Internet access in Barcelona?

[Brad]

How easy it is going to be to find internet access while I am in Barcelona in the spring?

Is there anything like free wireless access such as I find here at home in almost every starbucks and other coffee shops for example? Is internet access common at hotels? Internet Cafes?

...and the big question -- will I be in shock at access prices or is it reasonable in most places?

[omeyas]

How easy it is going to be to find internet access while I am in Barcelona in the spring?

Is there anything like free wireless access such as I find here at home in almost every starbucks and other coffee shops for example? Is internet access common at hotels? Internet Cafes?

...and the big question -- will I be in shock at access prices or is it reasonable in most places?

Never been to Barcelona, but a peek in google for wifi hotspots (http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/browse/intl/2000011/) lists quite a few, mainly in hotels. I would imagine it's much the same as the rest of Spain, where internet cafes are very common. I have used them in the past for for burning the contents of photographic memory cards onto CD's,and have never had problems finding a place.

[landlady]

Don't know about Barcelona, but I imagine it would be like other places in Spain with plenty of opportunities to get online, either in Internet cafes, cafes or restaurants that offer free access for buying a drink or meal, or even by finding out where the unsecured access points are. (I managed to get this in a holiday flat in Torremelinos at Easter) MacDonalds offer free access in France, but I don't think they do in Spain yet? Are you bringing a wifi laptop, or do you need a computer too?

[okanemaureen]

There are loads of locotorios in Barcelona where you can make cheap calls and have internet access for about 1 euro and hour.

[Pepino]

I'm here in BCN, and while I don't really have any need for ADSL out and about (as I just use my work connection and my home ADSL back at my flat), I've noticed in loads of cafés that there are signs for free internet access points. Your original question isn't clear whether you want to bring your own laptop and connect to an access point, or use a more traditional internet café where you use the PC's hardwired in the café. Either way, you won't have a major problem, the internet is everywhere in BCN. And it's not just the sterile environments of Starbucks etc that you have to go, as I've seen plenty of cool Spanish cafés and bars that advertise internet access.

Have fun in Barcelona! ;D

[Brad]

Thank you everyone for your advice.

Your original question isn't clear whether you want to bring your own laptop and connect to an access point, or use a more traditional internet caféI have not decided which choice is best either. I prefer to bring my laptop along on this trip.

I am in Spain for 1 week, but I will be "on the road" for almost 4 weeks in total, which for me, would almost be an eternity to be unplugged from the net.

Brad

[gary]

Thank you everyone for your advice.

I have not decided which choice is best either. I prefer to bring my laptop along on this trip.

I am in Spain for 1 week, but I will be "on the road" for almost 4 weeks in total, which for me, would almost be an eternity to be unplugged from the net.

Brad

There are "locutorios" and telecabinas everywhere I have been so I have always been able to get an online fix easily.

Prices vary but you should be able to find one that does i euro per hour unless you are in a very touristy area.

Phoning from these places is dirt cheap too - we never managed to spend more than a euro phoning GB from the one on Calle Roser where we were staying in Barcelona.

There's a MASSIVE internet cafe at the bottom of the Ramblas which is run by the easyjet people.

There is at least 1 hotel/hostal that offers free wifi connection - try

http://www.barcelona-on-line.es (http://www.barcelona-on-line.es)

If you email them they are always very helpful.

[Brad]

Thought about for a while and realized I should do the "internet cafe" thing and not have to carry around all that extra equipment for the entire holiday.

A laptop, cables, adapters, etc is a fair amount of unnecessary weight to lug about.

Thanks again all for the great advice. Much appreciated.

Brad