Spanish Rail Fares?

[OldandRambling]

I have booked a holiday to Salou, Tarragona region of Spain for next week. Looking on the web, ticket prices from Tarragona to Barcelona for a day out seem very steep for a 30 minute ride, are there any suggested ways or sites to obtain more reasonable prices?
Any other tips or suggestions for things to see or do in the area for an old and rambling pensioner?

 

[EnriqueEspaña]

If your looking to book tickets, you will want to make sure you are reserving media distancia. But honestly, if cercanías are available, you are better buying from the machine at the stadium

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 May 2022 ==

*station

 

[Beebman]

Over 60s can buy a 12-month Tarjeta Dorada card for only 6 Euros. It gives a range of discounts from 25% to 40% (the latter for Media Distancia and Cercanias) and you don't need to be a Spanish resident but you can only buy the card in person at stations, not online. Details in Spanish here:

https://www.renfe.com/es/es/viajar/prepara-tu-viaje/descuentos/mayores-de-60

Seat 61 has some details on the Spain page:

https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-spain.htm

 

[OldandRambling]

Thanks for the information. It looks like "commuter" Cercanias line L17 runs from near Salou to Barcelona? Not able to find the timetable or fare cost, the site seems over complicated to navigate. No worries, will investigate when I get there.

 

[30907]

Thanks for the information. It looks like "commuter" Cercanias line L17 runs from near Salou to Barcelona? Not able to find the timetable or fare cost, the site seems over complicated to navigate. No worries, will investigate when I get there.

You need to Google the Catalan name Rodalies but:
https://rodalies.gencat.cat/en/horaris/
It seems Salou station has been replaced by one at Port Aventura which may or may not be useful to you.
Basic fare seems to be €7 for a 100-min journey.

 

[stuu]

The route through Salou has been closed as most services have moved to the high speed line which bypasses that section. The service at Port Aventura seems to be very sparse

Vila-Seca is a few kilometres inland and has hourly and better direct services into Barcelona, taking about 1.5 hours, for €8.80 single

 

[HS2isgood]

R17 has four services a day from Port Aventura station, in the outskirts of Salou to Barcelona, and RT2 has a further five to L'Arboç. You can change then at Tarragona or St Vicenç de Calders for a regional to Barcelona.

The line to Salou was basically closed by NIMBYs and what is left of it is the short Port Aventura spur.