Travelling by train from Barcelona to Valencia
Planning a day trip from Barcelona to Valencia by train? Start your journey with us.
The train from Barcelona to Valencia usually takes 3h 55m, but can take just 2h 40m on the fastest services. You'll be travelling direct on this route with either Euromed or Talgo, both operated by Renfe. Euromed trains are faster and arrive into Valencia Joaquín Sorolla station, while Talgo trains are slower, cheaper, and arrive into Valencia Estaciò Nord.
303km of coastline separate Valencia from Barcelona, but Renfe’s direct trains will take you direct to the city centre. Once you arrive, head straight for the City of Arts and Sciences – one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. There, you’ll find stunning pieces of architecture like L'Hemisfèric, a giant planetarium, and L'Oceanogràfic, an open-air oceanographic park. Of course, no trip to Valencia would be complete without a visit to the beach and a sample of the local seafood!
Why not start a search for cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Valencia with us today? If you want to find out more, keep reading for FAQs and money-saving tips.
Barcelona to Valencia by train
Renfe, Alvia and Euromed trains from Barcelona to Valencia
Renfe
Alvia
Euromed
Renfe is the national train operator in Spain. It operates trains on the longest high-speed railway network in Europe, and the second-longest in the world. The country's major cities are linked up by the high-speed AVE and Avlo trains, while other long-distance routes are served by Altaria, Talgo, Alvia and Euromed trains. Renfe also operates cross-border services into neighbouring Portugal and France. Depending on which service you are travelling on, you'll usually find two classes on Renfe trains - Estándard (Standard Class) and Confort (First Class). Fare types range from the cheapest (but least flexible) Básico fare, to the more flexible Elige fares, to the Premium fare for seats in Confort carriages.
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Renfe's Alvia services combine high-speed tracks with lower speed sections, reaching speeds of up to 155 mph (250 km/h) on international lines and 125 mph (200 km/h) on conventional lines. These trains connect the cities of Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante with the other main Spanish cities. Alvia offers two types of classes – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). The latter has wider seats, carriages with fewer seats, offers complimentary food and drinks, free newspapers, and access to parking and Club meeting rooms.
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Euromed is Renfe's high-speed service that travels along the Mediterranean coast. Able to travel at 155 mph (250 km/h), Euromed trains run on the Barcelona – Tarragona – Castellón – Valencia – Alicante route - also known as the "Mediterranean Corridor". With a frequency of up to 12 daily trips between these cities, Euromed trains offer two classes on board – Turista (Second Class) and Preferente (First Class). Designed by Talgo, the trains that run between Barcelona and Alicante offer 63 seats in Preferente and 236 in Turista, with 11 carriages (including a food carriage) and two locomotives, which allows them to travel in both directions.
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Cheap train tickets from Barcelona to Valencia
Book in advance
Most of the train companies across Europe release their tickets around three to six months in advance, many of which can be cheaper the earlier you book. If you know the dates you want to travel, you may be able to find some cheaper train tickets from Barcelona to Valencia by booking early.§
Be flexible with your travel times
Many of the train services in Europe are also popular commuter services, lots of train companies increase ticket prices during “peak hours” (generally between 06:00 – 10:00 and 15:00 – 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, consider travelling outside of peak hours to find lower priced tickets.
Choose a slower or connecting train
On some of the busier routes, you might also have the option to take a slower or connecting train. It may take a little longer than some high-speed or direct services, but if you have a little extra time on your hands, you might find a cheaper fare. Plus, you'll have more time to enjoy the view of the countryside!
Look out for special deals
Take a look at our handy guides to find out when train operators release their special deals and offers to see if you can find cheap European train tickets for your journey.
For specific information about how to get your hands on cheap tickets, check out our European train tickets hub.
Learn more about European train travel
Journey details
How long does the train from Barcelona to Valencia take?
The average journey time by train between Barcelona and Valencia is 3 hours and 49 minutes, with around 10 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between Barcelona and Valencia by train?
The fastest journey time by train from Barcelona to Valencia is 2 hours and 40 minutes.
How much does the train from Barcelona to Valencia cost?
Train ticket prices from Barcelona to Valencia can start from as little as €12.35 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from Barcelona to Valencia?
Yes, it is possible to travel from Barcelona to Valencia without having to change trains. There are 9 direct trains from Barcelona to Valencia each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from Barcelona to Valencia leave?
The first train from Barcelona to Valencia leaves at 07:15. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from Barcelona to Valencia leave?
The last train from Barcelona to Valencia leaves at 21:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between Barcelona and Valencia by train?
Trains travelling from Barcelona to Valencia cover a distance of around 188 miles (303 km) during the journey.