Updated Oct 16 2026
How does public transport in Barcelona operate over Christmas? If you’re planning to travel around the city on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day (Sant Esteve), New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day or Three Kings’ Day, it’s important to know the timetables for the metro, buses, trams, NitBus and suburban trains.
During the Christmas holidays, public transport continues to operate largely according to its usual timetable, but there are some important exceptions. The metro closes earlier on 24 December and runs non-stop throughout New Year’s Eve. TMB’s daytime buses also tend to finish earlier on Christmas Eve, while NitBus provides overnight services.
For Christmas 2026–2027, we’re still waiting for operators to publish their special service arrangements. This guide brings together the usual operating hours, the particular arrangements for public holidays and information from the previous season, clearly labelled as 2025 information, wherever the definitive details for this Christmas period are not yet available.
Public transport dates and timetables in Barcelona at Christmas 2026–2027
These are the main dates over the Christmas period when it’s worth checking services before travelling:
- Thursday 24 December 2026 — Christmas Eve: the metro has a published special timetable, running until 23:00. The final departures for daytime buses and the tram’s special timetable are still awaiting confirmation for this season.
- Friday 25 December 2026 — Christmas Day: the metro and tram follow their usual Friday timetable as a general guide, although the special Christmas arrangements still need to be confirmed. Daytime buses follow the calendar applicable to each route.
- Saturday 26 December 2026 — St Stephen’s Day (Sant Esteve): the metro normally runs continuously throughout Saturday night into Sunday. According to its regular timetable, the tram operates until 02:00.
- Thursday 31 December 2026 — New Year’s Eve: the metro runs non-stop throughout New Year’s Eve. Special timetables for the other networks should be checked with their respective operators.
- Friday 1 January 2027 — New Year’s Day: check the public holiday timetable and the specific arrangements following New Year’s Eve. The metro normally maintains the special service from the previous night until midnight on 1 January.
- Tuesday 5 January 2027 — Twelfth Night: the metro’s usual reference timetable is the one for the eve of a public holiday, with services running until 02:00. Three Kings’ parades may lead to road closures and bus diversions.
- Wednesday 6 January 2027 — Three Kings’ Day (Epiphany): the metro normally follows its midweek public holiday timetable, from 05:00 to midnight. Other forms of transport follow the timetables set by their respective operators and routes.
Important: the usual operating hours listed here do not replace the special Christmas announcements. Before travelling, check whether TMB, TRAM, AMB, FGC or Rodalies has published any changes for your specific date.
Barcelona Metro timetable at Christmas 2026–2027
Barcelona Metro is one of the most convenient ways to get around during the festive season, particularly if you’re heading to the main shopping streets or the city centre. Its timetable varies according to the day of the week, with specific exceptions for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Barcelona Metro’s usual operating hours
Monday to Thursday
From 05:00 to 00:00, including public holidays falling during the week, unless specific exceptions apply.
Fridays and the eve of public holidays
From 05:00 to 02:00 the following morning.
Saturdays
Services start at 05:00 and run continuously throughout Saturday night into Sunday.
Sundays
Until 00:00, that is, midnight on Sunday.
The times given refer to the departure of the last trains from the terminal stations at either end of each line. They do not necessarily indicate when the last train passes through every intermediate station. If you need to change lines, it’s worth checking the entire journey.
Metro on 24 December 2026: Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, the metro closes earlier than usual. TMB’s published timetable for 24 December runs from 05:00 to 23:00.
So, on Thursday 24 December 2026, make sure you complete your journey well in advance, especially if you’re going to a family dinner or need to cross the city to reach your destination.
2025 information: TMB confirmed that the metro would close at 23:00 on Christmas Eve. The same announcement stated that the last daytime bus departures from their starting stops would be at 22:00.
To read the announcement for the previous season, visit TMB’s official notice about the special Christmas Eve timetables for 2025.
Metro on 25 December 2026: Christmas Day
Christmas Day falls on a Friday. The usual Friday timetable is from 05:00 until 02:00 the following morning, although the special Christmas announcement should be checked once it is published.
This timetable allows you to travel throughout the day and for much of the night, but service frequencies may differ from those on an ordinary working Friday.
2025 information: TMB announced that the metro would operate from 05:00 until 02:00 on both Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday and St Stephen’s Day on a Saturday, so the latter also coincides with the usual continuous overnight service on Saturdays.
Metro on 26 December 2026: St Stephen’s Day
Saturday 26 December is St Stephen’s Day (Sant Esteve), a public holiday in Catalonia. According to TMB’s published general timetable, metro services start at 05:00 and run continuously throughout Saturday night into Sunday.
This is an important detail for 2026: 26 December falls on a Saturday, so the usual timetable differs from the one that would apply if St Stephen’s Day fell on a weekday.
The specific arrangements for Christmas 2026–2027 have not yet been published, so check TMB’s service notices before travelling.
Metro on the night of 31 December 2026 and 1 January 2027
New Year’s Eve is one of the main exceptions to the usual timetable. Barcelona Metro normally provides continuous service throughout the night from 31 December into 1 January, making it easier for people celebrating the New Year to get around.
During the previous season, the special metro service ran continuously throughout New Year’s Eve and until midnight on 1 January. The detailed arrangements for 2026–2027, including any additional services and the timetable after the overnight service, are still awaiting confirmation.
If you’re planning to return home after celebrating, also check the night-bus services for areas not directly served by the metro.
Metro on 5 and 6 January 2027: Twelfth Night and Three Kings’ Day
Tuesday 5 January is Twelfth Night, the eve of Three Kings’ Day, and Wednesday 6 January is a public holiday. According to TMB’s usual timetable:
- Tuesday 5 January: the metro normally runs until 02:00 on the morning of 6 January, as it is the eve of a public holiday.
- Wednesday 6 January: the usual timetable is from 05:00 to midnight, as for a midweek public holiday.
Three Kings’ parades take place in Barcelona and many towns across the metropolitan area on the evening of 5 January. These celebrations can lead to road closures, bus diversions and temporary changes to some stops. The metro is often a convenient way to reach the city centre, although it’s worth checking for any disruption affecting stations or entrances.
2026 information: for the Three Kings’ parade on 5 January 2026, TMB recommended using the metro and announced disruptions to several bus routes from approximately 16:00 to 21:30. The arrangements for Three Kings’ Day 2027 have yet to be confirmed.
Barcelona tram timetable at Christmas 2026–2027
Barcelona’s tram network, known as TRAM, connects different parts of the city with municipalities in the metropolitan area. The network consists of six lines, divided between Trambaix and Trambesòs.
TRAM’s usual operating hours
- Monday to Thursday: from 05:00 to 00:00.
- Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays: from 05:00 to 02:00 the following morning.
- Sundays: from 05:00 to 00:00.
The start and finish times are general guidelines. The last departures may vary by line, direction and stop. To find the exact departure time, use TRAM’s official timetable search and select the date of your journey.
Tram on 24 December 2026: Christmas Eve
The special tram timetable for Christmas Eve 2026 has not yet been confirmed. Don’t assume that the lines will follow their usual timetable until 02:00, as special arrangements have been introduced during the festive period in previous years.
2025 information: TRAM published information about timetables and additional services during the Christmas period, but I have not been able to confirm a single official last-departure time that applies to the entire network on 24 December. It’s therefore best to check each line and stop using the official timetable search before travelling.
Tram on 25 and 26 December 2026
Christmas Day, Friday 25 December, and St Stephen’s Day, Saturday 26 December, fall under the usual TRAM timetable of 05:00 to 02:00 the following morning, which applies on both Fridays and Saturdays.
Unlike the metro, the tram does not normally run continuously throughout the entire night from Saturday to Sunday. The time of the last service depends on the line and direction.
The specific arrangements for Christmas 2026–2027 have not yet been confirmed. Check the updated timetables, particularly if you need to connect with the metro or a night bus.
Tram on New Year’s Eve and Three Kings’ Day
The special TRAM timetables for the night of 31 December 2026, 1 January 2027 and the eve of Three Kings’ Day have not yet been published.
As a general guide, the usual timetable on Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays is from 05:00 to 02:00. On Wednesday 6 January, Three Kings’ Day, the general weekday timetable is from 05:00 to midnight. These are general guidelines and do not replace the special arrangements announced by the operator.
Also check for possible network disruptions. As of October 2026, TRAM is reporting disruption related to track-doubling works on lines T5 and T6 between Glòries and Can Jaumandreu, which are expected to continue until spring 2027. Check the latest information before travelling, as the situation may change during the Christmas season.
Barcelona bus timetables at Christmas
TMB’s daytime buses continue to operate during the Christmas holidays, but there is no single start or finish time that applies to every route. Each route has its own first and last departures, and some timetables distinguish between working days, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and school days or holidays.
To find out when the last bus runs on 24, 25 or 26 December, check the timetable for the specific route and travel date. TMB’s journey planner lets you select a date in the calendar and check scheduled arrival times. It also provides real-time information when available.
TMB buses on 24 December 2026
On Christmas Eve, TMB’s daytime buses usually finish earlier than normal. 2025 information: the last departures from the starting stops were scheduled for 22:00 on 24 December.
This does not mean that every bus passes every stop at 22:00. Services that have departed earlier may continue along their routes and pass intermediate stops later. The exact time depends on the route and direction.
The time of the last departures on Thursday 24 December 2026 is awaiting official confirmation. If you’re planning to travel after dinner, check your route’s timetable and the available night services.
TMB’s official announcement about the last Christmas Eve bus departures in 2025.
TMB buses on 25 and 26 December
On Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, daytime buses follow the calendar applicable to each route. As these are public holidays in Catalonia, select the exact date in the timetable search and check whether your route has a specific public holiday service.
Not all routes run at the same frequency or start operating at the same time. Some may offer fewer services than on an ordinary working day, while others maintain important connections to hospitals, stations and residential areas.
During the 2025 season, TMB announced that it would increase capacity on certain routes by using articulated buses, depending on each route’s needs. The specific additional services for Christmas 2026–2027 have not yet been announced.
Barcelona buses on 1 and 6 January 2027
Friday 1 January, New Year’s Day, and Wednesday 6 January, Three Kings’ Day, are public holidays. TMB’s daytime buses follow the calendar set for each route, so you should not assume that the timetable will be the same as on an ordinary working Friday or Wednesday.
To plan your journey, select the route, stop, direction and date in TMB’s journey planner. This will let you check scheduled arrival times and any possible service disruptions.
Bus diversions during the Three Kings’ parades
On the evening of 5 January, many streets in Barcelona and neighbouring municipalities host Three Kings’ parades. Road closures may affect numerous bus routes, temporarily suspend some stops or alter arrival times.
2026 information: for the parade on 5 January 2026, TMB announced restrictions and bus diversions from approximately 16:00 to 21:30. The affected routes and the closure times for the 2027 parade have not yet been confirmed.
If you’re planning to attend Barcelona’s parade, the metro is usually a convenient way to reach the route, although some stations may be busier than usual.
NitBus in Barcelona over Christmas 2026–2027
NitBus is the night-bus network serving Barcelona and its metropolitan area. It allows you to travel around the city and connect with different metropolitan municipalities after daytime services have ended and the metro is no longer running.
According to information published by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) in 2026, the network has 24 routes serving 18 metropolitan municipalities. Its general operating hours are between 22:30 and 06:00, although first and last departures and service frequencies vary by route.
Does NitBus run on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
NitBus is an option for travelling at night during the festive season. On Christmas Eve, when TMB’s daytime buses usually make their last departures from their starting stops at around 22:00 (2025 information), night buses provide an option for some later journeys.
Operating arrangements and frequencies may vary depending on the route. To avoid long waits or complicated changes, check the first and last departure times for your route and the location of the stops you need.
Special timetables and any changes to NitBus services for Christmas 2026–2027 have yet to be confirmed. Check the AMB’s official journey planner before travelling.
NitBus on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
NitBus is an option for getting home after New Year’s Eve celebrations, particularly if you’re heading to an area that is not directly served by the metro.
The metro’s special overnight service from 31 December to 1 January can make travelling around the city easier, but it does not replace night-time connections across the metropolitan area. If you need to reach another municipality, check which NitBus route you need and where you can change buses.
No specific service plan, including possible additional services, has yet been published for the night of 31 December 2026 and the early hours of 1 January 2027. Check the timetable for each route as the date approaches.
NitBus on the night of Three Kings’ Day
During the night of 5–6 January, NitBus allows you to travel after the metro has closed. The metro normally runs until 02:00 on the eve of a public holiday.
The AMB provides an official journey planner with routes, timetables and stops. Some routes also offer a request stop service, which allows passengers to ask to get off at an authorised intermediate point along the route, closer to their destination. The conditions of this service depend on the route.
FGC and Rodalies timetables over Christmas
Alongside the metro, tram and buses, Barcelona is served by trains operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) and Rodalies, which connect the city with other municipalities and areas of Catalonia.
Christmas timetables for both networks for 2026–2027 have not yet been published. Do not assume that the usual weekday timetable will apply on public holidays, or that the last departures will coincide with those of the metro.
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) at Christmas
FGC operates urban and metropolitan lines connecting Barcelona with municipalities in the Vallès and Baix Llobregat areas, as well as other rail services. Timetables may vary depending on the line and the type of day.
If you’re planning to travel on 24, 25 or 26 December, on New Year’s Eve or over Three Kings’ Day, use the timetable search or consult the official PDF timetables for each line. Any special changes are published in the timetable adjustments section.
Rodalies suburban trains at Christmas
Rodalies trains connect Barcelona with various municipalities in the metropolitan area and other towns across Catalonia. Christmas timetables depend on the line and may be subject to specific adjustments.
To find the first and last trains on a particular date, check the official journey planner and the section on planned service changes. This is particularly advisable if you need to connect a suburban train with the metro or NitBus at night.
Public transport timetables on weekdays, Sundays and during the school Christmas holidays
During the rest of the Christmas period, timetables depend mainly on the day of the week and the calendar used by each operator. Schools being closed does not mean that the entire public transport network automatically switches to a public holiday timetable.
Working days that are not public holidays
On ordinary working days in December and January, the metro and tram follow their usual timetables for Monday to Thursday or Friday, as applicable. Daytime buses run according to each route’s calendar, which may distinguish between school days and non-school days.
During the school holidays, some bus routes may operate special non-school-day timetables. It’s therefore worth checking the exact date rather than assuming that a weekday between Christmas and Three Kings’ Day necessarily follows the same timetable as any other working day.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays follow the timetables applicable to each type of day. On the metro, Saturday services run continuously throughout the night, while Sunday services end at midnight. The tram’s usual timetable runs until 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight on Sundays.
For daytime buses, frequencies and arrival times should be checked route by route. NitBus follows its own night-time timetable, with departures varying according to the route.
Additional public transport services on busy Christmas shopping days
In previous seasons, TMB has increased metro services on certain Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays when shops are open, particularly on lines 1, 2 and 3 and during the busiest afternoon periods.
2025 information: TMB announced up to 7.4% more trains on certain Christmas shopping days, with particular attention to the afternoon and evening periods. The specific dates and additional-service levels for the 2026–2027 season have not yet been published.
These additional services do not necessarily change the metro’s opening and closing times. Their purpose is to increase capacity and reduce waiting times during the busiest periods.
Where to check official Barcelona public transport timetables over Christmas
Special Christmas timetables can change from year to year, and some routes have different calendars depending on the day of the week, public holidays or school holidays. Before travelling on 24, 25 or 26 December, on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day or Three Kings’ Day, we recommend checking the operators’ official websites directly.
These are the main sources for checking timetables, last departures, service frequencies and possible disruptions to public transport in Barcelona and the surrounding metropolitan area.
TMB metro and buses
On the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona website, you can check the metro’s usual timetable, the differences between weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the special closing times on 24 and 31 December. You can also search for bus arrival times by route and stop.
Official Barcelona Metro and bus timetables
To check road closures, diversions, route changes or service alterations during the festive season, also consult the transport service notices.
Barcelona tram network (TRAM)
Check the timetables for the Trambaix and Trambesòs lines, as well as departure times at each stop and any possible service changes.
NitBus and metropolitan buses
The Barcelona Metropolitan Area provides information about NitBus night routes, their itineraries, stops and timetables. You can also check the timetables for daytime metropolitan buses.
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC)
If you’re planning to travel on FGC trains, check the timetables for each line and any possible service changes during the holidays.
Rodalies de Catalunya
For suburban train journeys, check Rodalies’ official timetables and any planned service changes.
One final tip: if you’re travelling on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve or Three Kings’ Day, check the timetable for your route on the exact date and review the latest service notices. Usual timetables are a useful guide, but official announcements are the best way to confirm special arrangements.
Frequently asked questions about Barcelona public transport timetables at Christmas
What time does Barcelona Metro close on 24 December 2026?
TMB’s published Christmas Eve timetable is from 05:00 to 23:00. Check the service notices before travelling in case any specific changes are announced for 2026.
What time do Barcelona buses stop running on 24 December?
2025 information: TMB’s daytime buses made their last departures from their starting stops at 22:00. The timetable for 24 December 2026 has not yet been confirmed. Buses may pass individual stops later than this time.
Does Barcelona Metro run all night on New Year’s Eve?
Yes. The metro normally provides continuous service throughout the night from 31 December into 1 January. Details of the 2026–2027 arrangements and any additional services have not yet been confirmed.
What time does the metro stop running on 25 and 26 December?
In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday and St Stephen’s Day on a Saturday. The usual Friday timetable runs until 02:00; on Saturdays, the metro starts at 05:00 and runs continuously throughout Saturday night into Sunday. The specific Christmas arrangements have not yet been confirmed.
Do buses run on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day?
Yes, but timetables and frequencies depend on the route and the public holiday calendar. Use TMB’s journey planner and select the exact date to check the first and last departures.
Does NitBus run over Christmas and New Year?
NitBus is the metropolitan night-bus service. The network usually operates between 22:30 and 06:00, although first and last departures and frequencies vary by route. Check the specific route for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
What time does the metro stop running on 5 January, the eve of Three Kings’ Day?
According to the usual timetable, the metro runs until 02:00 on the morning of 6 January, as 5 January is the eve of a public holiday. TMB should be consulted to confirm the specific arrangements for Three Kings’ Day 2027.
What are the public transport hours on 6 January, Three Kings’ Day?
6 January is a public holiday. The metro normally runs from 05:00 to midnight, while buses, trams and trains follow the timetable set by each operator and route. Check the updated timetables for Wednesday 6 January 2027.
Do public transport timetables change during the Christmas school holidays?
Not necessarily across the entire network. On days that are not public holidays, the timetables for the relevant weekday, Saturday or Sunday apply, although some bus routes may distinguish between school days and non-school days. Always select the exact travel date when checking the timetable.
Where can I check official information about Christmas public transport timetables?
You can check TMB’s timetables and service notices, TRAM timetables, the official NitBus journey planner, FGC timetables and the Rodalies journey planner.
In short, during the Christmas holidays, the metro is usually the easiest way to get around Barcelona, particularly on New Year’s Eve and during the Three Kings’ parades. Daytime buses and trams continue to operate, although adjustments may apply, while NitBus allows you to keep travelling overnight. For Christmas 2026–2027, always check the official service notices before setting off and confirm the last departures for your route.