Our guide on how to get from Barcelona to Portaventura. Find the best options to travel to this incredible theme park, and yes, it can be done in one day.
Adrenalin fans visiting Barcelona might be surprised to know that one of Europe’s largest theme parks is just over one hour from Barcelona. Portaventura World has been expanding for many years and now includes Portaventura, Ferrari Land and Costa Caribe water park. It also has SesamoAventura based on Sesame Street that will keep the younger members of the family happy for a good few hours at least! Portaventura can be visited for a day, or you can stay at the resort, booking in to one of the many hotels. In this post, we will focus on how to get from Barcelona to Portaventura by all available transport options.
Portaventura is one of the most popular theme parks in Spain, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is located on the Costa Daurada, about 100 km south of Barcelona. If you are planning to visit Portaventura from Barcelona, you have several travel options to choose from, depending on your budget, time and preferences. You will be able to find the best travel option from Barcelona to Portaventura by reading on.
How to get from Barcelona to Portaventura
You can view below some of the best ways to get from Barcelona to Portaventura in the table below.
| Option | Time | Cost |
| Bus | 1h 30m | €10 – €15 |
| Train AVE | 40m | €10 – €14 |
| Car Share | 1h 58m | €5 – €11 |
| Drive | 1h 14m | €18 – €27 |
Traveling from Barcelona to Portaventura by car
One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get to Portaventura from Barcelona is by car. You can either use your own car or rent one from a car hire company. You can collect hire cars from Barcelona Sants train station or the Airport. There are also car hire offices in and around Barcelona.
The driving distance from Barcelona to Portaventura is about 110 km and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the traffic and the route you take. There are two main routes you can follow: the C-32 and E-15 motorways, or the E-90 and E-15 motorways. The C-32 and E-15 route is shorter and faster, and E-90 and E-15 route is longer and slower.
The pros of travelling by car are:
- You have more flexibility and control over your schedule and itinerary.
- Enjoy the scenic views of the coast, towns and the countryside along the way.
- Stop and visit other nearby attractions, such as Tarragona, Reus, Salou or Cambrils.
The cons of travelling by car are:
- You need to pay for the fuel, find parking and pay car rental fees, which can add up to a significant cost.
- It is possible you may get stuck in the traffic, especially during peak hours and holidays.
- There is always a challenge to find a suitable parking spot near Portaventura, or you will need to pay for on site parking.
Take the train from Barcelona to Portaventura
Another option to get to Portaventura from Barcelona is by train. There are two types of trains you can take: the high-speed (AVE) and long-distance trains, or the regional (Rodalies) trains. Both types of trains stop at the Portaventura station, which is within walking distance from the park entrance.
The high-speed and long-distance trains depart from the Barcelona Sants station and arrive at the Camp de Tarragona station, which is about 20 km away from Portaventura. From there, you can take a bus, a taxi, a transfer service or a car hire to reach Portaventura. The bus service is operated by the company Plana and runs every 30 minutes. The taxi rank is located outside the station and the transfer service can be booked on the Portaventura website. The car hire option is the same as the one mentioned above. The train journey takes about 40 minutes and the ticket price ranges from 10 to 14 euros, depending on the type of train and the time of booking. You can check the timetables and buy the tickets on the Renfe website https://www.renfe.es
Local trains direct to Portaventura
The regional trains depart from several stations in Barcelona, such as Passeig de Gràcia, Sants, Estació de França or Clot, and arrive directly at the Portaventura station. The train journey takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes and the ticket price is 10 euros. You can also buy a package that includes the train ticket and the park admission or the hotel accommodation, which can save you some money. Probably the quickest way is the AVE to Tarragona station and a taxi to Portaventura theme park.
The pros of travelling by train are:
- Avoid the traffic and enjoy a comfortable and relaxing ride.
- You can benefit from the special rates and packages that include the train ticket and the park admission or the hotel accommodation.
- Support the sustainability and the environment by choosing a greener mode of transport.
The cons of travelling by train are:
- You have to follow the fixed schedules and plan your trip accordingly.
- There is a need to change trains or take another transport from the Camp de Tarragona station if you take the high-speed or long-distance trains.
- If you are staying overnight at a hotel, you will need to carry your luggage and belongings with you on the train and to your acommodation.
Arriving at Portaventura from Barcelona by bus
A third option to get to Portaventura from Barcelona is by bus. There are several bus companies that offer regular services from Barcelona to Portaventura, such as FlixBus, Plana or BusPlana. The buses depart from different locations in Barcelona, such as Sants, Plaça Espanya, Passeig de Gràcia or the airport, and arrive at the Portaventura World bus stop, which is close to the park entrance. The bus journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and the ticket price varies from 10 to 15 euros, depending on the company and the time of booking. You can check the schedules and buy the tickets on the websites of the bus companies.
The pros of travelling by bus are:
- Its a cheap and convenient service that will suit your budget and preferences.
- You can access Portaventura directly from the airport or from the city center without changing transport.
- Relax and enjoy the views of the coast and the countryside along the way.
The cons of travelling by bus are:
- You have to follow the fixed schedules and arrive on time.
- Its not as private as a car, so ypu will need to share the bus with other passengers.
- You will need to carry your luggage and belongings with you on the bus and to the park.
Information about Portaventura Theme Park
Portaventura, over the last few years has become more than just a theme park. It is a world of adventure and fun for all ages and tastes. It has six themed areas that represent different countries and cultures, such as Mediterrània, Polynesia, China, México, Far West and SésamoAventura. Each area has its own attractions, shows, restaurants and shops that immerse you in a unique atmosphere and experience.
Portaventura Attractions
Some of the most popular and thrilling attractions at Portaventura include:
- Shambhala: the highest roller coaster in Europe, with a drop of 78 meters and a speed of 134 km/h.
- Dragon Khan: the legendary roller coaster with eight inversions and a speed of 110 km/h.
- Furius Baco: a winged roller coaster that launches you from 0 to 135 km/h in 3 seconds.
- Tutuki Splash: a water ride that takes you through a volcanic island and ends with a splash.
- Angkor: an other water ride that lets you shoot water at other boats and targets along the way.
- Stampida: classic wooden roller coaster that races against another train on parallel tracks.
- Grand Canyon Rapids: raft style water ride that spins you around the rapids of the Grand Canyon.
- El Diablo: a mine train that takes you through the Mexican desert and a haunted tunnel.
Enjoy some of the most entertaining and spectacular shows at Portaventura which include:
- Templo del Fuego: a live show that features fire, explosions and special effects in an ancient temple.
- Bang Bang West: a live action show that recreates a Wild West shootout with stunts and humor.
- Aloha Tahití: a show that showcases the Polynesian dances and music.
- Bubblebou: another live show that features a clown who creates amazing bubbles of all shapes and sizes.
- Noches de Fuego en Tahití: a night show that lights up the Polynesian lagoon with fire, water and music.
- PortAventura Parade: a parade that brings together all the characters and performers of the park in a colorful and festive celebration.
Ferrari Land and Costa Caribe water park
Portaventura also has a second theme park, Ferrari Land, which is dedicated to the world of Ferrari and motorsport. It has 16 attractions, such as Red Force, the fastest and highest vertical accelerator in Europe, Flying Dreams, a flying theater that takes you on a journey around the world, and Racing Legends, a simulator that lets you experience the history of Formula 1. Ferrari Land also has a replica of the Colosseum, the Piazza San Marco and the Piazza del Duomo, as well as restaurants and shops inspired by Italy and Ferrari.
The complex also has a water park, Portaventura Caribe Aquatic Park, which is open in summer from May to September. It has 16 attractions, such as King Khajuna, the highest free fall slide in Europe, Rapid Race, a multi-lane slide that lets you race against your friends, and Sésamo Beach, a children’s area with water games and slides. Portaventura Caribe Aquatic Park also has a Caribbean theme, with palm trees, tropical plants and reggae music.
Portaventura resort also has six hotels, each with its own theme and style, such as Hotel Gold River, which recreates a Wild West town, Hotel PortAventura, which evokes a Mediterranean village, and Hotel Caribe, which transports you to a tropical paradise. The hotels offer comfortable rooms, restaurants, bars, pools, spa, gym and other services and facilities. They also give you direct access to the park and exclusive benefits, such as free parking, unlimited entry, discounts and preferential booking. You can check the availability and prices of the hotels on the Portaventura website. https://www.portaventura.com
Conclusion
If you intend to travel from Barcelona to Portaventura theme park, we would recommend the train. A car hire would be better if you are traveling with a family or in a group. If you take the train, the AVE would be the quicker option and then a taxi or bus to the theme park. The slower regional trains will take you direct to the theme park’s own train station, but the journey time would be double that of the high-speed line. One thing is for sure, if you love theme parks, don’t miss Portaventura. The park really is on a level rarely seen in Europe, and is more like the types of theme parks seen in America. A great adrenalin filled day out will be guaranteed at Portaventura.
