Getting around Cortona is one of the most common questions visitors ask — and for good reason. Cortona is a hilltop town with no airport, limited train connections, and a historic centre that can only be explored on foot. But once you understand how it works, arriving and getting around is straightforward. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Getting Around Cortona — Your Options at a Glance
| Option | Best for | Difficulty |
| By train | Most visitors from Florence or Rome | Easy |
| By car | Flexibility, countryside exploration | Easy |
| By bus | Budget travel, local experience | Moderate |
| Private transfer | Comfort, families, airport arrivals | Easy |
| Taxi / NCC | Station to centre, late arrivals | Easy |
The Essential Thing to Know About Cortona
Cortona sits at 600 metres (1,970 feet) above sea level on a steep hillside. The train station (Camucia-Cortona) is 5 km (3 miles) from the historic centre — at the bottom of the hill. The bus station, the car parks, and the taxi rank are all outside the historic walls. Once you’re inside the town, everything is on foot.
This means that your journey to Cortona has two parts: getting to the Cortona area, and then getting up the hill into the historic centre. Both are easy — but both need to be planned.
Insider tip: If you’re arriving by train, the most important thing to arrange in advance is how you’ll get from the station to the town. The local bus runs regularly, taxis are available, and private transfers can be booked ahead. See our Taxi & NCC Guide or our Bus Guide for details.
Getting Here from Major Cities
| From | Best option | Journey time | |
| From | Best option | Journey time | By |
| Florence | Train to Camucia-Cortona | 1h 30–45 min | 🚂 Train |
| Rome | Train to Terontola, then taxi/bus | 2h–2h 30 min | 🚂 Train |
| Arezzo | Train or car | 25–30 min (17–19 miles) | 🚂 Train / 🚗 Car |
| Perugia Airport | Car or private transfer | 55 min (32 miles) | 🚗 Car |
| Florence Airport | Car or private transfer | 1h 20 min (71 miles) | 🚗 Car |
| Rome Fiumicino | Car or private transfer | 2h 15 min (135 miles) | 🚗 Car |
Getting Around Inside Cortona
The historic centre of Cortona is entirely pedestrianised — no cars, no buses, no bikes inside the walls (with very limited exceptions for residents). Everything is on foot, and the town is small enough that most sights, restaurants, and shops are within a 10–15 minute walk of Piazza della Repubblica.
That said, Cortona is steep. The climb from the lower gates to the upper part of the town involves significant hills and steps. Comfortable shoes are not optional.
A local minibus runs between the lower and upper parts of the historic centre — useful when you’re carrying luggage or after a long day. Ask at your hotel or at the information point near Piazza Garibaldi for the current timetable.
Arriving Late? Here’s What to Know
The local bus from Camucia station to Cortona stops running at around 8pm. If your train arrives after that time, you’ll need a taxi or private transfer to get up the hill. This catches many visitors by surprise — plan ahead if you’re arriving in the evening.
→ See the Taxi & NCC Guide for contact numbers and prices
Cash, Cards & Currency Exchange
A word of warning before you arrive: do not exchange currency at airports or major train stations. Florence Santa Maria Novella station and all Italian airports offer exchange rates that can be 10–15% worse than the mid-market rate — sometimes significantly more. The fees are buried in the small print.
The best options:
Use a Revolut card — if you don’t have one yet, it’s worth getting before your trip. Revolut gives you the real exchange rate with minimal fees, works everywhere in Italy, and is free to set up. Sign up for Revolut here — it takes about 5 minutes.
ATMs (Bancomat) are available near Piazza della Repubblica and on Via Nazionale in Cortona. Before withdrawing, always check the exchange rate and fees displayed on screen — these vary between machines. If the rate looks unfavourable, try a different ATM.
Cash is still king in Cortona. Many smaller shops, bars and market stalls are cash-only or prefer it. Always keep €20–50 (approx. $22–55) in cash. The €500 note is effectively unusable anywhere — stick to €20s and €50s.
Insider tip: If you absolutely must exchange cash before leaving the airport, exchange the minimum possible — just enough for a taxi or coffee — and get the rest from an ATM once you arrive. The difference in rates can add up to €20–30 ($22–33) on a typical holiday cash amount.
Choose Your Guide
Use the links below to go directly to the information you need:
🚂 Train to Cortona — stations, timetables, tickets and what to do when you arrive
🚌 Bus to Cortona — the LFI bus between Camucia and Cortona
🚗 Driving to Cortona — routes, parking, ZTL zones
🚕 Taxi & NCC Guide — how to get a taxi, prices, and local operators
🚐 Private Transfers — airport transfers and private drivers
🚙 Car Rental — where to hire a car near Cortona
🚶 Without a Car — e-bikes, walking, slow travel