Another year is coming to an end, and many people are already making plans for next year’s trips. We’re again getting queries regarding transport and parking, so I thought it would be useful to share also here the answers to our Guests’ four most frequent questions regarding public transport, driving and parking. Plus some practical tips for train travelers.
1. What’s the best way to get to Vasto by using public transportation?
The answer, I’m afraid, depends on where you’ll be arriving from. Please note, it’s NOT necessarily the train, which is the typical response when you search online.
From the North/South, Adriatic coast: take the train.
Italian railways work pretty well North-South, and in the Northern part of the country also East-West. So if you’re arriving from the Northeast, for example Venice, you’ll be fine taking the train line that runs via Bologna along the Adriatic coast. Likewise, if you’re arriving from the Southeast, from Bari for instance, the train is the most practical public transport option.
From Milan and Bologna as well, the train works well, and the fast “Frecciarossa” are great.
Google Maps search: Venezia (Santa Lucia) - Vasto
But crossing the country East-West in Southern Italy is a whole different story. Especially when it comes to traveling to Vasto from Rome. Trying to do it by train would take you most of the day.
How to get to Vasto from Rome or Fiumicino? Take the bus.
There are bus services every few hours that take you directly from Fiumicino Airport or Roma Tiburtina station to central Vasto. The buses are comfortable, clean and reasonably priced, absolutely the best public transport option.
When we go to Rome or Fiumicino Airport we use one of these two companies that offer a very good service:
The bus terminal in Vasto is less than 1,5km from Palazzo Florio. If you’d like a taxi to pick you up, please let me know in advance and I’ll pre-book it for you. Taxis can be tricky to find in Vasto in high season.
Google Maps search: Fiumicino Airport - Vasto
How to get to Vasto from the Amalfi Coast? Consider renting a car.
This is a frequent question from our Guests who are touring Italy. We love the Amalfi Coast and go there at least once a year. Unfortunately, the public transport connections from there to the East coast are poor and slow, you’d have to take a combination of trains and buses.
I realize car rental has become expensive so I say: if possible, I’d advise you to rent a car if the Amalfi Coast is on your itinerary directly before/after Vasto. Otherwise, you may want to plan your itinerary so that you’re arriving here from Rome which is better connected in all directions.
Google Maps search: Amalfi Coast - Vasto
How to get to Vasto from Pescara Airport? Again, consider renting a car.
Pescara Airport is only circa 70km away but, unfortunately, there are no smooth connections with public transport. You’d have to take a taxi into central Pescara, then a bus or a local train to Vasto (translation: super slow). Driving is a much more practical and comfortable option.
2. How to book the train tickets to Vasto? (+other tips for train travelers)
Tip #1: book your train tickets ONLY on the official Trenitalia website. Do NOT use the other sites that pop up when you research on search engines. Those sites may overcharge you with commissions and some may even be scams.
Tip #2: When you’re researching trains on Trenitalia, don’t panic if you don’t find anything for your dates. It may be that you’re researching too early. For example, looking now (in December) for train tickets next August, you may not find anything on Trenitalia. This is because they often don’t publish timetables and tickets that much in advance. You’ll be fine booking the tickets a bit closer to your trip. If you want to get an idea of the timetables and prices you can search using next week’s dates, for example.
Tip #3: Our nearest train station is called Vasto - San Salvo. It’s about 7km from Palazzo Florio. There is a local bus that runs from the station to the historic city center. If you prefer taking a taxi, please let me know in advance.
Tip #4: The fast trains (Frecciarossa) normally stop at Vasto - San Salvo station during the summer season. This may be different outside the peak period. In that case, the nearest Frecciarossa stop is at Termoli which is 28km away and you’ll need a local bus or taxi to get to Vasto.
3. How to arrive by car?
If you’re driving from the North (Rome, Bologna, Pescara): exit the Autostrada at Vasto Nord. Then follow the signs for the city center.
If from the South (e.g. Bari), the right exit is Vasto Sud.
If you’re driving from Naples/Amalfi Coast, the last stretch won’t be on the Autostrada but smaller regional roads.
Palazzo Florio is situated in a pedestrian area. Please do NOT use our street address as the destination in your GPS. You cannot drive in Via Santa Maria without risking a fine. Instead, please use the address of the nearby car park: Via Padova, Vasto.
Google Maps search: Autostrada exit “Vasto Nord” to Via Padova
4. Where to park the car?
We have an agreement with the above-mentioned car park which enables you to park at a discounted rate. We’ll send you the detailed instructions the day before your arrival. We’ll come and meet you at the car park entrance and help you with the luggage.
Also note that this car park has two entries. If you use their official address found online, you’ll be taken to the top floor entry. Please stick to following the map to Via Padova because that’s the nearest entry to Palazzo Florio. And that’s where we'll come and meet you.
To conclude…
I think this covers the most frequent questions. I hope you find this information helpful.
Any other questions? You know where to find me… please don’t hesitate to email anita@palazzoflorio.com
If you’re reading this December, we wish you Very Happy Holidays (with this nostalgic pic from December 2020)!
If in 2024, I hope your year has started happily. See you soon.
Anita
Go to welcome page of PalazzoFlorio.com