When is the best time to visit How to get to L'Aquila?

The recommended time is May, June, July and September, when it is less crowded.

Is How to get to L'Aquila crowded?

How to get to L'Aquila is a almost deserted destination compared with the more touristy ones.

Where is How to get to L'Aquila?

How to get to L'Aquila is located in L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy.

How to get to L'Aquila: train, car, plane and bus

How to get to L'Aquila

L'Aquila is one of central Italy's great surprises: a historic city at almost 700 metres above sea level, surrounded by the Gran Sasso massif and the Abruzzo mountains. The regional capital, in full revival after the 2009 earthquake, is more accessible than you might think, especially by car and bus.

By train

**L'Aquila station** is on the **Terni-Sulmona line**, a historic railway crossing the Apennines with extraordinary scenery but long journey times. From **Rome** there is no practical direct train: the line goes via Terni and takes over 3 hours with changes. From **Sulmona** the regional train takes about 60 minutes.

Honestly, the train is not the recommended way to reach L'Aquila: the bus is much faster and more frequent, especially from Rome.

Local tip

If you love slow travel, the Sulmona-L'Aquila-Terni railway is one of Italy's most beautiful for scenery, with the Transiberian of Italy (Sulmona-Isernia) departing from the same station. But to get there quickly, choose the bus.

By car

The car is the most convenient way to reach L'Aquila. From **Rome**, take the **A24 motorway** (Rome-Teramo), exit **L'Aquila Ovest** or **L'Aquila Est**, about 110 km in 70 minutes. The route passes through the Gran Sasso Tunnel, Italy's longest motorway tunnel.

From **Pescara**, take the **A25** (Rome-Pescara) to the A24 junction, about 100 km in 70 minutes. From **Naples**, take the A1 to Caianello or San Vittore, then the A25/A24, about 250 km in 3 hours.

From **northern Rome** (Rieti), the SS4 Via Salaria reaches L'Aquila in about 90 minutes, a scenic route through Sabina and the L'Aquila basin.

Parking

L'Aquila has ample free parking near the **Villa Comunale** and the **Forte Spagnolo** (Castle). The **Collemaggio car park** (free, near the Basilica) is excellent. In the centre, blue-line spaces cost about 1 euro/hour, but there are many free white-line spaces on side streets, especially in the upper part of the city.

By plane

**Rome Fiumicino Airport** (FCO) is the most commonly used, about 150 km away (90 minutes by car via the A24). From Fiumicino, reach Rome Tiburtina by train or bus, from where coaches depart for L'Aquila.

**Pescara d'Abruzzo Airport** (PSR) is about 100 km away, served by Ryanair flights to some domestic and European destinations. From Pescara, take the bus to L'Aquila (about 90 minutes).

**Rome Ciampino Airport** (CIA) is an alternative for low-cost flights, about 130 km away.

Local tip

If you land at Fiumicino, the most efficient route is to reach Rome Tiburtina (Leonardo Express + metro B, or direct bus) and then take the FLIXBUS/TUA coach to L'Aquila: you arrive in about 3 hours door to door.

By bus

The bus is the best way to reach L'Aquila from Rome. **TUA** (Abruzzo's transport company) and **FlixBus** connect **Rome Tiburtina** with L'Aquila in about 60-75 minutes, departing every 30-60 minutes during the day. It is the fastest and most frequent connection.

From **Pescara**, TUA buses take about 90 minutes. From **Teramo** about 60 minutes. From **Sulmona** about 60 minutes.

The **bus terminal** in L'Aquila is at **Piazzale Collemaggio** (or at the station, depending on the company), a few minutes from the old town.

**FlixBus** also connects L'Aquila with Milan, Bologna, Florence and Naples.

Local transport

L'Aquila's old town is compact and walkable: from Piazza Duomo to Piazza del Palazzo is 5 minutes, to the Basilica di Collemaggio 15. The city is hilly but distances are short.

**AMA** urban buses connect the centre with outer districts and hamlets. To reach **Campo Imperatore** (the Gran Sasso's "little Tibet"), in summer there are shuttles from the centre, or you can take the cable car from Fonte Cerreto (reachable by car in 30 minutes).

For the **ski resorts** of Campo Imperatore, Roccaraso (80 km) and Campo Felice (30 km), a car is essential.