Check out this ultimate list of the best Valencia day trips by train. The city has a good public transport connection to many Spanish cities, offering some unique day trip options.

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Best Valencia Day Trip Ideas by Train

Where can you travel from Valencia by train?

Many of the most popular day trips from Valencia are connected to the city by regular train services. Additionally, some Spanish cities, such as Cuenca and Madrid, have high-speed train connections with Valencia, significantly reducing travel time. Visiting both Madrid and Cuenca on a day trip from Valencia is only possible by train, as the drive takes way too long.

Where do high speed trains go from Valencia?

Three main destinations to visit from Valencia on a high-speed train are Requena, Cuenca, and Madrid. The high-speed trains in Valencia depart from Joaquín Sorolla Station, while the regional trains can be found at Valencia Nord (both stations are located next to each other).

Best day trips from Valencia in Spain
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia

Why to take day trips from Valencia by train

The biggest advantage of planning a Valencia itinerary focused on day trips by train is that you can avoid the hassle of driving and parking in the city center. While Valencia isn’t as large as Madrid or Barcelona, you can still experience significant traffic, especially during peak season. Parking in the city center is often quite expensive, even if your hotel offers parking – it’s rarely budget-friendly. If you’re traveling by car, I usually recommend staying outside the city center and following this 7-day road trip itinerary. By the way, the area near the City of Arts and Sciences is more modern and has easier parking. However, for many travelers, taking the train is a better option for exploring the Valencia region. The only downside of exploring by train is that many charming small towns and hiking spots are not accessible by train, and you’ll need a car to reach them.

How to get train tickets in Valencia

Depending on the distance of each of your Valencia day trips, you may need to purchase different tickets at the Valencia Nord Train Station. Let me share some details to help you avoid confusion when you’re there. You have three main types of train tickets to choose from:

  • Cercanías train tickets (for travel within the Valencia metropolitan area, up to 37 miles / 60 kilometers from the city).
  • Media Distancia train tickets (for train rides between 37 and 186 miles / 60 to 300 kilometers).
  • Larga Distancia train tickets (for longer travels across Spain and Europe, including Spanish high-speed trains).

You can purchase Cercanías and Media Distancia tickets from ticket machines, although you might also want to check the schedules online (and even print them out). If you buy a Cercaníasida y vuelta” (return ticket), you can take any train operating throughout the day and sit anywhere you like. For Larga Distancia tickets, it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during holidays or peak seasons. These tickets will have a specific time and seat assigned. Depending on the fare (note that flexible tickets are more expensive), you may be able to change or return your ticket. A great website to find the best ticket offers to/from Valencia is Trainline. For more details, you can refer to this Valencia Train Guide.

Best day trips from Valencia by train

1. Xativa

The Xativa Castle near Valencia Spain
The Jativa Castle

Why to visit Xativa

Xàtiva (also called Jativa) is one of my favorite day trips from Valencia by train, known for its stunning Spanish castle. It’s also famous for its connection to the prominent Borgia (or Borja) family. Two Popes of Rome were actually born in the small town of Xàtiva. You can check out more details from my trip to Xàtiva and its castle in this post.

How to get there

Buy a Cercanías ticket from Valencia Nord to Xàtiva at one of the ticket machines at Valencia Nord Train Station. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes each way.

2. Sagunto

The Castle of Sagunto near Valencia Spain
The Castle of Sagunto

Why to visit Sagunto

Sagunto is one of the most interesting day trips from Valencia for history enthusiasts and fans of Roman ruins in Spain. The city is renowned for the ruins of the Roman Castle, which sits atop a hill and offers some of the best views in the region. You can begin your visit to Sagunto by stopping at the local tourist office (located at Plaza del Cronista Chabret) to pick up a map. Be sure not to miss: the Roman Castle, the Casco Antiguo (historical city center), the Roman Theatre, La Judería (medieval Jewish neighborhood), the Historical Museum, the Ermita de La Sangre chapel, and the Santa María Church.

How to get there

Buy a Cercanías ticket from Valencia Nord to Sagunto at one of the ticket machines at Valencia Nord Train Station. The journey will take 30-40 minutes one way.

3. Gandia

Ducal Palace of Gandia Valencia day trips
Ducal Palace of Gandia

Why to visit Gandia

Gandia is located on the road connecting Valencia with Alicante and is known for the Ducal Palace, which is linked to the scandalous Borgia family. The palace has been their official residence since 1485 and was the birthplace of Saint Francis Borgia, a great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI. While the Ducal Palace of Gandia was my favorite stop in the city, there are many other places you shouldn’t miss: the Historical City Center, Museu Faller de Gandia, Collegiate Basilica of Gandia, and the Archaeological Museum of Gandia. Gandia is famous for some of Spain’s best beaches, including Playa de Gandia, where you can bask in the sun. It’s also a typical destination for bachelor parties among Spaniards. One of the most popular foods to try in Gandia is fideuà, a dish similar to paella but made with pasta instead of rice. You can read more about Gandia in this post.

How to get there

Buy a Cercanías ticket from Valencia Nord to Gandia at one of the ticket machines in Valencia Nord Train Station. The journey takes about 1 hour one way.

4. Castellon

Plaza de la Independencia in Castellon
Plaza de la Independencia in Castellon

Why to visit Castellon

While Castellón (also called Castello or Castellon de la Plana) is a well-known region in Spain for ceramic lovers and houses most of the country’s ceramic tile factories, it is a lesser-known destination for international travelers. I would not recommend Castellón as a first-choice day trip by train, but it can be an interesting option for those who have already experienced most of Valencia’s day trips. Castellón’s train station is located close to the city center, so you can easily walk around. Be sure not to miss: Park Ribalta, Castellón Cathedral, the Correos building (Post office), Central Square Plaza Mayor, Central Market, and the Museu de Belles Arts de Castellón (it offers free entry and has an entire floor dedicated to the region’s ceramics). The Port area of Grau de Castellón is a great spot to enjoy fresh seafood and paella (my favorite restaurants are Mirador del Port and Mediterraneo).

How to get there:

Buy a Cercanías ticket from Valencia Nord to Castelló de la Plana at one of the ticket machines at the Valencia Nord Train Station. The journey takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 20 minutes one way, depending on the type of train.

5. Peñiscola

Piniscola Valencia day trip Spain
Peñiscola

Why to visit Peñiscola

One of the best Valencia day trips that combines history with beach vibes is definitely Peñíscola. Recently, it served as one of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain, attracting many international fans to this charming small town. Peñíscola Castle is one of Spain’s most picturesque castles, and you can find more details in this post. The only drawback is that while you can reach Peñíscola by train, it’s not as straightforward as traveling to Xátiva, Sagunto, or Gandía. Peñíscola shares a train station with the nearby town of Benicarló, and it’s a 14-minute drive by car or taxi from the station to the town center. On the plus side, Benicarló is another great place to visit in February, as the local authorities organize the Artichoke Gastronomic Weeks. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a creative artichoke meal in Benicarló before or after exploring Peñíscola. Additionally, nearby you’ll find one of my kids’ favorite places in Spain: the Jardin del Papagayo, a lovely bird park.

How to get there

Get a ticket online (or at the Valencia Nord train station) for travel from Valencia to Benicarló/Peñíscola. The journey will take 1 hour and 20 minutes or 2 hours one way, depending on the type of train. Once you arrive, take a taxi or a bus (Autos Mediterráneo or HIFE) to the city center.

6. Alicante

Views of Alicante from Santa Barbara castle in Alicante
Views from Santa Barbara castle in Alicante

Why to visit Alicante

Another popular destination for day trips from Valencia is definitely Alicante. You can check out my one-day itinerary for Alicante in this post. The city has several great places to visit, including Santa Barbara Castle, the Archaeological Museum, the Basilica of Santa Maria, the MACA Contemporary Art Museum, the Explanada de España Promenade, Casco Antiguo (Alicante’s old town), and a boat trip to Tabarca Island. Alicante is definitely worth a visit, and there are plenty of trains from Valencia to choose from each day.

How to get there

Buy a ticket online (or at the Valencia Nord train station) for travel from Valencia to Alicante. The journey will take either 1 hour 40 minutes or 2 hours one way, depending on the type of train.

7. Madrid

weekend in madrid day trips
El Retiro Park in Madrid

Why to visit Madrid

Madrid is the capital of Spain and home to the country’s most iconic museums and national treasures. While it is more common to visit Valencia on a day trip from Madrid, you can also do the reverse. Madrid is a great option for a cultural city break in Spain, but it lacks a coastline, and the weather in Valencia is much nicer, so many travelers choose to visit Valencia instead. While you can’t see all of Madrid in one day, it is still a unique day trip option by train due to the high-speed connection. You can check out this 1-day Madrid itinerary and 40+ things to do in Madrid.

How to get there

Buy a ticket via Trainline for a high-speed train from Valencia to Madrid. The journey from Joaquín Sorolla station in Valencia will take 1 hour 52 minutes.

8. Cuenca

The Hanging Houses of Cuenca in Spain
The Hanging Houses of Cuenca

Why to visit Cuenca

Cuenca has grown significantly as a destination in recent years, thanks to its budget-friendly high-speed train connection with Madrid. While it is conveniently located on the route between Valencia and Madrid, most travelers visit the city on a day trip from Madrid. Cuenca is known for housing one of Spain’s most iconic landmarks, the Hanging Houses, as well as charming medieval architecture and a stunning cathedral. You can check out my one-day Cuenca itinerary in this post.

How to get there

Buy a ticket via Trainline for a high-speed train from Valencia to Cuenca. The journey from Joaquín Sorolla station in Valencia will take 57 minutes (it’s the same train that goes to Madrid; you just get off earlier).

9. Requena

caves of requena valencia spain
The caves in Requena

Why to visit Requena

Requena is a small town near Valencia, known for its unique caves and wine-tasting experiences of Utiel-Requena DO region. While visiting Requena by train is easy, if you plan to focus on food-related experiences, I would recommend taking a wine and cheese tasting tour, as these locations are situated in the surrounding areas of Requena. However, if you’re visiting to explore the town and caves, the train works just fine.

How to get there

Take a train from Valencia Nord Station to Requena-Utiel Station. Purchase a Media Distancia ticket from one of the ticket machines. The journey typically takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, depending on the service.

10. Teruel

mudejar architecture of Teruel Spain
Escalinata del Óvalo in Teruel

Why to visit Teruel

Teruel is one of the most underrated Spanish cities and is, in fact, my personal favorite Valencia day trip by train. The city is known for its unique Mudejar architecture and one of Spain’s most famous legends, the Lovers of Teruel. You can read more about Teruel in this post.

How to get there

Buy a Media Distancia ticket from Valencia Nord to Teruel at one of the ticket machines at the Valencia Nord Train Station. The journey takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes one way, depending on the type of train. Usually, there are only three train services per day connecting Valencia and Teruel, so be sure to keep an eye on the schedule to avoid missing your train.

Which is the best Valencia day trip by train?

All of the Valencia day trips by train are unique, but personally, I would choose either Teruel or Cuenca, as both offer a very different feel of central Spain, quite distinct from the coastal areas in terms of architecture and traditional foods. However, if you’re traveling during the summer peak season, Teruel and Cuenca may not be the best options, as both can feel unbearably hot without the Mediterranean breeze. In summer, I would opt for Xàtiva or Gandia to explore the Borgia landmarks. Madrid is always a great idea, and it’s best to visit for at least a weekend. Peñíscola is beautiful, but I would prefer visiting it on a tour combined with Morella or driving there, rather than taking the train. As for Alicante, personally, I find it’s not the city itself that is the most interesting, but rather the entire region. It’s worth planning a separate itinerary across the Costa Blanca.

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Top day trips from Valencia by train in Spain

For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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