Valencia travel guide · Plan
How to get to Valencia: plane, train, bus, boat or car
Valencia is easy to reach by any means: the airport is 20–25 minutes from the centre by metro, high-speed trains link Madrid with Joaquín Sorolla station in about 1 h 50 min, the train from Barcelona takes around 4 hours and there are daily ferries to the Balearic Islands. If you drive, bear in mind the low-emission zone, which has been issuing fines since December 2025.
Updated September 27, 2026
The essentials in 60 seconds
- Plane
- Valencia Airport (VLC), in Manises: metro L3/L5 to the centre in 20–25 min.
- Train from Madrid
- AVE, Avlo, Iryo and Ouigo to Joaquín Sorolla: about 1 h 50 min.
- Train from Barcelona
- Euromed and other trains to Joaquín Sorolla: about 4 hours.
- Car
- Low-emission zone: €200 fines for vehicles without a DGT label registered outside the province.
By plane: Valencia Airport
Valencia Airport (VLC) is in Manises, about 8 km from the centre, and has flights from all over Europe. From the airport to the centre you can take the metro (lines 3 and 5, about 20–25 minutes and €4.80 a ticket), MetroBús 150 or a taxi (€20–30). Our airport page has the live metro timetable and the full comparison.
By train: Joaquín Sorolla and Estació del Nord
Valencia has two train stations next to the centre. High-speed services (AVE, Avlo, Iryo, Ouigo and the Euromed) arrive at Joaquín Sorolla. From Madrid the journey takes about 1 h 50 min and there are dozens of trains a day; from Barcelona, around 4 hours.
Estació del Nord, a modernista building next to the bullring, serves Cercanías and regional trains. The two are about 10 minutes' walk from each other and from the centre; from Joaquín Sorolla, the nearest metro station is Jesús (lines 1 and 2), and you can also walk to Xàtiva.
| From | Arrival station | Approx. time | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | Joaquín Sorolla | 1 h 50 min | Renfe (AVE, Avlo), Iryo, Ouigo |
| Barcelona | Joaquín Sorolla | 4 h | Renfe (Euromed) |
| Castelló, Sagunt | Estació del Nord | 30 min – 1 h | Cercanías C6 |
By bus: the bus station
Valencia's bus station is on Avenida de Menéndez Pidal, next to the Nuevo Centro shopping centre, on the other side of the Turia gardens. Long-distance coaches arrive from all over Spain, along with international routes. The nearest metro stop is Túria (lines 1 and 2), a few minutes' walk away.
By boat: ferries and cruises
The port of Valencia has daily ferries to Palma, Ibiza and Menorca (Baleària leaves from the Estació Marítima, on the Túria quay; Trasmed, from the Poniente quay) and receives cruise ships. The crossing to Palma takes about seven and a half hours. From the port, the tram and EMT buses take you to the centre.
By car: motorways and the low-emission zone
Valencia is reached on the A-3 from Madrid and on the AP-7 and A-7 from Barcelona and Alicante. In the city, street parking in the centre is hard to find: the practical option is to leave the car in a public car park or in a park-and-ride next to a metro station.
Valencia has a low-emission zone (ZBE). Since 1 December 2025, vehicles without a DGT environmental label registered outside the province are fined €200. Cars with foreign plates have no DGT label: check the city's ZBE website for what you need to do before driving in.
Our public car parks page shows real-time occupancy, so you know where there are free spaces before you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train from Madrid to Valencia?
About 1 h 50 min by high-speed train, between Madrid and València Joaquín Sorolla station. Renfe (AVE and Avlo), Iryo and Ouigo operate the route, with dozens of trains a day and fares from a few euros if you book ahead.
Which train station is closest to Valencia city centre?
Both are close. Estació del Nord, for Cercanías and regional trains, is five minutes' walk from Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Joaquín Sorolla, for high-speed trains, is about 10 minutes' walk further south; the metro (Jesús station) and EMT buses connect it with the centre.
Can I drive into central Valencia?
Yes, but there is a low-emission zone: since December 2025, vehicles without an environmental label registered outside the province are fined. In the centre, street parking is also hard to find and expensive; it is easier to leave the car in a car park and get around by public transport.
Is there a ferry from Valencia to Mallorca and Ibiza?
Yes, there are daily ferries from the port of Valencia to Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza, and also to Menorca. The crossing to Palma takes about seven and a half hours. Baleària and Trasmed operate them, leaving from different quays: check your ticket.
Official sources
Figures and timetables checked against these sources. If anything has changed, the official source prevails.
Keep exploring the guide
- Airport to city centreMetro, MetroBús or taxi: times, prices and real timetables.
- When to goMonth-by-month weather, sea temperature and seasonal festivals.
- Practical informationSafety, water, pharmacies, opening hours, tipping and language.
- Which transport card to buySUMA, SUMA T+ or Tourist Card: work out which is cheapest for you.
- Things to see in ValenciaThe must-sees, grouped by area and with tickets.
- Valencia's festivalsThe year's calendar and upcoming festivals.