:21, the last at 21:45. The fastest train covers the 502 miles (809 km) distance in 20h 2m.
Distance 502 miles (809 km) |
Average train duration 8h 13m |
Cheapest ticket price €211 |
Trains per day 1 |
Fastest train 20h 2m |
First train 5:21 AM |
Last train 9:45 PM |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Barcelona — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Barcelona trip today.
One of the world’s leading Picasso collections, especially strong on his formative years in Barcelona and early artistic development.
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This medieval district rewards slow wandering with narrow lanes, hidden squares, Roman traces, and some of the city’s richest atmosphere.
Barcelona’s grand modernist avenue is ideal for architecture lovers, showcasing luxury facades, major Gaudí works, and elegant urban design.
A Catalan tomato-rubbed bread with olive oil and salt. Simple, iconic, and served almost everywhere as a staple of Barcelona meals.
Mixed seafood and rice cooked in a rich broth, often finished in the pan. A beloved coastal dish tied to Catalonia’s Mediterranean fishing tradition.
A Catalan custard dessert with citrus and cinnamon, topped with a caramelized sugar crust. It is one of the region’s most classic sweets.
Acclaimed fine dining restaurant serving inventive Catalan tasting menus in an elegant, intimate setting.
Traditional tavern celebrated for vermouth, bombas, and classic tapas in a busy, authentic Barceloneta atmosphere.
Historic market bar famed for seafood tapas, fried fish, and a lively counter atmosphere inside Mercat de La Boqueria.
Moderate for Western Europe; lodging in central areas is costly, but tapas, menu del día, and public transport are fairly priced for tourists.
Service is usually included. Round up or leave 5-10% for good service; small change for cafes; taxi tips are optional, usually rounding up.
Official public transport app
Barcelona Sants -> Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Basel to Barcelona by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Barcelona, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Basel to Barcelona trains use the Saint-Louis to Barcelona Sants station pair. Use this guide to compare Basel and Barcelona train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Basel Bad Bhf is 2 km from Basel city centre. Public transport options include:
Basel Bad Bhf has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Restaurant Les Gareçons, Restaurant Bahn Kantine
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Basel Bad Bhf. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Basel Bad Bhf. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Basel Bad Bhf: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Basel Bad Bhf: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Basel Bad Bhf: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Alexander, Hotel Wettstein, Hotel Balade.
Barcelona Sants is 1 km from Barcelona city centre. Public transport options include:
Barcelona Sants has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: McDonald’s, Caffe di Fiore, Ars Café, Café de l'Estació, Café de l’Estació Deli, Lavazza, Como, Peter's, Tutti Frutti, Enrique Tomás, & many more
Hotspots in and near restaurants. ATMs are in the central part of the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 06:00 - 22:00. Information desks are located in various locations inside the station.
Luggage storage is staffed and automatic. Open daily from 05:30 to 21:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Barcelona Sants: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Barcelona Sants: All areas of the station have full disability access facilities.
Nearby hotels include Apartments Eixample, Apartment Guell, Sweet Inn Callao.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need