Here’s exactly how to get from Barcelona to Valencia – by train, bus, and any other options! Go from one Cap i Casal to another and visit multiple cities while you’re here. There are lots of public transport options that don’t include flights, so let’s look at the easiest ways to make this trip!

Distance from Barcelona to Valencia

Barcelona is about 350km (215 miles) away from Valencia by car. 

Which means if you’re driving, you can easily expect to need around 4 hours, or around 3 hours in a train. 

For most people, I recommend taking a train to get to Valencia from Barcelona. It tends to be the best option in terms of convenience without being too expensive. 

But unlike your trip to Madrid, there are no high-speed trains connecting these two capitals just yet (which is such a shame)! But even though the train is a bit slower, it’s still a comfortable option. 

➡️ Read my guide on how to get cheap train tickets

How to Get From Barcelona to Valencia

Besides looking for a cheap flight, there are several options to get from Barcelona to Valencia. But for most travelers – I recommend either:

• Going by train
• Using the bus system
• Renting a car

If you’re really traveling on a budget, you also have ride-share options like BlaBlaCar. But if you don’t speak Catalan, and you can spare a little bit more of a budget on transport, I would probably avoid this option. 

I find that the train tends to be the best option for most people. It’s the most sustainable, is relatively quick, and if you buy your train tickets early, you can usually get it for around €30 or less. 

Train (Barcelona Sants)

The train that connects Barcelona and Valencia is at the Barcelona Sants train station. It takes around 3 or 4 hours, depending on the schedule and how many stops it makes. 

Luckily, the train station is easily connected with the Barcelona Airport and city center via metro and bus. 

The majority of the trains that run this connection are through RENFE. The prices vary considerably depending on the time and day – and when you buy it. You can pay anywhere from €20 and €100 for a one-way ticket. 

That’s why I recommend looking at my guide on Omio to get the best deals on train tickets. 

Side note for anyone that’s never been on a train before: it’s super easy. You’ll pass through the easiest security control of your life, then pop onto your assigned seat. So my American friends that aren’t used to public transport have nothing to worry about 😉.

Bus

Taking a bus is a cheaper alternative to getting to Valencia from Barcelona. Although the trip is much longer, around 5 hours. Although if you’re traveling to Valencia on a budget, then this is a reasonable option. 

There are two options for the buses – either directly from the airport (Prat T1)  or from the Barcelona Estació Nord train station. 

The benefits of taking the bus is that it is cheaper (usually around €30 max), and you have buses that leave late in the night. This can be really convenient for people who get into Barcelona late or prefer to skip one night on hotels. 

The most common company for this line is called Alsa, although you’ll also see Avanza. 

Regardless, I still recommend getting your tickets from Omio, just so you don’t have to worry about translating anything! 

Driving

Of course, you can always go from Barcelona to Valencia by car. Because whether you’re in the city or at the airport, it’s super easy to rent a car. Plus, it’s an affordable option if you want the freedom to drive around the coast. You can expect to pay around €100 for around 3–4 days. 

Driving from Barcelona to Valencia is quite easy. You’ll just take the AP-7 straight down to Valencia. This takes around 4 hours, but there is a toll road in the Barcelona area. 

Another downside is that gasoline is pretty expensive in Spain. So be prepared to spend around €50 in gas. 

But if you want to explore the coast near Barcelona or do some day trips, this is the perfect option. 

And don’t forget to check out your parking options in advance.  If you’re in the city center, it can be more difficult – so check with your lodging! 

➡️ Here’s how to rent a car in Spain

How to Get from Valencia to Barcelona

Now that you know how to get to Valencia, let’s look at the reverse. Luckily, if you want to go from Valencia to Barcelona – your options are practically the same. Taking the train is the most convenient option, but taking a bus and driving a rental car are both good options depending on your preferences.

So besides booking a flight, here are all of your options to get to Barcelona from Valencia. 

Train (Joaquín Sorolla)

The train to Barcelona usually leaves from the Estació de Tren Joaquín Sorolla. These will take you directly to Barcelona in about 3 hours. 

Just like on the way to Valencia, the prices are about the same. They’ll vary considerably depending on the day and time. Which means you should book in advance, to get the best rates. 

To get to the train station in Valencia, the best option is to take the Metro until the Jesús station and walk approximately 2 minutes. 

Make sure to check Omio to get your train tickets. 

Note: Valencia is currently working on the Estació del Nord, so hopefully more lines will connect Barcelona in the future. They expect to be done by the end of 2025! 

Bus

To get from Valencia to Barcelona by bus, you’ll need to head over to the Estació d’autobusos in Valencia. It’s near Nuevo Centro, and just north of the city center. You simply cross the Túria Gardens and you’ll be right there. 

While this is one of the more affordable options, it also takes around 5 hours. This makes it a great option for budget travelers.  

The tickets can be quite cheap, you can find them for as low as €10. Although during peak times, they can go up to €40.  

➡️ Here’s where I recommend getting your bus tickets.

Driving

Finally, driving a rental car to get to Barcelona from Valencia is another great option. It’s the best way if you want to have some freedom to stop and explore towns on your way up north.  

The drive is a straight line on the AP-7, but it does take around 4 hours. When you get near Barcelona, you’ll have a toll road. 

Just remember, tarking in Barcelona is also pretty complicated, so I’d make sure your lodging has parking before renting the car. 

➡️ Here’s how to rent a car in Spain

Barcelona Airport to Train Station

If you want to fly into Barcelona and get to Valencia, then you’ll need to know how to get from the airport to your public transport options. 

You’ll want to get to the Barcelona Sants Train Station. 

To get here from the Aeroport de Barcelona, you’ll want to take the local T2 train from the airport to the Barcelona Sants Train Station. It should only take around 20 minutes and cost around €5. 

From there, you’ll do a transfer within the station to find your long-distance train to Valencia. 

How to get to the Valencia Train Station

There are two main train stations in Valencia. First, you have the Estació del Nord, which is mostly for local trains. 

Then, you have the Estació de Joaquín Sorolla. This is the one for long-distance trains (normally). 

Which means to get to or from Barcelona, you’ll use the the Joaquín Sorolla station. To get here, you can either:

• Take the metro until the Jesús station (which is right outside)
• Take the bus 
• Take a taxi 

All of these options are fairly easy. If you’re traveling with children and luggage – then you might prefer a taxi. But if you’re solo traveling, the metro is a super convenient and affordable option. 

➡️ More information on the Valencian Train Station

➡️ How to use the public transport in Valencia

How to Get Train Tickets Online

To travel from Barcelona to Valencia, you can get both your train and bus tickets online. There are a few different sites where you can do this.

You can always use the domestic company’s website to grab the tickets. For example, Renfe for trains and Asla for buses. 

However, if you’re traveling a lot – sometimes it’s easier to just use one single app for all your tickets. Plus this way, you don’t have to rely on translating anything. 

That’s why I generally recommend going with Omio for most people to get your tickets. The prices are always the same (plus a €1 fee). For me, this has definitely been worth it. You just skip all the hassle and get it done pretty easily. 

➡️ Here’s my guide on how to use it

Valencia Travel Resources

It’s super easy to get from Barcelona to Valencia. Hopefully this guide helps you better explore these Mediterranean cities! 

Plus, if you’re getting a cheaper flight to Barcelona, you can get over to Valencia fairly easily. 

If you have any questions about how to handle everything, just send me a message! I’m always happy to answer any travel questions you may have. 

Here are some extra resources to help you plan your trip:

• How to get cheap flights
• How to get to Madrid from Valencia
• Valencia neighborhood guide
• Restaurant guide 
• Best travel insurance 
• Day trips from Valencia
• Valencia tourist card

FAQs