How to Get from Barcelona Airport to Tarragona (2026 Guide)

Short answer: Tarragona has no airport of its own, and Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is the main international gateway for the city. The cheapest direct option is the Empresa Plana bus from T1 and T2 to Tarragona bus station, at €15.95 one way or €28.95 return (as of November 2026). By train you need a change: R2 Nord from T2 to Barcelona Sants, then a regional train on lines R14, R16 or R17. A taxi is direct but metered. For families, groups, cruise passengers or late flights, a pre-booked private transfer takes you to your door at a fixed price.

Last reviewed: 2 November 2026. Timetables and fares change, so check with the operator before you travel.

Barcelona Airport to Tarragona: options compared

Times depend on traffic on the AP-7 / C-32 and on connections.

1. Bus: Empresa Plana (direct)

Empresa Plana (BusPlana) runs the direct line between Barcelona, the airport and Tarragona.

• Where: at T1, lower level, interurban bus platforms; at T2, the interurban stop between T2B and T2C.
• Arrival: Tarragona bus station, on Plaça Imperial Tàrraco.
• Fare: €15.95 one way, €28.95 return, according to the BusPlana transfers page.
• Timetable: the PDF we found was valid from 1 May to 1 November 2026. The winter timetable had not been checked when we wrote this guide, so look up the current one on busplana.com before you fly. Note that some Plana express services run between Barcelona city and Tarragona without stopping at the airport.
• Accessibility: for wheelchair-adapted services, Plana asks you to call 24 hours in advance.

Pros: direct and good value. Cons: a fixed timetable, and the bus stops at the bus station, not at your hotel.

2. Train via Barcelona Sants

The airport station is in front of Terminal 2. From T1, take the free shuttle bus between terminals.

1. Take the R2 Nord from the airport to Barcelona Sants.
2. At Sants, change to a regional train to Tarragona on lines R14, R16 or R17, which stop at Tarragona's central station near the seafront.

Pros: frequent departures, no road traffic. Cons: a change with luggage at a large, busy station, two tickets to buy, and occasional Rodalies disruptions. Check rodalies.gencat.cat and renfe.com on the day.

3. High-speed train to Camp de Tarragona

High-speed trains from Barcelona stop at Camp de Tarragona station, which is outside the city. From there you need a bus or taxi into Tarragona. Combined with the trip from the airport to the high-speed station in Barcelona, this rarely saves time over the bus or a direct car, and it means more changes.

4. Taxi

Licensed black-and-yellow taxis wait outside T1 and T2. Aena does not publish a fare to Tarragona and the trip is metered, so ask for the price before you set off and confirm tolls and supplements.

5. Private transfer (pre-booked, fixed price)

A private transfer means a driver waiting at arrivals with your name and a direct ride to your hotel or apartment in Tarragona, whether in the old town, near the Rambla Nova or by the beaches, with no change at Sants and no timetable to match.

With ANDY:

• Fixed price, booked in advance: you see the full price before paying.
• Flight tracking included: if your flight is delayed, the driver adjusts.
• Free cancellation up to 24h before pickup.
• Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot.

For a family or a group, one vehicle can replace several bus or train tickets plus a taxi from the station.

→ Get an instant fixed price: Barcelona Airport to Tarragona

Starting from the city? See the Barcelona to Tarragona transfer. Going back? Tarragona to Barcelona.

Which option should you choose?

• Daytime flight, light luggage, budget: the direct Plana bus, if the timetable matches.
• Flexible timing, happy to change: the train via Barcelona Sants.
• Late arrival, family, group or lots of luggage: a pre-booked private transfer.
• Staying in Salou, Cambrils or PortAventura instead? See our guides Barcelona Airport to Salou and Barcelona Airport to PortAventura World.

Practical tips

• Reus Airport is closer to Tarragona but has far fewer flights, many of them seasonal. Check both airports when you book.
• Cruise passengers: Tarragona also has a cruise port. If you are flying into Barcelona to board a ship there, give your ship and sailing time when you book a transfer.
• Check your terminal: the Plana bus stops at both T1 and T2; the train leaves from T2 only.
• Flying home: for an early flight, the first buses and trains may be too late. Book your ride back in advance.