Is the Valencia Tourist Card worth it?
Valencia: 24, 48 or 72-hour Valencia tourist card
Is the Valencia Tourist Card worth buying?
The Valencia Tourist Card pays off if you plan to use public transport daily and visit 2-3 paid attractions per day. For a 48-hour stay with the City of Arts and Sciences, unlimited metro and bus, the card saves €20-30 compared to buying separately. Skip it if you're mainly doing free sights or staying in the old town on foot.
What you actually get for your money
The Valencia Tourist Card is a combined transport pass and attraction discount card. It comes in 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, and 7-day versions. The idea is simple: pay one flat fee, ride all the buses and metros you want, and get free or discounted entry to a list of museums and attractions.
The card covers unlimited travel on EMT buses and the Valencia Metro, including the two airport lines (L3 and L5). This is genuinely useful — a single metro journey is around €1.50, and if you’re moving around the city several times a day, the transport value alone can justify the card’s cost.
On the attractions side, the headline freebies are:
- Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema) — normally ~€9
- Príncipe Felipe Science Museum — normally ~€8
- IVAM (contemporary art, free on Sundays anyway)
- Museo de Bellas Artes (free to enter regardless — so not a real saving)
- Discounts at Oceanogràfic (usually 10-15% off, not free)
- Discounts at Bioparc (similar discount structure)
The saving depends entirely on your itinerary. Let’s do the maths honestly.
The honest maths: does it add up?
A realistic 48-hour itinerary might include:
| Item | Without card | With 48h card (≈€20) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 metro/bus trips at €1.50 | €9 | included |
| Hemisfèric entry | €9 | free |
| Science Museum entry | €8 | free |
| Oceanogràfic (discounted ~15%) | ~€30.60 instead of €36 | €30.60 |
| Total | €56 | €50.60 |
That example saves about €5.40 on top of the €20 card cost — a net saving of roughly €25. Add more transport trips or an IVAM visit, and the card becomes clearly worthwhile.
However, if your itinerary looks like this:
- Walking El Carmen, Russafa, Turia Gardens (all free)
- Cathedral visit (€9, NOT covered by card)
- Llotja de la Seda (€3.50, NOT covered)
- Two metro trips total
In that case, you’d spend €20 on the card but only avoid €3 in transport costs. The card would actually cost you more.
Bottom line: run your own numbers. The card rewards people who move around by public transport and visit the paid science/arts complex. It penalises people who stick to the old town and rely mainly on free or separately priced monuments.
What the card does NOT include (common misconceptions)
This is where tourists often feel misled. The following are not included in the tourist card:
- Valencia Cathedral — entry is €9, payable separately at the door
- Llotja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) — €3.50, not covered
- Bioparc full entry — discount only (not free)
- Oceanogràfic full entry — discount only (not free)
- Hop-on hop-off bus — separate ticket required
- Albufera excursions — day trips are fully separate
The card’s own website lists covered attractions clearly, but many visitors assume any tourist site in Valencia is included. The Cathedral is one of the most popular sights in the city, yet it’s not covered — a fact that surprises many cardholders at the door.
Comparing the 24h, 48h and 72h options
Valencia Tourist Card — 24, 48 or 72 hours24-hour card (≈€15): Barely makes sense unless you arrive midday, plan to visit two free-with-card attractions, and use transport several times. The time pressure is real — the clock ticks from first use, so a late start wastes potential. Worth it only for specific, densely packed single-day itineraries.
48-hour card (≈€20): The sweet spot. Two full days allow you to spread out visits to the City of Arts and Sciences complex and explore different neighbourhoods without feeling rushed. This is the most purchased option.
72-hour card (≈€25): Adds only €5 over the 48-hour version. If you’re staying three days or more, this is almost always the right choice. The extra €5 buys an extra day of transport and attraction access.
7-day card: Priced significantly higher. Genuinely worthwhile only for extended stays with consistent attraction-visiting. Most visitors are better off with the 72-hour card plus individual tickets for any extra days.
Transport included: the real daily value
For a visitor basing themselves in El Carmen or Russafa who wants to reach:
- City of Arts and Sciences: metro (Alameda → Ciutat de les Arts) or bus 95
- Malvarrosa beach: tram from Torres Serranos, or bus 31/32
- Alboraia (horchata country): metro L3 to Alboraia-Pedralbeta
- VLC Airport: metro L3 or L5 from Xàtiva (~€1.50 normally)
With the card, each of these rides is included. On a typical tourist day using transport 4-6 times, the card’s transport value alone is €6-9. Over 48 hours, that’s €12-18 in transport savings.
Valenbisi (city bike share) is also included with the tourist card — the first 30 minutes of each hire are free, which covers most cross-city journeys on the flat urban network.
Is the card available digitally?
Yes. You can purchase the tourist card online and receive a QR code valid for transport taps and attraction entry. The physical card is optional but works the same way. Digital purchase via GetYourGuide means you can sort this before arrival and avoid queues at the airport desk.
Alternatives to the tourist card
If the tourist card doesn’t fit your itinerary, consider:
Tarjeta Transporte Público (T-2 or T-10): A rechargeable metro/bus card. A 10-trip card costs around €10. Better value for short stays focused on transport only.
Individual attraction tickets: If you’re only visiting Oceanogràfic, buying directly via the Oceanogràfic entry ticket avoids the card’s fixed cost entirely.
City of Arts full-day combo: The City of Arts full-day combined ticket bundles Oceanogràfic, Hemisfèric, and Science Museum into a single ticket. If that complex is your main goal, this combo is often cheaper than the tourist card unless you also need heavy transport use.
Verdict by visitor type
Backpacker moving around for 2-3 days: Card usually pays off. You’ll use transport constantly and want to see the science complex.
Weekend city break (Fri evening → Sun): The 48-hour card works well. Buy it Friday night and run it through Sunday.
Couple on a cultural 3-day trip: 72-hour card is the right call. The €25 fee will be recouped within the first day.
Day-tripper from Alicante or Madrid: Skip the card. A day return fare and single attraction entry is simpler and often cheaper.
Family with young children: Depends heavily on whether kids pay full entry at each attraction. Children under 4 are generally free; ages 4-14 get child prices that reduce the card’s adult-equivalent value. Check specific attraction child rates before deciding.
How to use the card efficiently
- Activate strategically: Don’t activate the card until you’re about to take your first transport journey. If you buy it on arrival but plan to walk to your hotel, wait until you board the metro.
- Front-load paid attractions: Do the Hemisfèric and Science Museum on day one. Free activities (Turia Gardens, Malvarrosa beach, El Carmen streets) can fill day two.
- Check opening hours: IVAM is closed on Mondays. The Science Museum has seasonal hours. Hemisfèric shows run at specific times — book in advance to avoid arriving at the door to find the next show is in three hours.
- Download the companion app or PDF: The discount booklet changes periodically. Check what’s currently valid at restaurants and shops.
Frequently asked questions about the Valencia Tourist Card
Is the Valencia Tourist Card better value than individual tickets?
It depends on your itinerary. For visitors planning to use public transport multiple times daily and visit 2-3 attractions per day from the covered list (Hemisfèric, Science Museum, IVAM), the 48-hour card typically saves €15-25 vs buying separately. For visitors sticking to free sights and walkable distances, individual tickets are cheaper.
Does the Valencia Tourist Card work on the airport train?
Yes. Metro lines L3 and L5 both serve VLC Airport, and both are covered by the tourist card. This is worth noting: the single metro fare from the airport to the city centre is €2.80 (zone-priced), so if you’re using the card on arrival, you save that fee immediately.
Can I share a Valencia Tourist Card between two people?
No. Each card is valid for one person only. For groups, each person needs their own card.
Is the 7-day Valencia Tourist Card worth it?
Only for longer stays of 5+ days with heavy attraction visiting. For most tourists (2-4 days), the 72-hour card is sufficient and cheaper.
Are there any hidden fees with the Valencia Tourist Card?
Not hidden, but easy to miss: the card does not include the hop-on hop-off tourist bus, boat tours, Cathedral entry, Llotja de la Seda entry, or any restaurant meals (only discounts at selected partners). The Bioparc and Oceanogràfic are discount only, not free.
Where is the best place to buy the Valencia Tourist Card?
Online is generally easiest — either via the official valenciatouristcard.com or via GetYourGuide, which allows advance booking and digital delivery. Buying at the airport desk works but can involve queues if several flights have just arrived.
What happens if I lose my Valencia Tourist Card?
Digital cards (QR code on your phone) cannot be lost. Physical cards are not refundable or replaceable if lost. This is a practical reason to opt for the digital version.
Frequently asked questions about Is the Valencia Tourist Card worth it?
How much does the Valencia Tourist Card cost?
As of 2026, the Valencia Tourist Card costs approximately €15 for 24 hours, €20 for 48 hours, and €25 for 72 hours. Prices fluctuate slightly; always verify on the official website or via GetYourGuide before purchase.What transport is included with the Valencia Tourist Card?
The card covers unlimited rides on the EMT city buses, the Metro, and the Valenbisi bike-share within the card's validity period. Airport metro lines L3 and L5 are also included.Which attractions are free with the Valencia Tourist Card?
The card gives free entry to the Hemisfèric, Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, IVAM, Museo de Bellas Artes, and discounts at the Oceanogràfic and Bioparc. The Cathedral and Llotja de la Seda are NOT free — they charge separate entry fees regardless.Is the Valencia Tourist Card valid from purchase or first use?
The clock starts on first use (first tap on transport or first attraction entry), not from the purchase moment. This gives you some flexibility if you buy it in advance.Can I buy the Valencia Tourist Card at the airport?
Yes — there's a tourist info desk in the arrivals hall at VLC Airport. You can also buy online via GetYourGuide (pick up at a kiosk or download digital) or at the Valencia Tourism offices in the old town.Does the Valencia Tourist Card include discounts at restaurants?
Yes — the card comes with a booklet (physical or digital) of discounts at selected restaurants, shops, and services. Quality varies; treat these as a bonus, not a reason to buy the card.Is the tourist card worth it for 1 day only?
Rarely. With a single day, a single-day metro+bus pass (Tarjeta Transporte Público) at around €5-6 is usually cheaper unless you squeeze in three paid attractions. Calculate your actual itinerary before buying.Where can I buy the Valencia Tourist Card?
Purchase online at valenciatouristcard.com, via GetYourGuide, at VLC Airport arrivals, Valencia Tourism offices (Plaza de la Reina, Estación del Norte), or at major hotels.
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