Barcelona to Andorra transfer: getting there in comfort
Andorra is a popular trip out of Barcelona: in winter people head for the Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalis ski resorts, in summer for the shopping and the mountain air. The distance is 200 km and the drive takes ~2 hr 50 min.
Important: Andorra is not in the EU
Andorra belongs neither to the EU nor to Schengen, so there may be a passport check at the border. Bring your passport and whatever documents let you back into the Schengen area (a visa or residence permit, if your nationality needs one).
Ways to get there
Scheduled bus
Direct buses leave from Sants station and from El Prat airport several times a day. Journey time is 3.5 to 4 hours with stops, and a ticket costs around 30-35 euros.
The downsides: a fixed timetable, pick-up only at the main stops, tickets that sell out well in advance in the winter high season, and ski luggage as a separate worry.
Car hire
Freedom of route, with a few catches: chains may be required on the mountain sections in winter, parking in Andorra la Vella is paid, and returning a car in another country is often expensive.
Private transfer
The driver picks you up at the door - from home, a hotel or the airport - and takes you straight to your hotel in Andorra:
- A fixed price for the car rather than per passenger - for a group of three or four it works out close to the bus.
- Departure at any hour, early flights and late arrivals included.
- A van for a group - skis, snowboards and suitcases all fit.
- Experienced drivers who know the mountain road and winter conditions.
Price and journey time
A private transfer from Barcelona or the airport to Andorra costs from €355 for the car, not per passenger. The distance is 200 km and the drive takes ~2 hr 50 min. The price is fixed at booking: a night departure, luggage and ski gear do not change it. Toll roads are not included in the route price.
Which class to choose depends on how many of you there are and how much you are carrying. We went through it in detail, with photos of the boot: how much luggage really fits in a Comfort and a Van. In short: with skis and suitcases for a group, take the Van.
If you are heading straight for the slopes, there is a separate route - a transfer to Grandvalira, which goes to the lifts rather than into town.
Before you go
- Allow extra time in winter: in heavy snow the drive over the pass can take longer.
- Check the duty-free limits when you return to Spain: spot checks on purchases do happen at the border.
- Book your transfer early in the high season (December to March): demand for vans at weekends is high.
How to book
You book in the Let's GO app: enter the pick-up address and the destination, and the price appears at once, before you confirm. The driver follows your flight number, so if the plane is delayed the pickup shifts by itself, at no extra charge. After you land he writes to you and names the exact meeting point.
Payment is by card in the app and the amount is fixed at booking. A booking can be cancelled without a penalty up to 24 hours in advance. Other destinations are in the route catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Barcelona to Andorra transfer cost?
from €355 for the car, fixed at booking. For a group of three or four that is comparable to bus tickets for everyone.
How long does it take to drive from Barcelona to Andorra?
~2 hr 50 min, a distance of 200 km. In winter snow, allow extra time for the mountain road.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. Andorra is outside the EU and Schengen: bring your passport and the documents you need to return to Spain.
Will skis and snowboards fit?
Yes, choose the Van: a group with gear and suitcases fits. More detail in the article about luggage.
Will the driver collect me from a hotel or apartment?
Yes, from any address in Barcelona or from the airport, to the door of your hotel in Andorra.
Are toll roads included in the price?
No. Toll roads are not included in the route price.