Barcelona Airport
Luggage check in facilities for flight-cruise passengers
Barcelona is the cruises capital in Europe, given the abundant supply of cruise companies that are based in the Port of Barcelona. Globally, the Port of Barcelona is on the 4th place in the world, behind the three large ports in the Caribbean. The infrastructure of the port of Barcelona has 7 terminals dedicated exclusively to cruisers, and the biggest cruise ships in the world stop here.
Since the spring of 2018, the Port of Barcelona has been home to a new cruise terminal, built and operated by Carnival Corporation: the Helix Cruise Center.
The Helix Cruise Center is a state-of-the-art cruise terminal located on the Adossat Wharf at the Port of Barcelona. It offers around 12,500 square metres of indoor space and can accommodate up to 6,000 passengers, making it one of the largest and most modern cruise terminals in the Mediterranean.
In 2024, the Port of Barcelona recorded its highest passenger traffic ever, welcoming 5,395,448 people. Of these, 3,655,981 were cruise passengers, while 1,739,467 travelled on scheduled ferry services. These figures not only confirm the port's strong recovery after the pandemic, but also exceed the levels recorded in 2019, when just over 3.1 million cruise passengers and nearly 1.5 million ferry passengers passed through the port.
Ferry and cruise companies operating from the Port of Barcelona
Trasmed operates regular ferry services from the Port of Barcelona to the Balearic Islands and other destinations across the Mediterranean. Its routes carry both passengers and vehicles, with sailings available throughout the year to several of the main island ports. From Barcelona, it is also possible to travel to Italy and Sardinia on Grimaldi Lines services marketed by Trasmed.
Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
Alcúdia (PMI)
Mahón (MAH)
Ibiza (IBZ)
Formentera (FOR)
Porto Torres (OLB)
Civitavecchia (ROM)
Routes to Palma, Alcúdia, Mahón and Ibiza are operated directly by Trasmed. Services to Porto Torres and Civitavecchia are provided by Grimaldi Lines. Travel to Formentera requires a transfer, as there are no direct ferry services from Barcelona.
Besides booking directly with the ferry companies operating from the Port of Barcelona, you can also use Direct Ferries to compare routes and fares. Unlike the ferry operators themselves, Direct Ferries does not operate any ferry services. It brings together routes from a wide range of companies on a single website, making it easy to compare the available options for each journey and choose the one that best suits your travel plans, whether you're travelling on foot or taking a car or motorcycle with you.
Ferry lines
- Trasmed
- Baleària
- Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV)
- Grimaldi Lines
Cruise lines
- MSC Cruceros
- Costa Cruceros
- Royal Caribbean
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Celestyal Cruises
- Explora Journeys
- Cunard
- Virgin Voyages
- Silversea Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Seabourn
- Viking
- Windstar Cruises
- Azamara
- others..
Fly & Cruise / Cruise & Fly Operations
Barcelona Josep Tarradellas-El Prat Airport offers a combined check-in service for selected cruise passengers travelling as part of a Fly & Cruise or Cruise & Fly itinerary.
With this service, eligible passengers can check in their luggage either at the airport or at the cruise terminal in the Port of Barcelona, depending on their travel itinerary. This means there is no need to collect and re-check baggage when transferring between the airport and the port. The service is made possible through the cooperation between participating cruise lines, airlines and companies specialising in port operations and passenger services.
Combined Cruise-Airport Check-in
During the cruise season, some airlines provide dedicated check-in counters in the Intermodal Hall of Terminal T1, allowing passengers to check in their luggage before boarding their cruise departing from the Port of Barcelona. Additional security screening lanes are also made available to help speed up access to the departure area.
Passengers arriving on a cruise and connecting to a flight from Barcelona Airport can also use dedicated check-in counters at the Port of Barcelona cruise terminals. Their luggage is transferred directly to the airport, where it is processed through the Automatic Baggage Handling System.
Please check with your cruise line or visit the information desks at the Port of Barcelona cruise terminals to confirm whether your airline offers the combined Port-Airport check-in service.
Airport-Port Transfers
Barcelona Airport and the Port of Barcelona are located approximately 12 km apart. If your transfer is not already arranged, one of the most convenient ways to travel between the airport and the port is to book a private transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies offer the combined check-in service?
The combined check-in service between Barcelona Josep Tarradellas-El Prat Airport and the Port of Barcelona is only available for selected itineraries and depends on the agreements in place between the cruise line, the airline and the ground handling company. As participating companies may vary, passengers are advised to check availability directly with their cruise line or airline before travelling.
Where are the check-in counters located?
Passengers boarding a cruise may have access, depending on their airline, to dedicated check-in counters in the Intermodal Hall of Terminal T1 at Barcelona Josep Tarradellas-El Prat Airport. Passengers arriving from a cruise and connecting to a flight can also use dedicated check-in counters located at the cruise terminals in the Port of Barcelona.
Can I check in my luggage directly for my cruise?
Yes, but only if your cruise line and airline offer this service for your itinerary. When available, your luggage is transferred directly between the airport and the ship, so there is no need to collect and re-check it during your transfer.
How far is Barcelona Airport from the Port of Barcelona?
Barcelona Josep Tarradellas-El Prat Airport is approximately 12 kilometres from the Port of Barcelona. The journey usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
How can I get from Barcelona Airport to the Port of Barcelona?
There are several ways to travel between the airport and the port, including taxi, private transfers, shuttle buses operated by some cruise lines and public transport using the metro and bus network. If your cruise line or travel agency does not include a transfer, booking a private transfer is one of the most convenient and direct options.
Further information
