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Getting from Madrid to Valencia Travel Guide
If you’re planning on visiting vibrant Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, and combining your stay with a trip to Madrid, then you may be wondering how exactly to travel from Madrid to Valencia.
With so many brilliant things to see and do in Valencia, it’s no wonder the city has become a firm favourite Spanish destination!
Well, fret not! In this guide I will outline exactly how, providing you with all the necessary information on the different forms of transport available to cover this route!
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Before you go, be sure to plan & book your Spain Travel Essentials:
- Search & Book flights here on Skyscanner
- Book your car rental through AutoEurope
- Search hotels here on Booking.com, or on VRBO for apartment-style stays
- Click here to browse & book bus and train tickets
- Lastly, don’t forget about travel insurance for your trip!
Pssst…Ready to travel, check out our comprehensive packing list for your holiday to Spain, and make sure you’ve packed everything you need for your Spanish move or vacay!
Flights from Madrid to Valencia
Journey Duration: 1 Hour flight time
Air travel would likely spring to mind as first choice when you consider how to travel to Valencia from Madrid.
Madrid to Valencia flights are currently operated by both Iberia Express and Air Europa with daily departures out of both airports.
Currently Air Europa operate 2 direct flights daily. One morning and one afternoon from Madrid to Valencia and then one midday and one evening flight from Valencia back to Madrid.
Iberia on the other hand operate more flights starting in the morning with several departures throughout the day and the last one in the evening.
If booked well in advance, a one-way ticket could set you back just over €30 or more, subject of course to availability.
Important: Do make sure though that checked luggage is included in your fare when booking. Many European carriers have reverted to charging additionally for checked luggage. So, if you do require it, double check to include it.
Whilst a Madrid to Valencia flight may seem the fastest route, it isn’t necessarily the case if you take into account the travel time to and from the airport. As well as the need to arrive early for you flight in order to check in, pass through security etc.
If you consider the additional travel and waiting time required to catch a flight, then travel by train may actually work out faster and more convenient overall.
Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport:
Madrid’s airport is located outside of the main city centre but well connected through means of the Madrid metro. Depending on where you are going to be located, it should take around 40 minutes to get from the city centre to the Airport by using the underground.
For more info on Madrid Airport’s facilities and how to get there – consult the official site here.
Valencia Airport:
The airport in Valencia is also located a slight way out of the main city centre but is linked to the Metrovalencia underground system. You can reach the city centre in just under half and hour by using either Line 3 (the red line) or Line 5 (the green line), depending on where you will be staying in Valencia.
To find out more regarding Valencia’s Airport and its facilities, consult the airport website here.
Madrid to Valencia by Train
Journey Duration: Generally, around 1 hour 40 to 2 hours
As previously mentioned, when considering the actual travel time to and from the airport as well as the time spent completing check-in and security formalities, you realise that taking the train from Madrid to Valencia is probably the most convenient and quickest route.
This is thanks to the high-speed rail network, operated by the Spanish national operator Renfe, which connects Valencia to Madrid in as short as 1 hour 40 minutes.
These faster trains are normally shown under the name AVE on the website. But overall journey time is also clearly indicated on the results page when searching and booking online.
Important: Do take note that the journey time can be anywhere between 1 hour 40 minutes up to as long as 7 hours. The much slower Regional trains are also sold on the Renfe site, so you should always check to ensure you are booking the correct service.
Tickets cost roughly €22 for a one-way subject to availability (although prices do increase and could cost more). As such, it’s best to try book in advance, although you can only do so approximately 3 months ahead.
Madrid to Valencia Train:
From Madrid there are numerous departures throughout the day with an almost hourly frequencies. The Madrid Valencia train service start with early morning departures around 06:00 am, and the last one departing Madrid around 21:10.
(Naturally speaking, weekend schedules may differ, so be sure to consult the schedule online).
Valencia to Madrid Train:
Similarly, the Valencia to Madrid train service starts operating around 06:20 am with the last departure currently being set for around 19:10 pm.
Be sure to consult the train schedule online to confirm times and rates.
Madrid Train Station:
There are two train stations in Madrid from which these trains headed to Valencia depart from.
The high-speed AVE trains depart out of Madrid Puerta de Atocha station.
Whereas, the regional (slower trains) depart from Madrid Chamartin station.
Both of these stations are connected to the Madrid subway system, making getting to and from each one fairly easy to do. Just be sure to check which service you have booked so as to arrive at the correct station on time.
Valencia Train Station:
In Valencia you will also find two separate stations depending on the service booked.
The high-speed AVE trains arrive into and depart from Valencia’s Joaquin Sorolla station.
Whereas, the slower regional trains do so from Valencia’s Estacio Del Nord.
It’s worth noting that these two stations are only about 1 kilometre away from each other (around a 15 minutes’ walk). They are also both located much closer to Valencia’s historic city centre compared to Valencia’s airport location.
Another reason why travel by train travel makes for a much better choice overall.
Bus, Madrid – Valencia
Journey Duration: Between 4 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes
Lastly, by way of public transport, you may opt to travel on the Madrid Valencia bus service. This is operated by Avanzabus with frequent departures daily.
The journey generally lasts anywhere between 4 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 25 mins with a one-way ticket ranging from €28.21 and upwards in price.
Madrid to Valencia by Bus:
Departures out of Madrid start around 07:00 am in the morning throughout the day with the last bus departing as late as 01:00 am the next morning.
Valencia to Madrid by Bus:
Leaving Valencia, departures start from 07:30 am and continue throughout the day and into the following morning, with two late buses departing at 01:00 am and 03:00 am respectively the following morning.
Madrid Bus Station:
The Madrid to Valencia bus service departs and arrives back into the Estación de Autobuses de Madrid Estacion Sur but you may also catch the bus service from the Madrid Airport too (at either Terminal 1 or Terminal 4).
You are able to decide and specify which departure point when searching online through the Avanzbus website.
Valencia Bus Station:
In Valencia the buses depart from and arrive into the Estación de Autobuses de Valencia which is located in Carrer de Menéndez Pidal, 11, 46009 Valencia.
Driving from Madrid to Valencia by Car
Journey Duration: More or less 3 hours 30 minutes
Are you entertaining the thought of hiring a car and driving between these two cities? Given that the distance from Madrid to Valencia is around 360 kilometres (which should take just over 3 hours 30 minutes when driving direct) it should be an easy drive. Once you get out of the cities, the drive should be fairly straightforward as these two destinations are connected by the A-3 motorway pretty much all the way along.
Spanish Motorways:
If you don’t already know, Spain’s network of motorways includes both free and tolled roads. The following Spanish motorway map gives you a very clear breakdown of the actual highway route network, plus it shows which roads you will need to pay tolls on and which are free. For quick reference, normally the tolled roads include the letter P – example AP-7, whereas the free roads are without – example the A-3 which also happens to connect Valencia to Madrid.
Renting a car:
Have you booked your rental car yet? If not, consider renting online through RentalCars.com. I have previously used their site to book rentals and found them pretty straightforward and seamless to use. They compare a variety of different car rental providers, so you get to check and book rates & availability on one convenient site.
Where to stay & What to do in Valencia
Still looking for your accommodation in Valencia or Madrid?
Check accommodation rates & availability through this Booking.com link for accommodation in Valencia. Or compare and book your Madrid accommodation here.
Wanting to also add on some unique tours or activities? Follow this link to a range of different experiences you can book ahead of time and online – Valencia tours & activities.
Conclusion:
If you’ve already travelled this journey or are still planning to, I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Feel free to comment in the comments section below, giving any tips that I may have missed out on!
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How to get from Madrid to Bilbao
Travelling from Madrid to Zaragoza
