Barcelona airport to Tarragona by train.
May 5th, 2011, 12:08 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Barcelona airport to Tarragona by train.
I'm trying to decide if we should take the train or a taxi from the Barcelona airport so that we can catch a regional train to Tarragona after arrival from our transatlantic flight.
I think there is a regional express that leaves once every hour for Tarragona from stations Sants and/or Franca. Is one of these stations easier to maneuver with a small amount of luggage than the other? My husband and I will each have a rolling suitcase, his 24" and mine 22", Ron will have a messenger bag and I'll have my Rick Steves convertible backpack/carryon.
Because we have luggage would you recommend we take a taxi from the airport directly to one of the train stations or is it easy enough to take the airport RENFE train to the regional train? I know there is an airport bus but I don't think it stops at the train station. We will be arriving to Barcelona on Tuesday morning if that makes any difference in your recommendation. Thank you for any advice, Deborah
I think there is a regional express that leaves once every hour for Tarragona from stations Sants and/or Franca. Is one of these stations easier to maneuver with a small amount of luggage than the other? My husband and I will each have a rolling suitcase, his 24" and mine 22", Ron will have a messenger bag and I'll have my Rick Steves convertible backpack/carryon.
Because we have luggage would you recommend we take a taxi from the airport directly to one of the train stations or is it easy enough to take the airport RENFE train to the regional train? I know there is an airport bus but I don't think it stops at the train station. We will be arriving to Barcelona on Tuesday morning if that makes any difference in your recommendation. Thank you for any advice, Deborah
May 5th, 2011, 01:10 PM
#3
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sants is a modern underground railway station and easy to handle. Escalators and elevators connect each platform with the main hall.
Franca is on the other side of town, and not an option when coming from El Prat airport.
This website explains the transfer procedure:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...tarragona.html
But I have not yet found the direct coach from the airport to Tarragona on the website of the ALSA bus company.
Franca is on the other side of town, and not an option when coming from El Prat airport.
This website explains the transfer procedure:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...tarragona.html
But I have not yet found the direct coach from the airport to Tarragona on the website of the ALSA bus company.
May 5th, 2011, 01:52 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
cowboy, if you find any information about a bus from the Barcelona airport to Tarragona I certainly would appreciate it. I will be searching for this bus route also. We leave on Monday for Barcelona so I'm trying to get my plans in place for a smooth travel day. A direct route from airport to Tarragona would be very convenient. Thanks for any further information.
danon, I agree, if we are at all tired then the taxi would be best. When it's offered, I try to use mass transportation as much as possible. Thanks, Deborah
danon, I agree, if we are at all tired then the taxi would be best. When it's offered, I try to use mass transportation as much as possible. Thanks, Deborah
May 5th, 2011, 02:15 PM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't get the alsa site to bring it up either but it is on the airport guide site, (assuming it is correct).
There is also another company that is called www.monbus.catthat also goes to tarragona making stops along the coast. Could be nice also.
Once you arrive at the airport, one or the other will be available I am sure, just find information and book yourself on the next bus. I wouldn't buy a ticket now case your flight is late.
http://www.spanishairportguide.com/e.../autobuses.php
There is also another company that is called www.monbus.catthat also goes to tarragona making stops along the coast. Could be nice also.
Once you arrive at the airport, one or the other will be available I am sure, just find information and book yourself on the next bus. I wouldn't buy a ticket now case your flight is late.
http://www.spanishairportguide.com/e.../autobuses.php
May 5th, 2011, 02:24 PM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.monbus.cat that....
May 5th, 2011, 05:03 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lin, it looks like the bus service Empresa plana has a route that goes from the airport in Barcelona to downtown Tarragona.
http://www.autocarsplana.com/ I think there is a bus at 10:20 am. Our flight comes in at 8:30 am from the US so we should be able to take this bus to Tarragona. I can't find a ticket price however, nor where the pick up location is at the airport. Hopefully the information desk at the airport will know about this bus service.
lin, I also want to thank you for information you gave me back in January when my niece was trying to find a rental for her study abroad program in Barcelona. She has been there these past 5 months and has loved her time in the city. She leaves the end of this month and I know her stay exceeded her expectations. Deborah
http://www.autocarsplana.com/ I think there is a bus at 10:20 am. Our flight comes in at 8:30 am from the US so we should be able to take this bus to Tarragona. I can't find a ticket price however, nor where the pick up location is at the airport. Hopefully the information desk at the airport will know about this bus service.
lin, I also want to thank you for information you gave me back in January when my niece was trying to find a rental for her study abroad program in Barcelona. She has been there these past 5 months and has loved her time in the city. She leaves the end of this month and I know her stay exceeded her expectations. Deborah
May 5th, 2011, 07:48 PM
#8
It's not difficult to take the airport train to Barcelona Sants and switch trains for Tarragona.
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cer...ona/index.html
If the bus times for the airport/Tarragona work for you, that would be easiest. The price is 14.95€ (it's on the website you linked). With the bus, you can just store your luggage underneath and not have to worry about it. The pick up is at T1 (also on your link). It says there are shuttles between the terminals to get you to the bus connection. The bus hub in Tarragona is not far from the center (you can walk).
http://www.renfe.com/EN/viajeros/cer...ona/index.html
If the bus times for the airport/Tarragona work for you, that would be easiest. The price is 14.95€ (it's on the website you linked). With the bus, you can just store your luggage underneath and not have to worry about it. The pick up is at T1 (also on your link). It says there are shuttles between the terminals to get you to the bus connection. The bus hub in Tarragona is not far from the center (you can walk).
May 6th, 2011, 12:32 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ky--thanks, I was having problems finding the info I needed on that website. On that bus website could you see where you buy tickets at the airport? I tried buying them online through the site but it didn't work for me. This seems the most convenient way to Tarragona for us as our plane is scheduled to arrive at 8:30 am and the first bus to Tarragona is at 10:20am. Thanks again, Deborah
May 6th, 2011, 12:43 AM
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you're welcome, DeborahAnn. I'm sure between one bus and another you will get to tarragona fairly effortlessly.
I just found on the airport page that there are machines that sell the tickets in terminal B.(This may be old information as I am not familiar with the new terminal names/numbers). But if there was a machine before, there will at least be a machine now. Good luck!
I just found on the airport page that there are machines that sell the tickets in terminal B.(This may be old information as I am not familiar with the new terminal names/numbers). But if there was a machine before, there will at least be a machine now. Good luck!
May 6th, 2011, 01:49 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't worry about the tickets. You buy them on the bus.
At least it says so in this leaflet:
http://www.busplana.com/cat/item/res...2010_agost.pdf
If you arrive at Terminal 1 (which is the NEW one), it's easy to find:
Arrivals & baggage claim is on Level 1.
After walking thru customs, you need to go one level down to Level 0.
Follow signs for "Autobuses interurbanos" to the platforms of the Plana bus.
In case you have time to kill, there are a handful of cafes and convenience shops after you went thru customs on Level 1.
If you arrive at (old) Terminal 2, follow signs for "Transit Bus T1-T2". That (free) inter-terminal shuttle has two stops at Terminal 1. You want to get off at Arrivals stop (or "Arribades/Llegadas") which will be on same Level 0 as where your Plana bus to Tarragona will depart. If you get off at the wrong stop (Departures/ Sortidas/ Salidas), it does not matter. Just take the elevator inside the terminal building down to Level 0.
As that bus to Tarragona will terminate not until it has reached the town of Reus, the display may only show the name of the terminus. When in doubt, just ask the driver.
At least it says so in this leaflet:
http://www.busplana.com/cat/item/res...2010_agost.pdf
If you arrive at Terminal 1 (which is the NEW one), it's easy to find:
Arrivals & baggage claim is on Level 1.
After walking thru customs, you need to go one level down to Level 0.
Follow signs for "Autobuses interurbanos" to the platforms of the Plana bus.
In case you have time to kill, there are a handful of cafes and convenience shops after you went thru customs on Level 1.
If you arrive at (old) Terminal 2, follow signs for "Transit Bus T1-T2". That (free) inter-terminal shuttle has two stops at Terminal 1. You want to get off at Arrivals stop (or "Arribades/Llegadas") which will be on same Level 0 as where your Plana bus to Tarragona will depart. If you get off at the wrong stop (Departures/ Sortidas/ Salidas), it does not matter. Just take the elevator inside the terminal building down to Level 0.
As that bus to Tarragona will terminate not until it has reached the town of Reus, the display may only show the name of the terminus. When in doubt, just ask the driver.
May 6th, 2011, 04:01 AM
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for this helpful information. Now I'm confident I can find the Empresa Plana bus, buy a ticket for our journey and arrive with in central Tarragona, great detail provided by cowboy!! If all of that fails, we will take the train or taxi into Barcelona then on to Tarragona. Thanks again, Deborah
Oct 1st, 2011, 01:47 AM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
check this website: www.barcelonamaps.info there is some usefull information and maps of Barcelona.
