Valencia airport to city centre — every option compared honestly
The airport is not far from the city
Valencia Airport (VLC) is 8 km from the city centre. This is genuinely close. The metro journey from Terminal A or B (they have separate connections) to the central Xàtiva stop takes about 22–25 minutes. This makes Valencia one of the easier Mediterranean airports to navigate on arrival.
The options are straightforward and the price differential between them is not as large as you might expect. Here’s the honest comparison.
Metro (L3/L5): the default correct choice for most travellers
Valencia has two metro lines serving the airport:
- Line L3 runs to Xàtiva (near the town hall and Central Market) and Rotes (near the port and Malvarrosa beach)
- Line L5 shares service from the airport terminals
Journey time: approximately 22–25 minutes to Xàtiva, the central interchange.
Cost: approximately €1.90–2.10 each way (sencillo/single ticket; exact price varies slightly by zone and card type). With a 10-trip Bonobus card, the per-journey cost drops to around €1.00–1.30.
Trains run every 7–10 minutes during peak hours, every 15–20 minutes late at night. The first train departs around 5:45am; the last is around 12:15am (midnight). This covers most flight arrival times.
Terminal note: both Terminal A and Terminal B have metro access, but check which terminal your airline uses. Terminal B has a slightly longer walk to the station. Both connect to the same metro line.
When metro is the best choice: almost always. Single travellers, couples, groups without enormous luggage, travellers arriving between 6am and midnight.
For the complete transport guide including route maps and connections to specific city destinations, the airport to city transport guide is the full reference.
EMT Bus (No. 150): the cheap alternative with caveats
The public bus route 150 runs from the airport to the city centre (Avenida del Cid and Xàtiva interchange). Journey time is longer than the metro — 30–50 minutes depending on traffic — and the bus only runs every 25–40 minutes.
Cost: approximately €1.50 (or Bonobus rate if you have one).
The main advantage over the metro is cost if you’re using a Bonobus card (it’s the same card, slightly cheaper per trip). The main disadvantage is frequency and predictability. Traffic from the airport into the city during morning rush hour can make the journey significantly longer.
When Bus 150 makes sense: if you have a Bonobus card already and aren’t in a hurry. Otherwise, the metro is faster and more reliable.
Taxi: more expensive but sometimes justified
Valencia taxis from the airport to the city centre cost approximately €18–25 depending on destination and time of day (night tariffs apply after 10pm, increasing the cost by around 20%). There is no Uber-style rideshare widely available in Valencia — traditional taxis dominate.
Taxis are metered. Ask for the meter to be started when you get in; it should start automatically. The supplement for airport pickups is legal and included in standard rates (about €3.30 extra).
When a taxi is worth it: with three or four people splitting the cost, a taxi works out similar to metro tickets each. Also sensible late at night when metro service is minimal, if you have significant luggage, or if you’re staying in a location that requires multiple metro changes.
Private transfer: book in advance for a premium
Several companies offer pre-booked private transfers from the airport. Prices run approximately €35–55 for a standard private car to the city centre. This is significantly more expensive than a taxi for an equivalent service, but you get the benefit of a named driver, a confirmed vehicle, and no waiting at the taxi rank.
This option makes most sense for business travel, for arrivals with complex schedules, or for groups staying in the same accommodation where splitting the cost makes it comparable to taxis.
The rental car question
If you’re planning day trips by car to places like Bocairent, Montanejos, or Morella — inland towns that are difficult to reach by train — picking up a rental car at the airport on arrival can be efficient. All major rental companies have airport desks.
However: a car is unnecessary for the city of Valencia itself. The metro and bus network is excellent, cycling is practical on the Turia Gardens cycle paths, and the historic core is largely pedestrianised. If your itinerary is purely city-based, return the car at the airport on the way out rather than paying for city-centre parking throughout your stay.
The getting around Valencia guide covers the full public transport network once you’re in the city.
Practical arrival tips
Have coins or a card: the metro ticket machines accept contactless and chip-and-pin cards as well as cash. If you’re arriving from outside the EU and your card might not be accepted, have a small amount of euros for the first ticket. The machines at the airport are multilingual.
Luggage storage: if you arrive before hotel check-in, luggage storage is available at the North Train Station (Estació del Nord) and at several private storage providers in the city centre. There is no luggage storage at the metro airport station itself.
Night arrivals: if your flight arrives after midnight, the metro has stopped. Your options are taxi (queues are typically short at night) or a pre-booked transfer. Budget €20–25 for a late-night taxi.
During Fallas: the metro during the final days of Las Fallas (15–19 March) is heavily overloaded. If you’re arriving during this period, allow extra time and consider a taxi for the airport leg, reserving metro use for shorter city journeys.
