The first thing to understand about Valencia is that it's flat. Almost entirely flat. That makes cycling the default mode of transport for a lot of residents — and an extremely practical option for long-stay visitors. But the metro and tram also work well, and the whole network uses the same card.
Getting from the airport
Valencia Airport (VLC) is 8 km west of the city centre. The fastest and cheapest option is the metro — two lines connect the airport directly to the city with no bus transfer needed.
| Destination | Line | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| City centre (Àngel Guimerà) | Line 3 | 20 min | €1.50–2.50* |
| Benimaclet | Line 5 | 20 min | €1.50–2.50* |
| Ruzafa area (Bailèn) | Line 3, change at Àngel Guimerà | 30 min | €1.50–2.50* |
| Cabanyal (beach) | Line 3, then tram or bus | 35–40 min | €2–3 |
| Taxi to centre | — | 20 min | €15–20 |
*Airport zone surcharge applies — buy your ticket at the station machines before boarding.
Get a Suma card (rechargeable contactless card) at any metro station. Regular single journeys drop to €0.90 once you load credit. The card works on metro, tram and bus across the whole network.
Metro (Metrovalencia)
Valencia's metro has 9 lines and covers most of the city and its surroundings. For long-stay visitors, the most useful are lines 3 and 5. Line 3 runs from the airport through the city centre to Rafelbunyol — it's the main axis. Line 5 also serves the airport and connects Benimaclet to the western suburbs.
Trains run approximately every 6-12 minutes during the day, less frequently late at night. The system is clean, punctual by Spanish standards, and has clear signage in Valencian and Spanish (with English at major stops).
Key stops to know
| Stop | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Àngel Guimerà | Main interchange hub — lines 3, 5, 7. Centre of the transfer network. |
| Colón | City centre shopping and commercial area. Lines 3 and 5. |
| Xàtiva | Near Valencia Nord station (trains to Madrid/Barcelona). Lines 3 and 5. |
| Marítim-Serrería | Closest metro stop to Cabanyal. Line 3. |
| Benimaclet | Benimaclet neighbourhood. Lines 3 and 5. |
Tram — the coastal line
The tram is what most visitors use to travel between the city centre and the beach. Lines 4 and 6 run along the coast, connecting downtown Valencia (Pont de Fusta, near the old town) to the Cabanyal neighbourhood and continuing north along the seafront.
The ride from Pont de Fusta to Eugènia Viñes (the main Cabanyal tram stop) takes about 12 minutes. The tram is quieter than the metro and has better views — it runs at street level through the beach neighbourhood.
Eugènia Viñes (line 4): the main Cabanyal stop, closest to the beach and Mercat Municipal.
Mediterráneo (lines 4 and 6): one stop further north, useful for the northern part of the neighbourhood.
Valenbisi — bike sharing
Valenbisi is Valencia's public bike-sharing system and it's excellent. Over 150 stations across the city, all within easy reach. The bikes are sturdy and comfortable, and the network covers every central neighbourhood — including Cabanyal, Ruzafa and the city centre.
| Pass type | Cost | Free ride time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | €2 | 30 min per trip |
| 10 days | €13 | 30 min per trip |
| 1 month | €5 | 30 min per trip |
| 1 year | €35 | 30 min per trip |
The 30-minute limit is per trip, not per day — you can take unlimited trips as long as each one is under 30 minutes. Since most city journeys are under 15 minutes, this covers almost everything. For longer rides, dock the bike, take a 5-minute break, and continue.
The Turia gardens — the 9-km green park that runs through the city — is a dedicated cycling route with no cars. It connects the historic centre to Cabanyal and is one of the best cycling routes in any Spanish city.
Bus (EMT Valencia)
The city bus network (EMT) is extensive but less intuitive than the metro for visitors. Unless you have a specific need that metro or tram doesn't cover, the Suma card on the metro/tram is more straightforward. That said, the EMT app is decent and shows real-time arrivals.
The same Suma card works on EMT buses as on the metro — just tap on boarding. One practical use case: the H7 bus connects Xàtiva (near Valencia Nord station) to the port and Cabanyal, which is useful if you're near the main train station.
Walking and e-scooters
Valencia's old town, the main market and the central boulevards are all within comfortable walking distance of each other. The city is also covered by Voi and Lime e-scooter schemes — good for short trips when Valenbisi stations are full or too far.
E-scooters are limited to 25 km/h, must stay on cycle lanes or roads (not pavements), and require a driving licence to rent legally. Helmets are recommended but not always enforced.
Practical tips — what to do first
On your first day, do these two things: get a Suma card at any metro station (€1 card fee + whatever credit you want) and register for Valenbisi online at valenbisi.es. The combination covers 95% of your transport needs in Valencia for almost nothing.
Metrovalencia app — real-time metro and tram schedules, line maps, journey planner.
Valenbisi app — find stations near you, check bike availability, manage your account.
Google Maps and Citymapper both work well for Valencia routing across all modes.
Staying in Cabanyal? You'll barely need transport.
The beach is 8 minutes walk. The local market is 10 minutes. A tram stop to the city centre is 2 minutes away. It's one of the most walkable neighbourhoods in Valencia.
See the apartment Cabanyal neighbourhood guide