Getting Around Verona: A Practical Guide
Verona is a compact, walkable city, and most visitors find that their feet do most of the work. The historic centre is small enough to explore on foot, and the main sights — from the Arena in Piazza Bra to the Shakespeare-related landmarks such as the Casa di Giulietta — sit within easy strolling distance of one another. For anything beyond the centre, or for reaching the city from its airport, Verona has a straightforward public transport network of buses and trains, plus taxis.
Walking
Walking is the most practical way to get around central Verona. The old town is dense and pedestrian-friendly, and the main railway station, Verona Porta Nuova, is only about a 15-minute walk from the old town. If you are staying centrally, you can reasonably plan to cover the core sights on foot and reserve public transport for longer trips or for arriving and departing.
Trains and the Rail Network
Verona does not have a metro or tram system; rail travel here means the national and regional train network. The city's main railway station is Verona Porta Nuova, which sits at the intersection of two important international railway lines: the Brenner line running from Innsbruck in Austria down to Bologna and onward to Rome, and the Milan–Venice high-speed line. As a result, the station sees long-distance and regional connections in all directions.
- High-speed services: There is at least one Frecciarossa or Italo high-speed train per hour to Milan and Venice, with occasional EuroCity services in between.
- Regional services: Slower regional trains (RV) also run in these directions, and there are fewer services on the Bolzano–Rome axis.
- International connections: There is a frequent connection from Munich, roughly every two hours.
- Second station: Some local trains (regionali) also stop at Verona Porta Vescovo, a second station in the city.
For a visitor, Porta Nuova is the station you will almost certainly use: it is the main gateway for arriving by train and the hub for onward buses into the city.
Buses and Public Transport
Verona's local public transport is bus-based, run by ATV. The main bus station, Stazione ATV, serves destinations in the city and the province. City bus schedules are available online, via Google Maps, and through the "ticket bus Verona" app.
For getting between the train station and the centre, the 11, 12 or 13 bus on weekdays will take you from Stazione Porta Nuova to the Arena at Piazza Bra. Note that Sunday and holiday schedules differ and use a separate numbering system, so check before you travel on those days.
Buying tickets: You have several options for paying your fare:
- Automatic ticket machines.
- Online via the "ticket bus Verona" app.
- At cigarette or lotto shops — look for the blue "T" signs.
- As a last resort, directly on the bus from the driver, but this is cash only and carries an €0.80 surcharge, which is substantial relative to a basic ticket.
At the ATV bus station, the ticket office is between platforms Bs and Cs, and there are automated ticket machines at platforms B2 and C3 as well as at the main ticket office. Tickets are also available online through the app.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The source material does not describe Verona's taxi or ride-hailing arrangements in detail. As a general matter, taxis are available in the city, and the airport bus and train connections cover the main arrival routes. If you need a taxi, it is best to arrange one through your accommodation or a taxi rank rather than relying on assumptions about app-based services.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Verona's airport is Aeroporto Valerio Catullo (airport code VRN), also known as Verona Villafranca Airport. It handles mostly budget flights, including international routes from Brussels (both National and Charleroi), Dublin, London (Gatwick and Stansted), Paris Beauvais, and Madrid, plus domestic routes from Alghero, Palermo, Trapani, Brindisi and Rome. Free Wi-Fi is available with registration.
By bus: The most direct public transport option is the VeronaAirLink (Line 199) bus, which connects the airport with the main station, Verona Porta Nuova. The stop is in front of the airport terminal and to the left of the station entrance. The service runs from early morning (05:15, 06:10) and then every 20 minutes until 23:10, with a journey time of approximately 15 minutes. Tickets can be bought directly from the bus driver (cash only) or at the ticket machines next to the stop (which accept cash and card). The bus can be very crowded at times. The fare is €7.
By rental car: If you have a rental car, the trip into Verona is not difficult: take the A4 towards Padova (Padua) and follow it to Verona.
From other airports: Venice Marco Polo Airport is further away but has far more flights. From there, take the shuttle bus to Mestre railway station (about 25 minutes), then the train to Verona (about 1 hour). Venice Treviso and Bergamo airports are also within a couple of hours of Verona, though the source notes they offer no obvious advantage over the alternatives.
Putting It Together
For most visitors, the practical pattern is simple: arrive at Verona Porta Nuova by train, walk or take a short bus ride into the old town, and explore the centre on foot. Use the bus network for longer hops within the city, and rely on the VeronaAirLink bus if you are flying into Catullo. Buy bus tickets from machines, shops or the app to avoid the on-board surcharge, and keep in mind that Sunday and holiday bus services run on a different numbering system.