Should I buy a Mobilis card in Valencia?

The Mobilis card (a rechargeable smart card valid on metro, EMT buses, and tram) is worth buying if you stay 4+ days and plan to use public transport daily. Load it with a Bono 10 (€8 for 10 trips in zone A) to reduce the per-trip cost from €1.50 to €0.80. Available at metro stations.

Mobilis card and Valencia transport passes: which to buy

Valencia’s public transport network uses a single integrated smart card — the Mobilis — that works across the metro, EMT city buses, tram, and certain suburban buses. Understanding how it works, what you can load onto it, and whether it represents better value than single tickets is worth a few minutes before you arrive.

What is the Mobilis card?

The Mobilis is a contactless smart card issued by Metrovalencia. Think of it as Valencia’s equivalent of London’s Oyster card or Paris’s Navigo — a reusable card that holds credit or passes and replaces paper tickets at turnstiles and bus validators.

The card itself costs €1 (a deposit/issuance fee). You then load one of several fare products onto it.

Where to buy:

Ticket machines at any Metrovalencia station (English interface available)
Metrovalencia service windows at major stations (Colón, Xàtiva, Àngel Guimerà, Airport)
Some EMT bus drivers (limited, ask on board)

Where to use: All metro and tram lines (L1–L10), all EMT city buses, certain metropolitan buses (look for the Mobilis logo on the vehicle).

What to load onto the Mobilis card

Bono 10 (10-trip card)

The Bono 10 is the best-value option for most visitors. You load 10 journeys onto the card, reducing the per-trip cost dramatically versus singles:

Zone	Single ticket	Bono 10 (per trip)	Saving per trip
Zone A (city centre)	€1.50	€0.80	€0.70 (47%)
Zone A+B (includes airport)	€2.90	€0.96	€1.94 (67%)

Each Bono 10 covers a journey, not a specific line or mode. Transfer bonus: If you transfer between metro and EMT bus within 60 minutes, the second leg uses only a partial deduction — in practice, this means a metro-plus-bus combined journey costs roughly 1.1 units from your Bono, not 2.0 units. This makes the Mobilis with Bono 10 particularly good value if your itinerary involves metro + bus combinations (for example, metro to a stop, then bus to the beach or Albufera).

Loading: At any station machine, select “Cargar” (load), then choose Bono 10, then select zone. Payment by card or cash.

Sharing: Multiple travellers can share a single Bono 10 — each person validates the card separately at entry. This is convenient for couples; couples using one card will exhaust it in half the trips of a solo traveller.

T-Dia (daily pass)

The T-Dia is a single-day unlimited pass for a fixed price (around €4.60 for zone A). It runs from first use until midnight of the same day. Worth considering if you plan 6+ journeys in one day — a heavy sightseeing day involving multiple metro and bus trips could easily reach this threshold.

However, for most visitors with 1–2 trips per day in the city, the Bono 10 provides better value over a stay of several days.

Zone coverage reminder

Most tourist activity in Valencia happens in Zone A: the historic centre, Russafa, Cabanyal, Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, and the beach areas. The airport (VLC) is in Zone B — reaching it requires a Zone A+B ticket (€2.90 single or a loaded Zone A+B Bono 10). If you have a Zone A-only Bono 10 and try to pass through zone B, the card will prompt you to upgrade or purchase a separate airport ticket.

Valencia Tourist Card: an alternative worth considering

The Valencia Tourist Card (24h, 48h, or 72h) includes unlimited metro and EMT bus travel alongside discounts at attractions. It is worth the premium if you plan to visit several paid attractions (Oceanogràfic, Bioparc, Hemisfèric, museums) and use public transport 4+ times per day.

For a visitor who is primarily using the metro to get from A to B and visiting mainly free attractions (old town, Turia park, beaches, markets), the Mobilis with a Bono 10 is almost certainly cheaper than the Tourist Card.

The Tourist Card is sold separately from the Mobilis — you use the Tourist Card directly at turnstiles without the Mobilis card.

Practical tips for using the Mobilis card

Tap in, tap out: On the metro, you validate both entering and exiting at turnstiles. On EMT buses, tap when boarding (there is no exit validation on buses). On the tram, validate at entry.

Check your balance: At any metro machine, insert or tap your card and select “Consulta de saldo” (balance check) to see remaining trips. The machines display your Bono units remaining.

Top up before you run out: There is no automatic reload. If your card runs empty mid-journey, you will need to purchase a single ticket or top up before passing the turnstile.

Keep the card safe: Unlike a London Oyster card, you cannot currently register a Mobilis card online for loss protection. If you lose it, the remaining balance is lost. Keep it somewhere secure.

Card validity: The Mobilis card itself does not expire quickly, but loaded fare products may have validity windows. Bono 10 trips, once loaded, are valid indefinitely — you will not lose them if you return to Valencia a year later with trips remaining.

What the Mobilis card does not cover

Valenbisi bikes: Separate subscription; no integration with Mobilis (as of 2026)
Cercanías trains (Renfe): These suburban trains to day-trip destinations (Xàtiva, Sagunto, Gandia, etc.) require separate Renfe tickets, purchased at Renfe machines. The Valencia Tourist Card does include Cercanías — one argument in its favour for day-trippers.
Long-distance AVE trains: Entirely separate Renfe booking
Taxi and rideshare: Pay in-app or by card directly

Comparing your options: summary

Option	Best for	Cost	Notes
Single ticket	Occasional metro use (1-2 trips)	€1.50/trip	No card needed
Mobilis + Bono 10	Regular metro/bus use	€1 card + €8/10 trips	Best daily value
T-Dia	Heavy single-day use	~€4.60/day	Unlimited metro+bus
Valencia Tourist Card	Attractions + heavy transit	€17–30	Includes Cercanías

Frequently asked questions about the Mobilis card

Can I load money directly onto the Mobilis card?

The Mobilis card loads fare products (Bono 10, T-Dia, etc.), not monetary credit. There is no “pay as you go” credit system as with the Oyster card — you must choose a product to load.

Do I need a Mobilis card for just one day?

For a single day with a couple of metro trips, single tickets are simpler — no card issuance fee, no need to queue at the machine to load a product. The Mobilis becomes worthwhile from day 2 onward.

Is there a student or resident discount?

Yes. Valencia residents under 25 and registered students pay reduced rates on the Mobilis card. These require a local address registration or student ID and are not available to tourists.

Can I use the Mobilis card at Valencia Airport?

Yes, but the airport is in Zone B. Load the Zone A+B Bono 10 (€9.60 for 10 trips) if you plan multiple airport trips, or buy a single Zone A+B ticket (€2.90) for a one-off airport journey. Loading both zone products on the same card is possible.

What is the SUMA card?

You may see references to the “SUMA” card or “Tarjeta SUMA” — this is the same Mobilis card rebranded at various points in Valencia’s transport integration history. If you have an older card from a previous visit labelled SUMA, it still works on the current network.

Using the Mobilis card for beach and day-trip transport

One practical scenario worth spelling out: combining the Mobilis card for the metro leg of a day trip to the beach.

Example journey — Russafa to Malvarrosa beach:

Walk from your hotel to Xàtiva or Colón metro station (5–10 min)
Metro L5 from Colón to Marítim-Serreria (tap Mobilis at entry, 4 stops, ~8 min)
Walk along the Turia mouth to the beach promenade (15 min), or continue on L4 tram to Neptú (tap again — the transfer within 60 min costs only ~0.1 Bono unit extra)
Return by same route

This combined journey deducts approximately 1.1 units from your Bono 10 instead of 2.0, saving €0.64 per round trip. Over a 5-day beach-focused stay making two such round trips daily, the savings add up to around €6–8 on transport alone.

For Albufera day trips: The Mobilis card covers the EMT bus 24/25 from the Neptú stop area to El Palmar in the Albufera. A single bus journey uses one Bono 10 unit (€0.80), making the return trip to the Albufera natural park cost €1.60 each way versus €1.50 by metro for a comparably shorter journey. The Mobilis extends seamlessly to buses — no separate product needed.

Mobilis card versus Valencia Tourist Card: the honest comparison

This comparison comes up frequently because both options cover public transport, but they target different types of visitor.

Choose the Mobilis card with Bono 10 if:

Your stay is 4+ days
You will use public transport 2–4 times per day
Most attractions you plan to visit are free (old town, Turia park, markets, beaches)
You prefer paying only for what you use

Choose the Valencia Tourist Card if:

Your stay is 1–3 days in the city
You plan to visit multiple paid attractions (Oceanogràfic, Bioparc, Hemisfèric, science museum) in quick succession
You want the convenience of one payment covering transport and attractions
You plan more than 5 public transport journeys per day

The Tourist Card’s transport benefit becomes cost-neutral after approximately 7 metro trips in a 24-hour period — possible in an intense sightseeing day, but unusual for most visitors. For mixed itineraries (some paid attractions, lots of walking), calculate both options against your specific plans before purchasing.

Refunding or returning the Mobilis card

If you have remaining Bono 10 trips at the end of your stay, the card is valid for future visits — there is no expiry on loaded Bono 10 units. Returning the card for a refund of unused trips requires visiting a Metrovalencia service window (Colón, Xàtiva, Àngel Guimerà stations have staffed windows) and the process is slow. For most visitors, keeping the card for a return trip is simpler.

The €1 issuance fee is not refunded regardless of when you stop using the card.

Connectivity and transport apps to use alongside the Mobilis card

The Mobilis card handles the payment side, but planning your journey in Valencia is best done with:

Metrovalencia app (official): Real-time metro timetables, disruption alerts, line status. Best for confirming departure times.
EMT Valencia app: Real-time bus tracking — see exactly where the next bus is on the map. Essential for routes with 20-minute headways.
Google Maps: Works reliably for Valencia public transport, including real-time arrival data for both metro and buses. The most useful all-in-one navigation tool.
Valenbisi app: If combining metro with city bikes, this shows real-time station occupancy for both bikes and empty docks.

The combination of a loaded Mobilis card and the Google Maps navigation interface gives you near-complete coverage of Valencia’s public transport network without needing to queue at station machines or deal with paper tickets for any city journey. The only exception is the airport arrival, where you’ll need to buy your first Mobilis card and Bono 10 load at the airport station machine.

Common Mobilis card scenarios for visitors

Scenario 1: 3-night city break, mostly walking, metro for airport

Buy card at airport (€1), load single Zone A+B ticket (€2.90) for airport to centre
At hotel area station, buy Bono 10 Zone A (€8.00) — 10 trips for city use
Return to airport: single Zone A+B (€2.90)
Total transport cost: ~€13.90 for the whole trip

Scenario 2: 7-night stay with beach days and city sightseeing

Buy Mobilis at airport, load Zone A+B Bono 10 (€9.60)
Uses 2 airport trips (arrival and departure) plus 8 city zone trips
Load second Zone A Bono 10 (€8.00) when needed
Total: ~€18.60 for unlimited city transit plus airport

Scenario 3: Families with 2 adults and 2 children

Children under 4 ride free on Metrovalencia (not Cercanías)
Children 4–12 pay half fare (available at machines, separate ticket)
Two adults sharing one Bono 10: each validates separately, card depleted at double rate
Buy two separate Bono 10 cards for two adults (€8 each) for simplicity
Total for 2 adults: €16–20 for a week, depending on frequency

Note on child fares: The reduced children’s rate is available on paper tickets from machines (select “tarifa reducida” or “infantil”). The Mobilis card system handles child fares differently — ask at the information window (Colón or Xàtiva stations have staffed desks open during business hours) if you need to load child-fare products.

What happens when your Bono 10 runs out mid-journey

If you tap in at the metro turnstile and your Bono 10 is empty (or doesn’t have enough units for the zone), the turnstile will reject the card and display an error. You need to:

Step aside from the turnstile
Go to the nearest ticket machine
Load more Bono 10 units (or purchase a single)
Return and tap through

You cannot tap out at the exit turnstile on a zero-balance card — if you somehow got through entry with the last unit and have zero left, the exit turnstile may not open. Alert the metro staff via the intercom button or by going to the staffed gate. Fare inspectors are also present on platforms and will see the zero balance — showing them the empty card and explaining the situation typically results in guidance to top up rather than a fine.

The practical lesson: keep 2–3 units in reserve by topping up when you reach 3 remaining units. The card display at the exit turnstile shows remaining units after each journey.