- Recommended
Torre Vella Exhibition Space
Historic defensive tower used for cultural exhibitions and contemporary art shows; Salou’s best-known small museum venue.


Cheapest price
$82
Average price
$87
Fastest journey
2h 28m
Average duration
2h 34m
Trains per day
2
Distance
426 km
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Salou among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $30. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 42m. 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 $30, and a flight costs an average of $56.
Distance: 257 miles (415 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$69 Average price Cheapest | $126 Average price | $103 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 13m Average total duration 3h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 42m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.2 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
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 Madrid to Salou:
A train is $58 (€47) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Madrid to Salou costing on average $126 (€104).
Other travel options to Salou take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 43m.
Bus takes on average 6h 53m.
The journey is about 1h 46m faster (3h 43m by train vs 5h 29m by car) and roughly $34 (€28) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($69 (€56) vs $103 (€84)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with SNCF OUIGO, iryo, Renfe.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Salou trains for today, Friday, July 17. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
06181 | Delayed 6:32 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 2h28 | 7:00 PM 7:00 PMCamp de Tarragona | 0 transfersDirect | |
06015 | Delayed 7:29 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 2h40 | 8:09 PM 8:09 PMCamp de Tarragona | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, July 18 | |||||
06501 | 9:31 AM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 2h44 | 12:15 PM Camp de Tarragona | 0 transfersDirect | |
06011 | 9:57 AM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 2h42 | 12:39 PM Camp de Tarragona | 0 transfersDirect | |
06021 | 2:42 PM Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes | 2h45 | 5:27 PM Camp de Tarragona | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare 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.
Trains from Madrid to Salou run on average 2 times per day, taking around 3h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $30 (€25) if you book in advance.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 09:14, the last at 21:13. The fastest train covers the 257 miles (415 km) distance in 2h 45m.
Distance 257 miles (415 km) |
Average train duration 3h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price $30 (€25) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 2h 45m |
First train 9:14 AM |
Last train 9:13 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Salou — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Salou trip today.
Historic defensive tower used for cultural exhibitions and contemporary art shows; Salou’s best-known small museum venue.
Open-air heritage route with preserved civil war bunkers and panels explaining coastal defense history around Cape Salou.
Nearby major Roman museum in Tarragona with mosaics and artifacts; a strong museum option for visitors staying in Salou.
Palm-lined seafront promenade and Salou’s signature walking area, linking beaches, fountains, sculptures, and major viewpoints.
Scenic coastal path with coves, cliffs, and lookout points between beaches; one of the best walks for views in Salou.
Historic neighborhood around the church and port, offering a more local atmosphere than the beachfront tourist zone.
Arrossejat is a Costa Daurada rice dish cooked in rich fish stock, often with cuttlefish or prawns. It is a local seaside favorite linked to nearby fishing traditions.
Suquet de peix is a Catalan fisherman’s stew of local fish, potatoes, garlic, and saffron. It is traditional along the Tarragona coast and prized for deep seafood flavor.
Romesco sauce, made with roasted peppers, almonds, hazelnuts, garlic, and olive oil, is a hallmark of Tarragona cuisine. It is served with fish, vegetables, and calçots.
Refined restaurant at Gran Palas Hotel, offering modern Mediterranean cooking and a more elegant atmosphere for special meals.
Established seafood restaurant on the seafront, known for rice dishes, paella, and Mediterranean fish in a relaxed coastal setting.
Popular casual spot for tapas, grilled meats, and Spanish favorites. It has a lively, informal atmosphere and a long-standing local following.
Moderate for Costa Dorada resorts: hotels rise in summer, meals are fair, and local buses are affordable versus larger Spanish beach cities.
Tipping is optional. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for good service. Taxis are usually rounded up. In cafes, small change is enough.
Official public transport app
Salou-PortAventura station -> Plaça d'Europa, Salou
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Salou by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Salou, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Madrid to Salou trains use the Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes to Camp de Tarragona station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Salou train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes is 1 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental, and Information Desk.
Food options include: Passion Food, La Barrila, Enrique Tomás, Pic Nic, Foodissimo!, PureGusto, Burger King
Free WiFi in the station and on all Renfe trains. ATMs are in various points at the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sun: 10:00 - 20:00. Information desks are on the ground floor of the main concourse.
Luggage storage is open daily from 05:30 to 22:00. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid-Puerta de Atocha-Almudena Grandes: Wheelchair parking, adapted elevators, adapted platforms, lobby shopping area.
Nearby hotels include 60 Balconies Urban Stay, Only YOU Hotel Atocha, SLEEP’N Atocha.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need