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

How to get to Perugia

Perugia, the capital of Umbria and the city of Eurochocolate and the University for Foreigners, stands on a hill 493 metres above sea level. Its hilltop position in the green heart of Italy makes it a fascinating destination to reach, with views stretching from the Umbrian Valley to Lake Trasimeno. Here are all the ways to get there.

By train

Perugia has two railway stations. The main station for Trenitalia trains is Perugia Fontivegge, on the Foligno-Terontola line connecting the city to the Rome-Florence backbone. From Roma Termini, fast regional trains take about 2 hours 15 minutes, with a change at Foligno. From Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the journey takes about 2 hours with a change at Terontola-Cortona.

There is no direct high-speed connection: the fastest solution from Rome is the Frecciarossa to Florence (1 hour 30 minutes) and then the regional, but often the direct regional from Rome is actually quicker.

The second station is Perugia Sant'Anna, terminus of the FCU (Ferrovia Centrale Umbra) railway connecting Perugia to Terni (about 1 hour 30 minutes), Spoleto, and other Umbrian towns. It is useful for an itinerary through deepest Umbria.

Perugia Fontivegge is in the lower part of the city. To reach the historic centre above, take the Minimetro (see local transport) from the Pian di Massiano stop, reachable by a short bus ride from the station, or the direct urban bus.

Local tip

From Perugia Fontivegge, bus E (shuttle line) climbs directly to the historic centre in about 15 minutes. It is more direct than the Minimetro, which departs from Pian di Massiano.

By plane

The Umbria International Airport San Francesco d'Assisi (PEG) is located at Sant'Egidio, about 12 km from Perugia's centre. It has limited but useful flights: Ryanair connects Perugia to London Stansted, Catania, and some seasonal destinations. The shuttle bus connects the airport to Fontivegge station and the centre in about 20 minutes. A taxi costs about 25-30 euros.

For a wider choice of flights, Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is about 2 hours 30 minutes by car or train+bus, while Florence Peretola (FLR) is about 2 hours away.

Local tip

If arriving from London with Ryanair, the flight to Perugia is almost always cheaper and more convenient than flying to Rome and then taking the train. The airport is small, with no queues, and you are in the centre in 20 minutes.

By car

Perugia is reached by the E45 (dual carriageway Cesena-Orte), which connects it to Rome (about 2 hours, 170 km) and to Romagna. From Florence, take the A1 to Valdichiana and then the dual carriageway to Perugia (about 2 hours, 165 km). From Siena, the E45/link road takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.

From the north (Bologna/Milan), take the A1 to Valdichiana or Orte and then the E45 towards Perugia.

Parking

The historic centre is a restricted traffic zone, perched on a hill: parking at the top is virtually impossible. The strategic car park is Pian di Massiano (free, huge, at the base), from where the Minimetro takes you to the centre in 12 minutes. Parcheggio Briglie di Braccio (near the Rocca Paolina) and Parcheggio Pellini are pay car parks but more central (about 1.50 euros per hour).

By bus

FlixBus connects Perugia to Rome (about 2 hours 30 minutes), Florence (about 2 hours 30 minutes), Milan (about 5 hours 30 minutes), and Naples (about 4 hours). The stop is at Piazza Partigiani, in the lower part of the centre, from where escalators and lifts take you to the main corso.

Busitalia manages regional connections to Assisi (25 minutes), Spoleto, Todi, Gubbio, and Lake Trasimeno.

Local transport

The Minimetro is Perugia's most distinctive transport: an automated funicular that in 12 minutes connects Pian di Massiano (car park, stadium) to Piazza Italia in the historic centre, climbing along the hillside. A ticket costs 1.50 euros and is also valid on urban buses for 70 minutes.

Busitalia manages the urban buses. The historic centre is served by electric minibuses. Perugia also has a unique system of underground escalators and moving walkways (in the Rocca Paolina) connecting different levels of the city, making the climb to the centre a fascinating experience.

The historic centre is explored on foot: from Piazza IV Novembre to the National Gallery of Umbria is 2 minutes, to the Etruscan Arch 5 minutes, to the Basilica of San Pietro about 20 minutes downhill.

Useful links

• Where to stay in Perugia
• What to see in Perugia in 2 days
• Where to eat in Perugia