Getting from Orvieto to Spoleto (Italy)
 

What would be the best way to get from Orvieto to Spoleto? I won't have a car. Thank you.

Jen:
I have always driven in Italy and most countries...easy shot to Spoleto from Orvieto that way. But in your case, my best guess would be a bus to Perugia and then transfer to a Spoleto bus.

Another choice...bus from Orvieto to Terni (which would be autostrada all the way), then take a local, only 30 kms. to Spoleto.

However, worse case, it may be that you'd have to return to Roma and then on to Spoleto. Avoiding Roma would be a good if you can.

Look at a map to get the feel for these three options. Wish I could be of more help.

Palenque, if he chimes in, will tout the rails option, if possible

It's about 1.5 hours by train, including a change at Orte.

Yes trains are frequent and are regional trains requiring a change of trains at Orte on most links - regional trains are dirt-cheap and require no advance reservations unlike IC trains that also run the Orte-Spoleto portion so avoid them as they are more expensive and no quicker - just buy your tickets before the train - a flat fare - no reason to buy in advance.

For lots of info on Italian trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Regional trains can be quite full at times, especially when they act like school buses and kkids jam on - if the train has first class IME it is well worth the pittance extra charges to take it so you do not get suddenly swarmed on as I have several times on regional trains. Not all regional trains have first class.

If you're going to be in Spoleto without a car, ask your hotel (or the Tourist Info Office) about the recently re-instituted rail service from Spoleto to Sant'Anatolia and onwards to Borgo Cerreto and Volpetti. These are the first legs to re-open of the former line between Spoleto and Norcia.

The link below is the Google translation of the web page describing the service. [Click on the "Travel" tab near the top, then click on "Former Railway Spoleto-Norcia."] Some of the translation is a little garbled/unclear, and it may be that a segment involves walking. But it sounds like a fun and unique excursion.

http://translate.google.com/translat...io&prev=search

Jean - The rail service wasn't re-instituted. I think it loses the meaning in translation. The track has been removed and it's been turned into a biking/hiking path. The old station in Sant'Anatolia has been turned into a museum/cultural center.

If you enter your cities on Trenitalia, it's as Holly said. Orvieto to Orte and change there to the train for Spoleto. I don't see that a bus/train combo with other connecting cities would be as fast.

Thanks, kyb. A 'rails to trails' thing, then.