Flying from Granada to Barcelona became our backup plan when our booked train was cancelled. We quickly booked Vueling instead, and despite a departure delay, I was glad we made the switch. For us, avoiding a long train journey saved energy for the rest of our Spain trip.
This is a first-hand review of our September 2026 journey: taking a taxi to Granada Airport, checking a suitcase, boarding outdoors, and our experience aboard the aircraft. It is a record of our flight, rather than a promise about every Vueling service.
Granada to Barcelona flight: our booking at a glance
We booked Vueling flight VY2017 from Granada (GRX) to Barcelona El Prat (BCN). Our booking showed a scheduled departure of 6:00 p.m. and arrival of 7:30 p.m., a scheduled flight time of 1 hour 30 minutes. These are historical booking details, not a current timetable.
The train cancellation was the reason we flew. We did not complete that train journey, so I cannot offer a direct comfort comparison from riding both options. What I can say is that the flight felt like a manageable alternative when we needed to rearrange our plans.
Getting to Granada Airport and checking in
We took a taxi from Granada to the airport and arrived at around 3:30 p.m., about two and a half hours before our scheduled departure. Compared with Barcelona Airport later that evening, Granada felt compact and easy to navigate.
We arrived before our check-in counter was ready. From memory, it opened roughly two hours before departure. Treat that as our experience on the day, not a universal opening time: check the instructions for your own booking before travelling.
Once the counter opened, we checked in and handed over our suitcase. Keep your own fare conditions handy, especially if you are travelling with checked baggage. I have not included a ticket price or baggage allowance because those details are not confirmed in this review.
Security and boarding at a small airport
After dropping our suitcase, we had our boarding passes checked and went through security into the departure area. This was a domestic flight within Spain, so our departure process did not include an international exit immigration check.
When boarding was called, passengers lined up at the indicated gate and had their boarding passes checked again. The memorable part came next: we walked outside rather than entering the aircraft through a jet bridge.
Following the designated route brought us close to the aircraft, then we climbed the boarding stairs. It made the boarding process feel more tangible than stepping straight from a terminal into a plane. Follow staff directions on the apron and have your boarding pass accessible.
Cabin bags and overhead storage
We put our cabin belongings away before settling in. The photo shows the available overhead storage, not an entitlement to bring a particular number or size of bags. Check your booking for cabin-bag and checked-bag allowances; the space you can see in a photo does not replace those conditions.
The delay and whether flying was worth it
Our flight was delayed, so the overall journey took longer than the schedule suggested. I have not recorded an exact delay duration, and would not want to guess one now. Airport transfers, check-in and waiting all need to be included when comparing a flight with a train.
Even with that wait, I was happy with our decision. We avoided the long rail journey we had originally planned, and the change felt less tiring for us. It was particularly useful as a practical backup after the cancellation, rather than something we had spent weeks planning.
Planning the next part of your journey
Check the current route, fares, baggage conditions and seat options directly with Vueling. This review does not establish which option will be cheapest or fastest on your travel date.
We stayed near Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona, which worked well for our arrival by airport bus. Read our Catalonia Plaza Catalunya hotel review for the room and location experience.
Continue with our Barcelona Airport to city centre Aerobus A1 guide for the next leg of this journey.
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