How to get to L'Aquila: train, car, plane and bus
Complete guide to reaching L'Aquila by train, car, plane and bus. A24 motorway, railway station, Pescara and Rome airports, local transport in Abruzzo.
Foto: Ra Boe / Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0 DE) — Wikimedia Commons
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.
Discover L'Aquila
Practical info
| Where | Abruzzo, Italy |
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