Travelling To Tarragona

Tarragona is the first beach town south of Barcelona, 80kms away. Transport to the city is by train or road, but air travel is also possible, with flights arriving from Barcelona at the airport in the nearby city of Reus. Once in Tarragona, much of the city is walkable, although a vehicle may provide a useful option for getting around quickly or to other attractions in the region.

By car

From Barcelona, take the A-2 highway southwest, connecting with the A-7 and then the N-340. The route is along a fast toll road and the way to Tarragona is clearly posted.

Within the city, car hire may prove an attractive option for people who want to explore the city, or get out to other areas in the region. Driving around the town is fairly easy, although the roads can get congested in rush hours.

By rail

Tarragona is connected to the rest of Spain by one of the nations main railway lines which runs between Barcelona and Alicante, and another line which connects Barcelona and Madrid. Each day, 55 trains make the run between Tarragona and Barcelona, with a journey time of about an hour. Five trains run daily from Madrid (4 hours) and there are also frequent arrivals from Valencia (3 hours). The train station in Tarragona is in Plaza Pedrera, near the port and the main street, Rambla Nova. Up the hill along this street, you will find many hotels. During the high season, be sure to book your tickets days in advance.

By bus

There are 15 bus lines serving Tarragona, with services operating more frequently and connections to more cities than those served by the train lines. The major bus company, Plana, has buses that depart from Barcelona for Tarragona from the Maria Cristina underground station. The companies Eurolines and Alsa run trips between many parts of Western Europe, Morocco and several Eastern European countries. The bus station is at a public square called Plaa Imperial Tarraco.

For travel within the city, local public buses, run by EMT, provide full services to all points in town. Tickets may be purchased at tobacco shops for either single trips or as a 10-ride pass.

By air

The closest you can fly to Tarragona is into Reus Airport (REU), 13kms away. It is a small airport that handles more than a million passengers per year, many of whom arrive on flights operated by low-cost carriers. The other option is to fly into Barcelona and take the direct bus from the airport or the train into Barcelona and then switch rail lines to Tarragona.

Facilities at Reus Airport are limited, as the airport is small and located only three kilometres from the centre of town. The airport houses two cafeterias and two shops, and banking services are limited to a single ATM. The plus side to the small airport is that parking here is free.

Travel options to Tarragona are easy, but limited to bus, taxi or hire car. The taxi rank is located just outside the terminal, near the Arrivals area, and buses depart from the airport to Tarragona nine times daily. Car hire is available from desks located inside the terminal, but it is advisable to secure a vehicle for yourself in advance by booking online.

Taxis

Taxi service is available in Tarragona, making a good choice for a ride home after a late night at the port as well as being a useful option for getting around the area.