Wednesday, February 17, 2016

[#BSBCruise2016] How to get to Barcelona

Hey there, Welovers!

It seems like yesterday we were all in a frenzy trying to book our cabins for #BSBcruise2016 and now it’s only 82 days away. Time flies.

With that in mind our friends from Radio-BSB Spain wrote a brilliant guide to help you get to Barcelona. Below you’ll find it translated, but if you want to read the original text, click here.

Transportation:

If you’re going by plane, we all know we’ll need to have a valid passport because it’s your major (not to say “only”) document outside your country. Have it in hand because it will be asked. A visa will be needed depending on the cruiser nationality or country of origin. We recommend you check it's necessity with the Spanish authorities in your country.

Immigration officer may ask you other documents as: 1) Hotel/Hostel reservations; 2) #BSBCruise2016 reservation and documents; 3) Plane tickets to return to your city/country (if you’re going to travel abroad after the cruise, have in hand all the docs that show you’ll leave Spain and that proves your itinerary in Europe); 4) Hotel/Hostel contacts.

Once you’re done with all that bureaucracy and have your baggage with you, it’s time to leave the airport and start your adventure!!!

How to get to Barcelona city:

  1. Train (REFE): Take the train till “San Estácio” where you can hop on a bus or subway till your final destination. Cost: € 4,10.
  2. AEROBUS: You can find more information here: http://www.aerobusbcn.com/es/buy-tickets. Cost: € 5,90.
  3. Cabs: it’s cost will vary depending on your final destination, but will be at least € 20,00. Our friends from Radio-BSB Spain does not recommend this kind of transportation.
  4. Subway (Subway line L9): It’s the newest way to move around Barcelona. It was inaugurated last Feb. 12th, 2016. According to Radio-BSB Spain it’s the best way to go because with the same ticket you can change to any other subway line you so want. It stops at L1, L3, L5 and L8. You can hop on a subway train every 7 minutes  and it costs only € 4,50.  To know which line will service you better we recommend you to check with your hotel/hostel asking for guidance or check it on Google Maps.
  5. If your going from train or bus from any other Spanish city, take the subway from “Barcelona-Sants” station.



#BSBCruise2016 day:

The recommendation for this specific day is to surrender to the cab drivers and leave early, because things can get a little messy at the port mainly if at the same day it happens to have another ship arriving or departuring. This cab drive will cost at least € 10,00 depending on where you’re staying and how far it is from the port.  If you’re staying at Barcelo Raval Hotel, it’s located at something about 10km away from the port and it will cost you something about € 20,00.

Staying safe in Barcelona:

  1. Always have your purses or bags where you can see. If you’re using a backpack girls from Radio-BSB Spain recommend you using it in front of you canguru style.
  2. Do not stop to see people doing tricks or magics in the street, they use it as way to rob you. If you want to watch a show like that search for it at Ticketmaster Spain.
  3. Don’t buy things from people selling at the street. Touristics places will be full of people selling whatever on the streets. It’s illegal in Spain and police may show up at any time and you’ll be in trouble.
  4. It’s pretty normal to see a great amount of police officers at the street, always very well armed. So don’t worry and if you need anything you can go to them.
  5. Emergency phone: 112.

Where to eat:

It you’re planing on going out to eat, have in mind that some restaurants close at 4pm. But it’s not all of them, it’s becoming very normal in Barcelona restaurants that stay open 24h around the clock and there is always a McDonalds, Burger King or something like that in an emergency case.

Weather:

Don’t forget to pack light clothes, some jeans and a not so heavy jacket. May can be a very rainy month.

We would like to send a huge thanks to Carolina Mir Latorre, the soul behind Radio-BSB Spain, that took her time to write it all for us. Thanks, honey, for being so kind and generous. See ya soon!

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