Valencia, Spain: Pre-Departure Planning Guide

Preparing you for your trip

Event schedule: find your program dates

Program schedule

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April 15 to May 15, 2025

May 18 - June 17, 2025

Pre-departure

Packing

• Packing Considerations
• Consider the Season: Valencia has distinct seasons. Pack light, breathable fabrics for summer, and warm layers for winter. Spring and fall can be mild, so pack clothes that can be layered. A rain jacket might also come in handy
• Walking Shoes: Valencia is a walkable city, so comfortable shoes are essential. Opt for closed-toe shoes with good tread for navigating cobblestone streets. We recommend bringing shoes that you have walked in prior to your trip.
• Casual Clothing: The style in Spain is casual so pack with comfort in mind as you will be doing some walking and exploring. Pack pieces that are easier to mix and match, allowing for more outfit combinations with less luggage. Also, for you beach lovers, pack a swimsuit if you’re going during the warmer months.
• Luggage: Navigating the streets of Valencia with a large suitcase can be difficult, try to pack as light as possible since you will have the advantage of washing your clothes while you’re here.

• Non-Obvious Things to Pack
• Respectful Attire: For visits to churches and religious sites, pack clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. A light scarf can be handy for quick cover-ups.
• Travel Adapter: Spain uses a two-pronged plug different from the US. Pack a travel adapter to charge your electronics.
• Small Umbrella: While Valencia is relatively dry, rain showers can happen. A small, foldable umbrella can be a lifesaver.
• Medications: Pack an adequate supply of any medications you take regularly. Bring a doctor's note for prescriptions in case you need refills.

Contact information

• Valencia Community Manager: Suzie Añón y García
• info@toursinvalencia.com
• Whatsapp: +34644512221

• Program Coordinator BCN/VLC/PRG: Christine Hernandez: +34.722.252.956

• Hours of Availability
• Our Community Manager is there to support your experience. They will be physically present at community events, and that is a great time to talk to them.
• Outside of community events, the Community Manager is available via Whatsapp from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. As they have families and other obligations, we ask that you respect these hours for regular messages.

• Emergencies
• In the event of an emergency, you may call or text the Community Manager at any time via Whatsapp.

In-country

Arrival Day

• You will receive your exact check-in instructions approximately two days before the start of your program. You are responsible for getting to your apartment from the airport.

• If you arrive at the Valencia airport, you have a few options:
• Taxi: you can go to the taxi stand or reserve an Uber / Cabify / FreeNow to take you directly to your apartment.
• Metro: The Aeroport metro station is located one floor below the arrivals level. Upon exiting the arrivals hall, go left and follow the signs for "METRO." You’ll find an escalator and an elevator on your right that take you one floor down. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter or from one of the ticket machines. Both metro lines from this station go to the center of Valencia, which you can reach in approximately 20-25 minutes. Don’t throw away your ticket, you need it to exit the metro and it can be recharged.
Single Ticket: €5.80 (€4.80 + €1.00 for the card, which is a one-time purchase).
Are you traveling with two people? You can choose to buy two tickets on one card to travel from the airport to the city center. Two tickets will cost €8.80.
If you’re traveling together with more than one person and also plan to take the metro back to the airport, it’s best to purchase one ten-ride card (“Bonometro”) for Zone ABCD. This is the most economical option. With this card, up to five people can travel together, provided it’s only used for trips to and from the airport. A ten-ride card costs €21.00.
For more information, visit Metro Valencia
• Bus: You can also choose to travel by bus from the airport. It’s useful to know that the ‘Aero bus’ only stops at a limited number of locations in Valencia. If your accommodation is not close to one of these stops, it might be more convenient to take the metro or a taxi instead. The buses run between 5:25 AM and 10:00 PM (every 26 minutes) Price: €1.45 Bus Line: 150

• If you arrive by train you can get a taxi at the train station.

Resources from Suzie

• Suzie´s Valencia Local Tips Google Map: Check out this google map that has been curated to show recommended restaurants, music venues, bars, and other places of interest.

• Suzie also has her own app that is free to download called Valencia tips, there are more than 300 of her personal tips with pictures and reviews to enjoy.

Getting Around

• Public transportation
• Valencia is a walkable city, but if your feet get tired, don't worry! They have a convenient public transit system with metro/tram/bus lines running throughout the city.
• For a quick and budget-friendly ou can choose to purchase a ten-ride card (“Bonometro”). This card costs €8.00 and allows unlimited travel within Zone A. Multiple people can use one card. Once the ten rides are used up, you can reload your old card with another ten rides for €7.00, as you won’t need to pay for the card again. Transferring between lines doesn’t count as an extra ride!
• Your Community Manager will teach you how to use local public transport; you’ll be getting around like a local in no time!

• Car rental
• Consider if you really need a car: Valencia is a walkable city with great public transportation, so a car might not be necessary. If you plan on exploring the Spanish countryside or nearby towns, then a car becomes more helpful, but buses and trains can sometimes be a better option.
• Insurance: Rental car insurance can be expensive, so check your existing car insurance and credit card coverage to see if they provide rental car protection in Spain.
• Tolls: Toll roads only cover around 30% of the motorways in Spain, so you will likely be able to get around them. Rental companies often offer toll payment options like prepaid boxes or post-trip billing.

• Parking
• Driving in Valencia: Driving can be challenging. There are congested roads and limited parking. Familiarize yourself with traffic regulations before hitting the road.
• Parking: Parking in Valencia can be tricky and expensive. Look for designated parking areas or garages, and avoid leaving your car on the street for long periods.

Money

• Cash vs. Credit Card: While credit cards are widely accepted in Valencia, it's always a good idea to carry some euros in cash for smaller purchases or emergencies.

• Using your Credit Card: When paying by credit card, the machine may ask if you would like to pay in local currency. The answer is Yes. The next question will be whether you Accept or Reject the conversion rate. Always select “Reject”. This will prevent you from being charged any hidden fees. You will also be asked these questions at most ATMs.

• ATMs are called Cajero: ATMs in Valencia are called cajero. They are widely available throughout Valencia, especially near tourist areas and banks.

• Look for Major Banks: Opt for ATMs affiliated with major Spanish banks like Banco Santander, Caixabank, and Banco Sabadell. These might offer better exchange rates and lower fees compared to independent ATM providers.

• Avoid Euronet ATMs: While convenient, Euronet ATMs are known for higher fees and potentially less favorable exchange rates. Try to avoid them if possible.

• Check Fees Before Withdrawing: Always check the ATM screen for any withdrawal fees before you confirm the transaction and it is advised to “reject” the conversion rate. Your home bank may also charge additional foreign transaction fees.

• Inform Your Bank: Let your bank know you'll be traveling to Spain to avoid any issues with using your card abroad.

• Carry Some Euros: It's always a good idea to carry some euros in cash before you arrive in Valencia. This will help you cover any immediate expenses in case you have trouble finding an ATM or your card doesn't work.

Communication

• Cell phone
• We recommend using Truely eSIM which allows you to easily and cheaply connect to the local cell network wherever you travel - and avoid roaming charges. Truely specifically offers an option that includes all of Europe and the UK, and only costs about $10.  Click here to see how it works. 
• Check with your carrier about international roaming plans and what is included and not included.
• SIM card: You can purchase a local SIM card in Spain. This requires an unlocked GSM phone.

• Messaging
• We encourage you to use Whatsapp for text messaging, this is what people in Europe use commonly. You can also use it for making calls on wifi.

• Wi-Fi
• Public wifi: Many cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free wifi. This is a great option for basic tasks such as email and text messaging.
• Apartment wifi: Your apartment will have high speed wifi that you can use for FaceTime and other messaging apps such as Whatsapp, iMessage, Zoom.
• Download Offline Maps and Apps: Having offline maps and apps like Google Translate downloaded can be helpful if you lose signal or wifi access.

• Local calls
• You may need to call local businesses or people. We recommend that you use Whatsapp to make local calls, and to avoid incurring international calling charges.

Dining Out

• Tipping
• Not Mandatory: Unlike the US, tipping in Valencia is not expected or mandatory. It's seen as a way to show appreciation for exceptional service.
• Small Gestures: If you had a great experience, a small tip of a few euros per person or rounding up the bill is perfectly acceptable.
• Check for Service Charge: Some restaurants might include a service charge or bread charge on the bill.

• Restaurant Reservations
• Fine Dining & Popular Spots: For Michelin-starred restaurants or highly-rated establishments, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner. These places can fill up quickly.

• Casual Eateries: Reservations are generally less necessary at casual restaurants. However, if you have a large group (more than 4 people) or are visiting during a busy time (weekends, evenings), it might be helpful to call ahead and secure a table or book it online.

• Making Reservations: The most common apps for making reservations are Open Table and TheFork, however, many restaurants still take reservations the old fashioned way - with a phone call!

• Many restaurants have websites where you can book a table online.

Fitness & Health

• Language Study : If you would like to study Spanish during your stay, you have options: small group lessons or private one-on-one lessons.

• espanole school is a great Spanish learning school as an option.

• Gyms & Yoga
• ClassPass: Buy credits allow you to book at thousands of different yoga studios, gyms, pilates studios, & spas. Use them however you like in order to create a personalized fitness and wellness routine.
• VivaGym: VivaGym is a popular gym chain with locations across Spain. In Valencia, they have 8 locations, offering plenty of options to work out in the city.
• Basic-Fit: Basic-Fit is an international gym chain and has 13 locations in Valencia, making it very accessible. The name says it all: no luxury, just everything you need for a solid workout.
• Polideportivos: Polideportivos are public sports centers managed by the municipality, and they come with a fee. The difference compared to regular gyms is that polideportivos often offer additional facilities, such as a football field, padel courts, and even a swimming pool. You can also attend group classes and enjoy personal training at these centers. A great example is Polideportivo Malilla, which includes a swimming pool and a padel court alongside the usual fitness equipment.
• TYRES SPA + FITNESS: If you’re looking for a more luxurious gym experience, TYRES SPA + FITNESS in Russafa is the place to go. This upscale fitness center offers a premium environment for those looking for more than just a regular workout.
• Yoga at Lastrellas - Indoor and Outdoor Yoga Studio: One of the great things about Sterre’s classes is that you don't need to commit to a subscription. For just €7.00, you can attend a class in the park. In the studio, a single session costs €14.00.
• Yoga Club Valencia outdoor Yoga with Veerle:The group sessions are in English and follow the Hatha Vinyasa style – a mindful and energizing practice that leaves you feeling wonderfully relaxed. A drop-in class costs €15.00, and you don’t need to bring your own yoga mat, making it perfect for visitors.
• Yoga with Jennison: Jennison offers weekly classes for around €7.00 per session, focusing mainly on Hatha and Vinyasa yoga. She also hosts special events like the popular Yoga & Coffee gathering.
• Yoga Flow studio: (inside- more teachers): For a subscription of four classes per month, the cost is €50.00, with prices decreasing as you take more classes.
 

• Pharmacies
• Many pharmacies have staff that speak some English.

Optional Tours

• Culinary tour with several markets

• Biketour

• Streetart tour

• Wine tour (daytrip)

• Albufera tour (daytrip)

• Sagunto Tour (daytrip)

• San Jose Caves

• Orange farm visit