Time required to get through BCN after landing

[maureenk]

I've searched and see a lot of questions about getting from the port to the airport, but this is a different question.  I'd like to book a tour for the day we arrive in Barcelona.  Arrival is at 8:20 am. One option is a 10:45 a.m. tour.  Is this enough time to get through immigration and customs and to catch a taxi?  The taxi ride is only 20 min.  I'm trying to book a tour since my hotel isn't allowing check-in until 2 p.m.  After an overnight flight, I'm thinking I'd rather be escorted on a tour instead of wandering around being most likely exhausted.  My track record for sleeping on overnight flights isn't very good.  Thanks in advance - Maureen

[CynBeth6]

I would not chance it. We were recently on a cruise that left out of Barcelona.We came in a few days beforehand and our flight from the US left an hour and a half late due to an issue with the plane they had to fix. Because of that we landed late morning 10:30 am I think it was instead of 9 am which is what it originally was supposed to be. When we got off and went to passport control there was a long line. We were lucky some guy started randomly pulling families out of the line to go to one of the counters for other countries and we were one of them. We were also fortunate we did not have long to wait for our baggage. The taxi stand was wonderful the line moved fast. We got to our hotel and even though we has selected for early check in our room was not ready but they held our luggage. We were happy to have only booked Casa Battlo and Casa Mila one for 2 pm and the other for 4:30 pm which were near our hotel. 

[ollienbertsmum]

In your case I think that I would consider leaving your luggage in the hotel and then using a Hoho bus.  If you buy a basic ticket you have not wasted so much money if you can only cope with sitting on for one circuit.

[Vineyard View]

6 hours ago, ollienbertsmum said:

In your case I think that I would consider leaving your luggage in the hotel and then using a Hoho bus.  If you buy a basic ticket you have not wasted so much money if you can only cope with sitting on for one circuit.

I would agree. We’ve been to Barcelona several times and will be there next year. Drop your bags at your hotel from a cab directly from airport. Their HoHo works well if you do not know the city and it will give you a good overview of the layout. I don’t sleep on overnights either, but I have to push myself first day to adjust my body clock. Barcelona is a beautiful city to wander, find a place to enjoy lovely food and drink, people watch, see all the sights.