What to Do on a Layover at Valencia Airport

About Valencia Airport

Valencia Airport (VLC) is the main airport serving the region. Located 8 kilometres west of Valencia, it was started to build in the 20th century, though the first major extension took place just in 2007. The latest expansion followed in 2012. Then, a new terminal and parking slot increased the overall capacity of the airport. Today, it’s the 10th largest airport in Spain, serving more than 6,5 million passengers per year. Travellers from Italy, UK, France, and Germany contribute to the highest percentage of international passengers. Valencia Airport is also an important base for Iberia Regional airlines, connecting Valencia with Palma de Mallorca, Madrid, and other popular holiday destinations in Spain.

valencia airport outside

How to Get from Valencia airport to the City Centre

One of the key questions on every trip is how to get from the airport to the city centre. In Valencia, there are three main options (without a car rental) to reach the centre: bus, metro, and taxi.

Bus

The cheapest way to leave the airport is to take the city bus no. 150. The single journey costs just €1.45 and discounts are applied for the elderly above 65 years, as well as large families. Also, the tickets can be purchased on the bus. The bus runs from 05:25 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the city centre. During the weekdays the bus leaves in 25-minute intervals, on Saturdays –  every 35 minutes. So, if you are just a few minutes late, waiting can be underwhelming, especially for families with small kids. Besides, there is no bus service on Sundays or public holidays, so travellers arriving on these days have to look for other means of transportation.

Valencia buses

Metro

Another inexpensive option to get to the city centre is to catch the metro. There are two metro lines 3 (red) and 5 (green) which connect the airport with Xàtiva metro stop at Valencia centre. A one-way ticket costs €4.9, including the card which can be refilled. Metro runs every 5-10 minutes, and there’s no traffic, so this is one of the fastest ways to start exploring Valencia.

Valencia metro

Taxi

Getting to the city centre by taxi is by no means the most convenient way. First, you don’t need to watch over your luggage as on bus or train. Second, drivers meet you in front of the exit and you set the time when the car should arrive. Contrary to the major European cities, there’s no fixed fee for a taxi to city centre trip, the minimum charge of €12 still applies. However, usually you end up paying around €20 for a ride and you reach the city in 20-30 min. The price increases depending on the traffic, the public holidays, etc. Also, local companies apply slightly higher fares on weekends.

Welcome Pickups Transfer

With Welcome, you can book in advance your airport transfer with no worries about the final cost. Not only you know how much to pay but also you’ll be met by a professional English speaking driver who’s willing to answer all your questions and give the best tips on things to do. Also, a gift bag is included and you can use high-speed Wi-Fi at no costs.

Shopping at the airport

Most travellers come to the airport a few hours before their flight. Others have to wait even longer for the connecting flight. Luckily, Valencia Airport has enough duty free shops, fashion, accessories, and gift shops not to get bored. ALE-HOP welcomes fashion lovers looking for accessories and gifts at reasonable prices. Las Lilas is known as Asian design store specialising in handmade fashion, bags, and jewellery. If by any chance you forgot your glasses or want to bring ones as a souvenir you can do it Sunglass Hut. It’s also possible to shop for world known brands such as Guess, Armani Jeans, Michael Kors, or Swarovski at The Fashion Place. There are also two bookstores specializing in Spanish press and literature but you can also find books in foreign languages. All the shops are located in the departures hall.

Eating at the airport

You’ll find a variety of restaurants and cafes at Valencia Airport. Fast food lovers might grab a burger and a portion of French fries at Burger King while more sophisticated eaters can get a steak or a grilled fish with different servings at La Pausa. Traditional Spanish food is served at Trib’s and Farggi! Coffee and Starbucks are the perfect places for a quick food break.

Valencia Burger King

Parking & Car Rental

Different parking options are available at Valencia Airport. The express car park is open for free for 15 minutes which is enough to pick up or drop off a passenger. Car Park P1 nearby the terminal is the best way to leave the car up to 4 days. Finally, a long-stay car park is a place where those planning to spend more days out of the town might leave the car. More information about booking and parking fees on the official website. Car rental is located on the ground floor or Terminal 1. All the famous brands such as Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, SIXT, Goldcar, Europcar provide the services there.

Amenities & Services

Unfortunately, there’s no way to leave the luggage at the airport which might be inconvenient to some travellers. However, left luggage services are provided at the city centre, at the train station Estacio del Nord. Still, Valencia Airport watches over the lost luggage and there’s a baggage wrapping machine to protect your belongings even more. VIP lounges are open for passengers with club cards or business class tickets of associated airlines. It’s also possible to purchase a pass allowing the entrance to the VIP zone. The price for adults is €33.9 and €15.60 for children from six to ten years old. Younger children can access the VIP lounge free of charge. Free Wi-Fi is provided at the airport with registration via e-mail, Facebook or other identity proving accounts. Variety of services is available at the VIP lounge of Valencia Airport. TV, computers, internet access, children’s and chill areas, as well as all the left-luggage office, is open with the VIP pass. More information and ticket purchase are available on the official website: http://www.aena.es/en/valencia-airport/vip-lounge.html.

Valencia Luggage

Layover at Valencia Airport

Almost every traveller has had a few-hour layover at the airport or even spent a night there. Having some spare time between flights can be either fun or exhausting, depending on the company you’re travelling with, as well as quality and variety of services available at the airport. Though Valencia Airport (VLC) is relatively small, you’ll find the necessary amenities, the VIP lounge, free Wi-Fi, etc. The airport also welcomes overnight travellers. It’s quite tiring to sleep at the airport. One moment you can hear a baby crying or people talking too loud, another a cleaning lady passes by with a floor polishing machine. Besides the distractions, there are a few places to lay your mattress or comfortable seats to take a nap. Still, for many travellers, a budget is a priority and sleeping at the airport is by far the cheapest option available.

Valencia Airport is open for overnight passengers, so if you have an early flight and don’t want to book a hotel nearby, you can plan to stay at the airport. The check-in area on the first floor is where you should look for a free space. A major inconvenience is that the airport doesn’t provide luggage storage service, so you’ll have to watch over your stuff all the time.

If falling asleep is too difficult, you can connect to free Wi-Fi, chat with your friends or family, as well as play games. It’s also possible to grab a quick snack or a cup of coffee at So! Coffee that is open 24 hours. Other restaurants and cafeterias are open depending on outbound flights or up to midnight.

Exploring Valencia Between the Flights

If you have a layover of more than four hours, you can explore Valencia city centre and its surroundings. The airport is just 8 kilometres from the city centre, so it’ll take approximately 20-30 min to get there, depending on the traffic. Though you can use public transport and take a quick tour by yourself, we suggest booking The Best of Valencia in 2 Hours sightseeing ride provided by Welcome. Not only you’ll drive around the top attractions of the city, but also get the best tips from a local driver, a welcoming gift bag, and a high-speed Wi-Fi.

Valencia Plaza de la Virgen

Hotels Nearby

For those in need of good rest before the flight, hotels or apartments located close are a great option. We’ve taken a look at the map and introduce you to the best deals available:

  • Ibis Budget Valencia Aeropuerto

Situated only 1.5 km from the airport and a few hundred metres from Rosas Metro Station, this one-starred hotel offers the best bang for your buck. Comfortable rooms and a good breakfast are a good combo for a short stay. A high rating and thousands of guest reviews on booking.com show that it’s one of the most popular choices around.

  • Travelodge Valencia Aeropuerto

This modern and boutique-styled hotel is one more great place to sleep. Though it only has one star, travellers find it to be in a good location with exceptionally clean rooms and friendly staff. The hotel has a 24-hour café-bar.

  • Tryp Valencia Azafata Hotel

Though the hotel is a few kilometres further, compared to the other hotels, it has four stars which are worth paying extra. A swimming pool, fitness lounge, sauna, and an outdoor pool are just a few among many luxurious facilities available there. Free airport shuttle is included in the price. Though a bit more expensive, it’s definitely worth it for anybody appreciating a special treatment.

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