With the introduction of low-cost air travel from the UK and other European countries to Barcelona, it's not surprising that by far the majority of visitors to Sitges arrive via Barcelona's Aeroport del Prat some 20km from Sitges. To get to Sitges from the airport there are three options if you don't have your own transport:

BY BUS

The cheapest option (between 2-3 Euros) and less complicated than taking the train, buses from the Airport to Sitges leave from outside Terminal B every day of the week. Weekday buses are the most frequent, operating hourly from 7.40am until 11.40pm. On Saturdays the service starts at 8.40am with a two or three hourly service until 22.40 and on Sunday the service is further curtailed with a paltry four-hourly service starting at 9.40am and finishing at 21.40. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes. For further details, pick up a timetable from the Tourist Offices in Sitges by the Oasis Commercial Centre and in the old town.

BY TRAIN

Taking a train is the second-cheapest option but is less direct than transfer by bus or taxi.

Catch the Barcelona train from the Airport station opposite Terminals A and B (accessed via the raised walkway) but get off at the first stop, El Prat de Llobregat. Once there, use the pedestrian subway to change platforms and catch a red and white local train heading to Vilanova i la Geltrù (destinations should be clearly indicated on the front and sides of the train).

Generally speaking, trains from the Airport to El Prat de Llobregat depart at 13 and 43 minutes past the hour until 20.43, after which the last three trains leave at 21.29, 21.59 and 22.56. Connecting trains from El Prat de Llobregat to Sitges depart at 50 and 20 minutes past the hour until 21.20, after which the last three trains leave at 21.50, 22.50 and 23.30.

The total journey time from the Airport to Sitges, including waiting to change trains at El Prat de Llobregat, should be about one hour. More detailed information is available from the station ticket office and RENFE's website (http://www.renfe.es/cercanias/barcelona/index_horarios.html).

BY TAXI

This can be expensive (approximately 40-50€), but if you've had a long flight, you have someone you can share the ride with and you want a less hassle-free transfer, it's probably worth paying the extra.

Taxis (usually black and yellow city cabs) pick up outside all terminals. If you have your destination in Sitges written down, all the better. Show this to the driver as some are unfamiliar with Sitges or may misunderstand you and head for Barcelona.

The driver may ask you if you want to go by 'autopista' or 'por la costa' (by motorway or via the coastal road). Although the coastal route is more scenic, the journey itself is fairly tortuous and can take some time (although if you arrive in daylight, it's your first holiday in Sitges and you're not in a rush, it is worth doing at least once just for the views of the Mediterranean and the several fleeting glimpses you get of Sitges as you approach the town via a series of hairpin bends). Allow 30-40 minutes for this option.

The more mundane motorway option is fairly straightforward, passing through a series of tunnels and a toll booth before entering Sitges. Journey time should be about 20 minutes depending on traffic.