Valencia Marathon 2026: getting there and around

The Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso Zurich 2026 takes place on Sunday 6 December 2026. According to Visit València's events calendar, the gun goes at 8:15 and the course closes at 15:15, with the start and finish at the City of Arts and Sciences. All 36,000 entries have sold out, so thousands of runners and supporters will be heading to Valencia that weekend. If you're one of them, here's the practical part: where to collect your bib, how to get in from the airport, and how to get around before and after the race without stress.

Key dates for marathon weekend

• Sunday 6 December: the marathon. Start at 8:15 at the City of Arts and Sciences (Avinguda Professor López Piñero, 7); the finish closes at 15:15.
• Saturday 5 December: the Mini Marathon on Paseo de la Alameda, according to the official race website.
• The days before: bib collection at the Expo 42K, at Feria Valencia.

If you don't have an entry yet, Visit València points to a waiting list in case places free up. Don't book your trip counting on a place you don't have.

Bib collection: Expo 42K at Feria Valencia

The organisers hand out bibs at the Expo 42K, held at Feria Valencia. The same page warns that no bibs or goodie bags are given out on Sunday, so you have to visit the Expo before race day. It also suggests avoiding the busiest times, 12:00–14:00 and 18:00–19:00. Check the exact 2026 days and hours on the official website before you book flights.

Feria Valencia is on Av. de les Fires, s/n, in the Pobles de l'Oest district, north-west of the city and towards the airport. According to Visit València, it's served by metro lines 2 and 4 (line 4 is a tram) and bus 62, and there's covered parking.

Tip: if you land on Friday or Saturday, you can stop at the Expo on the way from the airport to your hotel. With a private transfer, add the stop in the comments when you book; it may change the price.

From Valencia Airport to your hotel

Valencia Airport is in Manises, about 10 km from the city centre. You have three options:

• Metro. According to Aena, lines 3 and 5 link the airport with the centre. It's the cheapest option if you travel light and your hotel is near a station.
• Taxi. Door to door, but on busy days such as marathon weekend there may be a queue.
• Private transfer. Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name and takes you to your hotel door.

We compare every option in detail in Valencia Airport to the city centre.

Race morning: getting to the start

The start and finish are at the City of Arts and Sciences. Visit València lists these public transport options:

• Metro: line 10.
• EMT buses: lines 6, 16, 26, 28, 94, 95 and C2.

With tens of thousands of runners and spectators, public transport is packed early in the morning, and the course affects traffic on many streets across the city. Leave with time to spare and, if you're staying nearby, walking is usually the easiest way. If you're driving, expect not to get close to the start area.

After the finish: back to the hotel or the airport

After 42 kilometres, the last thing you want is a taxi queue or a packed metro with your bag on your back. A few ideas:

1. If you're flying home on Sunday, pick an afternoon or evening flight with plenty of margin. Go back to the hotel first to shower and collect your luggage.
2. Book your airport transfer in advance. With a private transfer, the driver picks you up at the hotel at the agreed time. At addresses other than the airport, free waiting is 15 minutes.
3. If you're staying until Monday, make the most of it: 6 December is Constitution Day and 8 December is the Immaculate Conception, both national holidays in Spain.

Private transfers for runners and supporters

If you're travelling with your running club, your family or a group of friends, a private transfer takes care of arrivals and departures without timetables:

• We track your flight. If it's delayed, we adjust the pickup to the real arrival time. Free waiting at the airport is 60 minutes from the actual landing (waiting time).
• A fixed price that you see before booking, tolls included.
• Groups and clubs: we have saloons for up to 4 passengers, minibuses for up to 7 and coaches with 22, 33 and 55 seats. For a whole club, see our group transfers.
• Flexible plans. Changes are free up to 24 hours before pickup, and cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Practical tips for marathon weekend

• Book accommodation and transport early. With entries sold out, demand in the city will be high.
• Arrive at least a day early so you can collect your bib calmly: it's not handed out on Sunday.
• Have your flight number ready when you book the transfer, so we can track your flight.
• Bring an old layer you can throw away for the wait in your start pen early in the morning, and something dry for after the finish.
• Check the official marathon website in the days before the race: that's where the latest instructions for runners are published.