Train/Bus From Tarragona to Cubelles

There are 2 - 3 direct, regional trains per day, timed quite early or late in the day. Buses run more frequently: http://www.monbus.cat/wp-qbicus/themes/ecoblog/linies/pdf/NovesLinies/C2_TGN_VNG.pdf. There should be no need to buy either ticket in advance.

Thank you 😀

Hi Demi,

Well, that's not correct... in fact, there are plenty more trains every day between Tarragona and Cubelles, over 20 of them! I know @Laura has meant well, but she is probably not aware of how trains exactly run in different parts of Spain, and I don't blame her, it's "complicated" :)

This applies to CATALONIA, which is the area you're asking for. Also, take this as a general rule (but there are exceptions!):

• There are two train companies, RENFE and FGC. The first one is run by the Spanish government albeit certain parts of the operation are handled directly by the Catalan government. The second company is run exclusively by the Catalan government.
• Each company runs separate lines covering different areas and they don't overlap each other, except within the metropolitan area of Barcelona.
• All the info you need about FGC can be found in www.fgc.cat Trains are modern and run smoothly. Unfortunately for you, they don't cover the coastal area, which is served by RENFE. You'd use FGC, for example, to visit Montserrat among other famous sites. For Tarragona and Cubelles you'd use RENFE.
• The street signage for FGC stations is like this.

As per RENFE, it's where it gets complicated:

• There are three types of trains: commuter, medium-distance and long-distance (ie. AVE and AVANT fast trains). All of them are "run" by RENFE but not all are "managed" by RENFE.
• RENFE, headquartered in Madrid, manages both all the long-distance and the medium-distance trains. Medium-distance is considered trains with origin or destination outside Catalonia (if you live in the US, think "crossing state borders"). This is the sign/logo for these trains, the word "renfe". The website for schedules, online purchase, etc. is www.renfe.com
• Commuter trains (those within Catalonia) are "managed" by the Catalan government thru the brand RODALIES (=roughly, commuting, in Catalan language). This is the sign/logo -the orange "R". Elsewhere in Spain, the commuter trains are managed also by RENFE and their sign/logo is the red inverted "C".
• The web for schedules for RODALIES (commuter) trains is www.rodalies.tk
• Note that tickets for commuter trains cannot be prepurchased, they're always bought at the station the day of departure. Also, note there are no reservations nor assigned seats for commuter trains... there's no need as there are plenty of commuter trains throughout the day so you miss one, you take the next one which will be 20-30" away or an hour at most.
• The street signage for stations running RENFE trains in Catalonia is also "complex", in principle most stations are signalled like this -note the "R" for Rodalies, but also note the ADIF sign -another company run by the Spanish government which manages the "stations", as opposite to managing the "trains", but you might find a few with the old signage -note the inverted "C"

Again, take this with a pinch of salt because there are "exceptions" all over (ie. trains labelled as "medium-distance" which don't "cross borders", that is, start and end within Catalonia, etc)

I hope you have now a clearer picture.

Enjoy!

However, bits for you to remember:

• Over 20 trains per day between Tarragona and Cubelles. Convenient.
• Purchase the ticket when you get to the station. Easy peasy, no worries.
• Make sure you board the right type of train, there are trains that do not stop in Cubelles, also each type of train requires a certain type of ticket. Ask at the booth.

Thanks to all who replied.

Happy Travels💫✨

Enric...Thank you for your insight and experience. May take R lines from Barcelona. The information is very helpful. lw