BARCELONA ARRIVAL: SOME USEFUL INFORMATION
Barcelona is the capital and most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. Barcelona is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination and has a rich cultural heritage. Particularly renowned are architectural works of Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner that have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The headquarters of the Union for the Mediterranean are located in Barcelona. As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona houses the seat of the Catalan government, known as the Generalitat de Catalunya; of particular note are the executive branch, the parliament, and the Supreme Court of Catalonia. More information about Barcelona:
The website of Barcelona: http://www.bcn.cat/en/ihome.htm Barcelona tourism: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/English/
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Check out the different requirements for entering Spanish territory at the following link: http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Portal/en/ServiciosAlCiudadano/InformacionParaExtranjeros/Paginas/RequisitosDeE ntrada.aspx
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
By Aerobus
At Terminal 1, stops are located outside the T1 Arrivals area (P0) and the Departures area (P3).
At Terminal 2, the stop is located in front of the Joan Miró mural
Bus frequency: every 5 to 15 minutes from 06:00 to 01:00
Approximate journey time: 20 minutes
Cost: 5.90€ for a single trip. Tickets are available from ticket machines or may be purchased from the driver.
More information: http://www.aerobusbcn.com/index.php/en.html
By Taxi
Taxi stands are located in front of both T1 and T2 terminals
Information about fares and additional charges are available to view on the window of the taxi.
Taxi fares include a service charge, so tipping is not expected
Not all taxis accept credit card payments; verify whether credit cards are accepted before leaving the airport
Approximately the fee for one service including all supplements is 25.00 €
More information: http://www.taxibarcelona.cat/tabid/2099/Default.aspx
By Train
RENFE trains connect the airport with the city center, stopping at “Barcelona Sants”, “Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia” and “Barcelona Estació de França” Railway Station.
Approximate journey time: 25 minutes
The airport station is situated opposite T2, and is connected to this Terminal via an air bridge.
There is a free shuttle bus service between the station and T1.
Frequency of service: every 30 minutes
More information: http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/index.html
By Bus
During the DAY: Public Bus #46 departs from the airport approximately every 15 minutes from Terminal T1 stopping at Plaça Espanya. More information: http://www.tmb.cat/en/linia-de-bus/-/bus/46
At NIGHT: Between the hours of 21:50 to 04:40, take ‘NitBus N17′. This bus departs every 20 minutes from Terminal T1. More information: http://www.ambmobilitat.cat/Principales/TiraRecorrido.aspx?linea=224
Cost: 2.15€ for a single single trip
The total journey between the airport and city center takes about 50 minutes, as the bus makes multiple stops during the journey.
MOVING AROUND BARCELONA
Public transport
Barcelona and its metropolitan area boast an excellent public transport system, considered one of the best in Europe. TMB, the metropolitan transport authority, operates two permanent transport networks (metro and bus) and offers a range of leisure services. For further information about public transport in and around the city, visit the TMB website.
If you would like to travel by public transport we recommend you T-10 Multi-person card for 10 journeys. Valid for metro, bus and tram. You should buy T-10 (1 zone).
Points of sale:
. Metro automatic vending machines. . TMB customer service and information centres (Punt TMB). . Integrated Fare System operator distribution network.
More information about T-10: http://www.tmb.cat/en/sistema-tarifari-integrat/-/ticket/402
For searching the best way to go from one point to other by public transport It will be very useful ‘Going to’, an online application that you will find at http://www.tmb.cat/en/home
Taxi
Taxis are an affordable alternative to public transport. A 15 minutes journey will only cost about €10.00. Licensed Taxis have to charge you the amount displayed on the meter. However if you are carrying extra luggage there may be a small surcharge. Official rates are displayed inside the cab.
Official Barcelona Taxis are yellow and black and a green illuminated light on the top of the Taxi indicates that it's available for hire.
Most taxis are licensed to carry up to 4 passengers however some van taxis have a special license to carry up to 6 passengers. If you require a taxi to carry 6 passengers it is best to call a taxi company in advance and reserve this type of cab.
If you're attempting to get around in the very heart of the city a taxi may not be the best choice. Most of the city center is pedestrianized and the roads that go through the centre can be quite small and congested. In such circumstances you have two main options, the Barcelona transport system (metro and buses) or walking.
More information about taxis: http://www.taxibarcelona.cat/tabid/2099/Default.aspx
VENUE
The UB Economics Summer School venue is the Facultat d’Economia I Empresa (Faculty of Economics and Business), Universitat de Barcelona.
VENUE MAP
The Faculty of Economics and Business is located at Av. Diagonal 690-696, near the Pedralbes park (Palau Reial). There are two main entrances (blue points on the map), both will be correct. We will indicate the conference area and registration point from both.
To get there by public transport you have several options:
Subway: Palau Reial or Zona Universitària (line 3)
Bus: 7, 33, 67, 74, 75, 113 (Avinguda Diagonal – Palau Reial)
Trambaix: lines T1, T2, T3 (Palau Reial or Zona Universitària)
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
TEMPERATURE AND CLIMATE
Barcelona and its metropolitan area has a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate with mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. In May/June the average temperature is around 21-25 °C (70-77 °F) during the day and 13-15 °C (55-59 °F) at night.
A pullover will be useful for the conference dinner (in front of the sea)
More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Barcelona#Transitional_months
INTERNATIONAL TIME ZONE
The time in Spain is GMT + 1 hour. How your time zone in relation to GMT + 1
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
The two languages spoken in Barcelona are Spanish and Catalan. Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya and therefore Catalan is widely spoken by the people of Barcelona. However both Spanish and Catalan are widely spoken interchangeably.
In the tourist areas you will have people who speak English as well as Spanish however more off the beaten track most people will only speak Spanish or Catalan.
Barcelona is however a very cosmopolitan European city with millions of tourist visitors each year so you should not have any real problems communicating.
WATHER SUPPLY
Barcelona drinking water is quite unpalatable and it is recommended to drink bottled water whilst you are here. Although you can drink tap water safely it is much preferred to have bottled water. Bottled mineral water can be purchased very cheaply from local supermarkets
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Electricity supply is 220 volts throughout Spain with 2 pin wall sockets. For any European countries that utilize 240 volts e.g. UK and Ireland most electrical equipment will function adequately.
If you intend to use the UK electrical plugs then you will need an electricity plug adapter that will convert the standard 3 pin socket into a two pin socket. In the US where the electricity supply is 110 volts a transformer would be required to step down the voltage to 110 volts. Damage to the electrical appliance can occur if you attempt to use a 110 volt rate electrical appliance with a 220 volt supply.
PERSONAL INDENTIFICATION
It is required by Spanish law that photographic identification be carried with you at all times. This may be a passport, driving license or national identity card. With a tightening of security in the city it is highly recommended that you carry round with you at least a photocopy of your passport should you be asked for this.
THELEPHONE CALLS
To call Barcelona from a country outside Spain you need to dial 0034 for Spain and then 93 for the dialing code for landlines in Barcelona.