Getting Around: Metro, Tram, Bus, Bike

Valencia is unusually walkable. From Ciutat Vella to the beach is 45 minutes on foot through the Turia gardens. Most newcomers find they barely need a car. Here’s the rest.

The card

Buy a TuiN transport card at any metro station for an €8 refundable deposit. Top it up at the machines (cash or card, instructions in English). One zone covers nearly everything you’ll need. About €0.72 per metro or tram ride with the card vs. €1.50 cash.

Metro

Five lines, clean, frequent. Lines 3 and 5 run from the airport into the centre — €4.80 single from the airport. Operating hours: 06:00-23:00 weekdays, slightly later weekends.

Tram

Lines 4, 6, 8, 10. The tram is your friend if you live north of the Turia or near the beach.

• Line 4 — the workhorse, connects Ciutat Vella to Malvarrosa via Benimaclet
• Line 6/8 — to Patacona and the airport
• Line 10 — the modern north-south line through Marina Sud

Bus

EMT runs the city buses; they cover everything the metro doesn’t.

• Bus 95 — useful for connecting north neighbourhoods to centre
• Bus 32 — to the universities
• Bus 25 — the slow scenic ride to the beach

The EMT Valencia app shows live arrivals.

Valenbisi (bike-share)

A short subscription gets you the city bike share — €29.21/year, or €13.30/week for visitors. Probably the best deal in Valencia. Excellent along the Turia and the seafront.

Tip: in the morning, central docking stations empty fast. Apps like Citymapper or Bicimad show real-time availability so you know which stations have bikes.

Your own bike

Valencia has 150+ km of dedicated bike lanes — one of the best networks in Spain. You almost never need to mix with cars if you don’t want to. Helmet not legally required for adults inside the city; many wear one anyway.

Get a serious lock. Bike theft is real, especially around El Carmen and Ciutat Vella. A chain that’s heavier than your bike is the right answer.

Taxi / Uber / Cabify / Bolt

All four exist. Taxis can be hailed; the apps need their own apps. Cheaper than London or Madrid. Airport transfer is a flat €20-25 by official taxi.

When you actually need a car

• You’re going to L’Albufera (15 km south, weak public transport)
• You’re going to small towns in the comarca
• You’re moving flat with bulky things (rent a van for the day, €40-60)

Most expats who own cars regret it for the first six months — parking is brutal in Ruzafa, Cabanyal and El Carmen. If you do need a car, car-sharing apps like FREE NOW Car or Bipi are usually cheaper than owning.