PortAventura is not only the most popular theme park in Spain, but one of the most popular theme parks in Europe, attracting more than 4 million visitors each year! Located in Salou (in the south of Catalonia) this exciting theme park provides a fun day out for the entire family, with a combination of exhilarating attractions for thrill seekers, and family friendly rides that the little ones will love.
Did you know, PortAventura is just a short journey from Barcelona? So, if you’re staying in Barcelona and are looking for an action-packed day out, we've put together this handy guide for how to get there... and make sure you book your PortAventura tickets in advance to save money on the gate price.
Key takeaways:
- PortAventura has its own train station, right by the park entrance, making the train one of the easiest and best value ways to get there from Barcelona
- Direct trains from Barcelona Sants take around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
- Bus Plana runs frequent direct coaches from Barcelona Airport straight to the PortAventura hotels
- Driving takes around 1 hour 25 minutes via the AP-7, which has been toll-free on this stretch since September 2021
Getting there by train
Did you know that PortAventura has its own train station? That makes travelling to PortAventura from Barcelona by train a cheap and easy option.
Direct trains run from Barcelona Sants station several times a day, taking around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, straight to the Salou - PortAventura station right by the park entrance. There are also indirect options changing at Tarragona if a direct service doesn't suit your timings.
Timetables shift a little between peak and off-peak season, so it's worth checking live times on the Rodalies website a few days before you travel.
Travelling to PortAventura by train is a great value option, with single tickets typically starting from around €9, rising to €20 or so for faster, high-speed AVE services. Booking a few weeks ahead usually gets you the cheapest fares, so check departure times in advance to make sure you're ready for your journey.
Getting there by bus
If you're flying into Barcelona, Bus Plana operates a frequent, direct coach service from Barcelona Airport (Terminals 1 and 2) straight to the PortAventura hotel resorts, running dozens of times a day. It's a great option if you'd rather not navigate a train change, and drops you within easy walking distance of the park gates.
Bus schedules and journey times vary by season, with more services running in the summer months, so it's best to check the Bus Plana website or your booking confirmation for the exact timetable on your travel date.
Getting there by taxi
While a taxi might seem like the most hassle-free option, the cost of travelling an hour outside of the city is of course very expensive. If you were to book a taxi or rideshare (such as FreeNow or Cabify) to take you from Barcelona to PortAventura, you'd be looking at a fare of around €150-180!
If you don't feel too confident having to make changes on public transport, a cheaper option could be to use a taxi for part of your journey. If you take the train to Tarragona, you won't have to change and you can easily get a taxi to take you to PortAventura park for around €20-30. If you're splitting the fare between a group, then you'll pay even less and be taken right to the gates!
Getting there by car
If you're planning on doing some serious sightseeing during your holiday, you might choose to hire a car. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and the opportunity to venture further than you might've done if you were relying on public transport.
If you're visiting with the whole family, PortAventura is the perfect day out and travelling by car means you can fit everyone in and travel in comfort. You'll also have room to pack everything you need, like sun cream and snacks.
The journey time will of course depend on the traffic, but typically takes around 1 hour 25 minutes from Barcelona city centre. You'll travel along the AP-7 highway to get to the park and there's even a specific exit for PortAventura, so you won't miss it!
The Barcelona-Tarragona stretch of the AP-7 has been toll-free since September 2021, so you won't need to budget for tolls on this main route, though some alternative routes through central Barcelona, such as the Vallvidrera tunnels, do still charge a toll, so it's worth checking your route beforehand.
Comparing your options
| Method | Journey time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Rodalies R17) | 1h 15m - 1h 30m | €9 - €10 single | Best overall value for city-centre travelers |
| Bus (Bus Plana) | 1h 40m - 2h 10m | €15 - €23 one-way | Direct connections from Barcelona Airport |
| Taxi / rideshare | 1h 10m - 1h 25m | €150 - €180 total (vehicle fare) | Door-to-door convenience / small groups |
| Taxi via Tarragona | 1h train + 15m taxi | €10-15 train + €20-30 taxi | Convenience without the high taxi cost |
| Car rental | ~1h 25m (traffic dependent) | Fuel + ~€15-20/day park parking | Families, groups, staying overnight |
Start planning your PortAventura trip
However you choose to travel, PortAventura World makes for an unforgettable day trip from Barcelona. Browse our PortAventura World tickets for access to PortAventura, Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park, and lock in your gate price before you go!
