Where to Buy the Hola Barcelona Travel Card

So you’re heading to Barcelona and you’ve heard about this magical little card that lets you hop on and off the metro, buses, and trams without ever worrying about buying another ticket. Yep, that’s the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, and honestly? It’s kind of a game-changer for getting around the city.

Let me break down everything you need to know about where to grab one of these babies before you arrive—because trust me, you’ll want to sort this out before you’re standing at the airport wondering how to get into the city.

What Exactly Is This Card?

Think of the Hola Barcelona Travel Card as your unlimited transport pass for Barcelona. You can get it for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days, depending on how long you’re staying, and once you activate it, you’ve got unlimited rides on pretty much everything: metro, buses, trams, and even those suburban trains that’ll take you to cute nearby towns.

The best part? It includes the airport metro (the L9 Sud line), which normally costs around €5.50 each way. So if you’re doing the math, the card basically pays for itself pretty quickly, especially if you’re the type who likes to explore every corner of the city.

Where Can You Actually Buy It?

Option 1: The Official Website (Your Best Bet)

Honestly, this is what I’d recommend. Head to holabarcelona.com before you even pack your bags. The process is super simple—pick your dates, enter your info, pay, and boom, you’ll get a QR code sent to your email. You can either keep it on your phone or print it out if you’re old school like that.

The bonus here? You usually save about 10% buying online vs. getting it at a station. Plus, no lines, no confusion, and you can literally do it from your couch while binge-watching Netflix.

Option 2: Metro and Train Stations

If you forgot to buy online (hey, it happens), you can grab one when you land at Barcelona Airport. Just look for the ticket machines at the airport metro stations—they’re pretty easy to spot. You can also buy them at major metro stops like Catalunya, Sants Estació, or Passeig de Gràcia.

The machines have English options, so don’t stress. Or if you prefer talking to an actual human, hit up the information offices at these stations. They’ll sort you out.

Option 3: Tourist Information Offices

Barcelona has these handy tourist info spots all over the place—Plaça de Catalunya, near Sagrada Família, right at the airport when you exit arrivals. Pop in, ask for the Hola BCN card, and they’ll hand you a physical card on the spot. Plus, you can grab maps and ask questions about what to see. Win-win.

Option 4: Travel Booking Sites

Sites like GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Klook also sell the Hola Barcelona card. Sometimes they bundle it with other stuff like skip-the-line tickets for attractions. The price is usually about the same as buying direct, but it’s convenient if you’re already booking other activities through these platforms.

How to Actually Use It

Using the card is ridiculously easy. The first time you scan it at a metro gate or on a bus, that’s when your time starts counting. So if you bought a 3-day card and scanned it on Monday at 2 PM, you’ve got until Thursday at 2 PM to use it as much as you want.

Just tap it on the yellow or blue sensors at the metro gates, and you’re good. On buses and trams, tap it near the driver when you board. That’s it. No overthinking required.

My Quick Tips

Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my first Barcelona trip:

Buy online before you go—seriously, that 10% discount adds up, and you’ll skip the ticket machine confusion when you’re jet-lagged.

Don’t activate it until you’re ready to start exploring. If you land late at night and just want to crash at your hotel, wait until the next morning to use it.

Screenshot your QR code or keep it saved offline, just in case Wi-Fi decides to abandon you at a crucial moment.

Consider pairing it with the Barcelona Card if you’re big on museums and attractions—it’s basically the Hola card plus free entry to a bunch of cool spots.

Quick FAQs

Can I buy it at Barcelona Airport?
Yep! At the metro station, ticket machines or the tourist info desk.

Does it work for the airport metro?
Absolutely. That’s one of its biggest perks—free rides to and from the airport.

Can I share it with my travel buddy?
Nope, it’s one card per person. Each person needs their own.

What if I lose it?
Unfortunately, no refunds or replacements. That’s why keeping a digital backup is clutch.

Look, getting around Barcelona should be fun, not stressful. The Hola Barcelona Travel Card takes all the guesswork out of public transport, and buying it online ahead of time means you can literally walk off the plane and hop straight on the metro like you own the place. Do yourself a favor and sort this out before you go—your future self will thank you.