How to get to Parma: complete transport guide

How to get to Parma by train

Parma has an important railway station on the Milan-Bologna line, served by high-speed trains. The station is in Piazzale Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, 10 minutes' walk from Piazza Garibaldi and the old town.

From Milano Centrale the journey takes about 1 hour by Frecciarossa (frequent departures) or 1 hour 30 minutes by regional. From Bologna Centrale just 55 minutes by Freccia or 1 hour 10 minutes by fast regional. From Roma Termini about 3 hours by direct Frecciarossa. From Florence about 2 hours with a change in Bologna.

Practical tips

Parma is a regular Frecciarossa stop on the Milan-Rome route: excellent and frequent connections
From the station to the centre: walk along Viale Bottego and Via della Repubblica towards the Pilotta (pleasant 10 minutes)
The station has KiPoint luggage storage
Regional trains to Reggio Emilia (20 minutes) and Piacenza (40 minutes) for exploring the Via Emilia

How to get to Parma by car

Parma is strategically positioned on the A1 Milan-Naples motorway:

From Milan: A1 towards Bologna, exit Parma (125 km, about 1 hour 15 minutes)
From Bologna: A1 towards Milan, exit Parma (100 km, about 1 hour)
From Rome: A1 north (450 km, about 4 hours 15 minutes)
From Florence: A1 north (230 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes)
From Genoa: A15 della Cisa (Genoa-Parma) in 1 hour 45 minutes (130 km, scenic Apennine road)

Parking

**Toschi car park** (Viale Toschi): the most central, underground, paid (2 euro/hour). 2 minutes from the Pilotta
**Goito car park** (former DUC): large, covered, near Piazza della Pace
**Free parking** along Viale Piacenza and the northern ring road boulevards (15 minutes' walk from the centre)
**Parma Centro car park** (Via Abbeveratoia): park-and-ride with shuttle bus to the centre
The ZTL is active in the old town with electronic gates: be careful

How to get to Parma by plane

Parma has its own airport, Giuseppe Verdi, 3 km from the centre:

**Parma Giuseppe Verdi Airport**: limited flights (seasonal, charter), but very convenient when active. Bus number 6 to the centre
**Bologna Marconi** (100 km): the main alternative with many flights. BLQ shuttle to Bologna station (20 minutes), then Freccia to Parma (55 minutes)
**Milan Linate** (130 km): ITA hub, then train from Milan in 1 hour
**Milan Malpensa** (170 km): intercontinental flights, then Malpensa Express + Freccia from Milan

From Bologna Marconi the total journey to Parma is about 1 hour 30 minutes by public transport.

How to get to Parma by bus

Bus connections to Parma:

**TEP (Trasporto Emiliano-Romagnolo)**: local and inter-provincial network (Reggio, Piacenza, Apennines)
**FlixBus**: direct connections from Rome, Naples, Turin, Genoa and other cities
**Itabus**: Milan-Parma-Rome with city stops
**Apennine bus lines**: buses to Langhirano, Salsomaggiore, Bardi and the Food Valley

The main bus terminal is in Piazzale della Chiesa, adjacent to the railway station.

Local transport in Parma

Parma is ideal to explore on foot and by bicycle. The old town is compact: from the station to the Pilotta is 10 minutes, from there to the Baptistery 5, to the Ducal Park another 5. The urban bus network is operated by TEP with frequent lines.

The bicycle is the preferred transport of Parma's residents: flat streets, widespread cycle paths and a Po Valley climate that in spring and autumn is perfect. Bike rental at the station and at several points in the centre.

To visit the Duchy's castles, Parmigiano dairies and Langhirano ham producers you need your own transport or TEP intercity buses.