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From UK and Ireland There are currently no budget airlines flying directly from the UK and Ireland to Valencia, although the arrival of the German low-cost airline, Hapag-Lloyd Express may encourage others to follow. British Airways has direct flights from Gatwick and Heathrow airports, Iberia has direct flights from Heathrow, and Aer Lingus has direct flights from Dublin to Alacant/Alicante (but no direct flights to Valencia). Prices start at around £115 for a non-flexible return ticket, but can regularly top £200, or up to £500 for a flexible ticket. A good cheap option might be to take a flight with a ‘no-frills’ or charter airline (bmibaby, easyJet, myTravelLite, or Monarch) to Alacant/ Alicante, and then take the speedy Euromed train up the coast (journey time about 90 minutes, E 22.50 each way). Most other airlines will require a change at Madrid, where you can pick up a connection to Valencia with Iberia, Spanair or Air Europa. From Europe There are direct flights from Cologne and Hanover to Valencia with the ‘no-frills’ airline Hapag-Lloyd Express. Prices start at E 19.99 for a one-way ticket, but you must book well in advance. Some major European airlines fly directly to Valencia: Air France has flights from Paris, Portugalia Airlines flies from Lisbon; and Air Italia flies from Milan. Virgin Express connects Madrid very cheaply with Brussels, Copenhagen, Geneva, Rome, Stockholm and more. Spanair operates services between Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Madrid with onward connections to Valencia. From North America The Spanish airline Iberia is the only airline to fly directly to Valencia from North America. Several North American carriers fly to Madrid, which has regular daily connections to Valencia with Iberia, Air Europa and Spanair. Prices vary considerably depending on the season and how far you book in advance. From the east coast, count on paying from US$600 for the cheapest ticket in low season, to around US$1200 for a ticket in high season. Prices are higher from the west coast (US$800-1200.) If you are on a tight budget, consider combining a cheap flight to London with a budget flight to Alacant/Alicante and getting the train up the coast. Airport information Valencia’s international airport (T 961 528 500, http://www.aena.es) is in Manises, 14 km west of the centre of town. There is an airport bus into the centre every 10-15 minutes (daily 0630-2300, E 0.90, T 962 110 008). Taxis wait outside the departures hall and cost E 15-18 to the city centre. It’s a tiny airport, but you’ll find cash machines, all the car rental offices (which are open daily 0700-2400), a couple of gift shops and cafés, a bureau de change and a pharmacy.
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