When is the best time to visit How to get to Pavia?

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

Is How to get to Pavia crowded?

How to get to Pavia is a very quiet destination compared with the more touristy ones.

Where is How to get to Pavia?

How to get to Pavia is located in Pavia, Lombardy, Italy.

How to get to Pavia: trains, planes, cars and buses

How to get to Pavia

Pavia is one of Lombardy's hidden gems, an elegant university city on the banks of the Ticino river, just 35 km south of Milan. This closeness to the Lombard capital makes it very easy to reach, while maintaining a human-scale city atmosphere. Here is how to get there.

By train

Pavia is connected to Milan by very frequent regional trains. The Milan-Genoa line stops at Pavia with trains every 15-20 minutes. The journey from Milano Centrale takes about 30-35 minutes, from Milano Rogoredo about 25 minutes. A regional ticket costs about 4.50 euros.

From Genoa, fast regional trains reach Pavia in about 1 hour 30 minutes. From Bologna, the connection goes via Milan (about 1 hour by high-speed + 30 minutes regional) or direct by regional trains in about 2 hours via Piacenza. From Turin, trains go through Milan and the total journey is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Pavia station is about 1 km from the historic centre. You can reach Piazza della Vittoria (the heart of the city) in about 15 minutes on foot along Corso Cavour, a pleasant walk through the centre.

Local tip

If arriving in Milan by high-speed train, get off at Milano Rogoredo instead of Centrale: from Rogoredo, trains to Pavia run with the same frequency and the journey is shorter.

By plane

Pavia has no airport of its own, but is well served by Milan's three airports:

Milan Linate (LIN) is the closest, about 45 km away. From the airport, take the bus or M4 metro to Milano Centrale or Rogoredo, then the train to Pavia. Total time about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Milan Malpensa (MXP) is about 80 km away. The Malpensa Express reaches Milano Centrale in 50 minutes, from where you take the regional train to Pavia. Total time about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) is about 85 km away. The bus to Milano Centrale takes about 1 hour, then 30 minutes by train to Pavia.

Local tip

If you land at Malpensa and hire a car, you can reach Pavia directly in about 1 hour 15 minutes via Milan's western ring road, completely avoiding the city centre.

By car

Pavia is reached via the A7 motorway (Milan-Genoa), exit Bereguardo-Pavia Nord or Pavia Sud. From Milan, the journey takes about 40 minutes (35 km). From Genoa, about 1 hour 30 minutes (140 km). From Turin, about 1 hour 45 minutes (155 km) via the A7 through Alessandria or via the Milan ring road.

The state road SS35 dei Giovi connects Pavia to Milan toll-free but is often busy during rush hours.

Parking

The historic centre has a limited restricted traffic zone. The most convenient car parks are the Policlinico San Matteo car park (large, free on holidays, 10 minutes' walk from the centre), Piazza Petrarca car park (near the station), and Parcheggio della Minerva (covered, very central, about 1.50 euros per hour). Along the Ticino there are free or reduced-rate parking areas.

By bus

FlixBus stops in Pavia with connections from Rome (about 6 hours 30 minutes), Florence (about 4 hours), Genoa (about 2 hours), and other cities. The stop is near the railway station.

ARFEA and Line bus companies connect Pavia to towns in the province, including the splendid Certosa di Pavia (buses every 30 minutes, 15 minutes' travel), Vigevano, and Voghera.

Local transport

Line manages the urban bus network. A ticket costs 1.30 euros and is valid for 75 minutes. The main lines connect the station to the centre, the university, and residential areas.

Pavia is a perfect city to explore on foot or by bicycle. The historic centre is entirely pedestrianised in the main areas. The Ponte Coperto over the Ticino connects the centre to the charming Borgo Ticino, an unmissable walk. The riverside offers cycle paths leading to the Certosa di Pavia (about 9 km, 40 minutes by bike).