Getting Around Girona
Girona is a compact, walkable city, and most visitors find that their own two feet are the best way to get around. The old town sits on a steep hill east of the river Onyar, while the more modern section spreads across the plains to the west. Both are close together, so you can cover a lot of ground on foot in a single day.
Walking
Walking is the most practical way to explore Girona. The Old Town and the New Town west of the river are compact and mostly pedestrianized, so you can wander between the cathedral, the old fortifications, the churches and the main squares without needing any transport at all.
A few things are worth knowing before you set out:
- In the Old Town, expect gradients, lumpy cobblestones and steep stairs — comfortable shoes make a real difference.
- Don't take a car into the old streets; they are narrow and not designed for vehicles.
- The reconstructed walls on the eastern side of the city can be walked, and you can climb the towers for panoramic views of Girona and the surrounding countryside.
Rail
Girona's main railway station is at Plaça Espanya. The station is a useful hub because it brings together several modes under one roof — or rather, on several levels. The main station hall is off Carrer Barcelona beneath the elevated conventional tracks, and it holds a ticket office and machines, a cafe, a newspaper shop and toilets, though there are no luggage lockers. Taxi ranks serve both sides of the station.
The low, anonymous building on the station's west flank is worth understanding: at ground level there is a cafe, one floor down is the bus station, and three floors down are the high-speed railway platforms. There is only one ticket machine down at the high-speed level, so it is best to buy your ticket in the main hall before heading down.
Services from Girona include:
- High-speed international trains — these run from Barcelona Sants and continue north towards Figueres, Perpignan and Narbonne, then onwards to Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Reservations are compulsory on these services.
- AVE fast domestic trains — these run frequently from Barcelona Sants and continue to Figueres.
- Rodalies regional trains — the R11 runs hourly from Barcelona Sants and continues north via Figueres and multiple other stops to Portbou and Cerbère across the French border. This is the traditional route from France, and it remains a scenic way to arrive.
Note that Girona does not have a metro or tram network — rail, bus and walking are the main options.
Buses and public transport
Girona has a local bus network made up of nine lines, which between them connect the railway and bus station with the hospital, the parks, the university campuses and outlying areas such as Salt. The bus station itself is underground within the high-speed part of the railway station, so arriving by train and continuing by bus is straightforward.
For longer journeys around Catalonia, Sagalés is the main bus operator. Useful services include:
- Bus 602 — runs from Barcelona El Prat Airport and Barcelona bus station to Girona Airport and on to Girona town, continuing to Figueres.
- Bus 601 — runs from Blanes every hour or two.
- Bus e4 663 — runs from Lloret de Mar every 30 minutes.
Long-distance coaches also serve Girona. Flixbus runs an overnight service from Barcelona that continues towards Béziers, Montpellier, Nîmes and Lyon, where you can change for Paris. Twiliner buses connect Zurich via Bern, heading for Barcelona. Blablacar is another option for ride-sharing from other cities.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxi ranks are available at the railway station, on both sides. For ride-sharing between cities, Blablacar is the main option. Car hire is available at the airport and by the railway station if you prefer to drive yourself.
Bicycles
There are many well-signed bicycle trails in and around the city, making cycling a pleasant way to see more of the area. Girocleta is the local bike-share service, based at the bus station, and there is a bike shop near Plaça de Catalunya.
Getting from the airport into the city
Girona Airport (GRO) is served mainly by Ryanair, along with other airlines operating seasonal flights to European destinations in high season. It is a single terminal with the usual facilities.
To reach the city from the airport:
- Sagalés Bus 607 — runs at irregular hours timed to meet flights and takes about 30 minutes to the bus station in Girona. Buy your ticket from the kiosk by the bus stops.
- Bus 602 — also stops at the airport, connecting Barcelona Airport, Barcelona, Girona Airport, Girona town and Figueres. The same ticket covers either service, so it is worth checking which one suits your timing.
If you are arriving at Barcelona instead, note that high-speed trains from Barcelona Sants reach Girona in about 40 minutes non-stop, and the R11 regional train takes about 90 minutes. Bus 602 also connects Barcelona El Prat Airport with Girona Airport and Girona town.
Practical summary
For most visitors, Girona is a walking city: stay in or near the centre and you will rarely need anything else. Use the train for day trips to Barcelona, Figueres or across the border into France, and the local buses for reaching the hospital, university or outlying neighbourhoods. From the airport, the Sagalés buses are the simplest way into town, with the 607 timed to meet flights and the 602 offering a link onward to Barcelona and Figueres.