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How to get from Barcelona Airport to Valencia by train?

ByJoenid Corner Posted on Updated on

Wondering how to get from Barcelona airport to Valencia by train? You’ve come to the right place! This guide covers everything you need for a smooth and easy trip.

While there are several ways to travel by train between Barcelona and Valencia, we chose the Euromed high-speed train operated by Renfe for its speed and comfort. We’ll take you step-by-step from arriving at Barcelona airport (BCN) all the way to reaching the beautiful city of Valencia.

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Why Take the Train from Barcelona Sants to Valencia Nord?

Taking the train in Europe is our favorite way to travel. We don’t have to worry about traffic, and we can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

Valencia to Barcelona Train
A reflection of a woman with her laptop in the window of the train from Valencia to Barcelona, Spain

How Long Is The High-Speed Train From Valencia To Barcelona?

The Euromed high-speed train from Barcelona-Sants to Valencia-Nord train station offers several trip options.

  • The first trip typically starts at 7:15 AM and the last train at 6:15 PM. Normally offers 4 to 5 trips per day.
  • The average duration of the full trip is 3 hours.

Train Cost from Barcelona Sants to Valencia Nord

  • The cost of the train tickets varies per day and time of your trip. Prices may start at € 44.30 for a basic seat or at € 49.85 for an extra comfort seat. For current prices, visit the Renfe website.
  • You’re allowed to carry up to 3 pieces of hand luggage (max. 25 kg total sum). Maximum allowed luggage dimensions are 85x55x35 cm. (height-width-depth).

How to Book Train Tickets?

We used the official Renfe website to book the Euromed high-speed train tickets. The website says tickets are available 60 days in advance, but we couldn’t find tickets until about a month before our trip.

Tip: Keep an eye on the website because they open the tickets gradually.

Where do I take the Euromed High-Speed train?

The Euromed high-speed train to Valencia from Barcelona departs from Barcelona-Sants train station and arrives at Valencia’s Nord Station (Estacion del Nord). Since we landed at Barcelona Airport (BCN), we first had to make our way to Barcelona-Sants. Below, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get from Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Barcelona-Sants train station.

interior of aircraft which is the aircraft we used to flying to Barcelona Spain
a female walking with luggage on her way from Barcelona airport to Barcelona Sants

Walking across the indoor bridge from Terminal 2 toward the Barcelona Airport train station

How To Get The Train From Barcelona Airport To Barcelona Sants?

When you arrive at Barcelona airport (BCN) from any international flight, you’ll arrive at Terminal 1, and you’ll need to take the free BCN airport shuttle to get to Terminal 2 because there is no internal connection between terminals on foot. Skip this step if you arrive at Terminal 2. The trip from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 is about 10-15 minutes.

Airport Train Station

Once you arrive at Terminal 2, head to T2B and take the escalators up to the airport train station. These are the same escalators that also lead toward the boarding gates. From there, you can take the R2 Nord (R2N) train, which runs from the airport train station straight to Barcelona-Sants.

Tip: I recommend wearing comfortable shoes because you’ll need to walk across a long indoor bridge from Terminal 2 and the airport train station.

Your Euromed high-speed train ticket includes a “combinado cercanías” ticket, which gives you free access to the train from the airport to Barcelona-Sants station.

To use the “combinado cercanias” ticket, simply scan the QR code on your ticket at the airport train station checkpoint, and you’ll be allowed into the boarding area. The train from the airport station to Barcelona-Sants takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes.

Note: The “combinado cercania” tickets can be used at least 4 hours before departure and up to 4 hours after arrival at the destination.

Arriving At Barcelona-Sants Train Station

When you arrive at Barcelona-Sants on the R2 Nord (R2N) train from the airport, get off and follow the signs toward the exit checkpoint. You’ll need to scan your “combinado cercanias” ticket to pass through, but you don’t need to leave the Barcelona Sants train station.

Barcelona-Sants Train Station

From here, look for the overhead signs marked with your assigned platform number. Follow these signs, and you’ll pass through a large hall with shops and cafés before reaching a separate security area where all luggage is scanned (similar to airport security).

front of Barcelona Sants train station structure which is where we travel from Barcelona Airport to Valencia by train
Exterior of the Barcelona-Sants Train Station

Boarding the Euromed train in Barcelona-Sants Train Station

Security will check your ID, so don’t forget your passport, and your boarding pass can be scanned electronically from your mobile. Once you pass the security checkpoint, head to your Euromed train’s platform.

Once you find your platform and your train arrives, be sure to check your ticket—it will show your assigned cart and seat number. On the exterior of each train cart, there’s a screen displaying the cart number to help you locate it easily.

a kindle, glasses and a mobile on the seat table of the Euromed train which is How to get from Barcelona Airport to Valencia by train
Euromed interior seats of Barcelona to Valencia high speed train

Inside the Euromed high-speed train

After boarding, you’ll find a designated area for large luggage, while smaller bags and personal items can be stored in the overhead compartments above your seat.

Arriving At Valencia Station Nord

Once you arrive in Valencia, we recommend taking a full day to explore the historical city center and the incredible City of Arts and Sciences. Both are definitely worth visiting and give you a wonderful sense of the city.

Valencia Nord Train Station

Close to Valencia Nord station, we booked the SH Colon Valencia Hotel, which was perfectly located within walking distance of the historic area. It made getting around super easy and stress-free.

Valencia also surprised us with plenty of delicious vegan options. We even managed to visit the restaurant ranked the 6th best vegetable restaurant in the world, and it was definitely a highlight of the trip!

the exterior building of the Valencia nord train station with a clock on top
Exterior of the Valencia Train Station Nord

When we booked our trip, we chose the Euromed high-speed train round-trip, since after exploring Valencia, we returned to Barcelona to discover the city in one day and catch our Virgin Voyages cruise sailing from Barcelona.

If you’re curious about reaching the Barcelona cruise port from the Barcelona airport, we share a guide on what it’s like sailing from Barcelona. You can also check out my full breakdown of the Virgin Voyages Mediterranean itinerary.

Tips For A Smooth Euromed High-Speed Train Embarkation Journey

  • Missed Connections / Delays: Avoid booking the Euromed basic fare if possible because it’s non-refundable. Elige, Elige Confort, or Premium tickets allow you to make changes to your train ticket if you miss your connection.
  • When to arrive at Barcelona-Sants station: Arrive at least one hour in advance because you’ll need to go through the X-ray luggage checkpoint.
  • ID requirement: You’ll need to show an ID to travel, so don’t forget your passport if you’re an international traveler.
  • Luggage security: Bring locks for any luggage that will be stored in the large public storage area of the Euromed train.
  • Track your bags: It’s a good idea to insert AirTags in your luggage and smaller bags to keep track of them in case something gets left behind.
  • Food: Bring snacks, as I didn’t find vegan or gluten-free options on board (other than water).
  • Onboard amenities: The train has free Wi-Fi and clean restrooms, and each seat has an auxiliary headphone jack so you can plug in your own headset to enjoy music or other entertainment options during your trip.
  • Power outlets: Pack a European plug adapter, as the train has a European-style outlet located underneath the seat. I recommend this type of adapter to ensure it fits properly.
  • Light luggage recommended: Carrying large or heavy luggage can be tricky because there’s a difference in elevation between the train platform and the rail cart. Light luggage makes boarding much easier.
  • Platform signs: All signs at the station are in Spanish, English, and Catalan, which makes navigation easier. English is reasonably understood at the stations and on the trains, but it’s still helpful to know a few basic Spanish phrases just in case.
a wall poster with a food menu which is the renfe train menu of the train from Barcelona to Valencia
Euromed train menu options

Overall Experience on how to get from Barcelona airport to Valencia by train

Overall, traveling from Barcelona to Valencia on the Euromed high-speed train was a smooth and pleasant experience. Although we had to change trains from the Barcelona Airport to Barcelona-Sants, we appreciated that the “combinado cercanias” ticket was included, which allowed us to travel directly from the airport without any extra cost.

We didn’t have to worry about traffic, the seats were roomy and comfortable, and we could get up to walk around and stretch whenever we wanted.

The best part? Taking in all the charming little towns scattered along the route made the journey feel scenic and relaxing.

Next time, we plan to travel with just carry-on luggage, which will make boarding even easier. Other than the limited vegan and gluten-free options on board, everything about the trip felt effortless and enjoyable.

And once we arrived in Valencia, the adventure really began. If you’re curious, you can check out everything we managed to do in just one day in Valencia, because it might surprise you how much we fit in!

I’m a dedicated travel blogger helping you experience luxury travel and exceptional vegan dining, from boutique hotels to plant-based restaurants and Virgin Voyages cruises. I do all the research so you can focus on packing.

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