Valencia City Guide

Public transport

Operator. Metro and tram are operated by the Valencian regional operator FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana), city buses by the municipal EMT (Empresa Municipal de Transports). Since March 6, 2023, both networks have been linked through a shared zone system run by the transport authority ATMV (Autoritat del Transport Metropolità de València). The SUMA card is valid across the network on metro, tram, EMT city bus, the regional MetroBus lines and Renfe Cercanías, and allows a free transfer between systems within a window of 90 to 150 minutes from the first validation.

Network. Metro, tram and buses. The drained riverbed forms a continuous park across the city.

Modes of transport. Metro · Tram · City bus (EMT) · Regional bus (MetroBus) · Commuter train (Renfe Cercanías)

Operating hours. The official timetable of airport line 3 between Aeroport and Rafelbunyol serves as a reference, running weekdays (Monday to Thursday) from 5.27am to 10.32pm, Fridays from 5.27am to 11.27pm, Saturdays from 5.47am to 10.27pm, and Sundays and public holidays from 7.07am to 10.47pm. Line 5 between Aeroport and Marítim Serrería runs weekdays from 6.21am to 10.36pm, Fridays until 11.36pm, Saturdays from 6.55am, and Sundays/public holidays from 7.35am. Train frequency is around 15 minutes on weekdays and around 20 minutes on weekends and public holidays.

Night service. Metrovalencia does not operate a regular citywide night line network. On line 3, two additional late trains run on Saturdays and Sundays/public holidays at 0.47am and 2.07am, on line 5 there are three additional trains at 0.15am, 0.55am and 1.35am. According to its own service announcements, the company also keeps the evening frequency running longer on Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays than on regular weekdays, and for larger events the additional night service is further boosted on a case-by-case basis.

Buying tickets. SUMA credit and tickets can be bought at the machines and counters of Metrovalencia and Renfe Cercanías stations, as well as at kiosks, tobacco shops and other outlets in the ATMV sales network, and conveniently on the go via the official RecargaSUMA app. An anonymous cardboard carrier card costs 1.10 euros, a plastic one 2.20 euros, a personalized card 4.40 euros, and mailing a personalized card costs an extra 1 euro. The airport bus MetroBus line 150 sells its single ticket directly from the driver on board.

App and payment. RecargaSUMA is the official app of the transport authority ATMV for topping up credit and single tickets onto the SUMA card and for ordering personalized card carriers. It covers Metrovalencia, EMT, MetroBus, Renfe Cercanías and the municipal transit of Paterna and Sagunt. The official websites say nothing about contactless payment directly with a bank card at the turnstile without a SUMA card.

Which ticket. For tourist stays of a few days, Metrovalencia explicitly names the SUMA T card (valid on metro, tram, EMT bus, MetroBus and Renfe Cercanías) as the best choice in its own FAQ. It is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours from the first validation, with free transfers between modes of transport. The 24-hour version for zone AB costs 4.50 euros, which is less than two single tickets in that zone at 2.80 euros each, so it pays off from the second ride on the same day. Anyone wanting to include the airport needs zone AB+, where the 24-hour SUMA T+ card costs 9.00 euros, just under two single tickets (4.80 euros each). For a stay of two to three days, it's worth comparing to individual day tickets, the 48-hour SUMA T2 card costs 7.50 euros instead of 9.00 euros for two consecutive T1 day tickets, and the 72-hour SUMA T3 card costs 11.00 euros instead of 13.50 euros for three individual day tickets. All prices are valid since July 1, 2025, according to the ATMV fare resolution of June 17, 2025.

Fare zones. Yes. Zone A covers the entire city of Valencia, where a single ticket for 1.50 euros is enough. Only trips to and from the airport require the additional zone surcharge "+", identifiable by names like AB+ or SUMA T+.

Tip. The Turia park is the quickest and nicest cycle route between the old town and the Ciudad de las Artes.

Links

• Metrovalencia – Fares
• Metrovalencia – Frequently asked questions (SUMA, tickets)
• AENA – Getting to Valencia Airport by metro
• AENA – Getting to Valencia Airport by bus
• Renfe – València Joaquín Sorolla station
• EMT València (official site, linked from valencia.es, unreachable during research)
• Network map

Getting there

Main station

Location. A 1917 modernista building right by the centre. Long-distance trains also call at Joaquín Sorolla.

Long-distance trains. Renfe splits long-distance service across two stations. From València Joaquín Sorolla (Carrer de Sant Vicent Màrtir 171) depart AVE high-speed trains and Euromed trains to Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante/Alacant, with intermediate stops including Cuenca and Requena-Utiel. The historic València Nord station bundles the remaining long-distance and medium-distance services as well as the Cercanías commuter trains, with connections for example to Sevilla, Granada and Zaragoza. Between the two stations, Renfe runs a free shuttle bus for passengers holding a high-speed or long-distance ticket, and according to the company the ride takes no more than 5 minutes.

Opening hours. According to official Renfe information, the long-distance station València Joaquín Sorolla is open continuously from 5.45am to midnight.

Airports

Local quirks

• Paella is a lunch dish. It's eaten at midday, not in the evening, and traditionally made with rabbit and beans, not with seafood.
• Free station shuttle. For passengers with an AVE or long-distance ticket, Renfe runs a free bus between the València Nord and Joaquín Sorolla stations, and according to Renfe the ride takes no more than 5 minutes.
• E-scooters and e-bikes stay outside. Metrovalencia does not allow electric scooters or e-bikes into the network, even folded up. Only foldable regular bicycles are allowed everywhere as hand luggage, non-folding bikes only at above-ground stations, never in tunnel sections or on the tram.

Good to know

Currency

EUR €

Emergency number

112

Plug type

C · F

Time zone

Europe/Madrid

Driving

right

Speed limits. built-up areas 20/30/50 km/h (tiered), outside towns 90 km/h, motorway 120 km/h

Since May 2021, a three-tier system has applied within built-up areas instead of a single uniform value. 20 km/h on streets with a single level for the roadway and sidewalk, 30 km/h on streets with one lane per direction, and 50 km/h only from two lanes per direction upward. As a result, most inner-city streets are now limited to 30 km/h, which surprises visitors from countries with a uniform 50 km/h. A dense network of fixed and mobile speed cameras enforces this consistently, and fines on rental cars often arrive by mail only weeks later.

Tipping. Not expected. A few coins or five percent for good service is plenty.

Tolls. Some motorways are tolled, recognisable by AP in the name. Routes marked A are free.

Access restrictions. Cities above 50,000 inhabitants must set up low emission zones. Madrid and Barcelona enforce by camera, and foreign vehicles must register online in advance.