Valencia-Estacio Del Nord to Castellón De La Plana train with Renfe

My Journey From Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana by Train

Introduction

With frequent departures throughout the day, the train is by far the easiest way to travel from Valencia to Castellón, a city also referred to as Castelló in Valencian. Moreover, taking one of Renfe’s many modern trains from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana is highly affordable, with ticket prices starting at just a couple of euros. In this guide, I'll explain exactly how to travel from the beautiful Valencia Estació del Nord railway station to Castellón de la Plana. I'll also share a few useful tips to help you make the most of your journey.

Route Overview

Trains from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana are all operated by the Spanish national railway company Renfe. The distance by rail is 73 kilometers (45 miles), with the fastest train covering the route in just 44 minutes. Renfe's Cercanías commuter trains are slower, taking from 1 hour to 1 hour and 40 minutes, depending on the specific service.

There are several types of Renfe trains serving the Valencia-Castellón route, including Euromed and InterCity services, as well as Regional and Cercanías commuter trains. Euromed and InterCity trains are the fastest options, and tickets include a reserved seat. Regional and Cercanías commuter trains, on the other hand, do not have seat reservations. This means that tickets for these trains never sell out, and you can sit wherever there is space on the train. However, this also means that during peak hours, these trains can become crowded, and you might need to stand.

Transportation Experience

Booking your ticket online is incredibly easy on Omio. The platform lets you book all Valencia–Castellón de la Plana trains in one place, giving you a clear overview of every available option in a single search. Another great feature is that Omio clearly shows the conditions of each ticket, including whether your fare is changeable or refundable. My ticket cost €6, which is extremely affordable. Although I would always choose the train when traveling from Valencia to Castellón de la Plana due to its high frequency, some travelers prefer to take the bus from Valencia to Castellón de la Plana.

Route Details

Departure & Arrival Stations

Renfe trains to Castellón de la Plana depart from the beautiful Estació del Nord railway station. If you’re staying outside the center or arriving from the airport, it’s easy to reach via Valencia’s efficient metro system. Built in the Art Nouveau style, this historic station is a landmark in its own right and worth visiting even if you’re not taking a train. The surrounding area is full of restaurants and shops, as the station sits right in the heart of Valencia. Inside, you’ll find a few cafés and kiosks. La Cervecería de San Miguel is a good choice for a quick coffee, sandwich or pastry before your journey.

Renfe trains from Valencia Estació del Nord arrive at Castellón de la Plana. The station is only about a 20-minute walk from the city center. There are no restaurants directly inside the station, but you’ll find several cafés and eateries nearby. You can also take the trolleybus, although it isn’t much faster than walking. I recommend heading toward the port area, where you can enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants serving fresh seafood.

Schedule & Frequency

On a typical day, there are between 50 and 60 trains from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana. This means roughly every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the day. The first train leaves around 6 AM, and the last one 9 or 10 PM. Renfe is the main operator serving this route. All trains on this line are direct, so you don’t need to change trains. My train departed Valencia at around 7:30 PM and arrived in Castellón de la Plana right on time, about an hour later at 8:35 PM.

Onboard Experience & Services

The train from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana is a standard commuter service. There are no power sockets, no Wi-Fi and no dining cars, but these aren’t really necessary for such a short journey. Seating is arranged either two across or in bays of four, with additional seats running along the windows for the length of the train, similar to many metro-style services. Unlike in many other countries, these Spanish trains are (fortunately!) equipped with toilets.

Luggage checks are not common, so you can usually bring as much as you can comfortably carry and store it yourself. There are overhead racks, or you can place bags on the floor in front of your seat. Just make sure not to block the way for other passengers.

For a journey of just over an hour, the train ride from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana was perfectly adequate. I recommend boarding early to secure a seat as I did, especially during the morning or evening rush hour when locals commute to and from the surrounding towns.

As I was traveling in the early evening, it was already dark when we departed Valencia, so I can’t really comment much on the views. Even during the day, don’t expect particularly scenic landscapes on this route. This part of Spain is fairly flat, and the railway runs slightly inland rather than directly along the coast. Still, I always enjoy watching the towns and open countryside roll by through the large windows.

Ticketing Advice & Budget Breakdown

Ticketing works differently for Renfe’s long-distance and commuter services. On long-distance trains such as AVE or InterCity, fares vary by demand and are lower when booked early. These trains require seat reservations and can sell out. Renfe’s commuter trains, including Cercanías services, have fixed fares regardless of whether you buy your ticket on the same day or a month before. They don’t sell out since there are no reserved seats, making them the cheaper option for this route.

Budget breakdown

Top Tips & Personal Recommendations

If you’re traveling from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana by train, here are some top tips:

• Choose a Renfe Cercanías commuter train instead of an InterCity service: It's cheaper and more flexible. You can buy your Cercanías ticket up to 30 days before and decide on the day which departure to take.
• Admire the Art Nouveau details of Valencia Estació del Nord: The station’s façade and tiled ticket hall are beautiful examples of early 20th-century design.
• Have breakfast before you depart: Stop by La Cervecería de San Miguel for great coffee and pastries to start your trip relaxed.
• Head to the port area in Castellón de la Plana: If you enjoy seafood, this is one of the best areas for lunch after your train journey.
• Carry identification: Always have your ID or passport with you when traveling by train in Spain.

Conclusion

Taking the train from Valencia Estació del Nord to Castellón de la Plana is the easiest and most reliable way to travel between these two Spanish cities. With up to 60 daily departures, there’s always a service to suit your schedule. I recommend choosing one of Renfe’s frequent trains on this route. The short journey is quick, comfortable, and great value for money. Ready to pack your bags? Book your tickets on the Omio app today.

About the Author: Koen Berghuis

• Job Title: Travel Creator and Rail Writer
• Bio: Koen Berghuis is a rail expert and passionate train traveler who logs about 20,000 kilometers by train each year, exploring routes across Europe and beyond. Koen writes about his travels on his website, Paliparan, where you find dozens of train reviews and trip reports.