The distance between Isola di Capo Rizzuto and Tropea is just 68 miles (109 km) as the crow flies, traveling southwest from the Ionian coast and across Calabria’s rugged interior to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Self-driving is the fastest and most straightforward way to make the journey, taking just under two and a half hours and passing scenic countryside and seaside views.
If cost isn’t a factor and you’d like to enjoy the scenery without the stress of navigating, private transport is an excellent option to reach Tropea quickly and easily. Due to the sparse train connections in the quiet southern region, making the trip by public transport requires a combination of bus and train with multiple connections, taking markedly longer at around four hours.
By Rental Car or Private Transfer
Duration: 2.5 hours, more with stops
Driving is the fastest way to reach Tropea from Isola di Capo Rizzuto and offers the option of detours to the Calabrian capital of Cataranzo and the scenic villages and vistas of the Costa Degli Dei along the way.
The most direct route heads west along the Ionian coast and across the rugged Calabrian interior on the SS106/E90 and the SS280/E848, turning south on the A2/E45 before hugging the Tyrrhenian shore towards Tropea on the SS18. This last leg of the journey travels the picturesque stretch of white beaches and clifftop seaside villages of the Costa degli Dei, with the towns of Pizzo and Parghelia serving as particularly charming stops en route.
Most of the trip consists of straightforward highway driving, with some narrow and winding two-lane roads along the coastal cliffs nearing Tropea that require caution and slow speeds. The best choice of rental car agencies in Isola de Capo Rizzuto are at the Crotone (CRV) airport, a quick 8-minute taxi ride north of town.
Once in Tropea, the warren of narrow streets and alleys (plus some ZTL restricted zones) are best avoided by parking in the public lots near the train station.
Hiring a driver for the trip comes at a higher price, but offers the speed and scenery of the journey via car without worrying about navigating narrow coastal roads or finding parking in busy Tropea.
By Bus and Train
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours
The lack of direct service from Isola di Capo Rizzuto means the journey requires a combination of bus and train, with a total of two connections. The trip is economical and mostly straightforward, but far more time consuming than driving.
Isola di Capo Rizzuto has no train station, so the trip starts with a 30-minute Autolinee Romano bus ride to Crotone, where passengers switch to train. Trenitalia’s Regionale trains run twice daily to Lamezia in under 2 hours. From there, another connection is required to reach Tropea, with a further 55-minute trip on a Trenitalia Intercity or Regionale train.
Crotone’s bus station is a 5 to 10-minute walk from the train station, so factor in some extra time for the connection, or consider getting a taxi if you have a lot of luggage.
Tropea’s center is a quick 10 minute walk downhill from the station and a further 10 minutes to the beach.
Map
