Barcelona Airport to Tossa de Mar: Why Getting Here Is Awkward
Tossa de Mar stands apart even among the Costa Brava resorts. It's the only fortified medieval town left standing on the Catalan coast, and reaching it on public transport is harder than reaching any of its neighbours.
There's no train to Tossa, and there never will be
The coastal R1 line ends at Blanes. North of that the shore turns rocky, and there's simply no room to lay a railway.
So without a car, you're left with the bus. You can see the drive and what it costs on the airport to Tossa transfer page.
| How to travel | Time | Cost | What it looks like in practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer | ~1 hr 33 min | from €196 per car | terminal to hotel door |
| Bus via Barcelona Nord | 3 h and up | ~€14 per person | the Aerobús into town first, then a change |
| R1 train + bus from Blanes | 3 h and up | ~€10 per person | two changes with suitcases |
| Car hire | the same drive plus collecting the car at the airport | from €35 a day | the old town is closed to traffic |
Bus, train and car hire prices are valid for September 2026.
The road that makes everyone late
The final stretch is the GI-682 out of Lloret. Twelve kilometres of hairpins above the sea, bend after bend, with traffic coming the other way.
The views are good enough that drivers ease off without meaning to. Allow more time for this section than your sat-nav shows: it calculates from the speed limit, and on a road like that you rarely hold it.
Lloret and Blanes sit on the same road further south: from Tossa it's about twenty minutes to Lloret and a little further to Blanes.
The old town is closed to cars
Vila Vella, the old town inside walls raised in the early 13th century, is pedestrian from end to end. The walls went up against pirate raids, and since 1931 they have been a protected monument.
There are hotels inside, but you can't drive up to them: the car stops at the gate, and from there you go on foot over cobbles, uphill. It's a short walk, though awkward with suitcases.
You can drive right up to the hotels on the seafront and in the newer part of town.
When to come
From June to September everything in Tossa is open. In May and October a share of the restaurants close, and between November and April only a handful stay open by the sea.
The bay below the fortress is small, and at the height of summer you have to hunt for a spot on the sand from early morning. If you're coming in August, take a look at the neighbouring beaches - there are several within half an hour's drive, and they have more room.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct bus from Barcelona Airport to Tossa?
No. Buses to Tossa leave from the Barcelona Nord coach station, and you still have to get there from the airport. All in, it comes to three hours and more.
Does a train run to Tossa de Mar?
There is no railway here. The nearest station is at Blanes, and from there a bus runs along the coast to Tossa.
How long does it take from Girona Airport?
35 km, ~40 min. The drive from Girona is shorter than from El Prat, worth weighing up when you pick your airport.
Can you drive to a hotel in the old town?
As far as the fortress gate, yes; inside, no, because it's a pedestrian zone. From the drop-off point it's a few minutes uphill on foot to the hotels within the walls.
How far is Tossa from Lloret?
Twelve kilometres along the coast road, about twenty minutes by car. A local bus links the two towns, and it runs more often in summer.
When does the season end in Tossa?
The main season holds until the end of September, and by October not all of the seafront trades. In winter the places that stay open mostly serve local residents.
What if my flight is delayed?
Your driver works from the actual landing time. The first hour of waiting at the airport is free.