Getting Around Terni
Terni sits in the plain of the River Nera in southern Umbria, close to the border with Lazio. It is a compact, walkable city, and most visitors find that a mix of walking and public transport covers everything they need. The city has no airport of its own, so arrivals come by road or rail, usually via Rome or Perugia.
Arriving by Train
Terni railway station is the natural gateway to the city and the hub of its rail connections. It lies on the Ancona–Orte railway and also serves as a junction for two secondary lines: the Terni–Sulmona railway, which links the city with L'Aquila, and the Terni–Sansepolcro railway (FCU), which serves Perugia. A major national freight station is located nearby.
For visitors coming from Rome, trains run regularly from Roma Termini. If you are travelling from the north, the practical approach is to take a train that stops at Orte and change there for the connection to Terni. By road, the same route is followed by drivers: from Rome, take the A1 Autostrada, leave at Orte, and follow the SS675 to Terni.
Buses and Local Public Transport
The local urban and suburban transport service is operated by ATC, which runs the city's bus network. Buses are the main way to reach parts of Terni beyond the historic centre and to connect with surrounding communities. Tickets and passes are handled through the local operator, so it is worth checking current fares and where to buy them on arrival at the station or from local retailers.
In the north of the city, in the Colleluna zone, works are in progress on the line from Perugia to enable it to be used as a light rail line. Until that is complete, buses remain the practical option for getting around by public transport.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Terni for trips where walking or buses are not convenient, such as arriving late or travelling with luggage. As with most Italian cities of this size, it is sensible to arrange a taxi by phone or at a rank rather than expecting to flag one down on every street.
Walking the City
Terni's centre is compact and best explored on foot. Many of the city's sights sit within easy walking distance of one another, including Terni Cathedral (the Duomo, or Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta), the Romanesque churches of San Cristoforo, Sant'Alò, San Martino and San Salvatore, the 13th-century church of San Francesco, and the Basilica of San Valentino. The city's patron saint, Saint Valentine, was born and became a bishop here, and his remains are preserved in the basilica-sanctuary.
Civic landmarks are equally walkable: the Roman amphitheatre, Porta Sant'Angelo (one of the four ancient Roman gates), Palazzo Mazzancolli, Palazzo Gazzoli, which houses the city gallery, and Palazzo Spada, the current Town Hall. The Lancia di Luce by Arnaldo Pomodoro is another central point of reference. For a longer outing, the Cascata delle Marmore, a Roman-era waterfall at the confluence of the Velino and Nera rivers, lies nearby and is the tallest man-made waterfall in the world.
Getting In from the Airport
Terni has no airport of its own, so arrivals by air land elsewhere and continue overland.
- Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport is the nearest airport to Terni. It offers flights to other parts of Italy as well as to the UK and Europe, and lies to the north of the city.
- Rome Fiumicino Airport is the airport most residents would normally use, because it provides the widest choice of domestic and international flights. It lies to the south-west of Terni.
Whichever airport you choose, the onward journey into Terni is made by road or rail. From Rome, the rail option is straightforward: trains run regularly from Roma Termini to Terni, and drivers follow the A1 Autostrada, leaving at Orte and continuing on the SS675. From the north, connect via Orte if your train does not run through to Terni.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself within walking distance of the centre if you can — most of Terni's monuments and churches are clustered there.
- Use the train for day trips to Rome, Perugia and L'Aquila, since Terni station is a junction for all three directions.
- Rely on ATC buses for the suburbs and surrounding area, and check locally for where to buy tickets and passes.
- Allow extra time if you are heading to the Colleluna zone in the north, where light rail works are under way.