How to Get to Arezzo. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel Gateways

Major Airports Serving Tuscany

Several well-connected airports serve as entry points to Tuscany and Arezzo.

Nearest Airports

Florence Airport (FLR) - Amerigo Vespucci: ~80 km (50 miles) northwest. Convenient for public transport to Arezzo via tram to Florence's main train station.
Pisa Airport (PSA) - Galileo Galilei: ~140 km (87 miles) west. Larger, serves more budget airlines.
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) - Leonardo da Vinci: ~230 km (143 miles) south. Italy's largest international airport, with extensive intercontinental connections.

Airlines & Routes

Airlines and typical routes depend on your chosen gateway airport.

Common Carriers

FLR: ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Vueling, Swiss. Connections mainly to European hubs.
PSA: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Volotea. Connections to many European cities.
FCO: Major hub for ITA Airways, served by most international airlines (Delta, United, American, British Airways).

Seasonal Flight Pricing

High Season (June-Aug): Highest prices, quick booking. Shoulder Season (Apr-May, Sept-Oct): Moderate prices, better availability. Low Season (Nov-Mar): Lowest prices, fewer direct options to smaller airports.

Direct Global Flights

Direct flights from North America are available to Rome FCO (and sometimes Milan MXP). From the UK, direct flights land in Florence, Pisa, Bologna, and Rome.

Airport Facilities

Major airports offer car rental, taxis, currency exchange, duty-free shops, dining, and information desks.

Transfer Options to Arezzo

From Florence FLR & Pisa PSA

From FLR: Tramway T2 from airport to Florence SMN train station (~20 min). From Florence SMN, frequent regional trains to Arezzo (~1 hour).
From FLR: Taxi or pre-booked private transfer (~€150-€200+), an option for convenience with groups or heavy luggage.
From PSA: PisaMover shuttle to Pisa Centrale train station (~5 min). From Pisa Centrale, direct regional trains to Arezzo (~1.5-2 hours) or via Florence SMN.
For train tickets, check Skyscanner or Dollar Flight Club for flight deals.

From Rome FCO & Bologna BLQ

From FCO: Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini (~32 min). From Roma Termini, high-speed train (Frecciarossa/Italo) to Arezzo (~1.5 hours, book in advance) or slower regional trains (2-2.5 hours).
From BLQ: Marconi Express monorail to Bologna Centrale (~7 min). From Bologna Centrale, high-speed or regional trains to Arezzo (~1.5-2.5 hours), sometimes via Florence SMN.
Some long-distance bus services like FlixBus/Itabus may offer connections, but trains are generally faster.
Always confirm train schedules and book high-speed tickets in advance for preferred rates.

Land Transportation Details

Train Connections

Arezzo is well-connected by Trenitalia. Regional trains are frequent and economical within Tuscany (e.g., to Florence, ~1 hour). High-speed trains offer faster journeys to major cities. Always validate regional train tickets before boarding.

Long-Distance Buses

Bus services mainly serve regional connections via Autolinee Toscane. For intercity travel, trains usually offer greater speed and convenience compared to limited long-distance options like FlixBus/Itabus.

Border Crossings

Italy is part of the Schengen Area. Land travel from other Schengen countries usually involves no routine border checks, allowing free passage.

Self-Driving in Tuscany

Car Rental Information

Renting a car brings flexibility for exploring the Tuscan countryside. Companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Enterprise have offices in Arezzo. DiscoverCars.com is a good platform to compare options.

Requirements for Renting

Valid driver's license from home country and an International Driving Permit (IDP) for non-EU citizens.
Your passport.
A major credit card (not debit) in the main driver's name for the security deposit.

Motorcycle & Scooter Rentals

Available from specialized rental shops in Arezzo or nearby towns. A significant security deposit is typical.

License Information

For motorcycles, an A or A1 license.
For scooters up to 125cc, a B license (standard car license) suffices if obtained before 1986. Newer licenses need an A1 or A.
Helmets are mandatory.

Driving Laws & Road Conditions

Italian driving requires awareness of local rules and conditions.

Regulations

Drive on the right. Seatbelts mandatory for all. Mobile phone use only with hands-free.
Speed limits: 50 km/h (urban), 90 km/h (main roads), 110-130 km/h (motorways).
Fuel types: Petrol (benzina), Diesel, GPL (LPG).

Important: ZTL & Parking

Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) significantly impact driving and parking in historic centers, including Arezzo. Fines are substantial.

ZTL Rules & Parking Zones

ZTL: Restricted to authorized vehicles. Camera-enforced fines for unauthorized entry. Always park outside the ZTL.
Parking: Blue lines for paid parking; white lines for free (rare in centers); yellow for reserved. Use designated lots outside ZTL (e.g., Parcheggio Mecenate, Parcheggio Pietri).
Road Conditions: Motorways are excellent. Rural roads can be narrow, winding, sometimes poorly maintained.

Driving & Fuel Notes

Driving Age: Minimum 18, but rental companies often require 21 or 25+.
Insurance: Consider comprehensive insurance (CDW, TP). Your credit card may offer some coverage.
Tolls: Most Italian motorways are toll roads. Pay with cash, card, or Telepass. Keep small bills.

Vehicle Requirements: Headlights on at all times on rural roads. Carry a reflective vest and warning triangle.
Driving Style: Italian drivers can be aggressive and fast. Maintain alertness and confidence.
ZTL Fines: Be vigilant; fines for unauthorized entry are substantial and camera-enforced.

Departure Information

Exit Procedures & Timing

No specific exit fees are typically levied upon departure from Italy for tourists; airport departure taxes are usually included in your airfare.

Airport Departure Timing

International (non-Schengen) flights: Arrive at airport at least 2-3 hours before scheduled departure.
Domestic or Schengen flights: 1.5-2 hours generally suffices.
Factor in travel time from Arezzo to your chosen airport (Florence, Pisa, Rome, Bologna).

Train Station Departures

Train departures generally involve simpler procedures.

Timing & Validation

Regional trains: Arrive 10-15 minutes before departure to find your platform. No formal check-in or security.
High-speed trains (Frecciarossa/Italo): Arrive 15-20 minutes before departure. Your ticket includes your seat number.
Validate Regional Tickets: If you have a paper ticket from a machine or Tabaccheria, validate it using the green and white machines on the platform before boarding.

Major Airport Facilities

Florence, Pisa, Rome, and Bologna airports offer shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, and duty-free areas (for non-EU departures).

Arezzo Train Station Facilities

Arezzo railway station has basic facilities: ticket office, automated machines, newsstand (Edicola) with snacks/drinks, a bar/café, and restrooms. It is functional.

Schengen Area Exit

Departure from the Schengen Area involves passport control at your final exit point from the zone.

Sea/River Travel Not Applicable to Arezzo

Ferry Services & Cruise Ports

Arezzo is an inland city, so sea or river travel is not a direct arrival method. The nearest major port is Livorno (~160 km / 100 miles west), which serves ferries to Sardinia, Corsica, and various cruise ships.

Connecting from Ports

From Livorno, travelers take a train or bus to Arezzo.
Immigration procedures at seaports apply only if Livorno is your first point of entry into the Schengen Area.
River transportation for tourists is not applicable in this area of the Arno.

Accessibility Services

Navigating Arezzo's historic center can be challenging for those with mobility issues due to steep inclines, uneven cobblestones, and steps in historic buildings.

Mobility Considerations

Newer public buses may offer accessibility features, but older ones may not. Schedules can be limited.
Taxis can be arranged for point-to-point travel, but direct access to specific sites within the ZTL is limited.
Contact specific attractions, hotels, or the Arezzo Tourist Information Office in advance for accessibility features.

Walking & Cycling in Arezzo

Pedestrian-Friendly Areas

Arezzo's historic center, with its narrow streets and beautiful piazzas like Piazza Grande, is ideal for walking. The area around Piazza Grande and the Duomo is best explored on foot.

Walking Tour Options

Local guides offer historical and art-focused walking tours. Self-guided routes are also available via online resources and guidebooks. The "Passeggio del Prato" (Public Gardens) offers pleasant paths with panoramic views.

Bicycle Infrastructure

Cycling within the historic center can be challenging due to cobblestones and inclines. The surrounding countryside offers beautiful cycling routes, though dedicated bike paths within the city are limited.

Travel Planning Takeaway

For Arezzo, prioritize train connections from major airports. Driving offers flexibility for the countryside, but be mindful of ZTLs. Within the city, walking is the most rewarding way to experience its charm.

How to Get to Arezzo