Estación del Norte
The city’s main train station is a stop for more than fifteen lines, connecting Valencia with other regions and towns all across Spain.
Estación del Norte in a nutshell...
Valencia’s North Station is the city’s main railway hub for short, medium, and long-distance trains, housed in a stunning Modernist building at the southern edge of the historic center.
The station serves numerous destinations throughout Spain with various train services including Cercanías (commuter trains to nearby towns), Media Distancia (regional services), and Larga Distancia (long-distance routes). For high-speed AVE trains, travelers must use the nearby Joaquín Sorolla station.
Inside the station, visitors will find comprehensive amenities including ticket offices, food venues, shops, restrooms, ATMs, currency exchange, and tourism information points. Ticket prices vary by destination, with advance booking recommended for mid and long-distance trains.
Estación del Norte enjoys excellent transport connections with metro lines 3, 5, and 9 stopping right outside (Xàtiva station), tram line 10 nearby, multiple bus routes, taxi ranks, and Valenbisi bike stations making it easily accessible from anywhere in the city.
Estación del Norte (North Station, in English) is Valencia’s main train station. Trains from all over Spain and the Valencia region begin or end their journeys here. Besides, the North Station is also one of the most famous Modernist buildings in the city.
The North Station has ten platforms operating different lines and types of trains. Here you can find short-distance (known as Cercanías), mid-distance (Media Distancia or MD), and long-distance (Larga Distancia) lines.
What you won’t find here are the high-speed long-distance trains. For those, you’ll have to go to Valencia’s dedicated train station, Estación Joaquin Sorolla. You will find it just south of the North Station.
Estación del Norte offers all kinds of services to its travellers, like food and drinks, essential services, money exchange offices, shops, information centres, and even accommodation. In this article, you can find all the essential info about them, timetables included.
The station is at the southern edge of the city’s historical centre and thus well-integrated into the local transport network. If you are arriving in Valencia by train, you’ll find yourself in the centre in less than 5 minutes.
If, instead, you’re already here and you intend to visit nearby towns, going by train is an excellent option. Some of the most well-known destinations are Alicante and Xàtiva (in the Valencia region) or Albarracín and Cuenca (outside the region).
Short Distance Train Services - Cercanías
Short distance trains are the most common and frequent in Valencia’s North station. You can easily identify these trains because they all have a C and a number indicating the line (C1, C2, etc..).
The C stands for Cercanías, which roughly translates to “nearby areas” in English. You can also find them being referred to as commuter trains in English.
Lines
These lines connect the city with the suburban areas and towns in the Valencia region. They generally stop at every town on the way, so they can be pretty slow. The (daily) available lines are
- C1: Valencia - Gandía (a town about 65 km / 40 miles south of Valencia).
- C2: Valencia - Xàtiva - Moixent (two towns southwest of Valencia, respectively 60 km / 37 miles and 86 km / 53 miles away).
- C3: Valencia - Buñol - Utiel (two towns west of Valencia, respectively 40 km / 25 miles and 87 km / 54 miles away).
- C5: Valencia - Caudiel (a town 70 km / 43 miles northwest of Valencia).
- C6: Valencia - Castelló (a town about 80 km / 50 miles north of Valencia).
Prices
Renfe, the national railway system in Spain, has divided the Valencia region into six concentric zones, with the city of Valencia (and its neighbouring towns) in the middle, as Zone 1.
The ticket prices for Cercanías trains are thus organised accordingly, with the tickets that cover the nearest zones being the cheapest, and tickets that cover the most zones being more expensive.
You can find more information on how to get your tickets in the pertaining section of this article.
Remember that Cercanías offers 10-trip tickets, student passes, and passes for the elderly. If you have a SUMA transport card, it will also be valid for the Cercanías network. For more information, you can check the Cercanías Renfe website .
Here is a breakdown of the single and return Cercanías tickets.
| Zones |
|---|
| One-way ticket |
| Return ticket* |
Remember that you have a maximum of two hours to start your journey after you purchase your ticket at the station’s office.
Children under the age of 6 travel for free (up to two children per paying adult).
*The return ticket must be used on the same day.
Mid and Long-distance Trains
Mid and long-distance trains are those that generally connect Valencia with other cities outside the region.
The available trains and lines vary depending on the day of the week and the season. Some of the more popular destinations covered by the long-distance trains are the well-known cities, listed below.
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Sevilla
- Murcia
- Zaragoza
- Tarragona.
You can also find trains of this kind for smaller cities belonging to other Spanish regions, listed here.
- Cartagena
- Albacete
- Ciudad Real
- Cuenca
- Huesca
- Tortosa
- Lorca.
Some towns and cities in the Valencia region are also covered by mid-distance trains. Some very popular ones are as follows.
- Alicante
- Elche
- Villena
- Alcoy
Some of these trains will make fewer stops (like the Regional Exprés and Intercity lines), thus making the journey shorter. Some other lines, like the Regional and Media Distancia (indicated as MD), make more stops along the way, thus making the journey longer.
Remember that high-speed trains, like the Avant and Ave lines, only depart from Joaquín Sorolla train station.
Prices
The price of your ticket is not fixed based on the destination, and it might vary depending on a few factors:
- How far you are going
- What kind of line you are taking (with few or many stops)
- The time of the journey (season, day of the week, and time in the day)
- How early you get your ticket
You should also keep in mind that for longer distance journeys, we suggest you plan your trip ahead (one of two weeks).
You can find more information on how to get your tickets in the pertaining section of this article.
Here is a table with the average prices from Valencia North Station to selected destinations.
| Destination |
|---|
| Price Range |
All prices were calculated on bookings made one or two weeks in advance.
How to Get Tickets
Depending on the type of ticket or pass you want to buy, different purchase options will be available to you.
Here you can find a summary table of how you can buy the different tickets available.
| Type |
|---|
| Ticket Office |
| Automated Machines |
| Renfe website |
| Phone |
Remember that, for same-day purchases, you need to use your ticket within two hours of buying it.
*We always advise buying long-distance train tickets well in advance (one or two weeks).
Automated Machines
There are several automated ticket machines in Valencia’s Estación del Norte. You will find most of them in the lobby at the front of the station, opposite the ticket offices. They are always available in Spanish, English, and French and don’t have a closing time.
Keep in mind that the machines don’t always take card payments and can be very confusing for a first-time visitor. For these reasons, we suggest you go to the ticket offices and get your tickets from the attendants, if possible.
The red and grey machines are dedicated to short and mid-distance trains. Here you will be able to buy tickets for the same day or in advance.
The purple and grey machines are dedicated to long-distance trains.
Ticket Office
The ticket offices are the first thing you see as you come into the station. They are directly in front of you as you step into the lobby, and you will notice them for their old, wooden design.
Out of the several windows available, windows 1-8 are dedicated to short and mid-distance trains. Remember that you can only get Cercanías (short-distance) and Media Distancia (mid-distance) train tickets for the same day.
The opening times for the short and mid-distance ticket offices are as follows.
| Day |
|---|
| Opening times |
As for Larga Distancia (long-distance) tickets, they can be purchased in advance at the last two (9-10) windows. In fact, we advise you to do so, in order to avoid paying too much or not being able to find available seats on the train.
The opening times for the long-distance ticket offices are as follows.
| Day |
|---|
| Opening times |
Online
Online purchase is only available for mid and long-distance train tickets. You can buy them online on the Renfe website using a debit or credit card.
You can still consult available short-distance trains and their timetables on the Renfe page , but you’ll have to go to the station to get your ticket.
On the Phone
You can also get mid-distance and long-distance train tickets on the phone by calling the number +34 912 320 320. Phone assistance is available in Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese.
Remember you cannot get Cercanías (short-distance) train tickets this way.
Services Inside the Station
Being Valencia’s main train station, Estación del Norte is complete with the essential services and some shops.
Assistance and Care Services for passengers with reduced mobility are free and available on request at any time in Valencia’s North Station.
The majority of the businesses you can find in Estación del Norte are under the same management, meaning they all share the same timetable.
Bathrooms
There are restrooms on either side of the station building. On the west side, you’ll find them by the side entrance, next to the cafe. The bathrooms on the east side are just by platform 1.
Remember that you might need to pay €0.60 to use the bathrooms, so it’s important to have some cash on you. If you don’t have the exact amount don’t worry, outside the bathroom you will find a coin change machine.
Money Exchange and ATMs
If you need cash (it’s always good to have some on you in Spain), you can find ATMs inside the station on the western end (the right-hand side if you have the platforms in front of you).
If you need a change of currency, on the western side (in front of platform 6), you’ll find Italo Money, a money exchange office.
The timetable is as follows.
| Day |
|---|
| Opening Times |
Food and Drinks
If you need a quick snack or bite, cervecerias, bakeries, cafes and fast food options are all available inside the train station. You will find that some of these businesses, like the cerveceria, are open past the general timetable, from 5:00 am to midnight.
Immediately outside the station, there usually are small food trucks or stands offering typical Valencian sweets, drinks, and snacks (horchata, churros, fartons, etc.).
Here is a list of the venues you can find inside and immediately the station.
| Cafés |
|---|
| Anar i tornar |
| De Pans |
| Cafetería Cervecería |
Our tips…
If you want a more substantial meal, we suggest you leave the train station. Valencia’s Chinatown, west of the station, is filled with restaurants and fast food venues. There, you’re likely to find food anytime, as the businesses’ timetables are very flexible.
If Chinese food is not your favourite, you can go towards the Old Town, just north of the station. There you’ll find many Spanish and other Mediterranean food options.
Shops
Inside Estación del Norte you’ll find plenty of shops to cover your needs. These include pharmaceutical products, clothes, toiletries, souvenirs and gifts, cosmetics, and technology.
Here is a list of all the shops you can find inside the station.
| Clothes |
|---|
| Natura |
| Parfois |
Info Points
These are all the information points available to visitors inside and nearby the station. They can be useful if you need some guidance or you want to start buying tickets for some venues.
Station Info Point
The Station Info Point is where you need to go for any queries regarding the station or the trains.
It is located to the right of the entrance doors, in the lobby area of the station building. Behind the glass doors and windows, you’ll find two desks, one for ticket and train information, the other for customer service.
If you have complaints, issues, doubts, or questions about timetables, trains, or station facilities, the staff will be able to help you. This is also where the lost objects desk is.
Remember you cannot buy tickets here. For that, you need to go to the ticket offices or automated machines.
The timetable of this info point is as follows.
| Day |
|---|
| Opening Times |
Tourism Hub
The Tourism Hub in Estación del Norte offers regular tourism services, like info about the city, its sights, tickets, excursions, and bike rentals.
Leaving the train platforms behind you, you’ll find the Hub on your left, just outside the main door.
Tourist Information Office
Your other option is the Tourist Information Office in Joaquín Sorolla Railway Station (just behind Estación del Norte). This Tourist Information Office is one of the seven certified Red Tourist Info points in Valencia.
Aside from getting the regular tourist information (transport, sights, museums, accommodation, etc), here you’ll be able to purchase tickets for many venues or Valencia Tourist Cards.
Outside the Office itself, you’ll find a Digital Kiosk (an automated machine that is available 24/7) where you can also get a new Valencia Tourist Card or pick up the one you pre-ordered.
The Valencia Tourist Card gives you free transport and access to Municipal museums, as well as discounts on other tickets and venues. If you’d like to know more about this card, you can check out our article about the VTC.
The Tourist Information Office timetable is as follows.
| Day |
|---|
| Opening times |
This Tourist Information Office is closed on 1st January, 6th January, 25th December.
The Digital Kiosk is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
Accommodation
Inside Estación del Norte, towards the back of the building, you’ll find the UP! Hostel .
The hostel is a good solution if you need a place to rest close to the station, for example in case you have a very early or very late train.
Car Park
There is a car park open 24/7 on the western side of the station. You can access it through Carrer de Bailèn.
As with any central car parks, the prices might be higher than you would find in other quieter areas of the city, so we advise caution.
Transport Connections and Location
Estación del Norte is in an advantaged position because of its proximity to the city centre. This means that the station is extremely well integrated into the transport network, and it is very easy to reach.
Location and Map
The station is enclosed by Calle de Xàtiva to the north (the street that passes in front of its entrance), Carrer d’Alacant to the east, and Carrer de Bailèn to the west.
Right behind Estación del Norte (800 m/0.5 miles south of it) is Estación Joaquín Sorolla, Valencia’s high speed train station. If you need to transfer between stations, there is a shuttle bus from Estación del Norte to Joaquín Sorolla.
Transport
As mentioned, the station is extremely well connected to all forms of transport.
This includes public transport, with the metro (lines 3, 5, 9), the tram (line 10), and EMT buses (more than 10 different day lines and 10 night lines).
If you prefer, you can also park and drive electric scooters all around the station or find the taxi rank just to the side of the building.
On foot
Given that Estación del Norte is in such a privileged position, it is normal that reaching it on foot is not difficult at all.
You’ll find the train station just south of Ciutat Vella, east of the Bullring and west of Chinatown. If you are in the Old Town, going on foot is certainly the easiest option.
Metro and Trams
The closest stations are:
Xàtiva: metro stop right in front of the station.
Colón: metro stop northeast of the station.
Alacant: tram stop right between the train station and the Bullring.
Xàtiva is only 1 minute away from the Bullring, while Colón is 600 m away (7-minute walk, a little under 0.4 miles) from it. The same three lines (3, 5, 9) stop at both stations.
The tram network’s line 10 stop, Alacant, is to the side of the building.
For detailed information about how this system works, you can read our article about the metro and trams in Valencia.
Buses
The closest bus stop is probably the one called Estació del Nord, opposite the station. To reach it you’ll only need to cross to the other side of the street (1-minute-walk). The other bus stop is called Xàtiva. It is a little down the street, to the west, but still very close (140 m, about 0.2 miles).
You’ll find other stops all around the train station area, but these two are the ones with the most lines - both regular and night lines.
Here are the most important lines.
| Line |
|---|
| Stop |
Taxis
There is a taxi rank right next to the station, in Carrer de Bailèn ( view map ). Otherwise, it is normally quite easy to hail a taxi in the street in Valencia, but other options are also booking through a mobile app or through a phone call.
See detailed information on this in our article about taxis in Valencia.
Bikes
On the official map, you’ll see that there are bike paths just in front of the train station. Remember you can also cycle in pedestrian zones, as long as there is enough room for people to walk. In terms of leaving your bike at the station, there are bike parking spaces on the west side of the station building.
On the same map, you will also see that there are two Valenbisi stations by the train station. One is right in front of it, the other one is a little further down the street, to the east, in front of the Bullring. Many other Valenbisi stations are also not far away.
Electric Scooters
You can park and drive your electric scooter all around the train station, as it is within the designated circulation area for these vehicles.
If you want to know more about this, you can check out our article about electric scooter rentals in Valencia. In the article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions and video guides to help you through the rental process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you can find quick answers to all of your questions. Linked, you’ll find the articles or the sections of the articles that can give you more detailed information.
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Estación del Norte is Valencia’s main train station and one of the city’s most important Modernist buildings.
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Yes, in fact the majority of the trains coming to Valencia make their stop in Estación del Norte. Trains going to other cities and towns from Valencia also usually depart from here.
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Estación del Norte between the northern edge of the Ruzafa neighbourhood and the southern section of the Ciutat Vella district.
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No, usually high speed trains (like the Avant and Ave lines) to other major Spanish cities depart from Joaquín Sorolla train station, just behind Estación del Norte.
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Aside from high-speed trains, all other trains arrive at the station and depart from it. You can find short, mid, and long-distance trains in Estación del Norte.
If you’d like to know more about the available train lines, you can check the relevant sections of this article.
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Estación del Norte has all the basic services (restrooms, money exchange and withdrawal, ticket offices, and a customer service office).
On top of this, inside the station you can also find bars, small fast food venues, shops, and even a hostel.
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If you are already in Ciutat Vella, Estación del Norte is quite close, so you can easily reach it on foot or by bike.
If you are further away and need to use public transport, the station is extremely well connected to the metro, tram, and bus networks.
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Estación del Norte is open practically 24/7.
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It depends on the type of ticket and where you want to go.
Prices for short-distance trains are organised by zone. A single ticket can cost anywhere from €1.80 to €5.80.
Mid and long-distance train prices are a bit more difficult. They depend on the destination, type of train, and how early you get your ticket. Prices range between €15.00 and €50.00 for a single ticket.
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If you’re already at the train station you can get any type of train ticket at an automated machine or at the ticket office with the help of an attendant.
If you want, you can also get your mid and long-distance train tickets online or on the phone.
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Of course you can. Valencia is an extremely bike friendly city, and on the official map, you’ll see that there are bike paths circling the city’s old quarters. You can also cycle in the city centre and its pedestrian zones, as long as there is enough room for people to walk.
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Estación del Norte is an important junction point for Valencia’s public transport, so there are a lot of buses that stop nearby. Buses C1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 19, 28, 35, 40, 70, 71, and 73 all stop in front of the Estación del Norte.
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The metro is one of the best public transport methods to reach the train station. Lines 3, 5, and 9 all stop at the closest metro station, Xàtiva.
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The tram is also a good way to get to the station. Line 10’s stop Alacant is to the side of the building.
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Of course. There are two Valenbisi stations in front of Estación del Norte, and many others not too far away.If you’d like to know more about Valenbisi, you can check out our article about it.
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Yes. But be careful not to go into the no-park zone, which roughly covers the Old Town area.
