How to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona

Thu, Nov 05
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Travel Information

Compare train and bus for Tarragona to Barcelona

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Tarragona to Barcelona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €15 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 1h 22m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.0 - 0.1kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €15, while a train costs an average of €20.

Distance: 50 miles (82 km)

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Bus
Driving

€20

Average price

€15

Average price

Cheapest

€17

Average price

(fuel + tolls)

1h 22m

Average total duration

Fastest

52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 50m

Average total duration

1h 20m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

1h 12m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

0.0 - 0.1kg

CO2 emissions

Lowest

0.1 - 0.2kg

CO2 emissions

-

CO2 emissions

Renfe

Most popular train company

Plana

Most popular bus company

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.

Compare ways to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona

Compare the available ways to get from Tarragona to Barcelona, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.

The cheapest way to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona is a bus with an average price of €15.

This is compared to other travel options from Tarragona to Barcelona:

A bus is €6 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Tarragona to Barcelona costing on average €20.

The fastest way to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona is by train with an average journey time of 1h 22m.

Other travel options to Barcelona take longer:

Bus takes on average 1h 50m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Tarragona and Barcelona including taking a train and bus.
We recommend using the train as it is the most popular way to get from Tarragona to Barcelona among Omio's users.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 20m sooner (52m by train vs 1h 12m by car). Tickets start at around €20 compared to roughly €17 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from Tarragona to Barcelona

How to get from Tarragona to Barcelona by train, bus or flight.

Our recommendation

train

The best way to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona is by taking a train because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • AVE03183
    0 transfers

Cheapest

  • AVE03183
    0 transfers

Fastest

  • Renfe AVANT08077
    0 transfers

Other options

  • AVE03173
    0 transfers
  • Renfe15004
    0 transfers
  • Renfe15018
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    0 transfers
  • AlsaNormal
    0 transfers

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights

Compare train and bus 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.

Train
Bus

How to get from Tarragona to Barcelona

The Best Way According to our Users

Whether it is for business or leisure, in order to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona, 83,78% of our customers choose the train as their preferred mode of transportation. By traveling by train on this route, you can enjoy the comfort of spacious seats, spectacular views—and in some cases free Wi-Fi—in both second and first class. Our customers have decided that the train is the best way to get from Tarragona to Barcelona and have chosen to enjoy this fast, safe and efficient way to arrive at their destination. Taking the train also avoids long lines or potential expenses for transfers to/from the station—especially since most main railway stations are located in the city center. Train companies in Europe vary from country to country, but most of them offer high-speed train routes, therefore when you add up at the end-to-end journey time, the train is often also the fastest way to get to your destination.

Search on Omio to find cheap tickets from Tarragona to Barcelona. It’s easy to find the most attractive prices and choose your preferred route for your journey. Book on web or app, and travel with your mobile ticket —without the stress of printing your ticket.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Travel from Tarragona to Barcelona

Travel to Barcelona easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Tarragona to Barcelona.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Tarragona and Barcelona including taking a train and bus.
The cheapest way to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona is a bus with an average price of €15.

This is compared to other travel options from Tarragona to Barcelona:

A bus is €6 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Tarragona to Barcelona costing on average €20.

The fastest way to travel from Tarragona to Barcelona is by train with an average journey time of 1h 22m.

Other travel options to Barcelona take longer:

Bus takes on average 1h 50m.

The distance from Tarragona to Barcelona is approximately 50 miles (82 km).
The average frequency per day from Tarragona to Barcelona is:
  • Around 41 trains per day.
  • Around 17 buses per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Tarragona and Barcelona as scheduled services by train and bus can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Tarragona to Barcelona:
  • Trains mostly depart from Tarragona station and arrive in Barcelona Sants.
  • Buses mostly depart from Tarragona, Estación de Autobuses and arrive in El Prat de Llobregat, Aeroport de Barcelona-El Prat (T1 Arribades - La planta 0).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Tarragona to Barcelona, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with Renfe, AVE, Renfe AVANT, Renfe EUROMED, Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, iryo, Renfe AVANT EXPRESS, Renfe AVLO to go to Barcelona by train.
  • Travel with Plana, Alsa to go to Barcelona by bus.
Yes, there are direct services available from Tarragona to Barcelona with the following travel companies:
  • 41 direct trains per day with Renfe, AVE, Renfe AVANT, Renfe EUROMED, Renfe ALVIA, Renfe INTERCITY, iryo, Renfe AVANT EXPRESS, Renfe AVLO.
  • 17 direct buses per day with Plana, Alsa.
Omio customers who travel from Tarragona to Barcelona often also extend their vacation to go to Madrid, Paris, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza. Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Barcelona and these popular destinations at a great price.
Most travelers need at least three days in Barcelona to see the main sights at a comfortable pace. If you want day trips or a slower itinerary, consider adding extra time.
In Barcelona, you can explore Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona, which offers tours and a museum. Visit Montjuïc for stunning city views, the Magic Fountain, and Montjuïc Castle. Relax at Barceloneta Beach, known for sunbathing and seaside dining. Discover El Raval's eclectic culture and nightlife, and enjoy rides and views at Tibidabo Amusement Park. Must-see sights include the iconic Sagrada Família, vibrant Park Güell, bustling La Rambla, the historic Gothic Quarter, and the uniquely designed Casa Batlló by Gaudí.
Three to four days in Barcelona is ideal to explore its main attractions, including La Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and the Gothic Quarter, while also enjoying its vibrant culture and cuisine.
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