Barcelona - money and getting about

[DungunGirl]

Hello
Was wondering if anyone with experience of doing Barcelona with family could lend me some advice?

I am trying to decide whether to pre-book a taxi from the airport to hotel and back to take hassle out of figuring out how to get to hotel when we arrive. I am travelling with 3 kids under 8, youngest 2 and an elderly mother, so.....

Would you advise to just get a taxi booked? And if so any suggestions of websites and companies that are good?

Next thing is money...we are going to be there for 3 full days, we are leaving early on the 4th day and Breakfast is included at the hotel, so have to basically feed 2 adults and 3 kids - lunch, dinner and just additionals throughout the day of course....any advice on how much money i should bring?

Oh and last question is what people thought about transport in and around Barcelona? Some people i know recommend just using the metro, but others who have got kids all swear by the hop-on-hop-off bus..however I reckon it will be horribly busy as we are going at the height of tourist season!

Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Barcelona is the easiest city I have ever been to in terms if transport.
The aerobus is quick and cheap.
It's about 20 euro per person return.
You may find its easier and about The same cost to book a taxi.
The metro is very user friendly.
You can buy 10 tickets in one go and share the journies between you.

I'm very envious. I went 3 weeks ago and I just love it there

The bus gives you a better feel for the city, what's where etc. So I think there'd be more for the children to look at.

THanks ladies!
Anyone have any advice as to how much money to take for 3 full days?

Me and my DH took 300 pounds for 3 days.

We went to the market on las rambles to get lunch. There is also a Carrefour nearby to the market. It sold lovely pots of cut fruit and baguettes.
Much cheaper than the street stalls.
We ate out each evening, cost about 40 euros for both of us.

Where are you staying? The 2 year old can be pushed in a buggy easily but how mobile is your elderly mother?
Dependent on where you are staying you can walk to many interesting places and the HoHo bus is a great way of seeing the city and it plonks you right where you need to be if you want to get off and look at something. It's not cheap though E20 for adults and E15 for children seems the going rate and there are a few outlets who can get tickets as well as the main bus station in Catalunya square.
The metro is cheap but there can be long walks between lines and to get to sights once you get to the stop. You also miss out on views and a sense of the city.It is also a hot spot for the fabled pickpockets although generally Barcelona feels safe.
I'd also research what you want to see as some places have very little safeguards for children - the roof at Casa Mila is fab but there are long drops off the sides (IM very scared of heights O).
Barcelona isn't cheap but many places do a set lunch/dinner for E10 -15 although for 5 of you this would soon add up.
I would have as much money as I could TBH. Bit of cash on you and plenty of exchange rate friendly cards.

The Hopon/Hopoff bus has three routes and they appear every 15mins or so, so they won't always be super busy. There isn't really a 'tourist-free' time in Barcelona, it's always buzzing! This bus will take you right to the doorstep of Sagrada Familia, beach, football stadium, Parc Guell - which is especially good as it's a bitch to get to otherwise!
Metro is excellent, most stations have escalators/ and if not, people are nice enough to help you bump down stairs with a buggy. You can buy 10-journey tickets which are multi-person; you swipe through and pass it back the next person.
Could your hotel arrange a taxi for you for pick up?
The aerobus stops in Placa Espanya, Placa Universitat and Placa Catalunya, which is the centre of town - check which stop, if any, is closest to your hotel. Getting a taxi on the way in but bus on the way home would save money.
Free and fun is having a coffee/squash/whatever on the 9th floor of El Corte Ingles department store in Placa Catalunya, normal priced drinks, fantastic views, perspex viewing platform. (From what I remember about 5 years ago!).
Funpark at Tibidabo is great, although check website for rides for the 3yo. You get to the park on a tram and (I think...?) a funicular - super fun
The Magic Fountains in Placa Espanya is musical, colourful, cheesey fun!
A good restaurant chain is called Fresco: eat all you want buffet, set price ?8 (?10 where I live, harrumph), salad bar all fresh and good variety, then hot dishes something meaty, something fushy, three flavours of pasta sauce and 3-4 flavours pizza; then dessert sweet or fruit, tea and coffee included. LOVE Fresco! There are loads of outlets: www.frescco.com

Hth

escalators/lift that should say and fishy not fushy!

There are loads of taxis at the airport, no need to book. It's around 38 euros to bcn centre.

If you want a nice beach trip avoid the city beach which is crowded and the sea sewagey atm and head for Ocata, 15 mins out on the R1 train line (goes from playa cataluna). A lovely day out - and hopefully a respite from the crowds.

Tibidabo is good but v hot so pace yourselves and check out when they open - think it's closed Mon and Tues.

The park around the arc de triumph is pleasant and there is a zoo there too although I haven't been recently.

My kids also really like the aquarium also but it is a little pricey I think.

Remember Barcelona is pickpocket central. You need to be really careful if you have £300 cash.

Wow some wonderful tips! Thanks a load.
I have been undecided about the HOHO bus but it sounds like it is going to be the best option. My mum has severe osteoperosis in her spine so she will be limited on how much walking we do, so top tip about the bus vs metro! Thanks a load.

Fresco! I will definitely be looking out for those then!

I went with DH last year and had a brilliant time. Transport system is brilliant and there are lots of friendly locals who will happily point you in the right direction. Food wise, we always went for deals ? on las ramblas, there are some competitive prices ? we usually went for the 10 euros deal where we got tapas, paella and dessert (the dessert was a set menu though between a chocolate cake and something else, but am sure the kids would love that anyway). Have a brilliant time!

There are three main ways of getting out of the airport - train, coach and taxi. I don't recommend the train. I think a taxi is good but you might have too much luggage to fit in one car and you definitely have too many people for a standard taxi, so perhaps the aerobus is best. A lot depends on where exactly your hotel is, and whether you are willing to get two cabs.

We always take ?100 on holiday and put whatever we can on plastic. How much you need for meals depends on what you like to eat. We found that restaurants in Barcelona were slightly cheaper than London but there wasn't much in it.

We bought a bus/metro/train combined pass in the airport. Our hotel was in the north of the city (on the beach), so we travelled into the centre by bus or underground. This was quick and easy. The hoho bus looks good and the service is frequent.

Remember some of the big museums (Insitiut Joan Miro for one) are closed on Monday!

Don't expect the escalators to Parc Guell to be working.

Eat lunch at La Boqueria market.

Have fun!!

Oh thanks Dungungirl we are off to Barcelona on Wednesday, I was thinking if posting a thread to ask for tips! You've saved me a job. Hope you have a great time

Loved Barcelona! Nou Camp tour is worth a look.
Magic Fountains were amazing, even the boys 8 and 11 were entertained.

The pickpockets did put me off, so i kept my cash in my bra

Hi Dungungirl, for a treat with the DCs, you could try We Pudding at 90 Carrer Pau Claris. It has incredible cakes but is very child friendly, all done up like an enchanted forest, big toadstools and stuff!

If your mother will need to rest frequently, there are lovely courtyards I always sit in at Museu Frederic Mares in the Barri Gotic and Palau Robert up Passeig de Gracia - lovely because you can go and park your bum there for free with cheap snacks (croissants, bread and cheese, juice or bottled water) from Carrefour on Las Ramblas (which is mega cheap).

If you like Mexican food, Rosa Negra on via Laietana does some lovely stuff with very child friendly options (cheese quesadillas etc) and if you go before a certain time, you can get the menu del dia - 2 courses and a drink - for 9 euros. But it's pretty cheap at all times anyway and decorated in a very cheerful, fun way. It has a sister restaurant which does the same stuff called Rosa del Raval on Carrer dels Angels.

Have an amazing time, it's a wonderful city!

There are lots of people carrier taxis at the airport - I was there last week with a family of five, lots of luggage and there were loads waiting. (BCN)