Andorra day trip from Barcelona: all you need to know

Andorra is the 6th smallest country in Europe and the 16th smallest country in the world. It doesn’t have an airport, but it’s a short drive from both Spain and France. It takes only 3 hours to get from Barcelona to Andorra, which makes it a good option for a day trip. In this blog post I’ll share all practical aspects of an Andorra day trip from Barcelona. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Are you looking for help with planning your trip? Check out these helpful resources:

Andorra is a gorgeous country in the Pyrenees mountains. It offers breathtaking scenery everywhere you look. The capital city of Andorra la Vella has picturesque cobblestone streets, stunning photo opportunities, historic buildings, stunning scenery, and an impressive sculpture of Salvador Dali.

the author in front of la noblesse du temps sculpture in andorra, on the itinerary of an andorra day trip from barcelona

The official language is Catalan, but the people I met in the capital of Andorra were also speaking Spanish, French and English.

If you visit during the winter months you can take advantage of the amazing ski resorts here. And if you visit during the warmer months you can still take in the mountain views and the breathtaking landscapes. It’s a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. And you can also enjoy some tax-free shopping since this tiny country of Andorra is a duty-free country that has plenty of malls and shops.

I think a day is enough time to explore Andorra la Vella since it’s a very small city. However, if you want to do some outdoor activities, then you should spend a few days here.

There are two main options of getting to Andorra la Vella from Barcelona: taking the bus or joining a day tour. I will describe both options in detail so you can pick what best suits your travel style.

Table of Contents

Option 1: Taking the bus from Barcelona

Taking the bus from Barcelona to Andorra is a good idea if you like to create your own itinerary and if you like to explore places at your own pace. The bus journey takes 3 hours and it is a very scenic drive. Make sure you have your phone handy to take some pictures and videos along the way.

Taking the bus from Barcelona Sants bus station

There are three bus stations in Barcelona where you can catch a bus to Andorra: Barcelona Sants, Diagonal, and Nord. I opted for Barcelona Sants because I was staying very close to it.

The bus company that goes to Andorra from Barcelona Sants is called Andorra Direct Bus. They have buses leaving every 2 hours, so you can pick a time that works best for you.

You can buy tickets online in advance of your trip. That’s what I did. Then, on the day of the trip, make sure you get to the bus station about 15 minutes before the bus departs to have enough time to do the check in.

Check in process

For the check in process, you need to go inside the bus terminal and go to one of the kiosks there. You will have to show them both your bus ticket and your passport since you’re crossing the border. Because you do the check in at the bus terminal, you don’t have to go through passport control once you arrive in Andorra.

The same check in rules apply when you depart Andorra to return to Barcelona. The only difference is that when you cross the Spanish border on your way to Barcelona there will be a border protection guard coming on the bus to check if anything looks suspicious, especially in terms of how many goods people bring to Spain from Andorra since Andorra is a tax-free country. This check lasts only a few minutes and then the bus goes straight to Barcelona.

I had a great experience with this bus company. They were on time, the check in process was quick and smooth, I had an entire row to myself on the bus since there weren’t that many people traveling to Andorra that day, and the bus was clean and it had air conditioning.

Taking the bus from Barcelona Diagonal bus station

If you are staying closer to Barcelona Diagonal, you can take the bus from here instead. The company operating the rides is called Andbus. Their first stop before is actually Barcelona airport and the next stop is Diagonal. So if you want to go straight to Andorra from the airport it’s also a possibility.

The same check in rules I described above apply here too. You can buy single tickets or you can buy round trip tickets, the price is the same no matter which option you choose.

Taking the bus from Barcelona Nord bus station

The third option for taking the bus is taking it from the Barcelona Nord bus station. Barcelona Nord is a central bus station that’s quite close to La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. If your hotel is in this area you could pick this option. The company operating the bus rides from Barcelona Nord is called Alsa.

Option 2: Joining a day tour

If you don’t like to use public transport on your own and create your own itinerary, then a guided tour might be the better option for you. The pros of this option are that you will have a tour guide and you don’t have to plan anything. The cons are that you won’t have as much free time and it will be a long day on the road since a tour usually has a packed itinerary.

Guided day trip to Andorra and France

Unfortunately I couldn’t find any tour companies that organize day trips just to Andorra. All tours also go to France as well. If you want to visit 2 countries in one day (Andorra and France), then this is a great option.

This day trip lasts 12 hours. The itinerary includes a visit to Mont-Louis, the highest village in France and a UNESCO world heritage site, a stop at the Cirque de Pessons viewpoint in Andorra, and a stop in Andorra la Vella.

The trip includes transportation from a meeting point in Barcelona and a professional guide that can speak both Spanish and English. The trip does not include hotel pick up and drop off, food and drinks, or tips.

the author in front of casa de la vall, part of my andorra itinerary

Guided day trip to Andorra, France, and Spain

If you’re even more ambitious and want to explore 3 countries in one day (Spain, Andorra, France) then this day trip is perfect for you.

The trip also lasts 12 hours, but it has a different itinerary. The first stop is at Baga, a medieval Catalan village. Then you will cross the French border and visit the ancient spa town of Ax-Les-Thermes. This is where you will also have time to grab lunch.

After lunch you will hop back on the bus and head to Andorra la Vella, Andorra’s capital city. After visiting Andorra you will head back to Barcelona.