- Must visit
Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona
Main archaeological museum for Roman Tarraco, with mosaics, sculpture, inscriptions, and essential context for the UNESCO site.
Cheapest price
$65
Average price
$81
Fastest journey
7 h 25 m
Average duration
11 h 25 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
419 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Bilbao to Tarragona is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Bilbao to Tarragona will cost around $81 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $65.
Of the 5 buses that leave Bilbao for Tarragona on Thu, Jul 16, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 16 the direct buses cover the 419 km distance in an average of 11 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h 25 m .
On Thu, Jul 16 the slowest buses will take 1 d 1 h 25 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
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FlixBus · FlixBus
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FlixBus · FlixBusOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Bilbao to Tarragona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $39. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 2h 3m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $39, and a bus costs an average of $63.
Distance: 260 miles (419 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$172 Average price | $66 Average price Cheapest | $118 Average price | $107 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 37m Average total duration 10h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 47m Average total duration 6h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 3m Average total duration Fastest 2h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 16m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Bilbao to Tarragona:
A train is $53 (€43) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Bilbao to Tarragona costing on average $118 (€97).
A train is $107 (€88) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Bilbao to Tarragona costing on average $172 (€142).
Other travel options to Tarragona take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 17m.
Bus takes on average 10h 7m.
You'll arrive about -5h -51m sooner (10h 7m by bus vs 5h 16m by car) and save roughly $-65.55 (€-53.83) compared to fuel and tolls ($172 (€142) vs $107 (€88)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by BlaBlaCar, Alsa, Hife.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 04:30AM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 25h25 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $147 |
Operator Hife | Departure Time 09:30AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 7h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 10:00AM | Arrival Time 03:20PM | Duration 5h20 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 07:55PM | Duration 7h25 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 12:30PM | Arrival Time 06:00PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:00PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:15PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $50 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:20PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 03:30PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $47 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:00PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $48 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 09:50PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator BlaBlaCar | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $45 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 09:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 9h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator Alsa | Departure Time 10:15PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 7h45 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $65 |
The table below shows live departures for Bilbao to Tarragona buses for today, Wednesday, July 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 4:30 AM Bilbao, Calle Luis Briñas / Basurtuko Kaputxinoen kalea | 25h25 | 5:55 AM Tarragona, Estación de Autobuses | 1 transfer | |
Normal | 9:30 AM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 7h30 | 5:00 PM Tarragona | 0 transfersDirect | |
Normal · Normal | 12:30 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 7h25 | 7:55 PM Tarragona | 1 transfer | |
Normal · Normal | 9:00 PM Bilbao, Estación de Autobuses | 9h00 | 6:00 AM Tarragona | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Bilbao to Tarragona run on average 3 times per day, taking around 10h 7m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€52) but you can travel from only $35 (€29) by flight.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:55, the last at 22:15. The fastest bus covers the 260 miles (419 km) distance in 7h 30m.
Distance 260 miles (419 km) |
Average bus duration 10h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€52) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 7h 30m |
First bus 12:55 AM |
Last bus 10:15 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 2 days |
Discover the best of Tarragona — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tarragona trip today.
Main archaeological museum for Roman Tarraco, with mosaics, sculpture, inscriptions, and essential context for the UNESCO site.
Detailed model and interpretation center explaining ancient Tarraco's layout, ideal before exploring the Roman remains.
Museum inside the cathedral complex featuring liturgical art, sculpture, and treasures tied to Tarragona's religious history.
Balcony-like seafront promenade with classic Mediterranean views, ideal for sunset, photos, and a first impression of Tarragona.
Broad central avenue lined with shops and civic buildings, connecting the modern city with the historic core and sea views.
Atmospheric old town quarter of narrow lanes, stone houses, and Roman-medieval layers, perfect for wandering on foot.
Romesco is Tarragona's emblematic sauce of roasted ñora peppers, nuts, garlic, oil and vinegar, often served with fish, calçots or seafood.
Calçots are sweet spring onions grilled over flames and dipped in romesco or salvitxada. They are a beloved winter tradition across Tarragona province.
Xató is an escarole salad with salt cod, tuna, anchovies, olives and a rich romesco-style sauce. It is a classic festive dish in coastal Tarragona.
Refined Michelin-starred restaurant near Tarragona known for creative tasting menus rooted in Catalan ingredients and elegant modern dining.
Well-known casual spot in the old town serving tapas, vermouth and Catalan small plates in a lively, local setting.
Established restaurant by the Roman circus area, known for contemporary Catalan cuisine, rice dishes and polished service.
Moderate for Spain: dining is reasonable, local transit is cheap, and summer hotels rise but stay below Barcelona.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for great service. For cafes and taxis, round up or leave small change.
Official public transport app
Tarragona, Estación de Autobuses -> Plaça de la Imperial Tàrraco, Tarragona
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Bilbao to Tarragona by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Tarragona, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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