Travel Logistics - Barcelona

Arrivals
Air Travel
Train Travel
Travel Changes & Lost Luggage
Early/Late Arrival
Departure Day

Arrivals in Barcelona, Spain

Students are expected to arrive before 2:00pm local time on Arrival Day. For most students, this means departing the day before, as you will lose hours due to the change in time zone and transatlantic flight.

**Students should consult the Academic Calendar HERE for their arrival date. Please note that the Early Start Program arrival date is different than the regular program arrival date.

Students should fly into the Barcelona Airport (BCN). One week prior to arrival, IAU staff will provide students with instructions on how to travel from the airport to their housing arrangements. Students will be met by IAU staff at their housing arrangements for check-in procedures. For students already in Europe, it is also possible to arrive by train at the Barcelona Sants train station.

Once travel is booked, submit your itinerary through the MyIAU Student Portal and submit it via email by the deadlines listed on the pre-departure requirements page.

Air Travel

Students are expected to arrive before 2:00pm local time on the official arrival day. IAU staff will provide students with instructions on how to travel from the airport to their housing arrangements. Students will be met by IAU staff at their housing arrangements for check-in procedures.

Precise information about arrival day and what to do upon arrival will be sent via email to students approximately one week before arrival day.

Train Travel

Students who are already in Europe can also arrive by train at the Barcelona Sants train station. Please contact IAU at enroll@iau.edu if you plan to arrive by train. IAU staff will not be present at the train station to assist with students on arrival day, but IAU's Center is only a 10-minute taxi ride from the train station.

Precise information about arrival day and what to do upon arrival will be sent via email to students approximately one week before arrival day.

Travel Changes

All travel changes, delays or cancellations must be communicated to IAU, either at enroll@iau.edu or by contacting the numbers provided in the arrival information sent one week before arrival day. If we are not informed of travel changes, we will not be able to assist you when you arrive. 

Students arriving after 10:00pm will need to find a hotel and must inform both the Housing Coordinator and their host (if applicable) in order to organize a meeting time the following day. Please contact enroll@iau.edu if you need recommendations on where to stay.

Lost Luggage

If your luggage does not make it with you, report this immediately to the airline. Give the airline your host's address and phone number, which we urge you to have with you, or the address of your apartment. If you do not have this information with you, you can give IAU's address: Carrer d'Ausias Marc, 25, 08010 Barcelona, Spain. Please note that IAU's buildings are closed on the weekends and so cannot receive delayed luggage then.

Early/Late Arrivals

Students who arrive prior to or after the official arrival day, or who arrive outside of the reception hours on the official arrival day, are responsible for finding their own lodging and transportation. They must also contact their host (if staying in a homestay) to organize a time and place to meet. Some hosts are willing to accommodate a late-night arrival on the official arrival day, but students must check in with them to do so. If staying in an apartment, students must contact the Housing Coordinator to organize a move-in time. Some late arrivals can be accommodated, but advance notice must be given.

Students coming from the airport can take the Aerobus shuttle, which provides regular service between the airport and Plaça Catalunya in the city center. Tickets are 6 euros (one-way) or 10 euros (round-trip) and can be purchased online in advance.

Licensed taxis from the Barcelona Airport or Barcelona Sants train station are another option and cost approximately 40 euros (airport) and 20 euros (train station). Note that many taxis do not accept credit cards.

Departure Day

Students should plan to leave their accommodations by 11:00am on departure day. Students are responsible for their own transportation to the airport or train state on departure day as IAU does not organize departures. Students are welcome to stay in Europe after the departure date, but must note that they are responsible for their own housing after this date.