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When on the main highway from France to Barcelona, some cars are being stopped at the border for identity and luggage check. When going to Spain (Catalunya), there are several big rest areas on that road. You can either ask your driver to let you out in towns (with train stations) and cities along that road, such as [[Girona]] or [[Rubí]] and [[San Cugat]] (latter two are better options), or get out of the car at a rest area and to wait for another ride to Barcelona. A train ticket generally cost you between €1,30 (San Cugat/Rubí) and €10 (Girona).
You can also ask the driver to leave you at the junction by the university (''Iniversitat Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona''). There is a roundabout right by the highway ramp. The only challenge is that your driver has to be going from the junction of ''Barbera de valles'' on the right site of the motorway as it gets split - otherwise you leave the car at ''Castellbisbal'' [[service station]].
You can also try to get a ride to the [[Costa Brava]] - there you will find many train stations with trains to Barcelona. There is a cheap train service along the coast all the way to Barcelona (as of 2004, the ticket for the longest distance was 4 euro).
== Barcelona Public Transport ==
The <a href="http://tmb.net">Barcelona Public Transport System</a> consists of an underground metro, trams, area trains, and buses. Day passes are a little more than 5 euro, and cover the whole transport system, buses, trams, metro, and area trains (Rodalies and FGC). Single passes are for the metro only, and cost 1.30. The best deal is the T-10, which is 10 rides for 7.20 - .72 per ride. These tickets will also let you into the RENFE system, but you risk getting controlled if you go very far (more than 2 hours or so).
The entrances sometimes have turnstiles and sometimes have sliding electronic gates. It is easy to jump the turnstiles or slide underneath. It is possible to climb over the electronic gates, but that will only work if the station is deserted. Also, it is easy to pass more than one person through the electronic gates on only one ticket, though they will beep when you do this. Some gates are monitored, others are not. The TMB employees dress in red, or red and white striped shirts. If they spot you, some will turn their head, others will tell you to go back and pay. Controllers sometimes come on the trains, other times they check as you're getting off (easy to escape). The fine is 40 euro, 20 if you pay it the same day. You have 30 days to pay.
Many stops have multiple entrances and some are easier to jump than others.
Jaume 1: the main entrance is busy and heavily patrolled; the entrance on the north side of Via Laietana is turnstiles with infrequent patrol.
Urquinoana: most entrances are turnstiles, the main ones are often patrolled; the smaller ones only sometimes.
Hostafrancs: the main entrance with the escalator and the entrances closest to the market are electronic gates; the entrances on either side of Creu Coberta have turnstiles and are almost never patrolled.
Maria Cristina: electronic gates, almost always patrolled
Tarragona: turnstiles with sporadic patrol
Liceu: gates with frequent patrol
Drassanes: gates, infrequent patrol
Canyelles: gates, infrequent patrol
Catalunya: very busy station, electronic gates with distracted patrols
Sants Estacio: The main entrance through the train station is heavily patrolled; smaller entrances may be less so.
== Staying in Barcelona ==
