How to get from Barcelona to Valencia
Barcelona is one of the top European tourist destinations. And Valencia is becoming the place to go not just for repeat visitors coming back to Spain, but also for first-timers that have enough time to visit more than one city in the same trip. I don’t need to tell you all the wonders of Barcelona. But Valencia is also worth a trip: for its authentic paella, its refreshing orchata, its sandy beaches, its beautiful architecture or its exciting festivals such as the famous Fallas.
And the good news is that Valencia is relatively close to Barcelona to make it a convenient combination on the same trip! Valencia is located some 350km / 217.5mi South of Barcelona, making it a fast trip: from 1 hour flight, to 3 hours train ride, to 4 hours by car. But what is the best way to get from Barcelona to Valencia? It depends on your needs and budget, mostly. Let’s explore the options together!
Taking the train to Valencia from Barcelona
Train is by far the most popular way to get to Valencia from Barcelona. Renfe, the national railway company, covers this route using a variety of trains offering different levels of comfort, speed and schedules. So when booking you need to take into account what is your travel budget, what schedules work best for your plans, and how fast you want to travel. We help you understand the difference, so you can pick the best option for you:
1
Euromed
They are direct trains only stopping briefly in Camp de Tarragona and Castello on the way to Valencia. Euromed trains are modern and incorporate a cafe coach. And there’s also extra-large seating available depending on your selected price option.
Average trip duration: 3 hours
Depart from: Barcelona Sants
Arrive to Valencia: Joquin Sorolla
Total number of stops: 4
Check schedules and pricing >>
2
Alvia
Despite Alvia trains being prepared to ride on high speed railways, in the case of the Barcelona Valencia trip that doesn’t make it the fastest option. The few Alvia trains serving this itinerary take about 1 hour longer than Euromed trains mostly because they stop at additional stations along the way: Cambrils, Amposta, Vinarós, Benicarló-Peñiscola. And while they are quite modern, too, they don’t incorporate a cafe coach. Extra-large seating is available with their Confort tickets.
Average trip duration: 4 hours
Depart from: Barcelona Sants
Arrive to Valencia: Joquin Sorolla
Total number of stops: 8
Check schedules and pricing >>
3
Regional Express
Regional Express trains are used to provide service to large and medium-sized towns in a region or between two destinations. Because of that, they take longer than Euromeds and Alvias, but they aren’t always cheaper… They still nice trains, but they don’t have a cafe coach or extra-large seating. In that sense, they are more basic. There’s only one type of fee that doesn’t allow upgrades for larger seats nor cancellation protection.
Average trip duration: 5 hours 45 minutes
Depart from: Barcelona Estacio de França, also stopping in Passeig de Gracia and Sants Estacio
Arrive to: Valencia Cabanyal, then to Estacio del Nord.
Total number of stops: 24
Check schedules and pricing >>
4
Intercity
Intercity trains are designed to service long-distance lines at medium-distance prices. These trains are slower than Euromeds and Alvias, but since they only stop in the main cities, they only take just a bit longer than Alvias to reach Valencia from Barcelona, and their price is similar. They don’t have a cafe coach, and you can choose the Confort fee to secure extra-large seating. They are usually the last train to depart from Barcelona to Valencia every evening.
Average trip duration: 3 hours 20 minutes
Depart from: Barcelona Sants Estacio
Arrive to: Valencia Joaquin Sorolla.
Total number of stops: 4
Check schedules and pricing >>
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TRAIN FAQ
How much is a one-way ticket?
It depends on the type of train, how much in advance you buy it, and what schedule you choose. The cheapest we’ve seen start around €15 or €21, but the average is €25-€45, and up. There’s no discounts for round-trip tickets.
When should you buy your train tickets?
The sales of direct trains start 3 months in advance. If you try to book earlier than that you’ll only find AVE trains going via Madrid and taking twice as long as Euromeds. So once you hit the 3 months in advance mark, the sooner, the better. Just like for airplanes, the price of the long distance trains is dynamic and changes according to the demand. So the best deals are found when the sales open several months in advance. Also, the most demanded departure times sell out. So in order to have a broader choice of possible schedules to travel, the sooner you book your tickets, the better.
It is possible to purchase the tickets at the train station on the same day you’ll be travelling, but it’s risky as there might be a line that makes you miss the train, or the tickets might be sold out for the train you wanted and you are made to wait for the next train… Better play safe and plan ahead and book online in advance.
How long does the train ride take?
It depends on the type of train you book and how many stops it makes. The fastest trains (Intermed) take a bit under 3 hours, and the slowest take almost 6 hours (Regional Express).
What train companyies operate between Barcelona and Valencia?
The only train company servicing this itinerary with direct trains is Renfe, the national railway company of Spain. They cover the route with a variety of different trains: Intermed, Alvia, Regional Express and Intercity.
Is there a high speed train from Barcelona to Valencia?
Not really: Renfe’s high speed trains are either AVE and Avlo, and there aren’t direct AVE or Avlo trains connecting Barcelona and Valencia (you’d need to go via Madrid, but it’d take you longer than a Regional Express). In theory Alvias can also reach high speed levels, but that doesn’t happen on the route between Barcelona and Valencia. The other two high speed companies in Spain, Ouigo and Iryo, don’t cover this route. Iryo isn’t present in Valencia yet, and Ouigo goes there via Madrid, but their website doesn’t even give you the option of connecting trains.
Is there WIFI on the trains?
Unfortunately, not yet.
Are there sockets on the trains?
Despite what Renfe might say, don’t count on them. If you are lucky, you’ll find sockets under your seat. But most trains aren’t equipped with them yet.
Are this trains compatible with Eurorail?
Euromed and Alvia are available for Interail pass holders for an additional fee. Regional Express trains are included in the Interail pass.
Which are the departure and arrival stations?
All the trains from Barcelona to Valencia depart or at least stop in Sants Estacio at some point. The Regional Express actually starts its journey in Estacio de França and also stops at Passeig de Gracia.
Most trains arrive to Valencia Joaquin Sorolla station, except Regional Express trains, which go to Valencia Cabanyal and Estacio del Nord. BTW, there’s a free shuttle bus connecting these two stations.
How many trains are there daily and on what schedule?
It really depends on the demand, as Renfe may decide to add trains as some schedules fill up. But it’s 8 to 12 trains/day on weekdays and 5 to 7 trains/day on weekends and local holidays.
The first train departs around 7AM and the last one around 8.30PM.
Barcelona to Valencia by bus
5
Alsa
All the tickets for the buses departing from the Airport include cancellation protection, and there’s only one fee option. Instead, there’s different ticket types for the buses departing from Estacio del Nord, depending on the cancellation protection you want to include.
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BUS FAQ
How much is a one-way ticket?
You can hit tickets for as little as €5 if you depart from Estacio del Nord and purchase the most basic ticket without cancellation protection. The tickets from the airport start around €35 one-way.
When should you buy your bus tickets?
The tickets for buses departing from the Airport and the SuperFlex tickets (maximum cancellation protection) for buses departing from Barcelona city have a fix rate and can be purchased upto 12 months in advance. But they may sell out in the high season, so don’t wait until last minute.
The tickets for the buses departing from Barcelona city with lesser cancellation protection (Minima, Reducida and Flexible) are released 6 months in advance and the prices are dynamic, so the sooner, the better. The €5 tickets are often gone 2.5 months in advance or sooner. It is possible to purchase your ticket at the station on the same day of your trip, but it’s risky as some buses might be full already.
How long does the bus ride take?
The buses from the Barcelona Airport typically take around 4 hours, while those departing from Barcelona city take around 4.5 hours. But that can vary depending on traffic conditions.
Which are the departure and arrival stations?
The buses depart either from Barcelona Estacio del Nord, or from the T1 Terminal of the Barcelona – El Prat airport. They arrive to Estacio d’Autobusos de Valencia.
How many buses are there daily and on what schedule?
There’s 10 buses departing daily. The first one departs at 1AM, and the second at 7AM. The last train departs at midnight.
How does the bus compare to the train?
| FEATURES: | TRAIN | BUS |
|---|---|---|
| Trip duration |
3 hours (Euromed)
3hr20min (Intercity) 4 hours (Alvia) 6 hours (Regional Express |
From the Airport: around 4 hours From Barcelona city: around 4.5 hours |
| Cheapest rates: | From €15 | From €5 |
| Wifi: | No | Yes |
| Night service: | No | Yes |
| Extra Large Seats | For a fee | No, but you can block the next seat for a fee. |
Driving to Valencia from Barcelona
6
Basics about getting to Barcelona from Valencia by car
The highway between Barcelona and Valencia is free of charge, so your only travel expenses will be gaz, and car rental or the cost of car sharing if you don’t have your own vehicle. Take into account that gaz is way more expensive in Spain than in the US, for instance, so it’s likely to be more expensive than the most expensive train or bus tickets. Then, you also have to consider the cost of parking in both cities, where parking in the streets is not free anymore. Because all of this, driving is really only an option to consider if you are several people and already have your own car or are planning a road trip where you’ll use the car more than just to get from one city to the other.
Motorway service plazas along the way
The service plazas or service areas in Spain are called “Areas de Servicio” or “Estaciones de Servicio” (Area de Servei or Estacio de Servei, in Catalan), and they normally have a gaz station, public toilets and a restaurant or cafe. Some may also have a picnic area or sleep over areas for trucks. These are the ones located on the AP-7 on the way from Barcelona to Valencia:
- Porta de Barcelona (25 km / 16 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area del Penedès (88 km / 55 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area del Mèdol (116 km / 72 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area de l’Hospitalet de l’Infant (144 km / 89 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area de Servicio de Benicarló (217 km / 135 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area de Servicio de La Ribera (257 km / 160 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area de Servicio de La Plana (294 km / 183 mi away from Barcelona)
- Area de Servicio de Sagunto (330 km / 205 mi away from Barcelona and only 40 km / 25 mi before reaching Valencia)
Ideas for a road trip
If road trips are your favorite way to travel, here are a few ideas to consider for stops along the way:
- 20km / 12.5mi. Cripta Guell, a little known Gaudi church.
- Consider a 30km/ 18mi detour to the Montserrat Mountain and Monastery.
- 50km / 31mi. Penedes Wine Country
- Consider a 30km/ 18mi detour to the beach town of Sitges.
- Consider a 50km / 31mi detour to visit the Poblet Monastery and the walled city of Montblanc.
- 100km / 62mi. Tarragona Roman Ruins.
- 110km / 68mi. Reus, Gaudi’s hometown.
- Consider a 50km / 31mi detour to visit the Priorat wine country, the Escaladei monastery and the village of Siurana over the cliffs.
- 120km / 75mi. Port Aventura World theme parks.
- 130km / 80mi. Cambrils, fishing town and beaches.
- 160km / 100mi. L’Ametlla de Mar, beaches.
- Consider a 52km / 32mi detour to visit the Miravet castle
- 190km / 118mi. Tortosa, medieval and renaissance town.
- Consider a 25km / 15.5mi detour to explore the natural area of the Ebro river delta.
- Consider a 60km / 37mi detour to see the beautiful village of Morella.
- 235km / 145mi. Peñiscola, scenic seaside walled village.
- Consider a 30km detour to visit the medieval village of Vilafamés.
- 278km / 172mi. Castello de la Plana, capital of province.
- Consider a 10km / 6mi detour to explore the wonderful Caves of Sant Josep.
- 287km / 178mi. Villareal. Soccer stadium and monastery with giant bell.
- 340km / 210mi. Sagunt, Castle and Roman ruins.
What about Barcelona-Valencia flights?
7
Is it worth it flying to Barcelona from Barcelona?
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What airlines connect Barcelona and Valencia?
Iberia / Air Nostrum
Spain’s national airline has only a couple of direct flights to Valencia from Barcelona every day, operated in collaboration with Air Nostrum, a small airline from Valencia now a franchise of Iberia. If you are likely to hit one of those, you’ll cover the distance between Barcelona and Valencia in just 1 hour. But these two flights sell out fast, and then your only options are connecting flights via Madrid, which takes 3.5 hours. So considering that an airplane ticket in tourist class is always more expensive than a basic train ticket (and not much cheaper than a premium train ticket), a connecting flight is not a competitive option.
Compare schedules and pricing >>
Vueling
When you look at the Vueling website it shows you several flights per day except Wednesdays and some Saturdays. However… they are NOT direct flights: they are connecting flights via Fiumicino (Rome, ITALY!). No comments, slower than the Regional Express trains…
Compare schedules and pricing >>
Ryanair
This low cost company doesn’t fly to Valencia, but it does fly Alicante 4 times a week. From there you’ll have to train or bus to Valencia Capital, which is some 2 hours either way.
Compare schedules and pricing >>
Is there a ferry from Barcelona to Valencia?
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Sorry to disappoint you... unless...
The other two companies only do Mallorca (make sure to select Palma de Mallorca as your destination port, not Alcudia) and Ibiza. The island of Formentera is not an option either because there’s no direct ferries: they all travel there via Ibiza, making your trip longer. In any case, you’ll have to book each ferry separately, so be prepared to spend some time comparing companies and schedules to find the option that suits you best. You are likely to have a long layover or even an overnight stay in between ferries.
The ride from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca is around 7.30 hours with Transmed and GNV, and only 3.5 hours with the fast ferry from Balearia. Then the ride from Palma to Valencia is 7.5 to 8.5 hours, being Transmed the slowest and GNV the fastest.
The ride from Barcelona to Ibiza is 8.5 to 9 hours (the Balearia ships are the slowest). And the ride from Ibiza to Valencia takes 5 to 7 hours, GNV being the fastest and most Transmed ferries being the slowest although they also schedule fast ferries occasionally.
So is a Barcelona to Valencia day trip possible?
After discussing all the possibilities, my answer is that yes it’s possible with really good planning ahead of time, leaving early in the morning either by train or bus, and returning as late as possible, probably by bus or with the last train departing at 8.30PM if you don’t need dinner in Valencia.
However, I must warn you that it’ll be a very long and rushed day: Valencia has lots of sites to offer and you won’t be able to cover everything in just a few hours. Lower your expectations and choose only a couple of main sites to hit that day, one that you can do in the morning and another in the afternoon. Then play by ear around them depending on how fast you move through them. But if you aren’t up for so much stress, leave Valencia for another trip and check out these other (much more relaxed) day trips from Barcelona.
Have you decided how to get from Barcelona to Valencia (Spain), yet?
Marta
Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.
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