How do I get from Perugia station to the old town?

Take the Minimetrò from Fontivegge station to the terminus at Pincetto, which is a short walk and a lift or stairs from the centre. City buses also run up the hill.

Do I need a car in Perugia?

Not for the city itself. The old town is a restricted traffic zone, and the Minimetrò, escalators and buses cover the climb. A car is only useful for exploring the countryside and smaller towns without rail links.

How much is a Minimetrò ticket?

As of October 2026, published fares put a single ride at around €1.50, with multi-ride and day options available. Check the operator's website for current prices before you travel.

How do I get from Perugia airport to the city?

The airport is east of the city towards Assisi. Options are a bus or shuttle where scheduled, a taxi, or a rental car. Check the airport's website for the current connections.

Perugia Without a Car: Minimetrò, Escalators, Buses

You do not need a car to explore Perugia. The Minimetrò, a small automated cable-driven light rail line, carries you from the main station and a large park-and-ride car park up to Pincetto, just below the old town. Escalators through the Rocca Paolina link the bus terminal with Piazza Italia, and trains and regional buses reach most places you will want to visit on day trips.

The Minimetrò

The Minimetrò runs between Pian di Massiano (a large car park near the stadium) and Pincetto (below the old town), with intermediate stops including Fontivegge, next to the main railway station. Small cabins depart every few minutes. From Pincetto, stairs and a lift bring you up into the centre near Piazza Matteotti.

Published information for 2026 lists a service from around 7:00 to 21:20 on weekdays and Saturdays, starting later on Sundays and holidays, with a single fare of around €1.50 and day tickets for visitors. Times and fares can change, so check the Minimetrò operator’s website before you rely on a late return.

Tip: if you drive to Perugia, Pian di Massiano is usually the least stressful option. Park, ride up, and leave the car until you head out of town.

Escalators and lifts

Perugia has several percorsi meccanizzati, chains of escalators and lifts that link the lower town with the ridge.

Piazza Partigiani to Piazza Italia: the best known. Starting next to the regional bus terminal, the escalators pass through the underground streets of the Rocca Paolina and come out beside the Palazzo della Provincia on Piazza Italia. It is free and well worth doing even if you are not arriving by bus.
Other car parks: further escalators and lifts connect car parks on the slopes with the centre.

Hours vary by route and are usually long, but do not count on them very late at night.

Trains

Perugia’s main station is Perugia Fontivegge, in the lower town. Regional trains run east to Assisi, Spello and Foligno, and west to Lake Trasimeno (Passignano sul Trasimeno, Tuoro) and Terontola, where you can connect to the Florence to Rome line. From Foligno there are connections towards Spoleto and Rome.

For journeys from Florence or Rome you usually change once; a few long-distance services run direct. Book through Trenitalia or a comparison site, and validate paper regional tickets before boarding where required. See Trenitalia for timetables. Our page on travelling from Perugia to Assisi covers the most popular route in detail.

Buses

Busitalia operates city buses in Perugia and regional routes across Umbria. Regional buses leave mainly from Piazza Partigiani, at the bottom of the escalators. Bus is the practical choice for places without a railway station, such as Gubbio and Todi.

Buy tickets before boarding at tobacconists, newsagents, ticket machines or through the operator’s app. Sunday and holiday timetables are much thinner, so check return times before you set off.

From the airport

Perugia’s airport (Umbria International Airport San Francesco d’Assisi) lies east of the city in the direction of Assisi. Depending on the season, there may be a bus or shuttle link to Perugia; otherwise taxis and rental cars are available. Flights change by season, so check the airport’s website for routes and onward transport.

Taxis

Taxis wait at the station and in the centre, and can be booked by phone. They are useful late at night when the Minimetrò has stopped, or for a quick transfer with luggage up to a hotel inside the restricted zone.

Walking

Once you are on the ridge, walking is the best way around. Corso Vannucci is level; the side streets are steep and often stepped. Comfortable shoes matter more than any ticket.

Which option for which trip

Trip	Best option
Station to old town	Minimetrò to Pincetto
Bus terminal to Corso Vannucci	Escalators through the Rocca Paolina
Car to old town	Park at Pian di Massiano, then Minimetrò
Perugia to Assisi or Spello	Regional train
Perugia to Gubbio or Todi	Regional bus
Countryside, wineries, Castelluccio	Rental car

Planning further

With transport sorted, choose a base with our guide to where to stay in Perugia and plan outings with the day trips from Perugia. More on the city is in the Perugia section.