Reus Airport (REU/LERS): The Premier Gateway to Spain’s Costa Daurada and PortAventura World
Reus Airport (REU/LERS) stands as the essential international gateway to Spain’s spectacular Costa Daurada, famed for its golden beaches, vibrant resort towns, and rich history. Strategically located just 4 km from the historic city of Reus and 7 km from Tarragona, the airport is particularly vital for tourists seeking convenient access to major coastal destinations like Salou and Cambrils, and especially the globally popular PortAventura World theme park and resort complex.
Managed by Aena, Spain’s airport operator, REU is primarily a hub for leisure and seasonal holiday traffic, serving as a lower-cost, high-efficiency alternative, often marketed regionally as “Barcelona Reus” or “Barcelona South.” The airport’s consistent growth and commitment to quality service ensure a welcoming start to any Catalonian vacation.
REU Airport Essential Guide and Up-to-Date Information
General & Traffic Statistics
Reus Airport has demonstrated significant recovery and growth, reinforcing its importance to the region’s tourism sector. The following details provide the essential operational data:
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Reus, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain |
| IATA/ICAO Codes | REU / LERS |
| Coordinates | 41°08′51″N 001°10′02″E |
| 2024 Passenger Volume | 1,181,520 passengers (13% increase over 2023) |
| 2024 Flight Movements | 21,921 operations (6.9% increase over 2023) |
| Primary Function | International leisure and low-cost travel to the Costa Daurada, with approximately 92% of traffic classified as leisure. |
Terminal Facilities and Award-Winning Services
Reus Airport operates a single, efficient terminal designed to process large volumes of seasonal traffic quickly and comfortably.
- Award Recognition: REU Airport was recently honoured by the Airports Council International (ACI) with the “Best Airport in Europe” award in the category of less than 2 million passengers, a testament to its quality and service excellence.
- Amenities: The terminal offers standard modern amenities, including duty-free shopping (available after security), several cafes, snack bars, and dining options like the Bier Garten and Exploring the World. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
- Accessibility & Special Assistance: The airport is fully accessible (PRM). In an advanced commitment to passenger welfare, REU offers a special identification lanyard for passengers with Hidden Disabilities, which can be requested via the Aena website, allowing staff to provide optimised and sensitive support.
- Operating Hours: The terminal operates with extended hours during the peak summer season (typically 06:00 to 02:00) and slightly reduced hours in the winter (generally 06:00 to 00:00).
Airlines and Key Destinations for 2025
Reus Airport’s network is robust, focusing heavily on connecting the Costa Daurada with primary markets across the UK, Ireland, and other key European countries. The airport served approximately 39 routes in 2024.
- Major Carriers: The airport is dominated by major low-cost and charter airlines: Ryanair (the largest operator), Jet2.com, easyJet, TUI Airways, Vueling Airlines, and Iberia.
- Top International Routes: The busiest route is consistently Dublin (DUB). The network includes extensive connections to the United Kingdom and Ireland, such as:
- UK: London (Stansted, Luton, Gatwick, East Midlands), Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, and Bristol.
- Ireland: Dublin, Cork, and Shannon.
- Other European Destinations: Brussels/Charleroi (CRL), Eindhoven (EIN), Paris/Orly (ORY) (served by Vueling), and a domestic connection to Palma de Mallorca (PMI) via Iberia.
- New Developments: EasyJet has introduced a new seasonal route to Glasgow (GLA), further expanding the airport’s UK connectivity.
Ground Transportation: Connecting REU to Catalonia
Getting from Reus Airport to your final destination is efficient and offers multiple options for every budget:
| Mode of Transport | Key Destinations | Typical Journey Time | Estimated Fare (EUR) | Notes |
| Bus Services | Reus City Centre, Tarragona City, Salou, Cambrils, PortAventura World. | 20 minutes (Tarragona) | €3 – €7 | The most economical choice, with routes synchronised with flight arrivals. |
| Taxi | Tarragona City Centre, Salou. | 15-20 minutes | €20 – €30 | Taxis are readily available outside the terminal, offering the quickest direct transfer. |
| Car Rental | Costa Daurada, Inland Catalonia. | Varies | Varies | Major international firms (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Budget) have desks on-site, ideal for exploring the region independently. |
| Parking | Short-term (P1) and Long-term (P2) | N/A | From approx. €10/day | Both covered and uncovered spaces are available close to the terminal entrance. |
Local Attractions and Regional Travel Focus
REU Airport is perfectly positioned to serve the major tourist highlights of Catalonia’s southern coast:
- PortAventura World: The airport is the most convenient gateway to this massive theme park and resort complex, home to PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land, and Caribe Aquatic Park. It’s a short bus or taxi ride away.
- Tarragona (UNESCO World Heritage): Visitors can step back in time in Tarragona, a city designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional collection of Roman archaeological remains, including an amphitheatre, circus, and aqueduct.
- Reus: The city of Reus, the birthplace of the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, is renowned for its magnificent Modernist architecture and offers an excellent cultural itinerary exploring this art form.
- Coastal Resorts: The golden, family-friendly beaches of Salou, Cambrils, and La Pineda are easily accessible, offering extensive hotel and dining options.
Contact Information
| Detail | Information |
| Airport Address | Autovia Tarragona-Reus s/n, E-43204 Reus/Tarragona, SPAIN |
| General Customer Service (Aena) | +34 913 211 000 |
| Official Website | www.aena.es (Search for Reus Airport) |