How to get to Assisi: train, plane, car and bus

How to get to Assisi

Assisi, the city of St. Francis nestled on the slopes of Monte Subasio, is one of Italy's most important spiritual and artistic destinations. Reaching it in the green heart of Umbria is straightforward thanks to rail and road connections and the proximity of Perugia airport.

By train

Assisi railway station (Santa Maria degli Angeli) is in the plain below, about 5 km from the historic centre. It is on the Foligno-Terontola line, which connects Rome to Florence through Umbria.

Rome - Assisi: about 2 hours by fast regional train via Foligno, ticket about 13 euros
Florence - Assisi: about 2 hours 15 minutes by regional via Terontola-Cortona
Perugia - Assisi: about 20 minutes by regional train, ticket about 3 euros
Spoleto - Assisi: about 30 minutes by regional train
Foligno - Assisi: about 15 minutes

From the station to the upper town, bus C (run by Busitalia) departs every 20-30 minutes and climbs to Piazza Matteotti in about 15 minutes (ticket 1.50 euros). Alternatively, a taxi costs about 15-18 euros.

Note: high-speed trains do not stop at Assisi. The nearest high-speed station is Perugia-Ponte San Giovanni or Foligno. From there, change to a regional train.

By plane

The nearest airport is Perugia-San Francesco d'Assisi Airport (Sant'Egidio), about 15 km from Assisi. It is a small airport with limited but growing connections.

Main connections:

Milan Malpensa: Ryanair flights
London Stansted: Ryanair flights (seasonal)
Catania, Palermo, Cagliari: seasonal flights

From Perugia airport to Assisi:

Shuttle bus or taxi: about 20 minutes
Car rental: available at the airport

For those arriving from further afield, alternative airports are:

Rome Fiumicino: about 200 km, then direct regional train (2 hours)
Florence Peretola: about 180 km, then train via Terontola (2 hours 15 minutes)
Ancona Falconara: about 140 km, connected via motorway

By car

Assisi is easily reachable from Umbria's road network.

From Rome: about 2 hours via A1 (Orte exit) + E45 + link road to Assisi (175 km)
From Florence: about 2 hours 15 minutes via A1 (Valdichiana exit) + SS75bis + link road to Assisi (185 km)
From Perugia: about 25 minutes via SS75 (25 km)
From Spoleto: about 40 minutes via SS75 (45 km)
From Siena: about 1 hour 30 minutes via Siena-Perugia link road (120 km)
From Ancona: about 1 hour 45 minutes via A14 + SS76 + SS75 (150 km)

Assisi's historic centre is largely a limited traffic zone. The main car parks are:

Parcheggio Mojano: the largest, in the upper part, convenient for the Basilica of St. Francis. Paid (1.50 euros per hour)
Parcheggio Matteotti: in the heart of the centre, but small and often full
Parcheggio Porta Nuova: in the lower part of the historic centre
Station car park (Santa Maria degli Angeli): free, then bus C to the centre

By bus

Busitalia buses connect Assisi to Umbrian cities:

Assisi - Perugia: about 50 minutes, frequent services
Assisi - Foligno: about 30 minutes
Assisi - Spoleto: about 50 minutes
Assisi - Spello: about 15 minutes

FlixBus offers seasonal direct connections from Rome, Milan and Florence arriving in Perugia or directly in Santa Maria degli Angeli.

Sulga Bus connects Assisi to Roma Tiburtina (about 2 hours 30 minutes) with a useful direct service as an alternative to the train.

Getting around Assisi

Assisi's historic centre is explored entirely on foot, but be prepared for uphill walking. The city stretches along the flank of Monte Subasio and the main streets climb from the Basilica of Santa Chiara to the Rocca Maggiore.

Key places and walking distances:

Basilica of St. Francis - Piazza del Comune: about 10 minutes
Piazza del Comune - Basilica of Santa Chiara: about 5 minutes
Piazza del Comune - Rocca Maggiore: about 20 minutes (uphill)
Historic centre - Eremo delle Carceri: about 4 km, reachable by car or on foot (woodland trail)

For the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli (in the plain), take bus C from Piazza Matteotti or the station.

Practical tips

The train from Rome is the most convenient connection: direct and frequent
If arriving by car, park at Mojano and walk down towards the Basilica of St. Francis
Also visit Spello (15 minutes by train), one of Umbria's most beautiful hill towns
In spring and at Easter the city is very crowded: book well in advance
Evenings in Assisi are quiet and atmospheric: it is worth staying overnight in the historic centre