General facts
With
about one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, Valencia is
the third largest city in Spain and capital of the region that bears
its name. Its
location on the Eastern coast of the country makes it enjoy a
mild climate all the year round, which allows for a vibrant
mediterranean way of life. Check for some practical information
here.
Weather forecast Valencia.
Getting
to Valencia
By plane
More than
thirty airlines connect
Valencia international airport with direct regular flights to
fifty destinations across Europe. Lines 3 and 5 of the underground (Metrovalencia)
connect the airport with the city centre and the port. Moreover,
AreoBus runs every
20 minutes a regular bus service taking 20 minutes between the
airport and the city centre, for €2.50. Bus line 150, operated by
ETM, also serves the airport, but is not recommended as it
takes an extremely long detour to reach the centre. There is also a
taxi stop right at the exit of the terminal building. A taxi ride to
the centre should cost around €20 and take 15 minutes.
By train
The
national railway operator RENFE
connects the central railway station (estació
del Nord) with the major Spanish cities. Twenty services run
daily between Madrid and Valencia, and nearly thirty between
Barcelona and Valencia, taking about three hours in both cases.
Several international railway connections are available from
Barcelona. Check the RENFE
website for fares and timetables.
By car
Valencia
is situated on the
AP7 toll motorway, that stretches all the way down from the
French border along the Spanish mediterranean coast, the distance
from the border being 500 km. The
A3 (free) motorway also links Valencia to Madrid (350 km).
Moving
around
Valencia
is an easy walkable city, but it also has an efficient public
transport system, including buses, and expanding underground and
tram networks.
By underground
Metrovalencia runs three underground lines (Lines 1, 3 and 5)
and a tram line (Line 4). Single tickets, underground-only passes,
and combined underground-bus (EMT)
passes can be purchased in all underground stations (and tram stops).
Titles must be validated in the station (or stop) before accessing
the trains (or tram) and, in most underground stations, also to
leave the underground premises.
Fares depend on how many fare zones you cover during your trip,
but you will normally only need to move around zones A (central) and
B. A zone map can be found
here, and an underground/tram map
here.
By bus
The local
authority for transportation,
EMT, operates daytime and night bus lines within the city.
Single bus tickets (€1.15) can be bought directly from the driver,
but special passes are only sold in selected newsagent's and most
tobacconist's (estancos). There is also a
tourist bus,
providing tours around the city and some surrouding areas.
By taxi
There is
usually no problem in finding taxis moving around the city at all
times, that can be stopped on request. If, however, you cannot find
any, try the taxi stops at the railway station (estació del Nord),
at Plaza del Ayuntamiento or at the coach station (estación de
autobuses), or call to Tele-taxi, 963571313 or Radio-Taxi,
963703333. The cost of a taxi ride within the city should range
between €10 and €20.
Pictures of Valencia
