València is a Spanish city full of beautiful surprises! Less known than its neighbors Madrid and Barcelona, but just as pleasant and above all, very pleasant to live in.
Moreover, I present to you the essentials of València and all my practical advice for organizing your visit in my article on visiting València.
But today I am going to show you some very useful maps if you are planning to visit València: the city-passes of Valencia. Increasingly common, these multi-use cards are very practical and diverse to adapt to the greatest number of visitors. Whether it's transport, admission to the museum or discounts, city passes are the ideal solution for discovering a city.
In this article, I take stock of the different city passes in València, their prices, where to buy them and the advantages they offer you.
Summary:
- The different city passes
- Price and purchase of city-passes
- Are the visits included in the city-passes?
- Which city pass to choose?
- My opinion on buying a city-pass
Book your city-pass to visit Valencia online: See the city-pass
The different city-passes for València
Let's start this article with a presentation of the different València city passes that you can get. In order to be as clear as possible, I have divided the different city-passes into 4 distinct categories: transport, transport including a visit to a must-see, transport with free admission and an all-inclusive category. We will also see that there is a city-pass in València giving access only to museums and activities.
City-pass Valencia: transport cards
Here are the simplest city-passes, including only passes for transport.
- The TravelCard
The first is a TravelCard. This pass includes unlimited access to public transport for 3 days. This pass allows you to move freely and wherever you want in the city. The metro and bus network serves València and the surrounding area well. Added to this, you will also benefit from a private shuttle from the airport to your accommodation, ideal when you arrive in a city you do not know.
Buy the Valencia Travel Card - Valencia: Hop On Hop Off Bus
The second transport city-pass concerns the Hop On Hop Off tourist bus. The principle of this bus is simple: you have the choice between two different tourist routes (a historical route or a maritime route, each one takes about 90 minutes), you can also do both if you wish. You can get off at each of the bus stops, visit the surrounding places and then get back on the next bus to continue exploring the city. This pass also includes an audio guide, available in French and other languages.
The validity adapts according to the time you spend in València: 24 hours or 48 hours.
Transport including the visit of a must-see
Transition with the last pass presented, the Hop On Hop Off bus: you have the possibility of combining this means of transport with an entry to one of the city's must-see sites. This is what we will see right away:
- Hop On Hop Off Bus and the Oceanogràfic
With this 48-hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus pass Hop On Hop Off, you combine with an entry for theOceanogràfic, one of the largest aquariums in the world! You always have the possibility to choose between 2 different bus routes. The Oceanogràfic is home to no less than 500 species, between cetaceans, birds and many species of fish, young and old will be amazed! This ticket also includes the dolphin show.
Find my advice for visiting this site in my dedicated article: visit the Oceanogràfic. Buy this pass - Hop On Hop Off Bus and the Bioparc
The principle is exactly the same as with the previous city-pass: combine the tourist bus with entry to Bioparc. The Bioparc is a rather high-end zoo compared to what you usually know. In this park, the animals are distributed according to their natural environment in large enclosures and in the company of other animals of the same environment. The biotopes are reconstituted to offer more space to the different species and above all, to mix them as they would in freedom.
I also wrote an article about this place which I really appreciate. To find my advice, it's here: visit the Bioparc de València. Buy this pass
Museums with or without transport
In this part, I will introduce you to a single city-pass. This can be personalized according to what you want. This is the Valencia Tourist Card.
In this city-pass, there is in any case the entrance to more than 20 museums and monuments throughout the city, reductions on certain places of interest, guided tours and tourist buses which can amount up to 50 %. Other reductions are also offered in establishments such as nightclubs, shops or other bars and restaurants in the city.
To this, you have the possibility of being able to add or not a pass for public transport for the duration of your choice: 24, 48 or 72 hours.
If you take the València city-pass without transport, then its validity will be 7 days.
Buy the Tourist Card
City-pass Valencia complete
Let's finish this part with the most complete city-pass that I propose in this article: the City-Pass of València.
It combines all the possibilities presented above: entry to the Oceanogràfic, card for unlimited public transport including the journey between the airport and the city center, access to the Hop On Hop Off tourist bus, entry to more than 20 museums and monuments in the city, discounts on many other places (museums, guided tours, restaurants, shops, etc.). And always the possibility to choose the validity period: 24, 48 or 72 hours.
Prices and purchase of Valencia city passes
Now that you know a little more about the different city passes in València, I'm going to discuss the subject of prices and where you can get them.
All of these city-passes can be purchased on the Internet. Some are to be picked up in store, others are sent by email as an e-ticket.
For each of the city-passes, you will find the link to book the pass you want.
La TravelCard : 47,50€
To buy this city-pass, go here: buy the Travel Card.
As a reminder, this pass includes unlimited access to public transport for 3 days as well as a private transfer from the airport to your accommodation.
The price for this card is €47,50 per person. The card will be given to you by your private driver when you arrive at the airport.
Valencia: Hop On Hop Off Bus: from €19
To buy this pass, go here: Hop On Hop Off València tourist bus.
Reminder: this pass includes access to the hop-on hop-off tourist bus with 2 different routes for 24 or 48 hours as well as an audio-guide in French.
For 24 hours, it will cost €19 per person (€11 for children aged 7 to 16).
As for the 48-hour pass, it costs €20 per person (€12 for children).
If you are traveling as a family, there is a specific price for the 48-hour pass: €65 for 2 adults and 3 children.
To use this city-pass it's simple, you just have to print the confirmation that you will receive by email and present it when you get on the bus. An identity card may be required.
Hop On Hop Off Bus and the Oceanogràfic: € 44
To get this pass, follow this link: tourist bus and Oceanogràfic.
As a reminder, this pass includes 48-hour access to the Hop On Hop Off tourist bus as well as entry to the Oceanogràfic.
The price of this València city pass is €44 per person and €28 for children aged 4 to 12.
You can use your tickets on mobile, it is not necessary to print them.
Hop On Hop Off Bus and the Bioparc: 36€
To get this pass, here is the link: tourist bus and Bioparc.
As a reminder, this city-pass is exactly the same as the previous one, except that the Oceanogràfic is replaced by an entry to the Bioparc de València.
Regarding the prices, it is 36€ for an adult and 25€ for a young person between 7 and 12 years old.
Again you can use an e-ticket, it is not necessary to print a confirmation.
Tourist Card: from €12
Follow this link to buy this city-pass for València: Tourist Card.
As a reminder, this card gives you access to around twenty museums, discounts, for 7 days, and if you wish, unlimited access to public transport for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
The different rates for this card start at €12 if you choose only the València Tourist Card without public transport.
For this card as a whole, prices vary according to the duration of access to public transport: €15 (€12,75 for children aged 6 to 12) for 24 hours, €20 (€17 for children) for 48 hours and €25 (€21,25 for children) for 72 hours.
To collect your pass, you will have to go to an information point. There is one at the Joaquín Sorolla station and one at the airport, on the arrivals floor.
City-Pass of Valencia: € 71
For this last pass, reservations can be made here: The City-Pass of València.
This pass is the most complete of all: entry to the Oceanogràfic, Hop On Hop Off bus, public transport including the trip between the airport and the city center by metro, entry to more than 20 museums and various discounts.
The price will vary depending on the validity period of the metro card: €71 (€48,50 for children aged 4 to 12) for a 24-hour pass, €77 (€53,50 for children) for a 48-hour pass and €82,50 (€57,50 for children) for a 72-hour pass.
You will receive some of the tickets by email that do not need to be printed. On the other hand, concerning the metro card, you will have to withdraw it at the airport directly.
Are the visits included in the city-passes?
These different València city-passes give you access to various tourist sites. Here are a few words about the essentials of a visit to València.
The Oceanogràfic
We talked about it quickly a little higher, this aquarium is one of the largest in the world and the largest in Europe. It is part of a large complex within València: the City of Arts and Sciences. In total, there are no less than ten buildings and several outdoor pools, spread over ten hectares and which are home to 45 animals and 000 different species.
The Oceanogràfic is included in the pass with the tourist bus as well as in the complete city-pass.
On the program, visit the different regions of the world through well-appointed spaces. If you wish, you can also watch the dolphin show or enter the large outdoor aviary.
On the practical side, the Oceanogràfic is accessible all year round. It opens from 10 a.m. and closes between 18 p.m. and midnight in summer.
Count about half a day to visit the whole of this place.
The Biopark
Bioparc is València's zoo. On approximately 8 hectares, this animal park is home to no less than 3 animals and 000 different species. These species are distributed according to their natural habitat and coexist when possible. This allows the zoo to offer larger enclosures and to diversify the spaces.
Really designed for the well-being of its occupants, this park is really a pleasant moment. Every year, many births take place, which is always a good sign for captive animals. In addition, the park is part of protection programs for endangered species.
Find the Bioparc in the pass with the tourist bus!
On the practical side, the park is accessible throughout the year. It opens at 10 a.m. and the closing time varies throughout the year to align with sunset, which ranges from 18 p.m. in winter to 21 p.m. in high summer. If you want to check the timetables before your visit, head to the Bioparc de València website.
The Hop On Hop Off tourist bus
As I explained a little above, this tourist bus offers you the possibility to choose between 2 different routes if you wish: a historical route and a maritime route. You also have the option of doing both if you are interested, the pass is valid on all of these routes.
The particularity is that you can get off wherever you want to make the possible visits and take the next bus. This very practical alternative takes you to the main tourist sites and gives you the option of visiting them, or not. In addition, you can benefit from comments in French thanks to an audio guide provided on the bus.
This Hop On Hop Off bus is offered in the hop-on hop-off bus pass, the combined hop-on hop-off bus and Oceanogràfic or Bioparc passes and the City-Complete Pass.
- The historical route
From Plaza de la Reina to Joaquín Sorolla station, the tourist bus takes you to discover 9 sites across the city. The Valencian Institute of Modern Art, the Congress Centre, the History Museum of Valencia and the Bioparc are among the sites served by this route. - The sea route
Also departing from Plaza de la Reina, this tour will take you to the beach. On the way, take the opportunity to discover the Plaza de Toros, the City of Arts and Sciences complex, the Marina Real or the Port. There are a total of 10 stops that you can discover on this route.
- Practical
This tourist bus runs throughout the year. Each of the two routes lasts about 90 minutes (without stops). Hours vary depending on the season. From September to June, you can take the bus from 9:50 a.m. to 20:50 p.m. While from July to August, the bus runs from 9:50 a.m. to 22:00 p.m. The frequency of passage also varies according to the season: every 30 minutes for spring and summer, and every 45 minutes the rest of the year.
Which city-pass to choose to visit Valencia?
The choice will mainly depend on you, the time you have, if you already know Valencia, if you are staying in the city center, what you want to do, … Each city-pass of València has its advantages! This is what we will see right away:
You already know Valencia
The TravelCard is made for you! This pass is only intended to use public transport. It can be interesting if you already know the city, you don't necessarily want to visit tourist places, but rather enjoy local life and get off the beaten track. The advantage is that you have a wide choice of possibilities in your travels, allowing you to visit slightly outlying districts, sometimes housing small and quite charming museums.
The advantage of this pass is that it is the only one to include private transport between the airport and your accommodation, which is always pleasant to start your vacation.
First discovery of València ~ Travel with children
In these two cases, the card comprising the Bus Hop On Hop Off and optionally,Oceanogràfic or Bioparc, is an ideal solution for a first stay of a short duration. Valid between 24 and 48 hours, it allows you to get an overview of the city in a short time.
If you opt for the ticket including entry to the Oceanogràfic or the Bioparc, be aware that it takes about half a day to visit each of the two sites, hence the need to take a 48-hour pass. Ideal solution if you like animals or if you are with children.
In addition, it is less expensive for you to take this combination rather than the bus on one side and the independent entrances on the other (entrance to the Bioparc only at 24€ and with the bus, 16€; entry to the Oceanogràfic alone at €31, with the bus, entrance at €24).
Do you live in the city center?
Then opt for the Tourist Card. Indeed, if you are staying in the city center and do not plan to move around a lot, this pass, without the public transport card, is the only one that allows you to access reductions and combined entries for different places, museums , shops, …
If you add the transport pass, you have a fairly complete city-pass for València for a short stay of a few days.
For a complete stay
The City-Pass of Valencia is the most complete. It is ideal if your stay is a little longer, because you will be well occupied between the Oceanogràfic, the various museums and the tourist bus. Knowing that you also have access to public transport, which further expands the possibilities of travel and visits!
My opinion on buying a city pass in València
All of these city passes have their own advantages and really depend on your vision of a stay in València. From a general point of view, whatever your choice, the city-pass in itself is really a solution that I really appreciate: a single purchase for different services, tourist and important places are highlighted, and some passes even include transport (private or not) between the airport and the accommodation, perfect when you don't know the city.
