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Travel from Bilbao to Tarragona by train in 11 hours 17 minutes
If you want to know more about the journey from Bilbao to Tarragona by train, look no further!
The average journey time from Bilbao to Tarragona by train is 12 hours 57 minutes, although on the fastest services it can take just 11 hours 17 minutes. Around 4 trains per day travel the 260 miles (419 km) between these two destinations. You'll need to make 1 change along the way to Tarragona. Jump on one of Renfe's high-speed or regional trains to Tarragona and you'll be there in no time. Connecting major destinations in Spain, Renfe offers comfortable seating and air-conditioning on all their trains as standard.
Book train tickets from Bilbao to Tarragona in advance instead of buying them on the day and they can start from £42.86. We'll always highlight the cheapest prices when you search in our Journey Planner.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.
Bilbao to Tarragona by train
It takes an average of 12h 57m to travel from Bilbao to Tarragona by train, over a distance of around 260 miles (419 km). There are normally 4 trains per day travelling from Bilbao to Tarragona and tickets for this journey start from £42.86 when you book in advance.
FAQs about the train journey from Bilbao to Tarragona
Want to know more about your journey from Bilbao to Tarragona? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
Can you take a train directly from Bilbao to Tarragona?
How close is Bilbao to Tarragona by train?
Which train companies operate from Bilbao to Tarragona?
Is it possible to get from Bilbao to Tarragona without flying?
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What time does the first train from Bilbao to Tarragona leave?
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Do you need to book the train from Bilbao to Tarragona in advance?
Can you buy return train tickets from Bilbao to Tarragona?
Renfe and Alvia trains from Bilbao to Tarragona
Renfe
Alvia
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
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Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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Alvia classes from Bilbao to Tarragona
Compare the different travel classes offered by Alvia when travelling from Bilbao to Tarragona.
Estándar
Travel in Alvia's Estándar Class (Standard Class) and you'll enjoy many amenities, including air-conditioning, at-seat power sockets and footrests.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Confort
Upgrade to Alvia's Confort Class (First Class) and enjoy comfier seats, more legroom, an at-seat catering service and access to Renfe's Club lounges.
- Luggage storage
- Fold-down table
- Adjustable seats/footrests
- More legroom
Onboard services on Alvia
Discover more about the onboard services offered on trains from Bilbao to Tarragona.
On Alvia trains you can take up to three pieces of luggage on board, provided that they are less than 290cm long and weigh less than 25kg in total. Pushchairs and instruments smaller than 30 x 120 x 38 cm are also classed as hand luggage.
Most Alvia trains have an onboard café-bar, as well as an at-seat trolley service with a wide selection of food and drinks.
On board Alvia services, you can connect to PlayRenfe, a platform offering free WiFi and hours of entertainment.
Children under 4 travel free on Alvia services with a free child's ticket. Plus, passengers under 14 get a 40% discount on their chosen tariff.
With Alvia, folded bicycles that are less than 180cm long and are stored in a case count as hand luggage. If your bike is larger than this, it will count as special luggage and must be no larger than 120 x 90 x 40 cm - you must also detach the pedals and rotate the handlebars 90 degrees.
You can take your pet with you if they weigh less than 10kg, travel in a carrier no larger than 60 x 35 x 35 cm, and have a pet ticket. In Elige Confort a pet ticket is free, while in Básico a pet ticket costs 25% of the price of a ticket.
Alvia has an assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility or a disability. To arrange assistance, you can call (+34) 900 400 555 (international calling charges may apply).
Cheap train tickets from Bilbao to Tarragona
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 Bilbao to Tarragona 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.