Are you planning a trip from Seville to Tarifa?
Whether you’re deciding between renting a car or taking a bus, this article will give you all the local insights you need to plan the perfect trip.
Let’s look at the best options for this route.
Seville to Tarifa Journey Overview
There are three ways you can get to Tarifa from Seville – by car, bus, or train. There are no flights available between Seville and Tarifa.
You can also consider private transport, such as a local taxi company.
Tarifa does not have its own rail station, so if you’re set on taking the train, you’ll have to get off in the nearby city of Algeciras. However, this may be inconvenient, as Tarifa is a half-hour bus ride away from Algeciras.
Spanish airlines do offer flights between cities, but Tarifa is too small to offer its own airport.
Distance from Seville to Tarifa
Located directly south of Seville, Tarifa is about 206 kilometers or 128 miles away from the city.
Seville to Tarifa Transportation Options
1. Seville to Tarifa by Train
As I mentioned earlier, Tarifa does not have a train station, so you will need to get to Algeciras first.
Train rides from Seville to Algeciras usually take between 4 hours and 30 minutes up to 5 hours, depending on the departure you choose. There are only a few connections available each day, so it’s definitely not something you should do as a day trip.
Train tickets for this particular route cost around 40 euros one way.
You can buy them online at Renfe website or use Trainline website (linked below).
Depending on how far in advance you book and what season it is, you can find standard-class tickets for quite affordable rates. It all depends on when you plan to ride and when you book, so be sure to reserve tickets in advance if possible.
Trains depart from Seville’s Santa Justa Station and arrive at the train station in Algeciras.
There, you’ll have to catch a bus to Tarifa.
Buses depart from multiple stations in Algeciras, so check schedules at Omio for more details. The website aggregates bus tickets from more than one company, giving you more options for connections and prices.
The ride should take about an hour. While there are multiple bus departures to Tarifa daily, you’ll likely want to plan your train journey to coincide with your bus ride.
Taking a taxi to Tarifa is another option. It may cost you more, but the drive from Algeciras will only be about 20-25 minutes.
Compared to the other modes of transport, this is the longest and most expensive way to get to Tarifa, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
2. Seville to Tarifa by Bus
Spain’s extensive bus system connects both large cities like Seville and smaller communities like Tarifa.
This will usually be much slower than driving or taking the train but it still makes a good backup option in some cases. When it comes to Tarifa, for example, it will likely be more convenient for you to take a direct bus than a train.
As with train tickets, the further in advance you book your bus ride, the less money you will end up spending.
Alsa, BlaBlaCar and FlixBus are some popular long-distance bus companies in the country, but not all companies offer the same routes. Omio is a great online resource that will match you with a bus company depending on where you are going.
The average travel time for the bus route from Seville to Tarifa averages around two hours, meaning the journey will be over before you know it. There are about 4-5 departures a day.
Bus tickets for this trip generally cost around 10 euros one way. Keep in mind that buses will usually not have as many amenities as trains.
Omio lists updated departure and arrival times and is easy to use for English speakers planning a bus journey. For this trip, Omio recommends riding with BlablaCar.
3. Seville to Tarifa by Car
Renting a car in Spain is an unforgettable way to get to know the ins and outs of the country, as it allows you more freedom.
Since the drive between Seville and Tarifa is relatively short, there’s plenty of time to meander off-route and discover other spots along the way.
The drive from Seville to Tarifa takes around 2.5 hours, covering just over 200 kilometers. On the way, you can make a detour to coastal Cadiz, which has plenty of sightseeing to fill the rest of the day.
Suggested Route Seville to Tarifa
Driving in Spain
Drawbacks of renting a car include paying for gas, dealing with traffic, and covering tolls around major cities. You do have to be at least 21 to rent a car in Spain, so younger travelers should look for other options. If you are not a European Union citizen, you’ll need to get an International Driver’s permit. While inexpensive, securing these permits might require advance planning on your end.
You will also have to consider where you’ll be dropping off your rental while planning your trip. While drop-off locations are available in different cities, this might be inconvenient if you’re not planning to end your trip where you started it.
Car parking can also be quite expensive in city centers, so choose parking spots outside of popular districts if you want to save money.
Car Rental Companies
Discover Cars is an easy-to-use website that can help you find the ideal car rental service. The website is convenient for English speakers and lists various reliable rental companies throughout the country, as well as rates and more.
It works as a marketplace sourcing quotes from local car rental companies, so you get lots of options with prices and conditions displayed on one page.
You can use the form below to get a quick quote for your trip.
Arriving in Tarifa
Tarifa’s main bus station is located a bit outside of the town’s center.
However, Tarifa is quite small and highly walkable, so chances are that the place you are staying is within walking distance of the bus station.
Taxis are also a quick and easy option to get you to your destination directly from the station.
Things To Do in Tarifa
Conclusion
Tarifa’s small size is one of the things that makes it a hidden gem only a few hours from Seville.
However, you’ll likely want to opt to drive or take a direct bus, as other transportation options may be limited. No matter how you get there, calm and breezy Tarifa is a perfect complement to Seville’s bustle.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
