How to Travel From Barcelona to Valencia by Train
The best way to get from Barcelona to Valencia is by train, taking just under three hours to travel between these two beautiful Spanish cities.
In this short guide, I will tell you all you need to know about this train connection, how to book tickets, and how to get the best prices.
From Barcelona to Valencia by train
The train service from Barcelona to Valencia is operated by Renfe, Spain’s national railway company.
There are three different types of trains you can take on this route:
- Euromed
- Alvia
- Intercity
As I explain in my article about Spanish train categories, Euromed is the brand name Renfe uses for its premium high-speed train service along Spain’s east coast, connecting Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante.
Alvia services are also high-speed, but rank just below Euromed in terms of speed and quality, while InterCity services are standard long-distance trains.
The fastest Euromed trains take just under three hours to travel from Barcelona to Valencia, although slower services can take up to an hour longer.
Barcelona Sants is the main railway station in the Catalan capital, while Valencia Estació del Nord is the station used by all services from Barcelona in Valencia.
The Euromed train to Valencia and Alicante arrives at Barcelona Sants. ©AndyBTravels
Taking the Euromed train
When I travelled from Barcelona to Valencia, I took a Euromed train, which offers two travel classes.
First class is called ‘Comfort’ by Renfe, while second class is called ‘Standard’.
In first class, you benefit from more comfortable seats and a more spacious layout, with seats arranged in a 2+1 configuration, compared with the 2+2 layout in second class.
Euromed trains also have a café-bar coach where you can buy drinks and snacks.
Valencia Estació del Nord. ©AndyBTravels
Booking your ticket
When booking Spanish train tickets, remember that all high-speed and most long-distance train services use a dynamic pricing system, with fares varying according to demand and availability.
Read my tips and tricks for booking Spanish train tickets to find out how to get the best possible deal.
You should also be aware of the different fares available, namely Básico, Elige, and Prémium, which determine the ticket’s conditions rather than its travel class.
Básico is the cheapest and most restrictive kind of ticket, with no refunds or changes permitted, while Prémium is the most expensive and offers the greatest flexibility.
It’s probably easiest to book your Spanish train tickets through the reliable third-party website Omio, where fare conditions are clearly explained and all foreign credit cards are accepted.
Use the search tool below to find the best train connection for your chosen travel date.
Conclusion
The train is the most comfortable way to travel from Barcelona to Valencia, with Renfe’s premium Euromed service taking just under three hours.
Make sure you check the fare conditions when booking your ticket, which is best done as far in advance as possible.
