Quick answer: Cambrils is about 115 km southwest of Barcelona on the Costa Daurada, roughly 1.5 hours by car or taxi. The direct Rodalies/Renfe train from Barcelona-Sants runs about 20 times a day, taking anywhere from 57 minutes on the fastest services to over 2 hours on slower regional trains, with tickets from around €10-29. A taxi or private transfer takes about 1-1.5 hours and typically costs €130-170. Cambrils pairs naturally with a PortAventura theme park visit next door in Salou.
Why Cambrils Is Worth the Trip
Cambrils is a working fishing port turned beach resort on the Costa Daurada, with a long promenade, a marina still used by local fishing boats, and calmer, more family-friendly beaches than the busier Costa Brava towns north of Barcelona. It sits right next to Salou and PortAventura, so it works well either as a standalone beach day or a base for theme-park visitors who want a quieter place to sleep.
The town has a genuine seafood-focused restaurant scene built around its working port — several restaurants near the marina buy directly from the boats that dock there each morning, which is a differentiator most other Costa Daurada beach towns don’t have.
Getting There: Train, Taxi, or Transfer
Cambrils has its own train station on the Barcelona-Sants line, making it one of the easier Costa Daurada towns to reach without a car.
| Option | Time | Cost (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct train from Barcelona-Sants | 57 min – 2h10 (varies by service) | €10-29 | Independent travelers, day trips |
| Pre-booked private transfer | ~75-90 min | €130-170 fixed | Groups, luggage, combining with PortAventura |
| Taxi (metered or fixed) | ~75-90 min | ~€130-170 | Flexible timing, door-to-door |
| Bus | ~2h50 | €21-36 | Budget option, longest journey time |
Picking the Right Train
Not all Barcelona-Sants to Cambrils trains are equal — the route is served by a mix of faster long-distance/Avant services and slower regional Rodalies trains, and the difference between the fastest and slowest options on this route is well over an hour. Check the specific departure time rather than assuming any “train to Cambrils” takes about the same time.
About 20 trains run daily, from roughly 6:03 AM to a last departure around 9:03 PM, so it’s realistic to do Cambrils as a full day trip without an overnight stay if you pick a morning departure.
Combining Cambrils with PortAventura or Salou
Cambrils sits close enough to Salou and the PortAventura resort that many visitors treat the three as one region rather than separate trips — a private transfer booked to Cambrils can often be routed via PortAventura for a small adjustment, useful if you’re splitting a day between the theme park and the beach.
If a car-free theme-park day is the goal instead, see our separate guide to getting from Barcelona Airport to Salou and PortAventura directly — the transport logistics differ slightly since that trip starts at the airport rather than the city.
FAQ
Approximately 115 km, taking about 1.5 hours by car or taxi. By train from Barcelona-Sants, journey times range from 57 minutes on the fastest services to over 2 hours on slower regional trains.
Yes. Around 20 trains run daily from Barcelona-Sants to Cambrils, with tickets from roughly €10-29 depending on the service and how far in advance you book.
Yes — with the earliest train around 6:03 AM and the last return around 9:03 PM, a full day trip is realistic without an overnight stay, especially if you pick a faster service in each direction.
Yes, Cambrils is a short taxi ride from PortAventura and neighboring Salou, and many visitors combine a beach day in Cambrils with a theme park visit next door.