Travel Information

Students find it convenient to get around Siena by foot, in the neighboring Tuscan towns by bus, and to larger Italian towns by train or bus.  Siena is a pedestrian city; most traffic is forbidden within the ancient city walls.  (However, a number of personal or delivery vehicles have permits to drive within the city, so don’t be surprised to see vehicles coming up quickly in a “pedestrian” street.)  Orange buses called “Pollicino” serve the outskirts of Siena. The tickets cost 1 Euro and are sold at the Tabbacchi Shops or at the Bus station under Piazza Gramsci. Tickets have to be stamped on the bus.

For local and regional bus schedules: www.sienamobilita.it (then click on "ricerca orari accessibile" at the top). This website will give you information about city bus schedules and schedules to places like: Firenze, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano, Volterra, Arezzo, Tuscan Coast. Make sure to double check the departure point for your bus - some leave from Piazza Gramsci, some from the Station, and some from the highway running along the edge of the city walls.

For national buses: www.sena.it (search your route under "ricerca il tuo viaggio"). This website will give you information about schedules to larger and more distant Italian destinations such as: Milano, Roma, Bologna, Napoli, Sicilia and more.

For trains: http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/ (English version of site is available) Siena is not very well connected by train but for some locations, such as Pisa and Viareggio, it is the best option. The trains are also generally cheaper than the buses (if you use regional or inter-city trains, as opposed to the high speed "Eurostar"), so it may be worth the longer ride and multiple train changes. 

Driving in Italy
Americans visiting Italy as tourists and intending to drive should obtain an International Driving Permit before leaving the U.S. If the permit expires while abroad, you may apply for a new one by mail through the American Automobile Association (AAA), Worldwide Travel Dept., 1000 AAA Dr., Heathrow, FL 32746, tel. (407) 444-7000, fax (407) 444-7380. Tourists may also use their valid American driver's license if accompanied by an Italian translation issued by an office of the Italian Automobile Club (ACI). The closest office is in Florence in Viale Lavagnini 1/A. Information and hours can be found on their website: http://www.acifirenze.it/delegazioni/liberta.html. Unfortunately, there is no agreement for reciprocal recognition of drivers' licenses between the United States and Italy. The Italian Ministry of Transportation has determined that bearers of U.S. driver's licenses cannot obtain an Italian license directly in exchange for a domestic one. Interested individuals must comply with the usual requirements prescribed for obtaining an Italian license, (a written test, a driving test, a medical examination, and pertinent documents).

Useful Websites for Local Events
  • www.terresiena.it - official website of Siena Tourist Office, great resource for events, activities, museums, lodging and services in Siena and the surrounding area (available in English);
  • www.comune.siena.it - official website of the City of Siena. Good information on events, museums, sports, facilities, pharmacies, etc. in Siena (in Italian);
  • www.ilparere.net - a new, online newspaper with articles and information on Siena's cultural offerings, geared especially to Siena's youth set (in Italian).
Travel in Italy and Europe by Air

Closest airports to Siena:
  • Pisa Galileo Galilei - 2 hours by train - must change trains in Empoli and possibly Pisa Centrale, train arrives directly at Pisa Aeroporto - many low cost airlines fly in and out of Pisa. There is also a shuttle bus which leaves from Piazza Gramsci to the Pisa Airport twice a day. Book bus tickets and confirm times at www.trainspa.it, or ask at the ticket office under Piazza Gramsci; 
  • Firenze Peretola - 2 hours - take bus to Florence and then "volabus" or taxi to airport. "Volabus" leaves every half hour from bus station, schedule at www.ataf.net - generally more expensive than Pisa flights;
  • Bologna G. Marconi - 2-3 hours - 2 direct buses from Siena a day at 8am and 3:20pm with the Sena bus company, otherwise take a train to Bologna and then a bus from the Bologna train station to the airport;
  • Roma Fiumicino - 5 hours - take train to Roma Termini, then airport train shuttle to Fiumicino, or, take the Sena bus to Roma Tiburina station, then a local train to "Fiumicino Aeroporto";
  • Roma Ciampino - 5 hours - take train to Roma Termini Station OR take Sena bus to Roma Tiburtina Station and then a local train or metro to Roma Termini. Once in the Termini station, take the Terravision shuttle bus or the SIT shuttle bus to reach Ciampino. You'll find information about both at www.adr.it under "Ciampino - Collegamenti." Both buses leave from just outside Termini, on the right, front side of the station.

 Links to Airline Companies
Travel Lodging




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