Depending on where you start your yourney, it will take you about 24h from (South-) Germany, Austria and  Switzerland. It could be recommended to book a couchette in a night train.

 Cercanias
The Cercanias are trains which are connecting the surrounding suburbs with the city centre of Barcelona.They leave in 20 minute intervals from the station Sants to the airport El Prat and are ideal for day trips in the surroundings of Barcelona.

Regionales
The Regionales connect different provinces and regions of Spain. In Catalonia, the train connection itself is very well developed and prices are favourable.

Grandes Lineas
Grandes Lineas combine the largest and most important cities in Spain. These trains are slightly more expensive than the Regionales, but also faster. However, they do not stop at every station.

The largest railway stations in Barcelona
The long-distance trains meet mostly in Sants station. From here, you go on easily by metro and bus. Schedules are clearly visible. Further stations are are Plaça Catalunya, Plaça Espanya, Passeig de Gràcia, Estació de França, El Clot Arago.

If you arrive from outside Spain, you can purchase the train ticket directly from your railway.
For more information and schedules:

• RENFE(Spanish railways)
• Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) (local trains within Catalonia)
• SNCF (French railways)
• UK rail
• CP-Caminhos de Ferro Portugeses
• Trenitalia (Italian raylways)
• Deutsche Bahn DB (German railways)
• Österreichische Bundesbahn ÖBB (Austrian railways)
• Schweizer Bundesbahn SBB (Swiss railways)