Tourists arriving at Valencia Airport have a number of options to get into the city. My personal favorite is the city metro that serves the airport and goes straight to the beach. The Airport Valencia airport is located about 8kms from the city centre. The designers of the modern terminal have tried to mirror the lines of the stunning buildings of the Valencia city of Art and Science. It uses air bridges so in bad weather you do not have to go up and down aircraft steps

Valencia Metro System

The airport has a metro connection into Valencia, which makes it VERY convenient. As you come out of the arrivals door turn left. Look for the Metro's logo a red circle sign with a white M inside on the notice board. You will walk past the airport city tourist office on your right. It is a good place to get a map and advice but when we arrived on Saturday lunch time it was closed.

In 2009 a single two zone ticket (Zona AB) from the airport to Valencia Alameda station was 1.90 Euros. You can buy these tickets at a ticket counter or a ticket machine. The ticket machine takes coins and notes. Before you use the machine get the cash ready as once you have made your ticket selection it does not give you much time to put the money in the machine before cancelling the whole process so you have to start again.

You will need to push the button marked AB to buy a ticket valid for the old town or beach. If you need more than one ticket push the button marked with the + sign once for each extra ticket. Then put the money in. There is no English translation button available but it is very simple.

The Airport metro station is at the end of the line so there is no risk of going the wrong way. The station is very clean and modern. Two metro lines go to the airport. You need to know the name of the metro station at the other end of the line to make sure you get on the correct train. There is a digital notice board on the platform. Just look for that name on the board and the time it is due. The name of the end of the line station will also be on the front of the train. Keep your train ticket as you will need it to get out of the barriers when you want to leave.

Valencia's metro consists of 5 lines that cover the city. It is a new system. Each line is coloured, and the station map is pretty easy to read and looks a little like the London Tube map. I felt very safe and comfortable using this method of transport during the day and night. Fares start at 1.40 euro for a single trip.

You can buy tickets from machines at the stations or from the ticket office. If you are planning to use the metro and other forms of transport a lot, you may be better off buying a combined travel card, or perhaps the Valencia tourist card, which covers all transport and discounts on admittance to museums. There are two things you should remember. The tickets from the vending machines are only valid on the day of purchase. Do not try to buy tickets ahead of time. My only criticism of the Valencia Metro system is that the seat cushions are too hard

The Valencia beach Metro line

The blue line 4 and the purple line 6 runs to the beach. A single journey costs 1.40 euros. Unlike the other metro lines these trains run above ground. They really should be classified as trams. Kids will love the way the high-speed metro tram bounces along. There are no traffic jams as they use the middle of the wide streets that are designated car free

It is an easy stress free way of reaching the beach. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the beach from the centre of town. You buy the tickets on the tram stop platform from the machine. You do not have to validate the ticket. Keep it just in case a ticket inspector comes on your tram. The doors do not all open when the tram stops. You have to push the green flashing button on the door.

The blue Line 4 trams can be caught on the northern side of the bridge called Pont de Fusta which is situated opposite the Serranos Towers. The tram stop is called 'Pont de Fusta' even though it is about 300 yards away from the bridge. The beach tram stops are 'Eugenia Vines' and 'Las Arenas' It terminates here so it's easy to find for your return to the Old Quarter of Valencia.

The tram seats are a bit more comfortable that the underground metro trains as they have slightly more padding. The green line 5 also goes to the beach. It stops at a station called Neptu just 100 yards from the fantastic modern clean hotel Neptune which is right on the beach. I booked this hotel via the Easyjet website. It was a reasonable price but do not eat or drink there. The beer was three times the price of beer you buy in the centre of town.

If you need the toilet whilst you are at the beach just walk into the hotel as if you are going to the restaurant at the back of the hotel near the beach. The clean toilets are in the corridor that leads to the restaurant. Just walk past the reception desk. They will think you are residents or restaurant customers.

Because the Neptune Hotel is near to the Line 5 Neptu Tram station it is an ideal place to stay if you want to get quickly into the old town and go for a swim in the sea. The hotel has sun loungers on the roof as well as Jacuzzi baths. You can catch this train from the city centre metro station called Xativa near the Estacion del Norte railway station. It is just south of the old town.

You have to change trains at the station called Maritim-Serreria. All you do is get off your underground train and walk to the over side of the same platform to catch the tram that will take you the three stops to the beach. Be careful not to leave the station as you will have to buy a new ticket. The last train is very early at about 10pm. Do not get caught out like we were. We had to walk the 2km to out hotel at 11pm. There were no taxis or buses.

Valencia Airport Taxi

There is a taxi rank outside the arrivals terminal normally filled with waiting cabs. The trip into the city centre takes 15-20 mins and cost about 20 euros (including tip). The taxi fares appear quite reasonable but be warned that there are lots of traffic lights in the city which delay your journey time and increase the cost of your trip. Taxi's that are available for hire have a green light on their roof or a sign in the windscreen that says Libre.

Valencia Airport bus

The other way to get into town is to take the Airport bus, which departs from outside the terminal every 10-15 minutes. Tickets are bought on the bus, and the trip takes about 45 mins. When you arrive at Valencia airport take the lift to the upper floor (departures), go outside and turn RIGHT and you'll see the bus stop. There are two buses going to Valencia and they take different routes.

Airport to the main train station (Estacion del Norte) It runs between 6.00am and 10pm and costs about 3 Euros. There are only a few stops before you reach the Estacion del Norte (main train station). The station is south of the old town in the middle of the best shopping area.

Airport - Central Bus Station Line 150 takes approximately 45 minutes. It arrives at the Central bus station in Avda. Menendez Pidal which overlooks the River Turia Gardens and is just around the corner from Expo Hotel.

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