Bus 46 gets you from BCN to Plaça Espanya for €2.55
Bus 46 runs between both T1 and T2 at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport and Plaça Espanya in the city, using the standard TMB zone 1 fare of €2.55 with a single ticket. Services typically operate from early morning to late evening, with buses every 15–25 minutes depending on the time of day. This is the regular daytime city bus, not the night N16/N17 or the Aerobús.
At T1, Bus 46 departs from the public bus area outside the arrivals level; follow signs for "Bus" and look for the stop marked 46 Plaça Espanya. At T2, the stop sits in front of the terminal on the arrivals forecourt shared by T2A/T2B, again signed as line 46 toward the city. You pay on board at the front door, either in cash (small euro notes/coins) or by validating a T-casual or other TMB travel card.
The ride from BCN T1 to Plaça Espanya usually takes around 30–40 minutes, and from T2 it can shave a few minutes off that, traffic on Gran Via permitting. Buses use standard low-floor city vehicles with space for luggage racks near the central doors, but there is no underfloor baggage hold like a coach. Expect regular city stops along the way before you reach the final stop close to the Plaça Espanya metro and FGC entrances.
Compared with the Aerobús A1/A2, which costs roughly twice as much at around €6–€7.50, Bus 46 is slower but cheaper for solo travelers and groups using TMB cards. The line is included in integrated zone 1 passes like Hola Barcelona and T-casual, so a pre-bought card can bring the per-trip cost below €2.55. If your hotel sits on or near Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes between the airport side and Plaça Espanya, Bus 46 often drops you closer than the Aerobús.
One practical tip: if you land after roughly 23:30 at BCN T1 or T2, check the posted timetable at the stop or the TMB app to confirm the last Bus 46 departure, and be ready to switch to night buses N16 or N17 or a taxi from the same curb if the last daytime bus has already left.