Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and arguably one of the best travel destinations. If you are coming into Valencia from another country, you will most likely arrive at the airport and not in a train station.
Here is the ultimate guide to Valencia Airport – you will learn basic facts, how to get to the centre, things to do if you’re waiting in the airport, and much more.
Facts about the airport
In terms of passengers, Valencia Airport is only the tenth busiest in Spain. The main reason is that Alicante’s bigger airport is used as the main one in the region. Alicante is a city in the Valencian region, and its airport has a somewhat close proximity to Valencia.
Still, Valencia Airport is an international airport, and it is served by several large airlines. There are flight connections to 20 European countries and several countries outside of Europe.
Another name for the airport is Manises Airport, since this is actually the town in which it is located. However, it is just 8 kilometers west of Valencia, so you will be very close to the city when arriving there.
The most active airlines flying to and from Valencia are Iberia, Vueling and RyanAir.
From Valencia Airport to the city centre
When you are arriving in the airport, your goal is probably to get to the city as fast as possible. Because why wait around?
You have several options. Most tourists opt for the metro, since it’s a simple and straightforward solution. Lines 3 and 5 go to the airport and both go into the city centre (Colón is considered a very central stop). It doesn’t take long to take the metro into the city, as the distance is very short. The price will be €4.90 for a ticket. You pay €1 for the card, and €3.90 for the ticket itself. Two persons can share a card if they want to, thereby bringing the cost slightly down.
It’s even cheaper to take a bus, although also a bit slower. For just €1.05, you can take the line 250 into the centre. It runs between 5.25 and 22.00. For €2.50, you can choose another bus, the slightly faster AeroBus that departs from the airport every 20 minutes between 6.00 and 22.00.
Your last option is to take a taxi. Expect it to cost somewhere between 15 and 20 euros. That makes it more expensive than bus and metro, but it’s a great choice if you have a lot of luggage, or if you arrive at night. It’s also quite a bit more comfortable. Overall, taking a taxi is probably our most recommended way to get from Valencia Airport to the city centre.
When going from the centre of Valencia to the airport, the same methods of transportations can be used, as long as it is within the operating hours.
Things to do in Valencia Airport
Valencia Airport is not that large, so it offers fewer things to do than other airports, such as the one in Barcelona. Still, you don’t have to be bored if you’re stuck waiting for a while. There are still good things to do.
For example, you will find some decent stores, where you can shop duty-free (if you’re a non-EU citizen), and where you can buy souvenirs, clothes, perfumes, candies, drinks and much more. There are also a few places to eat, although nothing super special. You will find two cafés, a Burger King, a Starbucks and a few locally owned places (the last ones are probably the best ones to visit). These places all close down eventually, so if you’re in the airport early in the morning or late at night, you may have to depend on the vending machines.
Valencia Airport also has a lounge. You pay at the door if you want to get in. It doesn’t matter if you have a first-class ticket or if you’re a business traveler. However, you can get a membership to the lounge if you are using the airport a lot. The lounge is named Sala Joan Olivert Lounge, and it’s close to gate A1.
On the positive side, there is unlimited free internet all over the airport. Simply connect to the wireless network and start surfing on your phone, tablet or laptop! You can charge up several places, particularly in Terminal 2 where there are plenty of available plugs.
Learn more about Valencia
Since you’re going to Valencia, you should also learn a bit more about the city.
Be sure to read our article regarding the best attractions in Valencia, and also our guide to finding the best hotel (we give several specific recommendations).
Valencia is one of our favorite cities in Spain. It really has it all: Nice weather, beautiful architecture, great historic sights, many modern attractions, beach, and much more. You will definitely enjoy it!
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