L’Aquila is a city in the center of Italy, about 110 Km to the east of Rome.
The closest international airports are Fiumicino Airport (∼150 km) and Ciampino Airport (∼120 km). The closest train station is Roma Tiburtina (∼110 km).
Direct buses are available from Fiumicino and Ciampino airports and the train station Roma Tiburtina; see the attached flyer about how to reach L'Aquila.
IMPORTANT ADVICES. Please note that reaching L’Aquila by train is NOT RECOMMENDED since it requires a much longer journey (it consists of a 3-hour, 1-connection trip, while the bus only takes one hour and 15 minutes). When reaching Rome by train, please select a train arriving at ROME TIBURTINA since there are no direct buses to L'Aquila from Roma Termini train station.
Detailed information about getting to L'Aquila by plane, bus, and car are provided below.
Getting to L'Aquila 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 and operated by GASPARI and FLIXBUS.
The trip takes 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 the Gaspari and Flixbus buses stop at the "Amiternum" bus stop, close to Hotel My Suite, which is 3 km away from the city center where GSSI is located. 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, or through the app "MoneyGo".
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 the 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-Sat, 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 the taxi service before 7 pm.
By train
While L’Aquila railway station is not well connected, frequent bus connections are available from the Rome Tiburtina train station. For people traveling on the East Coast along the Adriatic Sea, the train stations Giulianova and Pescara are also an option.
Roma Tiburtina is frequently provided with 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. Several bus companies operate trips from Rome Tiburtina, Giulianova, and Pescara to L'Aquila: you may check their schedule at the TUA, FLIXBUS, and GASPARI (Itabus only from Rome) webpages. Buying the bus tickets in advance is unnecessary 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, located at a 10-minute walking distance from GSSI. GASPARI and FLIXBUS buses arrive 3 km from the city center at My Suite Hotel. You can reach the city center by public transport or 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. These stations are connected to Roma Tiburtina by Trenitalia and Italo high-speed trains.
By car
Drivers can take highway A24 from Rome and exit "L'Aquila Ovest". Follow the road signs to the city center, particularly those with the GSSI logo.
