The new Barcelona airport train link is now 95% complete. This €400 million subterranean project will directly connect Barcelona-El Prat Airport to the city’s commuter rail network. Consequently, it aims to solve one of the city’s most persistent transport headaches.

For years, reaching the city centre from El Prat has meant choosing between crowded buses, expensive taxis, or a convoluted Metro journey. However, Spanish transport officials now promise a direct 20-minute train ride to the central Sants station. Therefore, they expect over seven million passengers a year to choose this public transit option. This project meets a clear demand for city-wide transit solutions, especially as Barcelona metro ridership reached record highs recently. Meanwhile, final works focus on fitting out the stations and tunnels.

Your browser does not support the video tag.Home » Barcelona Airport Train Link: €400M Tunnel Nears Completion

The core of this project is a 5.2-kilometre dual-track line. Significantly, 4.3 kilometres of it runs underground. A critical 3.1-kilometre tunnel was bored directly under the airport’s active runways. Managed by Spain’s rail infrastructure body, Adif, the line branches off from the existing R2 Rodalies route. This investment is timely, as Rodalies Barcelona has lost over 10 million passengers in two years due to works and disruptions.

Inside the tunnel, work now shifts from construction to technical installation. The tunnel features slab track and a rigid overhead catenary system. Currently, teams are finalising electrical, ventilation, and fire-suppression systems. According to a statement from the Ministry of Transport, this phase accounts for €80 million of the total investment. Additionally, the project adheres to strict modern railway safety standards.

The new line will serve both of the airport’s main terminals. A new station at Terminal 2 will interchange with the L9 Sud Metro line. Meanwhile, the route will terminate at a purpose-built station inside Terminal 1. At T1, platforms and main conduits are built, with lifts and technical rooms now being installed. At T2, structural work on its roof and skylights is complete. Furthermore, escalators and moving walkways are being assembled.

This massive undertaking is part of the broader Rodalies plan for Catalonia. It also leverages funding from the European Union’s Recovery Plan. The objective is twofold: to streamline the passenger experience and to promote sustainable, high-capacity public transport. Initiatives like the new national €60 public transport pass could encourage more travelers to use this new airport connection. In conclusion, as final systems are installed, Barcelona is on the cusp of a major transport upgrade.

Join Barcelona English Speakers WhatsApp Community .