English Girona
The provincial capital, known for its old quarter, city walls and River Onyar.
≈ 1 h 25 View transfer →
Barcelona Airport BCN → L'Escala
Private transfer from Barcelona Airport to L'Escala, the Costa Brava and Empúries
Travelling from Barcelona-El Prat Airport to L'Escala means covering around 154 km, with a typical journey time of about 1 h 40 min via the AP-7. It is one of the longer routes in our network from El Prat. For travellers whose only destination is L'Escala and whose flight dates are flexible, Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) is considerably closer, although it has fewer flight frequencies than Barcelona. L'Escala is the gateway to Empúries, the only archaeological site on the Iberian Peninsula where Greek and Roman cities stand together within the same complex, and is also closely associated with Catalan anchovy production under IGP protection. Indicative prices start at €229 for 1–4 passengers and €270 for 5–8 passengers.
from €229 1–4 passengers
from €270 5–8 passengers
≈ 154 km via the AP-7, toll-free
≈ 1 h 40 min depending on traffic and destination
Airport pickup at Barcelona-El Prat: what to expect
Barcelona Airport has two terminals several kilometres apart. Your meeting point therefore depends on the flight you are arriving on. The same pickup procedure applies whichever destination you have booked.
- Provide your flight number and terminal when booking Your flight details allow the driver to follow the flight status and adjust the pickup time if the aircraft arrives early or late, without you having to call.
- Meet your driver in the arrivals area The service includes meet & greet with a welcome sign. Your exact meeting point within T1 or T2 is confirmed with the booking, avoiding an unnecessary journey between terminals.
- Time is allowed after landing A courtesy waiting period is provided so you can clear passport control and collect your luggage. The specific conditions are stated in your booking confirmation.
A long Costa Brava journey with a fixed fare and no motorway toll
Most of the route follows the AP-7 Mediterranean motorway, which has been toll-free throughout its Catalan section since 2021. The motorway is left at Girona Nord or Figueres, depending on the day's traffic, before the final section towards L'Escala on a local road such as the GI-623. As the journey takes more than an hour and a half, a short stop can normally be planned when travelling with children or older passengers; simply mention it when making the booking.
Empúries: Greek and Roman history in one archaeological site
Near Sant Martí d'Empúries, within the municipality of L'Escala, the Empúries archaeological site brings together the remains of a Greek city, Emporion, founded by Phocaean settlers, and a Roman city in the same visitor complex. The site includes the Roman forum, original mosaics and views across the Mediterranean coastline where the Greeks landed more than 2,500 years ago. From central L'Escala, Empúries can be reached on foot along the coastal path beside Riells beach. Once you are staying in the town, you therefore do not need a car for the visit — the private transfer is for getting there from the airport.
L'Escala's anchovy tradition and protected local speciality
L'Escala is, together with Santoña, one of Spain's traditional centres for salted anchovies and has its own Protected Geographical Indication. The tradition dates back centuries and is linked to the town's position on the Bay of Roses. The fish are cleaned, salted in barrels for several months and hand-filleted before serving. Several historic producers can be visited, while the Museu de l'Anxova i de la Sal explains the full process. The Festa de la Sal, held on the third Saturday of September, recreates aspects of the town's maritime heritage. If your group would like to combine the transfer with an anchovy tasting or factory visit, arranging the activity in advance is advisable because visitor capacity can be limited.
Groups, luggage and vehicle options
If your itinerary combines Empúries, an anchovy tasting and time at the beach, or your family is travelling with several days' worth of luggage, see our minibus and bus hire with driver in Barcelona. For groups that need a vehicle for several hours while travelling around the Costa Brava, our car hire with driver in Barcelona is another option.
Could Girona Airport be a shorter option?
Girona-Costa Brava Airport (GRO) is around 53 km and 33 minutes from L'Escala, compared with approximately 154 km from Barcelona-El Prat. The trade-off is flight availability: Girona has far fewer flights and airlines than Barcelona, and some routes are reduced or withdrawn outside the summer season. If your flight arrives at Girona, the transfer to L'Escala is substantially shorter and less expensive; when Barcelona is the practical flight option, the longer journey can still be booked with a fixed price confirmed before travel.
Answers to common questions about travelling to L'Escala
Which airport should I use for L'Escala, Barcelona or Girona?
When direct flights to Girona-Costa Brava (GRO) are available for your dates, the transfer to L'Escala is much shorter: around 53 km compared with 154 km from Barcelona-El Prat. Girona, however, has considerably fewer flight frequencies, particularly outside the summer season. Comparing the available flights at both airports before booking can therefore be useful.
How far is Empúries from L'Escala?
Empúries is within the municipality of L'Escala, next to Sant Martí d'Empúries. From central L'Escala, the archaeological site can be reached on foot via the coastal path beside Riells beach, so a car is not necessary once you are staying in the town.
Can you arrange an anchovy factory or museum visit?
The airport transfer does not include booking a factory or museum visit. If you provide the time of your activity, however, the pickup or journey can be planned around it. This is particularly relevant for larger groups that require a minibus.
Can we stop during the journey from Barcelona Airport?
Stops are common on journeys of more than one hour when travelling with children or older passengers. Mention your requirement when booking so the driver can allow for the stop in the overall journey time.
Is this a taxi, and how is the fare calculated?
This is a private transfer with a chauffeur-driven VTC vehicle rather than a metered taxi. The fare is fixed per vehicle and journey, confirmed when you book, with no additional charges on arrival. You can select the vehicle category according to your number of passengers and luggage.
Other Barcelona Airport transfer destinations
L'Escala is one of several destinations across the Empordà, Selva and inland Girona areas served from El Prat. Here are ten other routes you may need for a Costa Brava or Girona-area trip.
Figueres
Home to the Dalí Theatre-Museum and capital of the Alt Empordà.
≈ 1 h 30 View transfer →
Empuriabrava
Europe's largest residential canal development, close to Roses.
≈ 1 h 35 View transfer →
Banyoles
Home to Catalonia's largest natural lake and the rowing venue for the 1992 Olympics.
≈ 1 h 20 View transfer →
Blanes
A gateway to the Costa Brava, with its botanical garden overlooking the sea.
≈ 1 h View transfer →
Malgrat de Mar
An extensive beach on the boundary between the Maresme and Selva regions.
≈ 55 min View transfer →
Santa Susanna
A family-friendly beach destination with an extensive seafront promenade, next to Malgrat.
≈ 1 h View transfer →
Vic
Known for its large arcaded square and traditional cured meats.
≈ 1 h 05 View transfer →
Torelló
An industrial town at the foot of the Catalan Pyrenees, on the way to Ripoll.
≈ 1 h 20 View transfer →
Sant Celoni
A gateway to Montseny, between the Vallès and Selva regions.
≈ 50 min View transfer →
Private transport services for Barcelona and the Costa Brava
Arrange your private transfer to L'Escala
Tell us whether you are flying into Barcelona or Girona, whether your plans include Empúries, an anchovy factory or simply the beach, and how many people are travelling. Your flight number helps us calculate the actual journey, select a suitable vehicle for your luggage and confirm the fare before you book.