Barcelona-Girona Airport, also known as Girona–Costa Brava Airport, is an airport located 12.5 km southwest of Girona, in the north-east of Catalonia, Spain. Despite its name, the airport is situated 74 km north of Barcelona's city center, making it a convenient alternative for travelers looking to visit the Costa Brava region and the Pyrenees mountains.

Barcelona-Girona Airport

History and Growth

The airport was built in 1965, but passenger traffic remained modest until the early 2000s. In 2002, Ryanair chose Girona as one of its European hubs, marketing it as "Barcelona-Girona." This decision led to a spectacular growth in passenger numbers, increasing from just over 500,000 in 2002 to more than 5.5 million in 2008.

However, after Ryanair began to move its Barcelona operations from Girona to the larger El Prat International Airport, passenger numbers declined significantly. In 2016, the airport carried only 1.6 million passengers.

#Facilities and Transportation

The airport consists of a single two-storey passenger terminal building with 33 check-in desks and 11 boarding gates for both domestic and international flights. Food and shopping options are available in the departures area.

Girona Airport is well-connected to the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees by bus. There are six bus lines operating in the airport, offering direct connections to Barcelona, the Costa Brava, Figueres, Perpignan in France, and Andorra.

The closest main line railway station to the airport is in Girona, while the closest station is Riudellots Halt, 4 km away. There are plans to build a station for the high-speed AVE line LGV Perpignan–Figueres, which passes within a few hundred meters of the terminal.

#Alternatives to Barcelona Airport

Many budget airlines, such as Ryanair, market Girona Airport as an alternative to Barcelona Airport, especially for travelers visiting the Costa Brava region. However, it's important to note that Girona Airport is located significantly further north than Barcelona, and the journey time from the airport to Barcelona city center can take up to 1 hour 20 minutes by train.

Barcelona-Girona Airport Summary

In conclusion, Girona-Costa Brava Airport serves as a convenient gateway for travelers looking to explore the Costa Brava and the Pyrenees, offering a range of transportation options and facilities. While it is marketed as an alternative to Barcelona Airport, the distance between the two airports should be taken into consideration when planning a trip to the Barcelona area.

Recommended Activity: Coasteering!

Coasteering is an exhilarating coastal adventure activity that combines swimming, climbing, scrambling, and cliff jumping!

Explore the rugged beauty of the coastline while navigating through sea caves, rock formations, and tidal pools.
Experience an adrenaline-pumping journey with professional guides in stunning natural environments.
Discover the thrill of coasteering today!

Order it here!