In a nutshell
- Valencia’s public transportation works great — we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting around the city.
- For public transit, we recommend the 10-trip ticket SUMA 10. The Valencia Tourist Card is a convenient alternative with transit included plus discounts at attractions — but it’s not always the cheaper option.
- The metro gets you from the airport to the city center in 20 minutes. The airport ride costs €4.80 (plus €1 for the card on your first purchase).
Public Transportation in Valencia
Most of Valencia’s attractions are very easy to reach on foot. The city is relatively compact, and so is the old quarter. Even from the historic center to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències is only about 25 minutes on foot, walking through the beautiful Jardin del Turia.
That said, for some distances it’s really handy to use Valencia’s well-developed public transit system. There are several metro lines and numerous bus routes.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about getting around Valencia using the various modes of transportation — and most importantly, which tickets you’ll need. If you want even more tips, check out our full Valencia Guide.
Metro in Valencia
Valencia has 5 metro lines and 4 tram lines, which look quite similar from the outside. The metro primarily connects the outer neighborhoods with the city center.
Since almost all the highlights are in the center, tourists rarely need the metro — except when traveling to and from the airport.
You need to validate your ticket at the turnstiles before entering the platform and scan it again when you exit.
Buses in Valencia
Valencia has around 60 bus routes that run reliably and on schedule. For most visitors, buses are the go-to option, as they serve all the main tourist spots.
At bus stops you’ll always find a QR code you can scan to check when the next bus is arriving. Super handy.
On buses, you always board at the front and validate your ticket on a reader to the left of the driver. It will beep briefly and light up green. When you exit through the rear doors, you don’t need to scan your ticket again.
Tickets for Public Transportation in Valencia
The ticketing system for public transit is a bit complicated and can be hard to figure out on the spot without knowing the language. That’s why we’ll walk you through exactly what you need to know.
What public transit tickets are available?
In Valencia there are single tickets, 10-trip tickets, and three different day tickets. There are a few other ticket types (e.g. Bonobus) that aren’t relevant for visitors and tend to cause more confusion than anything else.
The following tickets are relevant for visitors to Valencia:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Single ticket Zone A | from 1.50 EUR |
| SUMA 10 - 10 single tickets for Zone A | 9 EUR |
| SUMA T1 - valid 24 hours | 4.50 EUR |
| SUMA T2 - valid 48 hours | 7.50 EUR |
| SUMA T3 - valid 72 hours | 11 EUR |
With a single ticket you can use either the bus or the metro, but unfortunately transfers aren’t possible. Metro tickets start at €1.50 and bus tickets cost €2. Zone A covers the entire city center of Valencia. For the airport you’ll need a different ticket.
We recommend buying a SUMA 10 for €9. This is a paper card that stores 10 individual trips. Each trip then costs just 90 cents — barely more than half the price of a single ticket.
When you buy one for the first time, you’ll pay an additional €1 for the paper card, which you can then reload at any ticket machine at any time.
Good to know: The SUMA 10 is transferable. If you’re traveling with two or three people, you can all ride using the same card. Just tap the card on the scanner multiple times when boarding. You can also load multiple 10-trip tickets onto a single card at once so you don’t have to reload as often.
Are there tickets for children?
Children up to and including age 9 ride the metro in Valencia for free. On buses, children up to age 6 ride free as well. One more reason why Valencia is a fantastic destination to visit with kids.
Older children need a regular ticket at the full fare.
Where can you buy tickets for the metro and bus?
You can buy tickets at all metro stations from ticket machines. At the airport and at the Estacio Nord there are also ticket windows where you might get by in English if you’re lucky. The machines also let you switch the language to English.
You can also pick up public transit tickets at kiosks and tobacco shops.
Single bus tickets can also be purchased directly from the bus driver. These can only be paid in cash, and drivers accept bills up to €10 at most. If you only have larger bills, you’ll have to get off the bus.
The Alternative: Valencia Tourist Card Including Public Transit
If you want to keep things simple, the Valencia Tourist Card is a great choice. The card is available with a validity of 24 hours (€17), 48 hours (€24), or 72 hours (€30). You can buy the Valencia Tourist Card online here.
With the card you can use all buses and metro lines in Valencia, including the metro to the airport. You also get free admission to all public museums, plus plenty of discounts at attractions in Valencia, restaurants in Valencia, and shops.
We’ve also written a detailed review of the Valencia Card — worth a read:
If you’re staying in Valencia for a longer period or want to travel as cheaply as possible, the Valencia Tourist Card isn’t necessarily the best value. In that case, stick with the SUMA 10 and buy tickets as you go.
Getting from Valencia Airport to the City
Valencia Airport is seriously well connected to the city center. Directly below the terminal, Metro Lines 3 and 5 will take you straight to Estacio Nord in the heart of the city in just 20 minutes. From there, your hotel in Valencia is just a short walk away.
The airport is located in fare zone C. A single trip costs €4.80 plus €1 for the paper card on which the ticket is stored.
You can store multiple tickets on one paper card, so not everyone needs to buy their own. Keep in mind that transfers aren’t possible with this ticket. If you need to continue by bus afterward, you’ll need a separate ticket.
Alternatives to Public Transportation in Valencia
Cycling in Valencia
Valencia is one of the most bike-friendly cities among all the travel destinations in Spain. Almost every street has a wide, separated bike lane.
That’s great news for visitors too. In many spots around the city you can rent bikes and explore on two wheels — it’s honestly one of the best ways to get around Valencia.
You can also reserve a bike online before your trip so all you have to do is pick it up when you arrive.
Hop-on/Hop-off Buses in Valencia
Hop-on/hop-off buses are a popular way to see Valencia, especially if it’s your first visit.
The red double-decker buses run two routes covering all the major must-sees in the city. You can hop on and off whenever you like, and there’s an audio commentary that goes along with the route.
Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours, with prices starting at €19 — noticeably more expensive than regular public transit.
That said, it’s a more relaxed and convenient option if you’d rather not figure out the bus network yourself.
Book tickets for the hop-on/hop-off buses
Our Verdict: Getting Around Valencia
Public transportation in Valencia works really well and is relatively affordable. Even if the ticketing system looks a little daunting at first glance, it’s actually not that complex once you know what to buy.
