How to get from Valencia Airport to the city centre

Valencia Airport sits in Manises, about 8 km west of the centre, so the trip into town is short. The metro is inside the terminal itself, alongside the bus, taxi and private transfers. Here is each option with its pros and cons, so you can choose based on when you land, how much luggage you have and where you are staying.

By metro (the most practical option)

For most travellers the metro is the fastest and cheapest way into the centre. Metrovalencia's lines 3 (red) and 5 (green) leave straight from the airport and drop you in the middle of town: Xàtiva (next to the train station and the bullring), Colón and Àngel Guimerà are the key stops. The ride takes roughly 20 minutes and trains run frequently.

The metro station is on the ground floor of the terminal, next to arrivals, so you don't even have to leave the building to catch it. It's accessible: the platforms are level and the trains are low floor. If you're travelling with large suitcases or a wheelchair, look for the signposted lifts in the station.

A metro ticket to the airport carries a supplement compared with a normal trip across the city. Fares change, so check the current price at the station machine or on the Metrovalencia website before you buy. If you'll be using public transport a lot during your stay, the SUMA card (Valencia's rechargeable transport card) is worth getting; note that some combined tickets don't include the airport leg, so check the conditions. I cover this in more detail in the getting around Valencia guide.

By bus (line 150)

There's also a bus: metropolitan line 150 links the airport with Plaza de España in the centre, via Manises, Quart de Poblet and Mislata. The stop is just outside arrivals and clearly signposted. It's a little cheaper than the metro, but noticeably slower, since it runs on the surface and makes several stops. Its timetable is also more limited (it doesn't run the same service on Sundays and public holidays). It usually only pays off if Plaza de España leaves you close to your accommodation. Frequencies and timetables vary by day, so check them before you set off.

By taxi

A taxi is the most comfortable option, especially with a lot of luggage, with family, or if you arrive tired. The rank is right outside arrivals, and the trip to the centre takes about 15-20 minutes without traffic. The airport usually applies a guideline fare or an airport supplement, so ask the driver for the approximate amount before you get in, or check the official fare in force. Card payment is generally available, but confirm it.

Private transfer or hire car

If you're travelling as a group, with small children, or you want someone waiting with your name at the exit, a private transfer (VTC) booked in advance saves you the taxi queue and fixes the price. A hire car makes sense if you're planning day trips out of town, to Xàtiva, Sagunto or the Albufera, for example, and the rental desks are at the airport itself. Within the city, though, a car is more of a hindrance than a help: the centre has paid parking zones and plenty of pedestrian streets.

What if I arrive at night?

The metro and bus stop running after a certain hour of the night, so if your flight lands late, the safest bets are a taxi or a pre-booked private transfer: both run at any hour and take you straight to the door. Check the time of the last metro on the day you arrive, so you're not left wondering when you walk out.

Where to stay to keep it easy

If you stay near the central metro stops (the Xàtiva area, the old town or the Eixample), getting to and from the airport is easy. To choose a neighbourhood for what you're after, have a look at the where to stay in Valencia guide.

Frequently asked questions

What's the fastest way from Valencia Airport to the centre?

The metro. Lines 3 and 5 drop you in the centre (Xàtiva, Colón, Àngel Guimerà) in about 20 minutes, with no traffic involved. A taxi can be a touch quicker door to door, around 15-20 minutes, but that depends on traffic.

Is there a direct metro from the airport?

Yes. The station is inside the terminal, on the arrivals level, and lines 3 (red) and 5 (green) head straight to the centre with no change.

Does the SUMA card work for the airport?

SUMA is Valencia's rechargeable public transport card, useful if you'll be getting around a lot. That said, the airport leg carries a supplement and some combined tickets don't include it, so check the current conditions. I explain it in the getting around Valencia guide.

What do I do if I arrive very late and there's no metro?

Take a taxi from the rank outside arrivals, or book a private transfer before your trip. These run round the clock; the metro and bus don't operate in the early hours.