Exploring Perugia and Beyond
Minimetrò
Perugia’s popular light rail system can take you from the train station (Fontivegge) to the center (the Pincetto station) in just nine minutes. You can use the Minimetrò to go to the Saturday Market, which is at the last stop, Pian di Massiano. The same tickets are valid for both Minimetrò and the bus system. The Minimetrò does not run 24/7, however – check the schedule online before you go.
Buses
Each region has its own bus line that works within specific cities for local transport as well as connects town and big urban centers. For destinations around Perugia, visit the Umbria Mobilità site and look under “Orari” for info on all the bus lines around Perugia (Servizi Urbani). If you would like to check the schedule, you can go to “Orari” then “Servizi Urbani” and click on “Orari servizi urbani.” You can also ask for a schedule (un orario) at the booths in Piazza Italia or Piazza Partigiani. If you are traveling to destinations in the Perugia surrounding area, the cost of a one-way bus ticket is 1.50€ for 70 minutes, but there are also 10-trip passes (biglietto da dieci corse) for 12.90€. All tickets and passes can be purchased at the local newsstands (edicola), cigarette shops (tabaccaio), or the bus service APM information booths. Tickets are accepted on both the buses and the Minimetrò. Remember to validate your ticket when you get on the bus.
For destinations within 50 miles, check the Umbria Mobilità bus lines. Buses leave daily from Perugia (Piazza Partigiani) to Gubbio, Gualdo Tadino, Marsciano, Bettona, Assisi, Deruta, Todi, Chiusi, Passignano, Castiglione del Lago, Orvieto, and others. Go to Umbria Mobilità to view the bus schedule and ticket costs. For the bus schedule, go to “Orari” then “Servizi Extraurbani“ and click on “Orari bacino di PERUGIA.” In addition to the bus schedule, this site includes ferry times to the islands in Lago Trasimeno.
You can also visit Sulga and click on “AutoLinee” for buses that leave daily from Perugia (Piazza Partigiani) to Rome, Fiumicino Airport, Naples, Pompeii, and Milan.
Taxi
Before getting in any taxi, make sure it has a taxi sign on top, name and number on the car, a phone number, and a visible cost meter inside. Also, beware of anyone asking you if you want a taxi… legitimate taxi drivers do not solicit business by leaving their car. There’s a taxi stand in the corner of Piazza Italia and taxis often wait on Via Cesare Fani, a road that intersects with Corso Vannucci. A ride from the train station to the center of Perugia costs about 10€. Rates are higher on Sundays and holidays. Unfortunately, you cannot reserve a cab in advance, so just call (075.500.4888 )15 minutes before you need the cab and be ready to give them the address where you want to be picked up.
Trains
The Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (Italian State Railways) can get you to any city in Italy that has a train station. The easiest way to get to the train station in Perugia from the city center is to take the Minimetrò to the Fontivegge stop. If you would like to travel in Italy, Trenitalia is the main rail operator. To purchase a ticket or check for train schedules or railroad strikes, visit the Trenitalia website. You must search for locations by their Italian names, even if you are using the English version of the website. You can download a helpful map of the Italian train system here.
If you want to travel around Europe, check out Rail Europe for itineraries from Italy to other countries. Another option is Eurail. Though it is not necessary, some people purchase Eurail passes before arriving in Europe. This can be a good choice if you have a defined itinerary, as the Eurail ticket must be used within a certain time frame. Use the easy planner, found on Rick Steves‘ site to help you decide which pass to use. Otherwise, it is possible to purchase tickets online or from any of the central train stations both for local and international trains.
Car Rental
If you plan to travel to a winery, bed and breakfast, or an agriturismo for a few days, it would be best to rent a car. Local trains and buses will get you to even the smallest towns, but not to remote wineries and farmhouses.
You can rent a car from the train station in Perugia. The car rental booths are located to the right if you are facing the station. For a list of companies and contact information, click here. If you would like to rent a car, but are looking for something a bit more environmentally-friendly, TrenItalia EcoRent rents cars too. Note: Nearly all cars have manual transmissions.
Flights
Just a few kilometers away from Perugia is the newly renovated Umbria International Airport (San Francesco D’Assisi). One-way price is 5€-8€, to be paid directly on board (ask for a student rate). The shuttle is timed to coincide with departing flights, so check ahead by calling 800-099-661. You can also take this bus back to the center from the airport.
From Perugia, planes leave for London, Brussels, Sicily, and Sardinia. From Florence, they leave for Sardinia, Reggio Calabria, and Sicily. Check out the links below for more travel information and tips. Although you will never be short of ideas or places to visit, here just a few of Italy’s most popular destinations!
If you would like to find inexpensive flights that go all over Europe, low-cost airlines are popular. Note that it is important to confirm the location of the airports, as some of these companies have based themselves far outside of city centers to cut expenses. When you book a flight through a budget airline, take into account the extra expenses for bus or train transportation and perhaps an extra overnight stay. The Low-Cost Airline Guide will help you find the best price to and from just about anywhere in Europe.
For a short list of places to visit as well as some more travel information and tips, please see below.
Hot Spots in Italy
Amalfi Coast |
If you are not traveling by car, the only way to see the beautiful Amalfi coast is to go by bus from Sorrento or by boat. Spend the night in the coastal towns of Sorrento or Amalfi for a wonderful Southern Italian experience. Metrò del mare – Costiera amalfitana: Metrò del Mare Circumvesuviana: Vesuviana |
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Capri
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Also known as Paradise on Earth, the island of Capri is a long-time hang out of the rich and famous. It is found 25 km off the coast of Naples and is famed as one of the most beautiful visitor destinations in Italy. It is easy to get to, but in the summer months, tourists swarm the island making food and accommodations exorbitantly more expensive. For that reason, many find it convenient to combine a trip to Capri with a visit to Naples, Sorrento, or near-by Pompeii, using the mainland as a base to explore other areas. Not to be missed on the island are the whitewashed towns of Capri, Anacapri, the famed Faraglioni rock formations, and Villa Jovis.
About Capri: Capri.com |
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Bologna
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Bologna is relatively close to Perugia (approx. 3 hours by train) and has been said to be one of Italy’s most livable cities. Bologna is surrounded by hills though it sits on the plain of Emilia Romagna, and has much to offer in the way of Renaissance art and architecture, culture, and cuisine. Bologna is home to Università degli Studi di Bologna, which was founded over 900 years ago, and is a competitive academic center that attracts people from all over the world. There is also the Piazza Maggiore and the Fountain of Neptune – both with great historic importance and both excellent photo ops! By Train: TrenItalia (in English) |
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Cinque Terre
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Cinque Terre (literally meaning “the five lands” or “five towns”) becomes a more popular destination every year. Found on the Ligurian coast, these delightful little towns are better reached by train, as there are few roads that lead into the residential areas. The villages literally cascade down the cliff faces, making it impossible to construct anything other than staircases and winding alleys. There is a great trail that connects all five towns, offering spectacular vistas over the Mediterranean, as well as the possibility of swimming, boating, and biking in the warmer months. During the high season, it can be difficult to find inexpensive accommodation – try a neighboring town, Levanto, for a place to stay (some have ventured to even call it the “sixth cinque terre”). How to reach it: Trenitalia (in English). Note: You have to take a train to La Spezia and then take a bus to the various destinations, including Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, and Riomaggiore. |
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Florence
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The birthplace of the Renaissance and home to many famed artists and poets, Florence is a stone’s throw away from Perugia and makes a great day trip or even a weekend stay. Besides the Uffizi Gallery, the Academia, and the Bargello art museums, Florence is surrounded by beautiful Tuscan countryside. The city is only two hours away by train, but can also be reached by bus or by car. Do not miss Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome on the main cathedral, Ghiberti’s Baptistery doors, or even just a stroll along the Arno. By Train: Trenitalia (in English) |
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Milan
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Italy’s fashion capital is a bustling urban center in the country’s north, not far from beautiful Lake Como, the Alps, not to mention the French, Swiss, and Austrian borders. Apart from great shopping, there are noteworthy attractions in Milan such as their 15th century gothic Duomo, the impressive Sforza Castle, and the Pinacoteca in Brera Art gallery. For Da Vinci fans, Leonardo spent over 20 years in Milan where he painted the famous and awe-inspiring “Last Supper”. The 15×30 foot painting can be found in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie – a must see for all who visit Milan. By Train: TrenItalia (in English) |
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Orvieto
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Way down in the southwest corner of Umbria, Orvieto is on the main railway line between Rome and Florence. From Perugia, it can be reached most easily by intercity bus. Orvieto sits on a hill made of volcanic tufa rock and has marvelous views of the surrounding countryside, as well as an awe-inspiring duomo. While you are there, try the great white wine and take the cheesy “hidden Orvieto” tour of the grottoes that the Etruscans carved into the rock underneath the city. One of the coolest underground attractions is an enormous well carved into the rock on the orders of a 16th-century pope. It has interlocking staircases so that a continuous line of donkeys could ascend to get water and bring it back up without blocking each other. By Bus: Umbria Mobilità Buses – Servizio Extraurbano |
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Ravenna
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Ravenna is not often the first place that comes to minds of travelers in Italy since it is a little more difficult to reach because it does not lie on the main train routes. It was of great historic importance to the Romans, as it was the capital of the Western Empire in 402 AD and one of the main ports on the Adriatic. Ravenna spent much of its history looking to the East; its greatest art treasures show how much the Byzantines affected the city. Ravenna is probably most known for its mosaics, which are undoubtedly the finest in Western art. By Train: TrenItalia (in English) |
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Rome
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What can be said about the nation’s capital other than that it is a fabulously vivacious city with over 60% of Italy’s art treasures, home to the Vatican City, and is one of the most visited capitals in the world? There is no off-season in Rome, but it is certainly more crowded in the summer months. Worth seeing are the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi fountain and, of course, the Vatican. With a good map, you can cover a lot in a day, but Rome is a world of its own and needs time to be enjoyed! By Train: Trenitalia (in English) You can also look at Fawlty Towers and great deals for the Mona Lisa Hostel through Hostel World, which are both located near the Roma Termini station. |
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Venice |
An all-time favorite of poets, bohemian travelers, lovers, and just about every tourist who comes through Italy these days, Venice never ceases to please the crowds. It is a spectacular city in just about every season, with its narrow water-ways, gondolas, and bustling markets. Venice is fascinating whether it is during winter, when the fog rolls in off the Adriatic, or during the hottest months, when the streets fill not only with pigeons, but also many many tourists. By Train: TrenItalia (in English) |
Hot Spots in Europe
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Amsterdam
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Amsterdam has become many travelers’ favorite hangout. It is a city that thrives on juxtapositions: radically modern art installations can be found in 17th-century buildings; bicycles and BMWs ride side by side; and thick beer is enjoyed in funky, alternative cafes. Amsterdam is a tranquil and pretty place with antique houses, cobbled stone alleys and tree-lined canals all contributing to its pleasant Dutch atmosphere. Where to Stay: Hostelz and HotelsClick |
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Barcelona
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As the largest port city on the Mediterranean, Barcelona is one of Europe’s most vivacious, dynamic and quickly expanding cities. It is also home to the famous artist and architect, Gaudi, many museums containing Picasso’s works, and a Gothic center almost fully intact. When touring Barcelona, do not miss strolling along Las Ramblas, admiring the spires of the Sagrada Familia, exploring Park Guell, or sitting down to Paella, a sumptuous seafood dish typical to the region. If anything, make sure you see the city with the red or orange hop on-hop off buses that leave from Placa Catalunya and stop at all the best sites. And of course, try the tapas and Serrano ham! Where to Stay: Barcelona Connect and HotelsClick |
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London
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The capital of the once-most-powerful empire on the globe has become Europe’s largest melting pot and a year-round tourist destination for hundreds of thousands of travelers. Big Ben, the London Bridge, William and Kate, and the National Gallery are a few things that come to mind when picturing London, but there are also red phone booths, yeoman warders, and those famous red-suited guards. There is no off-season in the city, and very few of its attractions close or reduce their hours during the winter. Where to Stay: London Town, Hostelz, and HotelsClick |
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Munich
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So much can be said about Germany’s second most popular destination, only after Berlin. It is the largest city in Germany’s southern region of Bavaria and lies at the foot of the German Alps. It makes a beautiful postcard for envious friends and family, but what Munich is most noted for is the famed Oktoberfest. Beyond its proud beer-lovers, however, Munich has a staggering array of museums, a vibrant art scene, and an impressive Gothic center. Unless you are a fan of below-freezing temps, the best time to visit Munich is late spring to early fall, keeping in mind of course that the height of summer will also be the most crowded time of year. Where to Stay: Hostelz, Hotels, and HotelsClick. |
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Paris |
The city of lights, and reputedly the most visited city in Europe, Paris lives up to its name of being the European capital of love. The symbol of everything French, this stunning capital is a noted center for fine cuisine, culture, and couture. It can be an expensive visit, especially during the high season when the locals vacate and the city becomes an international melting pot for curious tourists. Between museums, exhibits, restaurants, shows, and just wandering the city streets, Paris deserves all the attention it gets. Where to Stay: Hostelz and HotelsClick |
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Prague
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Called “The City of Hundred Spires”, Prague has a stunning cityscape and was largely unscathed by the battles of WWII. The town was once an old stomping ground for Kafka, Mozart, as well as Soviet tanks. Prague, in fact, was under communist leadership for more than 40 years and has maintained that distinctly eastern European feel. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city’s exquisite medieval center is fascinating, and though it is rapidly transforming, you can still find local treasures like the many traditional pubs where pork dumplings are washed down with great Czech beer. Where to Stay: Hostelz, HotelsClick, and Prague-Guide |
