Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and renowned for its historic charm, sun-soaked streets, glorious beaches and stunning architecture and we have had the privilege to experience the city twice.
Navigating the metro, bus, tram, bike or simply walking around the city is easy and a budget friendly way to travel. While the Metro and Tram map may look confusing with all those lines, it really isn’t.
We uncovered some real gems on our trip and quickly mastered the Metro Map. Now, we’re excited to share our experiences with you in this guide on how to get around Valencia without breaking the bank.
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Table of Contents
How to get around Valencia
Valencia public transport network is comprehensive, efficient and covers many of the main tourist spots around the city, making it one of the easiest cities to get around.
We dive into the different types of transport available in Valencia.
Metro
The Metro in Valencia is very similar to the London Underground, the Subways in New York City and the Metro in Paris. With nine lines covering many destinations, including the city centre, the suburbs and the airport.
In our experience, the Metro ran a frequent service, which was reliable and fast. This was the best way to get around Valencia, costing around €8.00 for 10 trips.
We purchased the one card, which could be topped up if we were running low on funds and we both used the one card.
The card also allowed us to use the bus and trams at no additional cost.
You can find out how to purchase these budget friendly Metro Cards on our YouTube video.
Bus
While we didn’t use the bus in Valencia, preferring the Metro or Tram, the buses are frequent and reliable.
Buses are extensive and cover most areas in and around Valencia.
Buses reaching other regions of Spain are cheap and a budget friendly way to skip from one city to the next.
On our first trip, we spent 3 days in Valencia before travelling via train to Barcelona for 3 days and returning to Valencia via bus. The trip was 5 hours and cost €10 per person.
Although the bus journey was long, toilet facilities are onboard and TV screens are available at each seat.
Travelling via bus would be a great way to keep your budget low as you travel around Valencia and Spain.
For a hassle-free trip around Valencia, consider purchasing the hop on hop off bus, that will drop you off and pick you up at all the major tourist attractions. Book your tickets here to avoid disappointment.
Looking to book your bus from Valencia to another city in Spain, then you can book your tickets through the Train Line.
We use the Train Line to book our train and bus between Valencia and Barcelona. The website is easy to navigate and completely safe to book your transport.
You can book your train or bus tickets here.
Tram
The Tram is so convenient and a great way to get around Valencia. We used the Tram frequently for free with the Suma Card.
With additional Tram Lines, it makes for easy access to Valencia beaches and regions on the outskirts of the city.
Reliable, clean and an easy way to get around Valencia on a budget.
Train
Valencia is well connected via regional and to other cities around Spain.
The trains in Spain are reliable, clean and an easy way to get around the cities. We took a train from Valencia to Barcelona with Renfe which took us about 3 hours. The train was comfortable with a food cart and toilet facilities.
This is more expensive than travelling via bus, but its quicker.
We booked our train tickets via the Train Line. If you are looking for affordable bus and train tickets to other major cities. Then book your tickets here.
Walk
Valencia is compact and a pedestrian friendly city, which makes this one of the best ways to get around, especially as it is free which will keep your transportation budget to a minimum.
We walked most of the time around the quaint streets of Valencia and we loved that we stumbled upon some hidden gems along the way.
Our favoured method of transport and the best way to stick to a shoestring budget.
Bike
Valencia is bike and E-scooter friendly, with about 200km of cycle paths, which is ideal for locals and tourists alike.
We stayed at Holiday Inn Express and they offered 24-hour bike hire for guests for around €15 a day.
We also made enquiries with Eco Bikes and Rental, which is located opposite Torres de Serranos. They required a refundable deposit of €50.00 per bike and then €10 per bike.
An electric bike cost about €30 for the day. But prices varied depending on the duration of the hire.
Travelling on two wheels is a great way to get around Valencia and avoid relying on public transport.
Practical tips for using public transport in Valencia
While it is easy and cheap to get around Valencia, here are some tips to help you save a little extra and to help you have a smooth trip.
Valencia Suma Card
The Suma Card, is a rechargeable travel card that allows you to travel on public transport including the Metro, Bus and Trams within Valencia.
There are different types of Suma Card that offers a variety of zones you can travel between and the number of trips you can take.
As an example, the Suma 10 permits up to 10 trips within a specific zone. The Suma 30 offers unlimited travel within a period of 30 days within specific zones.
We purchased the Suma 10, which we both used and topped up when required. We could travel up to 10 times within zones A and B. It cost us around €8.00 and for us it was convenient to buy, use and affordable.
We have created a video on how to purchase the Valencia Suma Card, that you can watch here.
It is important that you choose the right travel card for you and the right zones. If you are travelling from the Airport to Valencia City, you’ll need to purchase tickets AB+. We noticed a few tourists arriving at the airport, trying to exit the Metro without the correct zones.
We purchased the Suma 10 travel card and we found that it was the most convenient way of travelling on public transport and it was budget friendly.
Plan your route
Route planning will help you navigate Valencia easily and stay within your budget.
We use Google Maps to help us plan and navigate our way around. We mark out a route and research how to navigate via public transport, walking or cycling.
Once you have planned the route, we would recommend doing some research on the bus, tram or metro timetables. That way you’re not wasting quality time, especially when you only have a limited time on your trip.
We also have a travel planner checklist that helped us to plan our trip to Valencia and any future trips, this includes itinerary creator and research checklist. This keeps us organised, hassle-free with as little hicups as possible.
Do you need a travel planner checklist? No problems! You can use ours for free. To download your copy of our travel planner check list then, just click the link here.
Conclusion
Navigating Valencia is easy when you have an efficient and affordable public transport network. Whether you choose to purchase the Suma card, purchase the travel card, or choose to get around Valencia on two wheels.
By choosing the best transport option to suit your travel needs, you’ll enjoy a seamless and enjoyable travel adventure around Valencia.
Ready to discover Valencia? Start planning your trip today! Grab your FREE copy of our travel planner, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in this charming Mediterranean city. Don’t forget to share your travel experiences and tips in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
Have questions or your own travel advice for Valencia? Leave a comment and let’s help each other explore the city smarter!
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