The easiest way to reach L'Aquila is by direct bus from Rome. Several direct buses to L'Aquila are available from both Rome airports (Fiumicino Airport & Ciampino Airport) and from the train station Roma Tiburtina. More precise information is provided below.
By plane
The closest airports are in Rome (Fiumicino Airport & Ciampino Airport) and in Pescara (Aeroporto internazionale d’Abruzzo).
An express coach service, directly connecting both Fiumicino and Ciampino Airports to L'Aquila, is available, operated by GASPARI and FLIXBUS.
The trip takes about 2h45m from Fiumicino (here is a map of the bus stop) and 2h15m from Ciampino. Tickets may be bought online or directly on the bus.
Notice that Gaspari and Flixbus buses stop at Hotel Amiternum, 3 km far from the city center where GSSI is. From there you can take a bus direct to the city center. Tickets for public buses can be bought at the bar of the Hotel My Suite, which is close by.
The bus stops in the proximity of the Hotel Amiternum are:
Bus stop on SS80 (see position) - here you can take several buses towards the city center and get off at Collemaggio Terminal Bus (10 mins walking from GSSI - see the map). Lines with more frequent buses are number 1 (see the schedule) and the number 2U (see the schedule - only Monday-Saturday).
Bus stop on SS17 (see position) - where you can take line 2 (see the schedule - only Monday-Saturday) which stops in Viale Collemaggio (close to GSSI).
Also, taxi cabs are typically available at Hotel Amiternum. Otherwise, you can call the radio-taxi company (phone: +39 0862 25165, web: www.radiotaxilaquila.it). Notice that for late-night arrivals (from 00.30 to 7 am) you should book before 7 pm the taxi service.
By train
While L’Aquila railway station is not well connected, frequent bus connections are available from the train station Rome Tiburtina in Rome. For people traveling on the East coast along the Adriatic sea the train stations Giulianova and Pescara are also an option.
Roma Tiburtina, is served with frequent high-speed service by both main Italian rail companies (Trenitalia and Italo). Be careful that trains directed to Rome may stop in Roma Tiburtina and/or Roma Termini; you need to get off at Roma Tiburtina to catch the bus to L'Aquila. If your train only stops in Roma Termini, take the metro (line B) to reach Roma Tiburtina.
Buses from Rome Tiburtina, Giulianova and Pescara to L'Aquila are offered by several companies: you may check their schedule at the TUA, FLIXBUS, GASPARI, and ITABUS (Itabus only from Rome) webpages. There is no need to buy the bus tickets in advance, unless you are taking the last one of the day.
Buses offered by TUA are the most convenient since they arrive at Terminal bus Collemaggio, 10 mins walking from GSSI, as you can see from the map. GASPARI and FLIXBUS buses arrive at Hotel Amiternum, 3 km from the city center. From there you can reach the city center either by public transport or by taxi, as described above (see previous section).
By international trains
Trains from Austria and southern Germany (ÖBB nightjet), France (Thello or SNCF), and Switzerland (Trenitalia/SBB) arrive at Milan or Rome, and a night train from north Germany (UEX) arrives in Verona. All of these stations are connected to Roma Tiburtina by Trenitalia and Italo high-speed trains.
By car
Drivers can take highway A24 from Rome and then exit "L'Aquila Ovest". Follow the road signs to the city center and, in particular, those with the GSSI logo. You may be able to find parking near the GSSI buildings. If not, you could consider going to the Colle Maggio Bus Terminal station, which has a wide underground parking area and is only 5-10 min walk from the conference venue.
