Getting Around, Girona Travel and Transport
(Girona, Catalonia, Spain)
This is an easy city to get around on foot or by public transportation. In fact, walking between tourist attractions is a great way to really get to know the layout of central Girona. Signs are there to point you in the right direction of most of the major sights.
If you feel like heading out to the surrounding Catalan countryside or travelling to the nearby coast, it may be worth hiring a car or renting out a cycle for the day. Indeed, Girona has become a hub for professional and leisure cyclists in recent years.
Otherwise, travelling between Girona and such cities as
Barcelona can be easily achieved using public transport. In the case of train travel, it is often quicker than taking to the road, if a little more expensive. On the whole, public transport is good, although in rural areas, services can be rather sporadic.
Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) / Arriving by Air
Address: 17185 Vilobi de Onyar, Girona, Spain
Tel: +34 (0)972 18 66 00
Girona Airport used to be the arrival point for crowds of tourists intent on heading straight to the Costa Brava. These days, this relatively small airport is increasingly frequented by visitors who come to see the city first and the surrounding area second. It is also a popular arrival point for tourists staying in nearby Barcelona. This is due largely to the fact that budget airlines now fly in and out of the airport, making it much cheaper to fly to Girona.
Girona Airport is approximately 12 km / 7 miles or 20 minutes drive from the city centre and lies to the south. A shuttle bus service operates, allowing visitors to travel from the airport's arrival building to the city's central station. Alternatively, taxis operate from a rank outside the airport.
Car Rental
If you are visiting this part of Catalonia and are planning to head out into the countryside or to the beach, it may be worth your while to hire a car. Most of the major car hire companies are based at Girona Airport. Car rental transport is also available at the city's train station.
Access to Girona is via the A7 toll motorway, if you are approaching from the north or south, or via the A2 and A7 motorways if you are coming from central Spain. Girona is a 30-minute drive from the Costa Brava, and roughly a 20-minute drive from Barcelona.
Buses and Coaches
Girona is served by several bus companies, which are based at the central bus station off the Carretera Barcelona, within the modern part of the city. These include Sarfa - a regular Costa Brava service, Sagalés - travels to a number of coastal towns, and TEISA Bus - local bus transport serving Girona city and its environs.
Long-distance coach journeys are organised by Eurolines. A service departs from Girona to various Spanish and French destinations.
Trains
The city is well connected by trains which arrive and depart from the railway station located on the Placa de Espanya. For example, an overnight sleeper travels from
Paris, stopping at Girona. During the day, a TGV service runs between Paris and Figueres, where visitors can switch to a local train that takes them on to this city. A regular train service also operates from Barcelona to Portbou via Girona.
It is worth noting that regional trains on this route are slightly cheaper than those of the 'Catalunya Express', although the latter is of benefit if you are in a hurry. Other rail destinations include
Madrid,
Zaragoza,
Malaga, Tarragona and Almeria.
Taxis
You are most likely to need taxi transport if you arrive at Girona's airport. Taxis are usually limited to four passengers, so if you are intending to travel in a larger group, you will need to specify this in advance in order to be accommodated in one vehicle.
Cycle Rental
Several companies in Girona rent road, mountain and recreational bikes to visitors. Some also operate guided cycling excursions. These range from family day rides to more challenging two-wheeled excursions into the nearby mountains.
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