Andorra Public Buses: Routes, Tickets and Timetables

Andorra’s national buses connect the capital and Escaldes-Engordany with the southern parish of Sant Julià de Lòria, Encamp, the northern valleys, ski settlements and Pas de la Casa. The network is useful for more than getting between towns: a well-chosen route can replace a rental car for a shopping day, a village visit or a transfer to a lift. The important details are local and date-specific. A line number identifies a corridor, not a promise that every stop is served in both directions, every day or in every season. ^S001^S002

For a visitor, the practical questions are simple: which stop is closest to the actual destination; which fare zone applies; can a transfer be made on the same ticket; and what is the final return bus on that date? The national operator’s tariff page currently lists single fares of €1.90, €3.45 and €4.80 for zones 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Its route pages separately list schedules, with changes and notices appearing through the year. The timetable and fare checked for a trip should therefore come from the current official operator or government source, not a saved screenshot from another season. ^S002^S003

What the national network covers

The regular network is organised around several corridors through the valley. L1 links Escaldes-Engordany and Caldea with Sant Julià de Lòria. L2 runs between Andorra la Vella and Encamp. L3 serves the north-east corridor through Canillo, El Tarter and Soldeu towards Pas de la Casa. L4 also links Andorra la Vella with Pas de la Casa, following a different pattern of stops. L5 serves Arinsal; L6 serves La Massana and Ordino; and L7 links the capital area with La Massana and the Ordino direction. Bus Exprés and a circular service cover particular parts of the central valley, while three overnight lines have their own timetables. The government’s national-lines portal provides route, stop and schedule tools; bus.ad publishes the operator’s current timetables and alerts. ^S001^S004

The two services to Pas de la Casa illustrate why it helps to look beyond the destination name. L3 is presented as the Soldeu corridor, serving settlements including Canillo, El Tarter and Soldeu before the French-border parish. L4 is a separate Andorra la Vella–Pas de la Casa line, with its own timetable and stops. A traveller staying in Canillo or Soldeu should check L3; someone starting near the central station may find L4’s pattern more direct. Do not assume one line replaces the other or that a bus with “Pas de la Casa” in its destination display stops at every resort village. Use the stop list for the direction of travel. ^S001^S005

L5 and L6 also serve different northern destinations. L5 is the route towards Arinsal, while L6 serves Ordino and the La Cortinada direction. The line map shows junctions and interchange points, but an interchange marked on a map is not necessarily a timed connection. If the trip requires changing lines, look up both legs for the same date and allow enough time for the actual walk between stops. A route may pass close to a destination without stopping at its entrance; the final section can still involve a walk, a separate local service or a taxi. ^S001^S006

L7 is useful for trips between Andorra la Vella, La Massana and Ordino. Its published route page gives a weekday pattern of departures every 15 minutes from Andorra la Vella between 06:43 and 20:13, then every 20 minutes until 21:53. From the Ordino end, the page lists 15-minute intervals from 06:35 to 19:50 and 20-minute intervals until 21:50. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the displayed service is every 30 minutes, with first and last departures varying by direction. These figures are a useful illustration of the difference between a frequent weekday corridor and a thinner weekend timetable; the route page should be rechecked because L7 was specifically included in the autumn 2026 schedule update. ^S006^S007

The central valley has its own shorter choices. The circular line loops between Escaldes-Engordany and Andorra la Vella, beginning and ending at Consell d’Europa. The operator lists it every day, including public holidays, from 06:30 to 21:30 at 30-minute intervals. Bus Exprés serves the Escaldes–Sant Julià corridor and is scheduled more frequently during weekday commute periods: the operator lists 10-minute intervals from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, with longer gaps at midday and after 18:00; weekends and public holidays are listed at 30-minute intervals. Those services are useful for central-valley movement, but they do not substitute for checking a line that continues into a different parish. ^S008^S009

Pick the corridor from the exact origin and destination

Start with the location where you will board, not only the town where you are staying. Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany have numerous stops and several lines can use nearby corridors. The Estació Nacional d’Autobusos (ENA) is a major reference point for national services, but it may not be the best stop for every hotel, shopping street or attraction. Use the government’s public GIS stop viewer or the operator’s route map to identify the closest named stop, then check that the service runs in the direction you need. ^S001^S004

For an Andorra la Vella–Encamp journey, L2 is the relevant regular corridor. The operator’s page shows weekday departures at roughly 12- or 15-minute intervals over much of the day and 30-minute intervals on weekends and public holidays; the route page also lists additional early or late departures. The exact autumn schedule for L2 took effect on 9 September 2026, so older timetable images are not a dependable reference. A visitor going to a place near the route should check its nearest stop, not assume that every L2 bus reaches the same terminal or that the line itself serves an activity entrance. ^S005^S007

For the south, L1 and Bus Exprés both connect the central area and Sant Julià de Lòria, but their stop patterns differ. L1’s published schedule begins at Caldea in Escaldes-Engordany and runs to the EPIZEN stop at La Portalada; on weekdays it is scheduled every 20 minutes between 06:20 and 21:00, then every 30 minutes until 22:00. Weekends and holidays show 30-minute service, with an additional early departure from Sant Julià. Bus Exprés has its own corridor and stop pattern. Compare the closest stop on the map with your destination before choosing, especially if the intended endpoint lies away from the main road. ^S010^S009

For the north, the right choice can hinge on whether you are heading for La Massana, Ordino, Arinsal, a village stop or an activity site. A bus to a parish centre does not guarantee a practical last mile to a trailhead, ski lift or rural accommodation. Check the destination’s own access instructions, the walking route from the stop and the return schedule. If the last section is steep, unlit or too long for someone in the group, include a taxi or another transport option in the plan rather than assuming the bus stops at the door.

For an excursion to Pas de la Casa, choose between the L3 and L4 corridors by looking at where you board and which intermediate stop you need. The operator’s L4 page lists departures between Andorra la Vella and Pas de la Casa every 30 minutes through most of the day, including weekends and public holidays, with additional late or early services on certain days. L3 has a different route and schedule. A guest in Soldeu, Canillo or El Tarter may save time by using the L3 stop closest to their accommodation; a traveller starting from central Andorra la Vella may compare the L4 departure with an L3 option. Check both directions because the first and last departure windows differ. ^S005^S011

There is a further layer for cross-border arrivals. National bus tickets are for the Andorran regular network; they are not automatically valid on a commercial coach from Barcelona, Toulouse or Lleida, or on the Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell regional line. Each operator and journey may have its own ticket, stop and booking conditions. If a trip starts at an airport or railway station outside Andorra, plan the international leg separately and confirm how its arrival point connects with a national stop. The name “Andorra bus” can refer to several services, so verify the operator before buying. ^S012^S013

Transfers require more care than the line map alone suggests. A zone-valid ticket can permit a transfer between lines while it remains valid, but that does not mean the timetables have been coordinated. Confirm that the first bus reaches the interchange with time to board the second, and check whether the stops are on opposite sides of a road or require a walk. The operator’s tariff conditions specify same-zone transfer validity and continuation in the same direction; the passenger still has to choose a service that exists at the required time. If the first leg is the last bus from a village, a missed connection may leave no same-evening alternative. ^S002

One useful distinction is between a connection inside the national network and a change between operators. The zone transfer rule explicitly applies across the different concessionaires operating within a fare zone, but a commercial airport coach is a different ticketing product. A visitor who travels from a Barcelona or Toulouse coach stop to the ENA and then changes to L2 should plan two bookings or fares: the inbound coach ticket does not become a national bus pass at the station. The same applies in reverse when leaving Andorra. Allow time to collect bags, orient yourself at the station and reach the correct platform before the national departure. ^S002^S003^S012

The Government’s stop viewer can help with connections that do not begin at the ENA. Its route data associates named stops with the lines that serve them, which is useful when a hotel, hospital, shopping area or parish service is nearer an intermediate stop. Check both the line and direction: a stop with a similar name may serve only the opposite side of the valley, and a line may use a different approach on its outbound and return legs. If the final destination lies uphill or away from the main road, estimate that walking section independently. A bus journey planner can identify a stop; it cannot tell whether the remaining walk is comfortable for your group, luggage or mobility needs. ^S001^S004

Fares and zones in 2026

The operator’s tariff page labels its current table “from 1 September” and lists these single fares: €1.90 in Zone 1, €3.45 in Zone 2 and €4.80 in Zone 3. The listed return fares are €3.55, €5.00 and €7.30, respectively. A return ticket is valid for two trips and expires 15 days after its first validation. Children under three travel free according to the operator’s published conditions. These are national regular-service fares, not an airport-coach price list. ^S002

The zone determines more than the amount paid. A single journey is valid for 60 minutes in Zone 1, 70 minutes in Zone 2 and 90 minutes in Zone 3. Within that validity period, passengers may transfer between different lines in the same zone, even when operated by different concessionaires, provided they continue in the same direction of travel. The operator’s page does not describe this as a ticket for unlimited sightseeing or backtracking. A transfer is for continuing a journey in the same direction, not for making a return trip or using a bus as an all-day pass. ^S002

A simple example makes the rule clearer. If a passenger boards in Zone 1 and needs to change to another line in that same zone before the 60-minute validity expires, the ticket can cover that onward connection if the direction is maintained. A journey that moves into another zone may require a different fare or more than one ride depending on the ticket product. The zone map and stop information matter: distance in kilometres alone does not tell you which fare applies. Check the zone shown for both ends, and ask the operator if the map or app does not make the boundary clear.

For a visitor making several trips, multi-journey cards can be cheaper than buying each single fare. The operator lists T-10, T-20, T-30 and T-40 products; these are multipersonal, which means more than one passenger can use the same card. The current Zone 1 prices shown are €12.40 for ten trips, €23.50 for twenty, €33.70 for thirty and €42.60 for forty. At a one-off Zone 1 fare of €1.90, ten separate singles would cost €19, so the €12.40 T-10 is €6.60 less if all ten rides are used. The support medium may cost up to €3, an additional charge stated by the operator. ^S002

The same multi-journey products can be used across zones with a different number of rides charged per trip: the operator states that T-10, T-20, T-30 and T-40 require two rides in Zone 2 and three rides in Zone 3. That means a T-10 can cover five Zone 2 journeys or three complete Zone 3 journeys, with one ride value left over. The per-ride arithmetic still compares favourably with single fares, but the card’s multipersonal design and your group’s plans determine whether it is convenient. Do not buy a large pass just because it has a lower unit price if your group will not use the journeys before leaving. ^S002

Weekly, monthly, half-yearly and annual passes are listed as unipersonal and valid across all zones. The currently posted prices are €24.30 for seven days, €30 for 30 days, €180 for 182 days and €360 for 365 days. Weekly and monthly passes activate on first use, according to the tariff page. The page defines unipersonal products as usable by one person and says identification is required. A family cannot share one weekly pass in the way it can share a multipersonal T-10. For a one-week stay, the weekly pass may be worthwhile once the person’s intended journeys exceed the cost; for a shorter trip, compare actual fares instead of assuming a pass is automatically better. ^S002

Ticket purchase options include the national bus station office, directly on the bus and the MOU-T-B mobile application. The regular-line office at the ENA is listed as open Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 20:00 and closed Sundays and public holidays. This matters for a late arrival or Sunday departure: a visitor should not assume the ticket counter is open just because buses are running. The operator page confirms sales on board and in the app, but it does not state in the page’s text whether every bus accepts every bank card or cash denomination. Carry a payment method that the current service accepts, and check the app or ask at the station if a particular ticket needs to be bought or loaded in advance. ^S002^S003

Resident travel is a different fare question

Andorra’s free monthly resident pass is easy to misunderstand from a visitor’s perspective. The Government describes the benefit as a fully subsidised monthly pass for Andorran nationals and residents, giving unlimited travel on national regular passenger lines. The application process requires resident eligibility and personal validation; the Government’s guide explains activation codes and linking the entitlement to a user account. This is not a free pass for anyone staying in Andorra, nor should a visitor rely on it without the qualifying status and valid title. ^S014^S015

Visitors should use the public fare products available to them: singles, return tickets, multi-journey products or a personal weekly/monthly ticket. The cheapest choice depends on how many journeys each person expects to take and whether those trips cross zones. The calculation is simple but personal. A couple making two Zone 1 rides each could use a multipersonal product; a solo traveller making short local trips may prefer singles; a week-long stay spanning the country may justify a weekly pass. All of those comparisons assume the route exists at the intended time and that the pass covers its zone. ^S002

Discounts or social passes for groups such as young people, older residents or people with recognised eligibility should be read through the Government’s specific programme pages. A category name on a pass is not proof that tourists qualify. Similarly, student, school and social fares can be tied to residence, age, enrolment or application documentation. If the Government page specifies an identity or residence requirement, visitors should not infer eligibility from age alone.

Reading schedules without missing the return

The safest way to plan an outward and return journey is to search both directions independently for the travel date. A route page may show weekday, Saturday, Sunday and public-holiday schedules in separate blocks. A final morning bus from a village and the final evening bus from the capital are not necessarily symmetric. Check the stop name, direction, date and final departure; then confirm that the stop is the one nearest the destination. The operator publishes line pages, while the Government’s national-lines portal offers schedule and stop tools. The MOU-T-B application is also listed by the operator as a sales channel and is intended for public transport information. ^S001^S003^S004

Do not use the expected journey duration from a map app as a guarantee that a connection will work. Traffic, a stop change, a public event, roadworks or a seasonal timetable can affect the route. If there is a timed transfer, leave margin. The same applies to an arrival from a commercial coach: a delayed inbound coach may cause you to miss the last national bus even when the published schedules appear to connect. For a late airport arrival, consider booking a taxi or overnight stay instead of relying on a final bus without a backup plan.

Timetables are maintained as a living service. In 2026, the operator announced new spring schedules from 13 April and later said autumn frequencies from 9 September affected only L2 and L7. Bus pages also publish temporary diversions and stop changes for events such as races, festivals and road closures. A route can therefore be unchanged in its regular frequency while its stop or street path is temporarily different. Check the operator’s notices as well as the timetable when travelling on a major-event date. ^S007^S016

For a concrete example of schedule differences, the current operator page for L4 lists departures from Andorra la Vella to Pas de la Casa every 30 minutes from 06:25 to 21:25 on weekdays and weekends, with a 22:00 and 23:00 additional weekday service and a 23:00 weekend service. From Pas de la Casa, it lists departures every 30 minutes from 06:40 to 21:40, with additional early services at 05:50 and 06:35 on weekdays and 05:50 on weekends. These are published timetable windows, not a promise that the last trip is the best option for every intermediate stop or that it will run through an exceptional road closure. Confirm the date-specific information before relying on it. ^S011

Night buses and late returns

The national night-bus network is separate from the daytime lines. The operator lists three corridors: BN1 between Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany; BN2 between Canillo and Andorra la Vella, with a connection continuing to Pas de la Casa on some published trips; and BN3 linking the capital with Arinsal and Ordino. Its 2026 page says two night services are guaranteed every day of the year, with the night network also activated every Friday and Saturday from 22:30 to 05:30 and on nights before public holidays. The exact departures depend on route and day. ^S017

For BN1, the operator shows hourly late departures between the central station and Sant Julià on Friday, Saturday, holiday eves and specified local events; the Sunday-to-Thursday pattern is reduced. BN2 and BN3 use their own departure sequences, and the published page lists intermediate stops and seasonal extensions. A late-night passenger should search the specific BN line rather than assume that the last daytime L1, L3 or L5 service continues after midnight. Special festival timetables can add frequency or extend operation, but the operator announces these separately. ^S017^S018

When a dinner or event might finish close to a final departure, identify the stop and direction before leaving. A bus labelled by its terminal can pass through a different parish or use a different return pattern than expected. If you cannot reach the stop in time, or the night bus does not serve the exact destination, a taxi may be the safer option. A late service is not an all-night network at every stop: two guaranteed services each day do not mean every village has a bus at any hour.

Night-bus arrangements can also be affected by public events. The operator posts diversions when roads close for festivals or races, and the Government has announced extra late frequencies for particular parish celebrations. Those event additions are date-specific. Treat them as a useful option only after checking the published calendar for that particular night, rather than as a permanent extension of the regular service. ^S017^S018

Baggage, mobility and the last kilometre

The official pages checked establish routes, tickets, stops and timetables but do not provide a single, clear national baggage allowance covering every service and vehicle. If you are travelling with skis, a bicycle, a large suitcase, a folded pushchair or several bags, confirm the current rule with the operator before boarding. Do not assume that a city bus and a long inter-parish coach have the same luggage compartment or that a driver must accept bulky equipment when the vehicle is full. The regular-line operator lists its telephone and email contact on its tariff page. ^S002

The same caution applies to accessibility. A route shown on the network map does not establish that every stop is level, every vehicle has a ramp or every departure has the same accessible features. A traveller who needs step-free access should check the exact vehicle and stop, ask the operator about boarding arrangements and allow additional time. For a transfer, confirm that the second stop is physically reachable from the first without stairs or an unsafe road crossing. If the destination is on a steep street or outside the settled area, the remaining walk may be the harder part of the journey.

Many visitors use a national bus to reach a parish centre and then continue on foot. That works well when the hotel, museum or restaurant is near the stop, but not every outdoor activity begins at a bus stop. For ski areas, compare the service stop with the lift base and any resort shuttle. For mountain routes, use the trail operator’s or parish’s access directions and check whether local seasonal transport exists. A national bus stopping in Ordino, La Massana or Canillo does not by itself provide transport to every trailhead in that parish.

When a taxi or car makes more sense

A bus works best when the route, stop and operating window fit the day. A taxi can be more practical when several people are travelling together to a destination beyond the final stop, when luggage is bulky, when an early departure precedes the first bus, or when the return depends on a final service with little margin. A rental car can help with a multi-stop day or a remote trailhead, but it brings parking, winter-equipment and road-condition decisions of its own. Compare the complete trip, including transfers, waiting and the final walk, not only the bus fare against a car’s fuel cost.

Before choosing a taxi, ask for the fare basis and whether the driver can reach the exact address or trail access. Before driving, check the route and current road conditions; a short straight-line distance in a mountain valley can involve a longer road journey or a seasonal restriction. If a bus and taxi combination seems attractive, confirm that the taxi can meet the actual arrival time and destination. A bus pass does not include the taxi leg.

The national network can reduce the need to drive for central-valley visits and between its named settlements. Its limits are equally useful to know: services are corridor-based, fares depend on zones, timetables change, and the last mile may still require walking or another mode. A base near a frequent line can make the bus more convenient than a car; an isolated accommodation or late mountain return can reverse that calculation.

A reliable way to plan a bus day

Write down the actual starting stop and destination before opening the timetable. Check the current route map, fare zone and nearest stop. Search the outward trip and return separately, including the correct day type and any seasonal or event notice. If you need to change lines, verify the transfer time and direction rule for the ticket. If the trip begins outside Andorra, keep the international coach or rail booking separate from the national fare. If you are carrying bulky items or require accessible boarding, ask the operator before travel.

Choose the ticket after estimating the journeys for each person. Compare a single or return fare with the multipersonal T-card and with an individual weekly or monthly pass. Add the stated card-support cost, and remember that multi-journey cards consume more journey units in Zones 2 and 3. A free resident monthly pass applies only to those who meet the Government’s eligibility conditions; visitors should budget using public visitor products.

On the day, recheck alerts, stop relocations and live service information. Arrive at the named stop a little early, especially if a bus is infrequent or the route is a connection. Save the return stop and its final departure. In a valley where one road corridor carries much of the public transport, the most reliable plan is the one that fits the timetable that is actually operating—not the one that depends on a bus remembered from a previous trip. ^S001^S002^S003