On the night of 23 June, hundreds of thousands of people fill Barcelona's beaches and squares for Sant Joan. The transport network runs differently that night — and most tourists don't know how.
📱 Hola BCN & T‑mobilitat – your digital ticket hub
💡 In 30 seconds
- The metro runs all night on 23–24 June — no last-train panic
- NitBus runs but is severely overcrowded toward the beaches; the metro is faster
- Skip the ticket machine queues — buy the unlimited Hola BCN Travel Card online in advance (which also covers airport transfers) or load a digital T-mobilitat wallet via the TMB App before the night begins
What changes on Sant Joan night?
On a normal night, the metro closes around midnight. Sant Joan is the exception: TMB runs the metro continuously through the night of 23–24 June, with 12 extra trains added between 21:00 and 05:00. Line 4 (yellow), which serves Barceloneta beach, gets additional reinforcement until 08:00 on 24 June.
NitBus also runs its 18 routes, all connecting through Plaça de Catalunya — but buses toward the beach fill up fast and stay full. For beach-bound journeys, the metro is faster and less chaotic.
Verify the official 2026 timetable at tmb.cat as the date approaches.
How much does it cost?
| Ticket | Price | Notes | Airport Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hola BCN 2 Days | €18,70 | Unlimited travel for 48 hours; standard tourist choice | Yes (L9 Sud metro included) |
| Hola BCN 3 Days | €27,30 | Unlimited travel for 72 hours; standard tourist choice | Yes (L9 Sud metro included) |
| T-Casual (10 rides) | €13,00 | €1,30 per ride; strictly personal (cannot be shared) | No (requires €5,90 airport ticket) |
| Single Ticket | €2,90 | No transfer rights (pay again for connections) | No (requires €5,90 airport ticket) |
(As of January 2026, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona — tmb.cat. Direct contactless bank card tappings at metro gates buy an expensive single €2,90 ticket and do NOT support transfers or capping).
Step-by-step: how to plan your Sant Joan night
- Buy your Hola BCN pass or digital T-Casual beforehand. To avoid huge lines at ticket machines, either purchase your Hola BCN pass online in advance or download the TMB App to use a digital T-mobilitat wallet. If you prefer a physical T-Casual card, buy and top it up at least a day before 23 June.
- Download the TMB app (iOS / Android) and save your route offline — mobile data gets congested near the beaches.
- Take Line 4 (yellow) to Barceloneta or Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica. These are the two metro stops closest to the main beach celebrations. Skip the NitBus for this journey.
- Plan your return before 04:00 or after 07:00. The window between 04:00 and 07:00 is the busiest on all routes. If you can wait it out, the metro is noticeably emptier after 07:00.
Where are the crowds?
Barceloneta beach is the main focal point — expect it to be at capacity from midnight onward. Platja del Poblenou and Platja de la Mar Bella are also busy but more manageable.
Metro Line 4 runs directly to both beach areas and will be congested after midnight. NitBus routes N6 and N8 also serve coastal stops and run standing-room only from 23:00.
If you're staying inland — Gràcia, Eixample — the neighbourhood squares host bonfires and smaller gatherings that are far less crowded than the waterfront. Metro lines 3, 4, and 5 cover these areas throughout the night.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Assuming the metro stops at midnight. Fix: On Sant Joan, the metro runs all night — it's your most reliable option home, and it's fully covered by your Hola BCN or T-Casual pass.
Mistake: Taking the NitBus from the city centre to the beach. Fix: NitBus routes toward Barceloneta are overcrowded on this night. Take Line 4 directly to Barceloneta station — faster and far less chaotic.
Mistake: Arriving at a station hoping to buy a physical ticket at midnight. Fix: Ticket machine lines will be massive. Go digital! Buy your Hola BCN voucher online or use the TMB App with a digital T-mobilitat wallet. If you must use a physical card, load it up the day before.
✅ Roamy's quick checklist
- Buy Hola BCN online or use T-mobilitat via the TMB App to completely bypass ticket machines
- If you rely on a physical card, top it up before 23 June — never queue on the night itself
- Take Line 4 (yellow) to Barceloneta — skip the NitBus for beach journeys
- Save your route offline in the TMB app before you head out
- Plan your return before 04:00 or after 07:00 to avoid peak crowds
- Confirm the official 2026 schedule at tmb.cat
For zones, fares, and how Barcelona's metro network works year-round, the Barcelona transport guide has the full picture. A dedicated Barcelona public transport overview — covering T-Casual, airport connections, and all six zones — is coming soon to this blog.