My wife and I will be staying in a new hotel located on the edge of Barcelona on Mount Tibidabo. If the hotel provides return transportation airport-hotel the cost will be in excess of 120 euros. Public transportation doesn't look feasible since at least three changes and a cable car ride would be necessary. Can anyone provide advice about getting a taxi at the airport and provide an estimate of what the cost may be? I also assume we'll have to take a taxi whenever we're going from the hotel into town and would appreciate estimates about the cost of doing this as well. Thanks.
I was in Barcelona last year, but was able to get around using public transit. I waited to use a rental car until I left.
Depending on how long you are in Barcelona, you may want to consider a small car. This could get you to and from the airport, and then to a subway stop from which you may more easily venture into town. (you really don't want to drive in Barcelona proper--narrow streets, little parking, etc.) The cost and ease may best hiring cabs. A small car would guarantee a lower price and easier parking in a land of small cars.
If you do this, be sure and reserve before you go; I observed many people at the airport without car reservations being turned away (albeit in August).
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Take a taxi!
There are lots of them at the airport (at every terminal). And it will cost you (I guess) about 30 - 35 euros to get to your hotel. (I think I now which hotel you're talking about...)
Anyway, don't rent a car if you want to stay in Barcelona. Taxi are cheap and plenty, and from your hotel an antique (fun!) cable car will bring you down to the closest metro station in a few minutes...
upgrader:
I'm just back from BCN having stayed at the Gran Hotel La Florida which is probably the property you're luckty enough to visit.
And believe me; you're in for a treat, it was great! Excellent design, attention to every detail, best views of Barcelona from our balcony (and bathtub!). Attention was paid to every detail, from design to the quality of the towels... Swimming from the interior of the hotel through a haze of steam and then seeing the rest of Barcelona unfold beyond the edge of the infinity pool was a tremendous feeling!
Impeccable service as well.
But back to transportation: WHy not rent a car? Driving in Barcelona might seem hazardous to most Americans, but shouldn't be. The traffic looks caotic, but (I'm sticking my neck out here) most of the locals will be more curteous and aware than any American as long as they have an idea of where you want to direct your car. In other words: Use your signals right and you'll do great! For your four night stay (I believe you'll be there on the same deal as I was :-))
a midsize like an Opel Vectra at Avis will run you approx. 200-250 USD including all insurances + Super CDW if you use AWD # A888841 or E400000 and book through www.avisworld.com .
But: There is a on-demand shuttle to and from Barcelona centre throughout the day, its services seizes at 6.30 pm, after that it might be taxi-time and it'll take somje time for the cab to get up the hill, so order well ahead.
Thanks to all for the very helpful feedback. Glad to hear that your stay was exceptional, Viking. I think we'll just take a taxi to and from the airport and use the cable car/funicular to get to metro stop. I've also found out that there is a Tibibus that goes from Tibidabo to Plaza Catalunya on weekends so one could take the Aerobus from the airport to Plaza Catalunya and then the Tibibus from Catalunya to Tibidabo for very little money. But with our luggage we will probably do the taxi. We leave this weekend for Barcelona (yes, the same 4 day package as Viking) and then on to Madrid for four more days. Should be great fun and FTers advice will make it even better. Muchas Gracias.
Have a great trip, but be certain that the bus takes you to the right part of Tibidabo! There are two different routes, one directly that'll leave you quite short of the hotel, but the road that goes through and towards San Cugat will take you just about right.
DO try restaurant Colibri in Calle Riera Alta 33, small restaurant which is not yet in the major guides, but sure will be soon!
Thanks for the additional recommendations, Viking. Just curious, what kind of room did they give you for the Deluxe Supreme room with balcony and sea view? In our package we also have breakfasts, champagne and flowers, two massages and dinner for two in the hotel restaurant. Did you get all those things? Was the hotel restaurant good and was all food covered by the package for the dinner one night? Was there anyone at the hotel you found particularly helpful in giving advice so that I might look up that person for advice and tell them how you praised their services. If you don't mind, of course. Anything else you think I ought to know given I've never been to Barcelona before but have studied the guides and feel pretty good about what to see in general?
upgrader:
Got a nice room, corner with great views from two small balconies + the bathtub (no whirlpool though), room # was 411.
Cava was in our room, and all non-alcoholic items in the minibar were free.
No problems with the breakfasts, although the package says only continental we got the full works. Neither were there any problems with the very nice meal with a view in the restaurant, basically we were able to order a 3-course meal at will from the a-la-carte. The massages were fair, best value is probably the sports massage.
