Ultimate 2026 Valencia Metro & Bus Guide: Tickets, Routes, Tips
I still remember my first arrival at Valencia Airport back in 2018. Bleary-eyed after a red-eye from London, I dragged my overstuffed suitcase through the humid Spanish night. Euros and maps fumbled in my hands, I was convinced I'd blow half my paella budget on a taxi. Chaos turned to triumph the next day when a local nudged me toward the metro. Fast-forward to my last trip in 2025: I zipped around like a pro. Beach-bound on bus 25, horchata in hand. Valencia's public transport isn't just efficient. It's the heartbeat of this sun-soaked city. It weaves you from the futuristic City of Arts to medieval alleys without breaking a sweat. With 2026 fare tweaks and app upgrades on the horizon, here's how to dive in effortlessly.
Touching Down: Getting from Valencia Airport to the City Center
Forget overpriced taxis queuing in the heat. The metro is your smartest move. Lines 3 (red) and 5 (green) run direct from Aeropuerto station to Colón or Xàtiva in under 25 minutes. Ticket prices in 2026 nudge up slightly: a single ride with the airport supplement hits €4.20 (base €1.75 + €2.45 extra). Load the Valencia Transport app for contactless zapping. No paper tickets needed.
Want speed without the subway schlep? The Aerobus (Line A) is the best bus option from Valencia Airport to the city center. It runs every 20-30 minutes from 5:45 AM to 1:30 AM, dropping you at Nuevo Centenario or Colón for €6 one-way. Air-conditioned with luggage space, it's ideal for late flights. I sweet-talked the driver once into a quick photo stop overlooking Turia Gardens at dusk. Magic. Budget alternative: Buses 150 and 151 at €1.75 (no supplement), but they snake through suburbs—40 minutes total. Solo with light bags? Metro. Families? Aerobus.
Tickets That Won't Break the Bank: Prices, Passes, and Hacks
Valencia keeps it cheap and simple. Singles start at €1.75 for metro or bus in Zone A (most tourist spots). €2.35 for Zones A+B (beaches like Malvarrosa). Goldmine: SUMA 10-pack for €8.90—€0.89 per ride if split. Day passes? €4 for 24 hours unlimited in Zone A via app or machines. Or €7 TuiN for 10 journeys over 30 days.
Buying a bus day pass is a breeze. Download the official Móbilis app (free on iOS/Android). Scan QR at stations or vending machines—English menus, card or cash. Kids under 10 ride free with an adult SUMA card. Under-26s get 50% off with ID. Seniors over 65: €0.50 flat. I watched a nonna wrangle her grandkids onto a packed Line 5. Valencianos have heart.
Airport Specials and Night Owls
Airport supplement waived on 24/72-hour Bonos (€12/€20 unlimited). Post-11 PM, metro sleeps. N1-N4 night buses run till 5 AM for €1.75. Check app for 2026 schedule changes—minor festival extensions like Las Fallas.
Metro Mastery: Lines, Maps, and Must-Know Routes
Snag a Valencia metro map from any station or app. Color-coded, nine lines span 150+ km. From airport, Lines 3/5 hit Plaza Ayuntamiento (city hall, markets), then Russafa's cafes. Line 1 to Ciutat de les Arts—that glowing opera house by the riverbed park (€39 entry, 10 AM-8 PM, book ahead). Short hops? Validate every time. Fines: €100.
Favorite route: Line 5 to Marítim-Serrería, stroll 10 minutes to La Malvarrosa beach. Waves. Paella shacks. Bliss after rush hour (8-9 AM, 6-7 PM). Post-2024 renos, stations shine: air-cooled, elevators everywhere. Off-peak? Private tour vibes.
Buses: Beaches, Old Town, and Beyond
60+ lines fill gaps. Bus routes to beach and Old Town: Lines 19/20 from Plaza de la Reina (cathedral hub) to El Cabanyal's fishing quarter. Seafood at Casa Isabel (Calle Isabel de Villena 155, noon-4 PM/8 PM-midnight, €25 pp fideuà). Line 25 beach express from Pont de Fusta every 15 minutes (€1.75), straight to promenade bars.
Ciutat Vella? Lines 2/8 circle La Lonja silk exchange (UNESCO, Pla del Rei s/n, €2, 10 AM-2 PM/4-8 PM). Greener electric buses in 2026. Download routes offline—Turia tunnels kill signal.
The App That Changed Everything
Grab the Valencia public transport app via Móbilis or EMT Valencia. Real-time tracking. Fare calc. Bike-metro combos. Planned a day once: airport metro, bus to Bioparc zoo (Av. Pío Baroja 1, €30 adult/€23 child, 10 AM-6 PM), Line 4 back. Screenshot maps to save battery.
Navigating Like a Local: Insider Tips for 2026
Prep wins: Charge phone. Note Zone A limits (city core). Hug right on escalators. Lost? Staff speak English. Google Translate helps. Strollers OK, but fold tight. Heat hack: Early starts, fountain water. Ditch Ubers—cut emissions 80%.
Glitchy night in Russafa (C/Micuela 13, Bar Aficion vermut, 1 PM-late, €15 tasting). Missed Line 6. Next bus saved dinner. Flexibility. 2026 bonus: EV chargers, contactless everywhere.
Pin this guide for your Valencia adventure—or share with a travel buddy chasing Mediterranean magic. Safe travels!
Why Valencia's Transit Steals the Show
Airport rush to Old Town whispers. Metro and buses unlock layers: fireworks, silk markets, rice feasts. Wallet intact. 50+ rides over trips—happiest memories. 2026 tweaks: App alerts, greener fleets. Download. Ride. Repeat. ¡Hasta luego!