Spain & Barcelona Travel

Which Barcelona Metro Card Should You Buy in 2026? T-Usual vs T-Casual

Karen Roldan

— 6 min read

⚡️ Quick Summary: Sagrada Família Completion 2026

  • Short stay (1-3 days)? → T-Casual €13.00
  • Longer stay (4+ days)? → T-Usual €22.80 offers better value
  • Under 30 + exploring outside Barcelona? → T-Jove €45.50
  • Need airport metro? → T-Usual or T-Jove (T-Casual doesn't work on L9 Sud)

2026 Prices

Card

Price

T-Casual
Best for: 1-3 day visits

€13.00

T-Usual
Best for: 4+ days OR airport

€22.80

T-Jove
Best for: Under 30, all zones

€45.50

Single Ticket
Best for: One-time use

€2.90

Airport Ticket
Best for: Airport only

€5.90

T-Casual: €13.00 for 10 Trips

What you get:

  • 10 journeys in Zone 1
  • Each trip = 75 minutes with unlimited transfers
  • €1.30 per journey (vs €2.90 single ticket)
  • No expiration date

Works well for:

  • Staying 1–3 days
  • Don't need airport metro
  • Want to share with travel companions

Consider T-Usual instead if:

  • Need airport metro (T-Casual doesn't work on L9 Sud)
  • Staying 4+ days (T-Usual may be more economical)
  • Traveling outside Zone 1

Card type: Anonymous (no ID needed)

Shareable: Yes, but not simultaneously

🌟 T-Usual: €22.80 Unlimited for 30 Days

What you get:

  • Unlimited trips in Zone 1
  • Valid 30 days from first use
  • Works on airport metro L9 Sud
  • Bus, tram, metro included

Cost comparison:

T-Casual CostT-Usual Cost
4+ days + airport
Save €2.00+
€24.80+€22.80
18+ trips (no airport)
Save €0.60+
€23.40+€22.80

Breakdown:

  • T-Casual = €1.30/trip
  • Airport round-trip = €11.80
  • T-Casual (€13.00) + Airport (€11.80) = €24.80
  • T-Usual with everything = €22.80
  • Card type: Personalized (passport required)
  • Shareable: No
  • Registration time: Under 2 minutes at metro machine

💡 Note: You need to carry your passport/ID when using this card.

Hola BCN vs. T-Usual: Which for 4+ Days?

  • Hola BCN 4-Day Pass: €35.60
  • T-Usual 30-Day Pass: €22.80 (+ €1.00-€4.50 card fee)
What both include:
  • Unlimited Zone 1 travel
  • Airport metro access
  • Bus, tram, metro

Price difference: €12.80-€16.30 savings with T-Usual

T-Usual trade-off:
  • Requires 2-minute ID registration at machine
  • Must carry passport/ID when traveling
Hola BCN benefit:
  • Tap-and-go convenience
  • No ID registration needed
  • Some prefer this for short stays

T-Jove: €45.50 for Travelers Under 30

  • 🪪 ID is still required.
  • 💰 You'll break even after roughly three trips out.
What you get:
  • Unlimited travel in ALL 6 ZONES
  • Valid for 90 days
  • Airport included
  • Perfect for day trips (Sitges, Montserrat, etc.)

Age requirement: Under 30 (must be 29 or younger)

Best for:
  • Multiple zone travel
  • Long stays
  • Exploring beyond Barcelona

Card Options: Physical vs. Digital

🪪 Physical Cards

Physical cards work without needing your phone's battery or data. Some travelers prefer keeping their phones put away in crowded metro stations.

  • Cardboard: Best for short visits at a cost of €1.00.
  • Plastic: Best for repeat visitors at a cost of €4.50.
  • Break-even: It pays for itself in about three outer-zone trips.

📱 Mobile App

The app means one less thing to carry. But, if you're an iPhone user and an international traveler, the setup might be annoying.

  • Cost: €1.00 one-time setup fee
  • For iPhones, your Apple ID must be set to a European Union country. If yours is set to the US, UK, or elsewhere, the digital wallet likely won't work.

And…

For both Android and iPhone, you should download two apps to ensure your phone works at the turnstile:

  1. T-mobilitat: To register and buy your tickets.
  2. Cartera T-mobilitat: To use your phone as a digital card for tapping.

Android users:

  1. Open T-mobilitat app → “Mobile” section
  2. Select your ticket type
  3. If not already selected, tap "Select to validate"
  4. Hold the back of your phone near the yellow reader.

iPhone users:

  1. Open T-mobilitat app → “Mobile” tab.
  2. Tap "Open the e-wallet" (launches the Cartera app).
  3. Tap "Validate" on your ticket.
  4. Hold the top of your phone near the yellow reader.

Also Good to Know

Personally, I still prefer the card because it just works, but I’ve tried the app on both Android and iPhone. To set your expectations:

  • The validators can be a little specific. If it doesn't read right away, you might just need to tap your phone a couple of times or hold it there a second longer.
  • On rare occasions, the app might take a moment to load if the signal is weak underground.
  • Occasionally, a gate might stay locked even when the light is green. If that happens, checking in with the station staff in the booth usually clears things up.

Airport Metro (L9 Sud) Ticket Guide

The L9 Sud Metro line has special pricing. The standard T-Casual card does NOT work here.

Accepted Tickets:

  • ✅ T-Usual / T-Jove (Monthly/Youth passes)
  • ✅ Airport Ticket (€5.90 one-way)
  • ❌ T-Casual (Standard 10-ride card)

Cheaper Alternatives (T-Casual Friendly): If you want to use your T-Casual card and avoid the €5.90 supplement, use these instead:

  1. Bus 46: Direct to the city center.
  2. R2 Nord Train: Direct to Passeig de Gràcia.

By taking the bus or train instead of the Metro, you'll save €11.80 on a round trip.

Understanding Barcelona Travel Zones

99% of tourists only need a Zone 1 ticket.

What’s in Zone 1?

If you are visiting the city's main sights, you are in Zone 1. This includes:

  • Major Landmarks: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter.
  • Beaches: All Barcelona city beaches.
  • Transport Hubs: Plaça de Catalunya, Sants Station, Passeig de Gràcia.

Beyond Zone 1

You only need a multi-zone ticket if you are heading to the outer suburbs:

  • Zone 2: Badalona, Sant Cugat.
  • Zone 3: Castelldefels.
  • Zone 4: Sitges (the popular beach town).

⚠️ While the Airport is physically in Zone 1, the Metro (L9 Sud) requires a special "Airport Ticket" (€5.90) unless you have a monthly pass like the T-Usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. T-Casual doesn't work on the L9 Sud airport metro line.

Your options:

  • Buy T-Usual (€22.80) — includes airport access
  • Buy single airport ticket (€5.90 each way)
  • Use Bus 46 or R2 Train (T-Casual works on these)

The Zone 1 pass costs €22.80 and is valid for 30 days from the date of first use (current as of the January 15, 2026 price increase).

Yes, but it requires some setup. You’ll need to download two apps (T-mobilitat and Cartera T-mobilitat) and pay a one-time €1.00 fee.

Important for International Travelers: If you have an iPhone, your Apple ID region must be set to a European Union country, or the digital wallet will not work.

The cheapest way is to use a T-Casual card on either Bus 46 or the R2 Nord Train.

  • It uses just one journey from your card (roughly €1.30 value).
  • You save €9.20 on a round trip compared to buying the special Airport Metro tickets.

These options usually take about 10–15 minutes longer than the Metro, but they drop you off at major hubs like Plaça d'Espanya or Passeig de Gràcia.

Whether you need to carry ID depends on your ticket type. To avoid a €100 fine (which is reduced to €50 if you pay on the spot):

  • ✅ T-Usual (Monthly Pass)
  • ✅ T-Jove (Under 30 Pass)
  • ❌ T-Casual (10-Trip Card)

If you plan on visiting places like Montserrat or Sitges (Zone 4), your best bet depends on your age:

  • Under 30? Get the T-Jove (€45.50): This is the best value. It gives you 90 days of unlimited travel across all 6 zones, including the Metro, buses, and trains. You can buy it instantly at any ticket machine with your passport.
  • Over 30? Stick to Zone 1 + Single Tickets: It is usually cheaper to keep your Zone 1 card for the city and simply buy a separate Single Ticket (approx. €4–€5) for the specific day you head out to Sitges or Montserrat.
    Staying for a month? Consider the Abono Transporte (€60) if you’ll be taking the train out of the city multiple times a week.

💡 Travelers under 26 can get a 30-day train-only pass (Abono Único) for €30, but it requires a 24-hour online registration and excludes the Metro and city buses. Most find the T-Jove more convenient since it works everywhere instantly.

Summary: Which Ticket Should You Buy?

To save you the headache at the vending machine, here is the best choice based on your travel style:

  • Short Trip (1-3 days): Get the T-Casual (€13.00). It’s perfect for exploring the city center at your own pace.
  • Longer Stay (4+ days): Get the T-Usual (€22.80). Since it includes the Airport Metro, it usually pays for itself by day four.
  • Young Explorer (Under 30): Get the T-Jove (€45.50). If you’re planning even one trip to Sitges or Montserrat, this 90-day, all-zone pass is unbeatable value.

Quick Buying Guide

You can buy any of these at vending machines in every Metro station.

  • Time: 2–5 minutes.
  • Payment: Cash or Card (the machines have a clear English language option).
  • Setup: If buying a T-Usual or T-Jove, have your Passport number ready.

Before you head out…

To keep things simple, here’s a quick recap of the essentials:

  • ✅  Validate every time: Tap your card or phone at the yellow reader before you walk through the gate (or get on the bus).
  • ✅  ID for passes: If you’re using the T-Usual or T-Jove, make sure you have your passport or ID with you. The transit staff does occasionally check.
  • ✅  Don’t forget that the T-Casual won’t work for the Airport Metro. Stick to the Bus 46 or R2 Train to save that €5.90.
  • ✅ Vending Machines: Every station has them, they all take card/cash, and they all have an English language option.

💡 One last tip: The 50% discount on the T-Usual and T-Jove has been extended through December 2026, so these are still by far the best deal for longer stays.

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