barcelona trip from salou

3 Ways To Get From Salou To Barcelona

• Post author: Escape To Barcelona
• Post published: May 1, 2023
• Post category: Getting Around
• Post comments: 0 Comments

By Escape To Barcelona

Escape To Barcelona

Lucy & Michael here, we hope our expert tips, advice and experience to make planning your next escape to Barcelona that little bit easier. Enjoy!

Salou is a popular coastal town for holidaymakers located in the province of Tarragona, just over an hour’s drive from Barcelona. 

Whilst there’s plenty to do in Salou, such as enjoy the beautiful beaches, experience the lively nightlife and visit the famous PortAventura theme park, many people take a day trip from Salou to Barcelona to take in all the sights Barcelona has to offer. 

From the famous La Sagrada Família to the breathtaking Mount Tibidabo , Barcelona will make your jaw drop at every turn, which is why we would recommend a visit if you’re in Salou or in the surrounding areas.

Having taken this route multiple times, in this post we will explain some of the best ways to travel from Salou to Barcelona, ensuring you save time and money along the way. 

Salou To Barcelona By Train (Our Recommended Choice)

Whilst you can get a direct train from Salou (Port Aventura train station) to Barcelona, we actually recommend getting the train from Tarragona train station (Camp Tarragona), as they are faster (the quickest trains only take 36 minutes) and more frequent. 

One thing to be aware of , as Barcelona is a popular tourist destination there are pickpockets throughout the city . They also operate on the train lines running into the city and can prey on tourists if they look like an easy target. We have seen this first-hand when passengers have had items stolen whilst standing up on a busy train. As long as you are aware of it and don’t have your items out of sight (e.g. on your back or in your back pockets) you should be fine!

Here’s some quick need-to-know information;

Is there a direct train from Salou to Barcelona? 

There is a direct train from Salou (Port Aventura) to Barcelona, which runs 4-5 times a day in the week, and 6 times a day on the weekend. 

We recommend getting the train from Tarragona, however, as the trains are faster and run more frequently.

If you do want to take the train from Salou, then Port Aventura train station is around a 25-minute walk from Salou’s center. Alternatively, a taxi ride takes around 11 minutes.

How long does it take to travel from Salou to Barcelona? 

The train from Salou (Port Aventura) to Barcelona takes on average one and a half hours.

How much is the train fare from Salou to Barcelona? 

The direct train from Salou (Port Aventura) to Barcelona costs 7,70 €. 

Getting To Tarragona From Salou

As mentioned above, we would recommend getting the train from Tarragona to Barcelona, as the trains are more frequent and the fastest train only takes 36 minutes. 

We’ve travelled by taxi from Salou to Camp Tarragona station before when visiting Barcelona for the day. The journey took just under 20 minutes and cost us 20€. We’d expect the price to be a little higher now, so expect to pay between 25€ – 30€. 

If you don’t want to spend that much on a taxi, you can get a bus from Salou to Tarragona, which takes between 30 – 45 minutes. There are buses roughly every half an hour, and times and frequency change depending on which bus stop in Salou you are close to. 

We’d recommend checking out the up-to-date timelines on the local bus company website before you travel.

Tarragona Train Station (Camp Tarragona)

Tarragona train station (Camp Tarragona) is a relatively new and modern train station, having been built in 2006 as part of the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed railway .

The trains from here to Barcelona take just over half an hour, whereas trains from the other train station in central Tarragona take just over an hour, and also run less frequently.

Train Times & Schedule

Trains from Camp Tarragona to Barcelona are fairly regular (there’s an average of 31 trains that leave from Tarragona to Barcelona each day), but there are a number of things to be aware of. 

Firstly, the majority of trains into Barcelona are after 12pm, with there often only being 3 trains operating in the morning. So if you are travelling into Barcelona for one day and want to make the most of it, make sure you check the timetables and book your ticket on an early train in advance (you can read more about booking tickets below). 

Secondly, is that Sunday services are even slower in the morning. The first train usually starts at 08:30, but then there isn’t another train for another couple of hours.

Whatever day you are travelling, we would fully recommend getting the earliest train you can so you have more time to spend in Barcelona.

Ticket Prices & Booking Tickets Online

Ticket prices vary massively, with the most expensive being 31,38€, and the cheapest being 7,36€.

The morning trains range from 19,44€ to 25,50€ for an adult ticket. These are some of the most expensive tickets, but we believe those extra hours in Barcelona are really worth it.

You can book your tickets online in advance on Trainline Europe , where your tickets will then be delivered via email. We would strongly recommend doing this to ensure you get a ticket for your desired train, as some of the earlier trains do sell out.

You will also avoid the stress of having to purchase your ticket when you get to the station too.

Arriving At Barcelona Sants Train Station

Both the trains from Camp Tarragona station and Tarragona station arrive in Barcelona Sants train station.

Barcelona Sants is situated in centre of the city, and if you don’t mind a stroll through the bustling streets then you can walk to some of the more famous landmarks.

For those who are visiting for the first time and want to get a good feel for the city, we would strongly recommend getting tickets for the City Sightseeing Hop on Hop off bus tour, which you can use throughout the day to both get around Barcelona and see some sights along the way.

The Hop on Hop off bus stops directly outside Barcelona Sants station, as stop number 5 on the red route , which will take you around Montjuïc and then into Barcelona Port and the coastal area of Barcelona.

Unfortunately this means you have to wait until the last stop if you wish to switch onto the blue route, but both routes are a must see and the benefit of being able to hop on and hop off at your leisure means this is only a minor inconvenience.

If you want to make your own way around Barcelona, then the Sants Estació subway station is just a 3 minute walk away, which can then connect you to the rest of Barcelona.

Driving From Salou To Barcelona

Driving to barcelona from salou.

If you have a rental car whilst on holiday in Salou or other nearby resorts, then you may wish to drive into Barcelona.

The drive from Salou to Barcelona is 107.6km and usually takes around 1 hour & 20 minutes , although it can take a little longer depending on traffic.

Beware of Toll Roads

The quickest route, highlighted above, takes you onto the C-32 road. The C-32 is a Spanish toll road, and the drive from Salou to Barcelona requires you to pay tolls in two different sections of the C-32.

The total cost of tolls from Salou to Barcelona is roughly €12, although this is subject to change from time to time. Both tolls are paid via a toll booth, which offers the option to pay by cash or card.

Some rental companies equip their cars with toll tags which automatically charge the toll to your payment details. We’d advise you to check this with your car rental company before you travel.

Parking Options In Barcelona

You might be surprised by this, but there are actually a number of reasonably priced car parks in central Barcelona. You can also reserve your parking spot if you book ahead, which we would highly recommend as some of the car parks can fill up quickly.

Barcelona Bus Station Car Park (Our Recommended Choice)

The bus station car park has a total of 435 parking spaces and costs 22€ for 24 hours worth of parking. You can book spaces online via Parclick , ensuring you will have a car parking space waiting for you when you get there.

The bus station is located within walking distance of La Sagrada Familia (19 minute walk) and La Ramblas (18 minute walk).

Other Car Parks In Barcelona

B:SM, the official car parking company in Barcelona, have a wide range of parking across the city. We would recommend checking out the map of their car parks , and decide which one is best for you depending on price and what you want to see in Barcelona.

Salou To Barcelona By Bus

You can travel by bus directly to Barcelona from Salou Bus Station.

Travelling by bus into Barcelona from Salou can be slightly cheaper than travelling by train, but the journey does take longer.

However, this is the only public transport option you can catch from central Salou, so the extra journey time may be worth it for the convenience.

Is there a direct coach from Salou to Barcelona ?

Yes, there are regular direct buses from Salou Central Bus Station to Barcelona bus station (Estació de Sants).

How much is the coach from Salou to Barcelona?

The price depends on a number of factors, such as the date & the time of your journey, but prices usually range from 10€ to 18€.

How long does the bus take from Salou to Barcelona?

The direct bus from Salou to Barcelona takes between 2 hours and 2 hours 50 minutes depending on which company you book with.

Arriving In Barcelona

Barcelona has so much to offer, it can seem a little overwhelming at first. But with a bit of prior planning, you can make a note of things to do and ensure to get the most from your time spent in the city.

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Top 10 Day Trips From Salou and the Costa Dorada

The Costa Dorada begins to the west of Sitges on the coast of Catalonia and runs for over 200km as far as the Ebro Delta. Whilst it isn’t as well known as come of the more famous Spanish Costas to the south it still attracts more than 3½ million annual visitors.

Table of Contents

The premier resort of the region is Salou which is a popular destination for family holidays thanks to its golden, sandy beaches and its proximity to one of Europe’s largest theme parks at PortAventura World. There are also a number of smaller resorts along this coastline such as the fishing port of Cambrils and the laid-back developments at Cap Salou and La Pineda.

Getting To Salou

Reus airport lies just 10km north of Salou and serves as the gateway to the Costa Dorada attracting many seasonal charter flights during the summer months. An airport bus operated by Plana Bus runs from the airport to Cambrils, Salou, Port Aventura and La Pineda with stops at numerous hotels, apartments and campsites en route. Taxi and private transfers are also available. The other nearest airport is Barcelona El Prat which lies 100km to the north-east of Salou.

Whilst the golden beaches of the Costa Dorada are the main attraction for holidaymakers, there are a number of unforgettable day trips available. Highlights include a visit to the historic Roman city of Tarragona, a day exploring Barcelona and a leisurely tour of the Catalan countryside with its medieval monasteries.

1. Explore Roman Tarragona

The Via Augusta was part of a network of roads built by the Romans which connected Rome with the Atlantic Ocean. It ran for approximately 1500km from Narbonne (Narbo Martius) in the South of France as far as Cádiz (Gades) passing through Tarragona (Tárraco) on its route. Whilst the origins of Tárraco can be traced back to the 3rd century BC, it was two centuries later when it reached its heyday as the capital of the province of Hispania Citerior.

Today the city is a World Heritage Site which is home to a remarkable selection of Roman remains which are listed by UNESCO as the ‘Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco’. Highlights of the historic centre of Tarragona include the Roman Amphitheatre, Provincial Forum and the Roman Circus. For a fascinating insight into the city’s history, a visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona is highly recommended. Other impressive Roman sites near the city include the Ferreres Aqueduct (10km north) and Scipio’s funerary tower (12km east).

Tarragona lies just 10km north-east of Salou and can be reached on frequent bus services operated by Empresa Plana. There’s also a 10 minute train journey which operates from Port Aventura train station to Tarragona Estació.

2. Spend a Day at PortAventura World

Located just 5km north-east of downtown Salou, PortAventura World is an entertainment resort made up of two themes parks, a water park and five hotels. The complex is centred on PortAventura Park which is divided into six geographically themed areas with a selection of exciting rides for all ages. It is Spain’s most popular theme park with over 3.75 million annual visitors. The newest addition to PortAventura World is Ferrari Land which is another theme park dedicated to the Italian sports car brand. The resort is also home to the impressive Caribe Aquatic Park which has age-appropriate slides for all the family.

Empresa Plana provide regular bus services to PortAventura from Salou and the rest of the Costa Dorada. There’s also a train station in PortAventura World with connections to Tarragona and Barcelona Estació de França. You can book a combined ticket with the Rodalies de Catalunya train operator which includes entrance to PortAventura Park and rail transport from anywhere in Catalonia.

3. Visit Reus – Birthplace of Antoni Gaudí

The majority of tourists visiting the Costa Dorada are only aware of Reus thanks to its airport which serves as the gateway to the region’s holiday resorts. Few visitors realise that this attractive town located just 10km to the north of Salou was the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). The esteemed architect was a Catalan modernist who designed some of Barcelona’s most famous buildings including the Sagrada Família , Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and Park Güell.

There are also some beautiful modernist buildings in Reus which were designed by contemporaries of Gaudí. Most notable of these is Casa Navàs which was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (1850-1923) who was another of the main exponents of Catalan Modernism. His most famous creations include the Hospital de Sant Pau, Palau de la Música Catalana and Casa Fuster in Barcelona.

Visitors to Reus should also visit the Gaudí Centre (Plaça del Mercadal) which is an interactive museum dedicated to the town’s most famous son. You can also pick up a map at the onsite tourist office which shows a walking modernist route through the centre of Reus. There are frequent Empresa Plana buses to Reus from Salou and all along the Costa Dorada.

4. Day Trip from Salou to Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Europe’s great city break destinations which lies just 110km to the north-east of Salou. The rail journey from Salou Port Aventura train station takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Please note that the original train station in Salou was permanently closed in January 2020. There are also public bus services between the Costa Dorada and Barcelona as well as numerous tour agencies who arrange full day excursions.

A day trip from Salou to Barcelona provides just enough time for visitors to see some of Gaudí’s modernist buildings such as the Sagrada Família but isn’t enough time to do justice to this magnificent city. Other popular things to do in Barcelona for day trippers include a tour of FC Barcelona’s Nou Camp Stadium or a visit to Barcelona Zoo . Whilst any of these day trips from Salou can be done by public transport it’s well worth looking at what excursions are available with local tour operators.

5. Visit the Cistercian Monastery of Poblet

Poblet Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near the town of Montblanc, some 50km north of Salou. It was founded in 1151 by Ramon Berenguer IV who bequeathed the property to a community of Cistercian monks. Poblet was one point of a triangle of Cistercian monasteries in the region which also included Vallbona de les Monges and Santes Creus.

Occupation of the monastery by monks continued until 1835 when it was closed and the buildings fell into disrepair until 1940 when work began to restore the property to its current glory. Unless you have your own car, getting to Poblet from Salou can be tricky as it involves catching a bus from Tarragona. Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you book a day trip to Poblet Monastery with a local tour operator.

6. Escape to the Beaches of Cap de Salou

The 1200m long Platja de Llevant is Salou’s main urban beach which runs parallel to the resort’s Jaume I promenade. The beach is very well maintained with excellent facilities and ready access to many bars and restaurants. Naturally it becomes very busy during the summer months so many visitors seek out alternatives which aren’t so crowded. One such place is the lovely Platja dels Capellans which lies just 500m beyond the large rock at the eastern end of Llevant Beach.

For an absolute escape from the resort beaches you should make your way even further east to Cap de Salou which is home to a series of five rocky coves. This area lies approximately 4km from central Salou and is quite hilly so it’s best to go there by local bus or taxi.

7. Discover the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat

Dating back to the 11th century the Monastery of Montserrat is located some 120km north-east of Salou by road. It is best reached on an organised tour from the Costa Dorada or via Barcelona if travelling independently. The site is Catalonia’s most revered religious site which is home to a shrine dedicated to the Black Virgin of Montserrat (La Morenata). For most visitors the highlight of a visit to Montserrat is its stunning location amidst the jagged mountains which reach an altitude of 1,236 metres at Sant Jeroni. Visitors can reach the monastery by road, cable car (Aeri de Montserrat) or on the Montserrat Rack Railway (Cremallera Funicular).

8. Wine Tours from Salou and the Costa Dorada

The autonomous region of Catalonia is home to ten different wine regions including Penedès which is famous for its production of the sparkling white wine known as Cava. Central to the Penedès wine region is the town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia which lies 80km to the north-east of Salou. It can be reached by train from Salou-Port-Aventura station with a change at San Vicente De Calders-Comarru but is best visited by car or on a pre-arranged wine tour.

Other local wine regions of interest include Priorat (DOQ), which lies in the region’s rural interior, and Tarragona (DO) which has produced wines since Roman times although most of its grapes are used by the vineyards of Penedès to produce Cava.

9. Day Trip from Salou to Andorra

A very long day trip which is surprisingly popular from the Costa Dorada is to Andorra which lies 200km north of Salou. The journey through some spectacular countryside takes the best part of three hours which means that most of your excursion is spent on a tour bus. Once in Andorra La Vella, the capital of the principality, you can spend some time wandering around its duty-free shops which are its main attraction.

You can get there from Salou by various combinations of trains and public buses but realistically it’s best to book a day excursion. This allows you to make the most of the limited time available at your destination during this long day trip.

10. Parc Natural del Delta de l’Ebre

Lovers of the great outdoors who feel like getting away from the crowds of the Costa Dorada should take a trip to the Parque Natural del Delta del Ebro. The wetlands surround the town of Deltebre which lies 85km south-west of Salou by road, or you could catch a bus or train to Amposta then take a taxi into the park. The Ebro Delta is one of Spain’s premier sites for birdwatchers which can be explored on foot, by bike or even on horseback.

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Journey details

Travelling by train from salou to barcelona.

Ready to travel up the Spanish coast from Salou to Barcelona ? Take a high-speed AVE train and arrive in Barcelona in just over an hour on the fastest services. While you might be tempted to order a sangria upon arrival, the local drink of choice is Cava – produced just 50 miles away in the Penedès region. Hop on a train and you'll be sipping Cava in a quiet Catalonian bar before you know it!

Arriving into Barcelona Sants , you’ll have the city at your fingertips. Gaudi’s iconic cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is less than 20 minutes away on the metro. Football fans simply must pay a visit to the Camp Nou. Alternatively, head to the Gothic Quarter to explore its bars and restaurants. Ready to head to Barcelona? Take a look at the information we’ve provided below, including train times, ticket prices and FAQs.

Salou to Barcelona by train

Cheap train tickets from salou to barcelona, book in advance.

Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Salou to Barcelona by booking early. §

Be flexible with your travel times

Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.

Choose a slower or connecting train

On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!

Look out for special deals

Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.

For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.

Learn more about European train travel

European train deals, first vs second class on european trains, high-speed trains in europe, night trains in europe, want to know more about your journey from salou to barcelona we've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey., how long does the train from salou to barcelona take.

The average journey time by train between Salou and Barcelona is 12 hours and 53 minutes, with around 6 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Salou and Barcelona by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Salou to Barcelona is 8 hours and 53 minutes.

Is there a direct train from Salou to Barcelona?

No, there are no direct train services from Salou to Barcelona. Travelling from Salou to Barcelona by train will require a minimum of 1 change.

What time does the first train from Salou to Barcelona leave?

The first train from Salou to Barcelona leaves at 07:31. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Salou to Barcelona leave?

The last train from Salou to Barcelona leaves at 21:15. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Salou and Barcelona by train?

Trains travelling from Salou to Barcelona cover a distance of around 58 miles (94 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Barcelona to Salou .

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