- Must visit
Museu Nacional Arqueològic de Tarragona
Main archaeology museum for Roman Tarragona, displaying sculptures, mosaics and finds that give context to the city's ancient monuments.
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Madrid to Tarragona
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 31 Aug
Cheapest price on 31 Aug
£24
Average ticket price on 31 Aug
£33
Fastest journey on 31 Aug
5 h 40 m
Average journey duration on 31 Aug
6 h 2 m
Buses on 31 Aug
5
Distance
424 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Madrid to Tarragona is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Madrid to Tarragona will cost around £33 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £24.
Fast coaches
On Mon 31 Aug, we found 5 buses from Madrid to Tarragona, including 5 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 424 km distance in an average of 6 h 2 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 6 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
15:006h50Madrid21:50Tarragona£241One-way0 changes- 18:305h50Madrid0:20Tarragona£301One-way0 changes
- 14:006h00Madrid20:00Tarragona£311One-way0 changes
- 7:005h40Madrid12:40Tarragona£341One-way0 changes
- 11:005h50Madrid16:50Tarragona£471One-way0 changes
- 7:005h40Madrid12:40Tarragona£341One-way0 changes
- 18:305h50Madrid0:20Tarragona£301One-way0 changes
- 11:005h50Madrid16:50Tarragona£471One-way0 changes
- 14:006h00Madrid20:00Tarragona£311One-way0 changes
- 15:006h50Madrid21:50Tarragona£241One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach, train and flight for Madrid to Tarragona
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Madrid to Tarragona among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of £40 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 42m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £40, while a flight costs an average of £86.
Distance: 424 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£47 Average Price | £40 Average Price Cheapest | £86 Average Price |
6h 12m Average total duration 5h 42m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 21m Average total duration 3h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 42m Average total duration Fastest 1h 42m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.5kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Madrid to Tarragona bus times
The table below shows live departures for Madrid to Tarragona coaches for tomorrow, Monday 31 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 Madrid | 5h40 | 12:40 Tarragona | 0 changesdirect | |
| 11:00 Madrid | 5h50 | 16:50 Tarragona | 0 changesdirect | |
| 14:00 Madrid | 6h00 | 20:00 Tarragona | 0 changesdirect | |
| 15:00 Madrid | 6h50 | 21:50 Tarragona | 0 changesdirect | |
| 18:30 Madrid | 5h50 | 0:20 Tarragona | 0 changesdirect |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Madrid to Tarragona by coach, train or flight
Compare coach, train and flight 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.
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Why should you book Madrid to Tarragona coaches with Omio?
Alsa as well as Hife offer coaches services from Madrid to Tarragona.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Madrid to Tarragona.
Why book with Omio vs Alsa?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Alsa, but also compare tickets for the likes of Hife to find the best option for your trip from Madrid to Tarragona.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Alsa with all available travel options, which are bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Madrid to Tarragona.
Why book with Omio over Checkmybus, Rome2rio or Busbud?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can also compare tickets for the likes of Hife to find the best option for your trip from Madrid to Tarragona.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Madrid to Tarragona.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Madrid to Tarragona
SpainSpain
Buses from Madrid to Tarragona run on average 5 times per day, taking around 5h 42m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £44 but you can travel from only £10 by train.
There are 5 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:14, the last at 23:15. The fastest coach covers the 424 km distance in 6h 45m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £10
Distance 424 km |
Average bus duration 5h 42m |
Cheapest ticket price £44 |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 5 |
Fastest bus 6h 45m |
First bus 0:14 |
Last bus 23:15 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 56 days |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £10
Bus providers: BlaBlaCar, Alsa, Hife from Madrid to TarragonaYou can travel by bus between Madrid to Tarragona with BlaBlaCar, Alsa, Hife for as low as £10. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
Alsa
About
Alsa is the main provider of bus travel in Spain and a subsidiary of the UK’s National Express. It operates an extensive network of regional, national, and international routes, transporting more than 300 million passengers annually. Alsa’s modern fleet offers varying levels of comfort and amenities. The standard Alsa Normal buses include free Wi-Fi, onboard bathrooms, footrests, and entertainment. For a more premium experience, Alsa Supra, Alsa Eurobus, and Alsa Premium services provide enhanced comfort and luxury features.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Alsa Duration
6h 35m
Cheapest Alsa Price
£42
Alsa frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a partial refund. Changes allowed for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Accessible seating.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for an additional fee; must be packed.
Pets
Small pets allowed in carriers; larger pets must travel in the hold.
Hife
About
Hife is a Spanish bus company that has been operating bus routes since 1915, with a strong presence in regions like Catalonia and Valencia. They offer a variety of services including regular intercity and urban bus lines, school transport, and bus rentals for events. Hife emphasizes reliability, punctuality, and customer satisfaction, maintaining a high standard of vehicle fleet maintenance. Popular destinations include cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, and Salou. Many of their newer buses offer amenities like Wi-Fi, and they provide options for mobile tickets on some routes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Hife Duration
6h 45m
Cheapest Hife Price
£44
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
Additional luggage
15€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. No refunds for cancellations within 24 hours.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Accessible seating.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed; reservation required.
Pets
Small pets allowed in carriers; guide dogs travel for free.
BlaBlaCar
About
BlaBlaCar is a French online marketplace for carpooling, connecting drivers with empty seats and passengers traveling to the same destination to share costs. Founded in 2006, it operates in Europe and Latin America, boasting 26 million active members. The platform also includes BlaBlaCar Bus, an intercity bus service. BlaBlaCar's name comes from its rating system for drivers' chattiness: \Bla\" for quiet, \"BlaBla\" for talkative, and \"BlaBlaBla\" for very chatty. The company aims to be the leading marketplace for shared travel, offering affordable and sustainable solutions by combining carpooling with bus journeys."
Luggage & cancellation policy
BlaBlaCar frequency
4 a day
Complete guide to Tarragona
Things to do in Tarragona
Discover the best of Tarragona — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Tarragona trip today.
- Recommended
Museu Diocesà de Tarragona
Art museum in a historic building with Gothic and modern collections, religious works and temporary exhibitions in the old quarter.
Casa Castellarnau
Local history museum with Roman remains under the square and exhibits on Tarragona's urban development across different periods.
- Must visit
Balcó del Mediterrani
Seafront promenade lined with palms and balconies, popular for walks, sea views and easy access to the historic centre.
- Must visit
Rambla Nova
Broad pedestrian avenue between the station area and old town, known for shops, civic buildings and everyday city life.
- Must visit
Part Alta
Historic upper town of narrow lanes, small squares and stone façades, ideal for wandering between cathedral and Roman remains.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Romesco
Romesco is Tarragona’s signature sauce of roasted peppers, tomatoes, almonds and olive oil, traditionally served with fish, calçots or seafood.
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
Calçots
Calçots are sweet spring onions charred over flames and dipped in romesco. They are central to winter calçotades across Tarragona province.
- Gluten-free
Xató
Xató is a Catalan salad of escarole, salt cod, tuna, anchovies and olives with a nutty romesco-style dressing, popular along this coast.
Restaurant Xaloc
Established harbour-side dining room specialising in Mediterranean seafood, paellas and market fish with a refined but relaxed atmosphere.
El Pòsit del Serrallo
Well-known seafood restaurant in El Serrallo, popular for rice dishes, shellfish and classic coastal cooking in a polished setting.
Les Coques
Traditional tavern-style venue in the old town known for vermouth, tapas and Catalan small plates in a lively historic setting.
Euro (€)
Moderate for Spain: dining and local transport are reasonable, while summer accommodation near the coast can raise overall trip costs versus smaller inland cities.
Average meal costs
- Budget
- €8-12 for fast food or a simple set meal.
- Mid-range
- €20-35 per person for a mid-range meal.
- Fine dining
- €60+ per person for upscale dining.
- Coffee
- €1.50-3 for a coffee.
Tipping culture
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, round up or leave 5-10% for very good service. In cafés, small change is enough. For taxis, round up the fare rather than tipping heavily.
FAQs: Madrid to Tarragona coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Madrid to Tarragona by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Tarragona, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from Madrid to Tarragona can start from as little as £44 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Madrid to Tarragona is £47; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Madrid to Tarragona is 6h 45m to travel the 424 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Madrid to Tarragona leaves at 0:14. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Madrid to Tarragona leaves at 23:15.
Yes, there are 5 direct coaches a day from Madrid to Tarragona with BlaBlaCar, Alsa. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct coaches.
When taking a coach from Madrid to Tarragona, you can count on BlaBlaCar, Alsa, Hife for the best way to get you to Tarragona. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Madrid and Tarragona and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Tarragona from Madrid is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 6h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Madrid to Tarragona is August.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 3 ways to travel between Madrid and Tarragona including taking a coach, train and flight.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Madrid to Tarragona:
- Hife
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating.
- Alsa
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Accessible seating.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Madrid to Tarragona for coach company Alsa, Hife.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Madrid to Tarragona depends on the coach companies:
- Hife
- You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. No refunds for cancellations within 24 hours.
- Alsa
- You can cancel your ticket up to 48 hours before departure for a partial refund. Changes allowed for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company Alsa, Hife.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Madrid to Tarragona.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Madrid to Tarragona:
- Hife
- One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
- Alsa
- One carry-on bag up to 10kg and one checked bag up to 25kg.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Madrid to Tarragona:
- Hife
- 15€ per additional bag.
- Alsa
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the coach from Madrid to Tarragona. The following conditions apply:
- Hife
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- guide dogs travel for free.
- Alsa
- Small pets allowed in carriers
- larger pets must travel in the hold.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Madrid to Tarragona with the following coach company: Alsa, Hife
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Madrid to Tarragona with the following coach company: Alsa, Hife.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Madrid to Tarragona with the following coach company: Alsa, Hife.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Madrid and Tarragona
Most Madrid to Tarragona buses use the Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) to Tarragona station pair. Use this guide to compare Madrid and Tarragona bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Departure bus stations in Madrid
Arrival bus stations in Tarragona
Which Madrid station do buses to Tarragona leave from?
Buses from Madrid to Tarragona leave from Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid). The station is 13 km from Madrid city centre at Av. de la Hispanidad, s/n, 28042 Madrid, Spain.
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid)Av. de la Hispanidad, s/n, 28042 Madrid, Spain
City-centre transport
Getting to Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) from Madrid city centre
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) is 12 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
Bus203, N27 · 1h 2m · £8 · every ~45 min
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) bus station facilities and services
Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid) has practical services for this route, including Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Rodilla, Mahoudrid
Wi-Fi and ATMs
ATMs are aTMs located throughout T4, major cards accepted .
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid).
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Terminal de autobuses T4 (Aeropuerto de Madrid): Step-free access, elevators, accessible toilets.
Madrid, Avenida de AméricaAvenida de America, 9, 28002 Madrid, Spain
City-centre transport
Getting to Madrid, Avenida de América from Madrid city centre
Madrid, Avenida de América is 3 km from Madrid city centre. Public transport options include:
TrainC3, C4, C4a, C4b · 11m · £2 · every ~15 min
BusN4 · 8m · £0.89 · every ~11 min
52 · 25m · £2 · every ~30 min
Subway4 · 8m · £2 · every ~26 min
6 · 36m · £2 · every ~48 min
Madrid, Avenida de América bus station facilities and services
Madrid, Avenida de América has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food and drink
Food options include: Cafetería de la estación (in the station), Restaurante El Rincón (0.5 km), La Vaca Argentina (0.7 km).
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the main entrance and on the second floor.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Madrid, Avenida de América.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Madrid, Avenida de América: Elevators, ramps.
Tarragona
City-centre transport
Getting to Tarragona from Tarragona city centre
TrainR14, R16, R17, R15 · 1h 20m · £12
Avn, Eur, Alv, Ic, 9725 · 1h 21m · £16 · every ~2 min
Re, Ic · 1h 22m · £11
Bus2h 2m · £22 · every ~2 min
Vilanova-Tarragona · 2h 46m · £12 · every ~2 min
Most popular bus connections from Madrid
More options for your journey from Madrid to Tarragona
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Tarragona and Madrid
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