Valencia airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs

Valencia Airport (VLC) sits at Manises, roughly 8 km west of the city centre. Four ways in: Metro lines 3 and 5, a taxi, an urban bus, or a pre-booked private transfer. The Metro is the default for most travellers because it is cheap, frequent and drops you at Xàtiva or Colón, both a short walk from the old town and the main hotel areas.

A taxi wins when you land late, carry bags, or stay outside the Metro corridor. The bus is the cheapest-looking option on paper but only useful if your accommodation sits near its stops. Private transfers cost more and mainly suit groups of three or more or late-night arrivals.

Metrovalencia lines 3 and 5 serve the airport directly. The station is signed Aeroport and sits across from the terminal; follow the Metro signs from arrivals. Trains run through the city centre to Xàtiva and Colón, both in the middle of the old town, and continue to other stops including Alameda and Marítim–Serradora toward the beach side.

Buy a single ticket from the machines at the station; an airport supplement applies, which is why the fare is higher than a normal city trip. Validate the ticket at the gate and keep it until you exit. Trains are roughly every 7–15 minutes, with slightly longer gaps on Sundays and public holidays — check the day's timetable before you rely on a late train.

The Metro does not run 24 hours. If you land after the last train, take a taxi. For a family or a group with several suitcases, the Metro is still workable but the stairs and escalators at some central stations are limited.

The taxi rank is outside arrivals. The fare to the centre is metered, with an airport supplement and a minimum charge; expect roughly €20–30 in normal traffic, more at night, on Sundays and public holidays, or if you are stuck in rush hour. The ride takes 20–30 minutes depending on where in the city you are going and how heavy the traffic is on the access roads.

Use the official rank rather than anyone approaching you inside the terminal. Most Valencia taxis accept cards, but ask before you get in if you have no cash. Keep the receipt if you need to query the fare.

Pre-booked private transfers cost more, usually €30–45 for a standard car, but the price is fixed before you travel and the driver waits with a name sign. That is worth it for a group of three or four with luggage, or for a late-night arrival when you would rather not queue.

An urban bus connects the airport area with the city, but routes, stops and fares change with each operator contract, so treat any specific line number you read online as unverified. Check the current route at the airport information desk or on the operator's site before you plan around it.

The bus is slower than the Metro into the centre and only makes sense if it stops near your accommodation. If you are heading to the old town or the main station area, the Metro is simpler and usually faster.

Metro: about €4–5 single with the airport supplement (2026 estimate). Taxi: about €20–30 to the centre, plus night, Sunday and holiday supplements. Bus: about €1.50–2. Private transfer: about €30–45 for a standard car. A taxi split between three people is often close to the Metro fare per person, which is why groups should not rule it out.

Valencia is a compact city, and the centre is walkable once you arrive, so you rarely need another ticket on the day you land. If you plan several Metro trips, ask about a multi-trip card at the machine — it usually works out cheaper than singles, though the airport supplement still applies on the airport leg.

Pickpockets work busy Metro lines and the area around the main stations, so keep bags zipped and in front of you. In summer, the walk from Xàtiva or Colón to your hotel can be hot; a taxi for the last kilometre is a reasonable call with luggage.

If you are continuing beyond Valencia, the city is a rail hub for the region: regional trains reach Gandía and Requena, and the high-speed network links to Madrid and beyond. Buy onward tickets in advance for the best prices.