Be prepared for your upcoming trip by knowing everything there is to know about the Valencia Public Transport! This guide will walk you through how to get around in Valencia, what tickets you need to buy, and whether or not the tourist card is worth it. Let’s get started!

Valencia Public Transport Guide

The public transport system in Valencia had some big changes within the last few years – so this updated guide is going to dig deep into how to get around. Valencia has a relatively expansive public transport system. 

It’s fairly easy to use, it’s quite affordable, and it can be a life-saver for both tourists and residents. 

So in this 2024 guide, we’ll be going through everything you need to know about how to get around in Valencia. And as always, if you have any questions about your trip to Valencia – feel free to send me a message! 

Important Things to Know

Before we dig deep into the different public transport options, there are a few things you should know about the system in Valencia. So here are some considerations as you read through:

• The metro is the most convenient option
• Residents under 30 can apply for a free public transport pass 
• You always need to buy tickets – you can’t just use your credit card to pay at the turnstile
• City’s have individual systems – tickets in Madrid don’t work in Valencia
• The Valencia Tourist Card is a great option if you also visit the monuments
• The metro only runs late on Fridays and Saturdays – so plan ahead if you go out for some nightlife

Keep those things in mind as you’re planning your trip to the city. Because although the transport options are pretty easy to use, those are some common concerns people have. 

Getting Around in Valencia

Now, let’s look at the different ways to get around in Valencia. I’ll go through all the different options for public transport. Valencia has the following options:

• Metro (and tram)
• Buses
• Bikes
• Local and long-distance trains
• Rental cars
• Taxis, Uber, and Cabify

My primary recommendation is to stick to the metro. I find it’s the most convenient for the majority of travelers. 

But let’s go through all the different transportation options – and what you should know about them (this year). 

Metro

The underground metro system is the best way to get around in Valencia. It’s affordable, connects to all the major destinations, and is quite comfortable. Especially compared to other global cities, the Valencia metro is safe, clean, and easy to use. 

MetroValencia is the official, city-owned system. It has 10 lines throughout the city, but it also connects to some of the smaller nearby towns and even Castelló de la Plana. There is also two direct lines to the airport. 

That’s why I find it’s the easiest way to get to the city center from the airport. 

Need more info on how to take the metro? Check out my full Metro Valencia Guide.

Pricing

You have a few different pricing options for the metro cards. If I’m being completely sincere – you have too many options. So to keep things simple, let me go over the pricing only for the ones you really need to worry about as a traveler. 

What to Buy	Price	Ticket Name
Single Ticket (within VLC)	€1.50	A (Single/Senzill/Sencillo)
Single Ticket (to/from airport)	€4.80	AB+ (Single/Senzill/Sencillo)
Pack of 10 trips (within VLC)	€8.00	SUMA 10 (Zone A)

I find that these will generally be the most cost-effective, especially for people visiting the city. 

The other options, such as the T1+, T2+, and T3+ are not as cost-effective because they only work for one person. 

However, the SUMA 10 will work for multiple people, and you only need to buy one card (€1.00). Plus, the SUMA 10 works for both Metro AND Bus trips (but each counts as a separate trip). 

 The final option is to purchase the Valencia Tourist Card, which includes unlimited trips for a certain amount of time. Again, this is a great way to save money if you plan on visiting the monuments. Otherwise, stick to buying a normal pass. 

Recommendations:

• Buy one card and purchase multiple tickets with it
• Refill as you go so you don’t lose money
• Make sure you have AB+ if you’re going to the airport 

Bus

Taking the bus can be an effective way to use Valencia’s public transport. They’re quite comfortable, are climate-controlled, and generally are easy to use. 

The downside is that the buses are often late and it can be hard to predict their arrival times. So I really only recommend the buses if:

1. There are no metro options 
2. You’re already nearby a bus stop 
3. You’re not in a rush

In those cases, taking the bus is a great option. 

Each bus ride costs €1.50, and you’re allowed to pay (in cash only!) as you get on. If you don’t have cash, you need to have the ticket ready beforehand. 

To get the ticket, you can either use the SUMA 10 ticket you purchased from the Metro stations or you can buy bus-only tickets using the app. 

Use the EMT Valencia App and you’re able to buy a pack of 10 bus rides for €8.50. Check the website for all the different bus lines.

Recommendations

• Take the bus to get to the City of Arts and Sciences, as it’s often faster than the metro, depending on where you are. 
• Take advantage of the bus in the summer (they have great air conditioning)
• Don’t rely on them if you have specific time constraints

Read the full guide on how to take the buses in Valencia.

Bike

One of the best ways to get around Valencia is by bike. Especially if you’re traveling a bit further, it’s a fast and efficient way to explore the city. 

Most of the city has designated bike lanes which makes travel easy. 

Traveling within the historic city center, La Ciutat Vella, can be a bit difficult. That’s because the streets are too narrow to have any bike lanes, so you’d have to have a bit of caution here. But for the rest of the city, it’s a convenient way to get around. 

Here are a few different options to rent a bike:

• Bike tours 
• Bike rentals 
• Valenbisi 

The bike tours are great for a one-time experience. Especially if you want to see the city and not worry about the route, that’s highly recommended. 

The bike rentals are a good option if you plan on taking advantage of the lengthy paths in the Túria Gardens. 

And Valenbisi is perfect for residents, although it’s a bit expensive for tourists. So I’d recommend going with a private option if you’re only visiting for a short period of time. 

Train

You can easily get to cities throughout Spain by taking the train. It’s generally cost-effective, comfortable, and super easy to use. 

And while the local trains are known for having delays, it’s not a big issue if you’re just going on a day trip. 

You can either purchase your ticket directly at the train station or by using the app Trainline. Getting your ticket is very intuitive, as you just choose the specific destination (rather than zones). 

I find that purchasing the ticket directly from the train station for short-distance trains is perfectly fine. For example, if you’re heading to Xàtiva, it’s simple and easy to do at the machines in L’Estació del Nord. 

But if you want a long-distance train, then I’d definitely plan ahead and book it on Trainline, especially as buying it last minute at the station will be much more expensive. 

Recommendations:

• Book long-distance trains as early in advance as possible 
• Pay attention to the specific station (most cities have multiple)
• Remember that SUMA Tickets (from the metro) work on some local (Cercanías) trains

Here’s my guide on how to take the train in Valencia.

Car

As a general rule, I find that renting a car in Valencia is not recommended. 

For the most part, the Valencia public transport is simple and easy to use. So there’s no reason to worry about renting a car within the city. 

Besides, you’ll just be dealing with a lot of traffic in a city you’re unfamiliar with. 

However – if you plan on traveling to cities throughout Spain and you want to drive there, then that’s another story. In which case, you can check out my guide to finding cheap deals on cars in Valencia. 

So I only recommend driving for people who really needed that complete freedom to move around to other cities. 

Taxis and Cabify

If you’re only visiting Valencia, then there are some public options to enjoy the comfort of cars without actually renting one. 

You can use the public taxis, as well as the ride-sharing apps Cabify and Uber. 

Taxis are very comfortable and safe in Valencia. You can usually find them in the Plaça de l’Ajuntament, as well as driving around the main avenues. If they have a green light that says “Lliure”, just flag them down. 

In every taxi, you’ll also see the prices posted right on the window. The most expensive trip would likely be to or from the airport, which would end up being around €20. 

And if you want to plan a trip in advance by taxi, I’d suggest using Cabify. They tend to be very comfortable and easy to use. I often suggest this option for people who want to get to the beach quickly. 

Foot

Naturally, the last way to get around Valencia is on foot. Of course this doesn’t count as public transport, but I include this section for one very important reason:

Valencia is very pedestrian friendly. 

In my day-to-day, I rarely find the need to take the public transport. My apartment is close to the center, and I can get just about anywhere within a 20-minute walk. Except for the beach and the City of Arts and Sciences, most of the important things to see are within walking distance. 

Plus, if you are able to walk around, I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery, see hidden gems, and really get a feel for the city. 

If you come all this way, then you should definitely take some time to take it all in. Don’t just rely on taxis to zip you from one attraction to the next. 

Accessible Public Transport in Valencia

Most of the city’s public transport options has accommodations for people with limited mobility. 

For example, all the buses can utilize ramps for wheelchair users. Likewise, the majority of metro stations have elevators as well. 

This page lists all the specific stations, bus lines, and trains that have accessibility adaptations.

Valencia Tourist Card

So rather than going for individual tickets or access to Valencia’s public transport, you always have the option of snagging the Valencia Tourist Card. 

This card gives you free access to municipal museums, as well as discounted access to major attractions. For instance, the famous Cathedral and Europe’s largest aquarium. 

If you get the version with transport included, it can be a great way to get unlimited access during your stay. 

You have three options here:

• 24 hours
• 48 hours
• 72 hours

All of these correspond to the Metro’s T1+, T2+, and T3+. (The names are confusing to be honest, but they just refer to 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days). 

In other words, you can use the bus, metro, tram, and local trains as much as you want during this time. 

I recommend grabbing the Valencia Tourist Card if:

• You’re traveling for 3 days or less 
• You’re planning on visiting the other monuments 
• You’re visiting in summer (i.e. escape the heat)
• You’re arriving by plane (the metro ride from the airport is included)

My Recommendation

If meet at least 3 of the requirements I mentioned above, then I would definitely get the Tourist Card. It helps you save both money and time. 

For me, the best part is that you don’t really need to do any thinking when it comes to public transport. You just scan your card everywhere and you’re good to go! 

Which can be a big plus in a foreign country… 

But if you’re staying for more than a week, or you’re coming for business – then it’s not the most cost-effective option.

Check out my full Valencia Tourist Card Guide to decide if it’s worth it.

Which Option is Right for You?

When it comes to the public transport in Valencia, it really depends on your needs and how long you’re staying. 

• If you’re staying for 1-3 days as a first-time tourist: grab the Valencia Tourist Card. 
• If you prefer walking everywhere: buy individual tickets as you need them. 
• If you want a bike, but not every day: then book a bike tour. 

If you have any questions about your trip to Valencia, feel free to send me a message. I’m always happy to help! 

And in the meantime, feel free to check out these other resources to learn more about your trip to Valencia:

• Where to stay
• Best restaurants
• Weekend itinerary
• Things to do

Bon viatge!

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