Single ticket is €2.40 on NitBus N16 from BCN
NitBus N16 runs all night from both T1 and T2 into Barcelona city, covering the hours when the metro and Aerobús shut down. Buses usually run every 20–30 minutes between roughly 23:00 and 05:00, so you rarely wait longer than a full sitcom episode outside the terminal. The same €2.40 ATM single ticket you use on daytime buses works here, and you can also tap a T-casual or other integrated transport cards on board.
At Terminal T1, the NitBus N16 stop sits on the ground floor outside Arrivals, in the main bus area next to other city lines like N17 and N18. At T2, look for the signed night-bus stop near the train and regular bus bays, a short walk from T2B Arrivals and about 5 minutes from T2C. Signage uses the yellow-and-black “N16” logo, so match the number, not the color of the bus, before you get on.
The route connects the airport with coastal neighborhoods like Castelldefels and Gavà before heading toward central Barcelona, with typical end-to-end ride times around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. If you are heading for downtown hubs such as Plaça d’Espanya or Plaça Catalunya, you often change to NitBus N17 or a taxi along the way, since N16 is more aimed at local commuters between the airport and the southwest suburbs.
Buy tickets directly from the driver with cash; €5 in coins or small notes speeds things up compared with handing over a €50. Contactless bank cards are not as universally accepted as local T-mobilitat cards, so have a backup. Drivers usually speak at least basic English and can confirm if the bus stops near your hotel on Gran Via, Paral·lel, or in L’Hospitalet.
Expect standard city-bus comfort: two steps up, basic seating, luggage in the aisle or on your lap, and no dedicated suitcase racks on N16. Night buses in Barcelona typically have interior CCTV cameras and stop-on-request buttons every few seats, and the driver will only open doors at signed stops. A full ride from the airport to Castelldefels often runs about 25–30 minutes, and the bus can be standing-room only around 01:00–02:00 on weekend nights.
One practical tip: screenshot your stop name from Google Maps before you leave the terminal, then watch the stop display on the bus so you can press the red button one stop early; missing a night stop can cost you an extra 10–15 minutes walking back.