Viterbo is a Good Base to Explore Northern Lazio
 

Viterbo provides the very best base to explore Northern Lazio. A relatively inexpensive town, it is also well connected by public transportation to all of the important tourist destinations. If relying on public transport, it's best to avoid travelling on Sundays (when services are significantly reduced), and dedicating Sunday to see Viterbo itself.

Viterbo has three train stations: Porta Fiorentina and Porta Romana for Trenitalia services , and Ferrovia Roma Nord for an antiquated rail line to the northern suburbs of Rome.

Viterbo also has a newish bus depot for intercity buses, located adjacent to the large commercial shopping center in Localita' Riello, a 10-minute walk downhill from Porta Fiorentina Gate (the main gate into the Old City). However, many bus lines also stop very close to the Porta Fiorentina train station, which is much more conveniently located to the Old Town. Bus fares are extremely cheap, and the service is generally reliable.

Here's how to get to the most important tourist destinations in Northern Lazio (Province of Viterbo) by public transportation:

1. Roma San Pietro, Trastevere and Ostiense stations: Trenitalia from Porta Fiorentina and/or Porta Romana. Hourly trains Monday through Saturday; every two hours on Sundays. These commuter trains stop at Bracciano and many other small stations along the way. It is also possible to get to Rome by Ferrovia Roma Nord and by COTRAL bus. One-way fare: 4.50 Euros. Travel time: 2 hours.

2. Bracciano: Trenitalia service going to to Roma Ostiense from Porta Fiorentina and/or Porta Romana (see above). One-way fare: 2.70 Euros. Travel time: 40 minutes.

3. Tarquinia: COTRAL buses from stop 400 yards south of Porta Fiorentina station. One-way fare: 2.50 Euros. Travel time: 1 hour.

4. Tuscania: COTRAL buses from stop 400 yards south of Porta Fiorentina station. One-way fare: 2.00 Euros. Travel time: 30 minutes. Tuscania is a MUST SEE.

5. Bolsena: COTRAL buses from stop 400 yards south of Porta Fiorentina station. One-way fare: 2.50 Euros. Travel time: 45 minutes. Stops in Montefiascone en-route (30 minutes). VERY PICTURESQUE RIDE along the eastern ridge of Lago di Bolsena.

6. Bomarzo (Parco dei Mostri): COTRAL buses from stop 50 yards beyond the level crossing along Viale Trieste in northeastwardly direction (traverse the level crossing going OUT from central Viterbo). One-way fare: 1.20 Euros. Travel time: 30 minutes. BEWARE: It's a rigorous 20-minute walk downhill to the Park entrance and an excruciating 30-minute walk back uphill to the bus stop in "modern" Bomarzo. To be AVOIDED unless you're in good shape. NOTE: There is no bus service to Bomarzo from the Attigliano/Bomarzo train station.

7. Bagnaia (Villa Lante): Viterbo city bus no. 6 hourly from central Viterbo (Piazza del Sacrario). One-way fare: 1.00 Euro. Travel time: 15 minutes. COTRAL buses to Bomarzo/Orte also stop in Bagnaia.

8. Caprarola (Palazzo Farnese): COTRAL bus from Riello bus depot. One-way fare: 1.20 Euros. Travel time: 30-45 minutes (depending on route taken). VERY BEAUTIFUL RIDE ALONG THE FOREST SKIRTING VOLCANIC LAKE VICO. It's a steep 10-minute walk uphill to the Palazzo Farnese, at the very top of the town.

9. Bagnoregio: COTRAL buses from Riello bus depot.

10 Orvieto: Take the Trenitalia train from Porta Fiorentina to Attigliano/Bomarzo and connect to northbound train to Orvieto.

Tickets for the COTRAL buses can be purchased at certain newsstands and tobacconists in Viterbo. The large newspaper kiosk at the busy corner of Viale Trieste and Viale Trento, 400 yards south of the Porta Fiorentina station (where many COTRAL buses stop), sells them (as well as Trenitalia strip tickets for regionale trains within Lazio), and is open Monday through Saturday as well as Sunday morning. The Porta Fiorentina station is staffed from Monday through Friday, whereas the Porta Romana station has no staff to sell tickets.

If staying overnight in Viterbo, the Hotel Tuscia on Via Cairoli, 800 yards from the Porta Fiorentina train station (8-10 minutes on foot) is a good and inexpensive choice. For a more "romantic" setting, choose one of the quaint bed and breakfast places which have opened in the medieval quarter of town (closer to Porta Romana train station).

Although having a car to explore Northern Lazio is extremely useful, parking is "tight" in Viterbo proper. Fortunately, the public transportation options listed above provide a satisfactory alternative.

www.ferroviedellostato.it
www.cotralspa.it

P.S.: To reach Viterbo from Florence, take Trenitalia to the Attigliano/Bomarzo station (only regionale trains from Florence to Rome stop there), then connect to the regionale train to Viterbo-Porta Fiorentina.