Valencia SUMA Card Guide 2026: Buy & Use for Metro, Bus, Tram
Make your Valencia trip smooth and affordable with the SUMA card! Discover how to purchase and use this essential transport pass for metro, bus, and tram rides.
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Make your Valencia trip smooth and affordable with the SUMA card! Discover how to purchase and use this essential transport pass for metro, bus, and tram rides.
Valencia Travel Guide
SUMA Transport Card
ⓒ Written & Photographed by Nomad Ssalmi
When you arrive in Valencia, Spain,
the very first thing you'll want to buy
is this!
An absolute must-have for your Valencia trip,
let me introduce you to the SUMA Card.
Valencia offers
a fantastic variety of transport options like the Metro, Bus, and Tram,
and with this card, you'll not only enjoy transfer benefits
but also save on fares!
And I'll even meticulously detail the crucial zone information you need to know,
especially for airport transfers.
Contents |
1. SUMA Basic Information |
2. How to Buy & Top Up |
3. How to Ride the Metro, Bus, & Tram |
4. Important Tips for Use |
5. Wrapping Up |
1. SUMA Basic Information
Basic Information | |
Transport Modes | Metro, Bus, Tram, Suburban Train |
Key Fare Options | SUMA 10 (10-trip pass) Can be used by multiple people with one card |
Usage Zones | City Center - ZONE A Valencia Airport - ZONE AB+ |
Features | Free transfers possible within 90 minutes of first tap |
The SUMA Card is
a unified card for various public transport options
across Valencia city and its surrounding areas.
For the SUMA 10, a 10-trip pass,
it can be used by multiple people with just one card,
which is why two of us shared a single card.
I'll explain how to use it in detail
below.
2. How to Buy & Top Up
1️⃣
How to Buy
Buying one is really straightforward!
As soon as we arrived at the airport,
we purchased ours from a self-service machine.
You can find them not just at the airport,
but also at all Metro stations and tram stops,
making them easy to purchase anywhere.
One important thing to note is
that there's a small fee for the card itself.
As a card deposit,
you'll be charged €1 for a paper card or €2 for a plastic card.
This is charged separately.
We opted for the paper version.
2️⃣
How to Top Up
Since we stayed for a month,
we topped up our card twice.
Topping up is just as easy!
You'll find these topping-up machines at Metro stations and tram stops.
First, change the language to English,
then place your card on the designated reader.
Once placed, your usage history will appear.
On the right-hand menu,
you'll see options for 'Top Up' and 'Change Ticket'.
Since we planned to change our ZONE,
we selected 'Change Ticket'.
After choosing the SUMA10 ticket, which offers 10 rides,
we picked ZONE A, which includes the city center.
Since our first purchase was at the airport,
we bought a 10-ride ticket for AB+.
Then, for use within the city,
we bought another 10-ride ticket for Zone A.
Luckily, with a 60% discount applied
until June 2026,
we were able to purchase them at a very affordable price.
3. How to Ride the Metro, Bus, and Tram
The tagging method varies depending on the mode of transport,
so be sure to check before boarding.
✅ Metro
You'll need to tap your card on the turnstile reader
both when entering and exiting.
If two people are using the same card,
the person behind taps the card, one person enters,
and then the remaining person taps again and enters.
The remaining number of rides is displayed when you enter,
making it easy to check how much you've used.
✅ City Bus (EMT)
Board through the front door
and tap your card on the reader next to the driver.
Similar to the Metro,
if there are two of you, tap twice.
Even when transferring,
you must tap twice for both people.
You don't need to tap when getting off.
✅ Tram
Trams don't have readers inside.
While some stops might have turnstiles,
most don't.
You'll see a reader like this
on the platform.
You MUST tap your card before boarding.
(Be aware that ticket inspections for fare evasion are frequent!)
Again, if there are two of you, just tap twice.
4. Important Notes for Use
✅ Airport Zone Check (AB+)
While Valencia's city center is Zone A,
the airport falls under the AB+ zone.
You cannot pass through the airport station turnstiles
with a Zone A 10-ride ticket, which is for city use only.
When traveling to or from the airport,
you must choose a single ticket that includes the AB+ zone
or a dedicated fare.
✅ Multiple Passengers Using Simultaneously
As explained above,
the SUMA 10 ticket allows multiple people
to use a single card together.
Simply tap the card repeatedly
on the reader for each person in your group.
✅ Transfer Rules
After your first tap within the same zone,
If you transfer to another mode of transport
(e.g., subway → bus) within 90 minutes,
only one fare is deducted, which is incredibly economical!
✅ Card Management Tips
Those handy paper-material cards that most travelers use
can be a bit delicate. If they get crumpled or wet,
they might not scan properly, so please remember to keep them safe and dry!
5. Wrapping Up Your Trip
With just your SUMA Card,
you can effortlessly navigate Valencia, from the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences
all the way to the sunny Malvarrosa Beach.
You'll be able to travel comfortably anywhere!
Especially when you're arriving from the airport into the city,
don't forget to select the AB+ zone
to unlock those incredibly reasonable fares
and truly immerse yourself in your Valencia adventure!
I truly hope my post helps you make the most of your wonderful travels.
📍 Valencia Airport
Carretera del Aeropuerto, s/n, 46940 Manises, Valencia, Spain
SUMA cards can be purchased at airport vending machines, all Metro stations, and tram stops. A separate deposit of 1 euro is charged for the paper version, and 2 euros for the plastic version.
Yes, a single SUMA 10 card can be used by multiple people. When boarding, simply tap the card on the terminal consecutively for each person in your group.
While Valencia city center is Zone A, the airport falls under Zone AB+. A Zone A 10-trip ticket, which is for city use only, cannot be used to pass through the airport station turnstiles. Therefore, when traveling to the airport, you must choose a single ticket or a special fare that includes the AB+ zone.
For the metro, you must tap the card on the turnstile terminal both when entering and exiting. For city buses, board through the front door and tap the card on the terminal next to the driver; there's no need to tap when exiting. For trams, you must tap the card on the terminal located on the platform before boarding.
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