Does anyone know if the funicular in Orvieto is wheelchair accessible? We'll be dropping off our rental car in Orvieto and wanted to explore the city for a little while. I have a small, manual wheelchair that is about 20 pounds. If anyone happens to remember if there are steps to reach the funicular I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

Alexandra

You should be able to take your wheelchair on as you just walk in and stand to ride. There aren't steps to enter the building. The funicular is on an incline. When you get to the top, you would need to transfer to a bus (probably want the one to the Duomo). There are also city buses outside the funicular station/train station you can take instead if you prefer.

And the funicular station is on the same level as the street where the car rental offices are. You do have to go inside the train station opposite the funicular to buy your tickets from the bar/tabac there. I do seem to remember curb cuts on the sidewalk.

It's an incline inside the terminal at both ends, so be prepared for that.

If you wish to avoid the funicular altogether you can park in the lots at the top of the town, near the upper funicular terminal, and turn in your car later. There is also some street parking up there and no doubt some handicapped slots if you have the right documentation.

>>>You do have to go inside the train station opposite the funicular to buy your tickets from the bar/tabac there.<<<

There's a ticket window in the funicular building. I've never bought tickets at the train station.

You can Google "Orvieto funicular pics" and see what it looks like.

Apropos the idea of keeping the car until you are ready to leave Orvieto, be aware that the rental agencies there are closed, usually from about 12:30 to 2:30 or 3, and on Saturay they close at 12:30 and do not open again until Monday!

Kybourbon, thanks for that. We have always come up from the parking lot below the train station and that has been our routine. Funny how you can miss stuff like that, isn't it?

Good warning above, but I would drive into the city and park behind the Duomo---do your thing---and then drive back and return the car. The funicular is at the wrong end of town.

Thanks guys! It sounds like it'll be doable. I took kybourbon's advice and googled some pictures and it seems like the funicular wouldn't be a problem at all. Now I'm just wondering if the buses are accessible once we get to the top...I've sent an e-mail to the city's transportation department to inquire, so we'll see. Maybe arriving to Orvieto early and driving to the top, like some of you suggested, would be the better option. We'll go with the flow when we get there I guess, wish me luck!

>>>12:30 to 2:30 or 3,<<<

Or 12-4.

The buses up top are different than the buses below which are regular city buses. The ones up top (there are only 2) are mini. One goes to the Duomo and the other to Piazza Ranieri area. In the past, the ticket office sold either funicular only tickets or a combo ticket that included the bus (good for about 90 minutes). It's only about .30€ more for the combo ticket. Some people walk when they reach the top. It would be possible, but it's still uphill and cobblestones. Not easy in a wheelchair, but coming back to the funicular would be easy, just bumbpy.