How to Get from Tuscany to Umbria

Moving from Tuscany to Umbria is a simple trip, as these two famed Italian regions are joined at the south end of Tuscany and the north of Umbria. So the journey to the south is easily accomplished by train, rental car, hired car with driver or by bus, with the trip taking from one to two hours using any mode of transport, depending on where you begin and where you are going (Florence to Perugia, for example, is 94 miles/152 kilometers and takes two hours).

Both regions are characterized by the fine wines and delicious foods found there, making each worth spending some quality time visiting. To take all the guesswork out of your Tuscany travel, we suggest booking one of our well-planned tours. Try the Explore Tuscany: Florence, Siena, Pisa, & Lucca - 7 Days, for example, or perhaps go Cycling in Tuscany: Pisa, Lucca, & Beyond - 6 Days, then continue on to Umbria on your own, perhaps with a stop in Spello, one of our picks for the best 6 Hidden Hill Towns in Italy. 

By Train

Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours

The Italian train system reaches far and wide, so no matter whether you find yourself in Florence, Pisa, Siena, Chianti or a smaller town in Tuscany, there's always a place to catch the train. And wherever you head in Umbria, be it one of the region's big cities – Perugia, Spoleto, Terni – or to a small village with a winery and a nearby agriturismo (farmstay accommodation), the train is likely to go there. Trains run between the big cities multiple times a day, and you can find timetables and book tickets for your trip either on the internet or at the train station where you plan to depart. The trip won't be too expensive, likely ranging from $15 to $30, with a premium charged for the more spacious and comfortable first-class cars.

By Rental Car

Duration: 1 to 3 hours

Driving from Tuscany to Umbria is a beautiful journey, over vineyard-covered hills and valleys, that will take an hour or maybe three, depending on where you begin and where you are going. You'll find rental car companies in all of Tuscany's bigger cities; just make sure you have GPS available, for getting around in Italy can be extremely complicated without it. In Florence, for example, the same street will change its name three or four times, and the street signs are generally on the sides of the buildings, not at the intersections, making finding your turn quite the accomplishment. 

Remember that if you drive a manual transmission (stick shift), those rental cars are substantially cheaper in Italy than ones with automatic transmissions. Also remember that gasoline is sold by the liter in Italy, so multiply the price you see by about four to compare it to one gallon.

By Private Car and Driver

Duration: 1 to 3 hours

Having a personal driver and your choice of car (or even bus) means leaving the driving to an expert, in a vehicle that can carry your whole traveling party (and their luggage) on the trip between Tuscany and Umbria. Even if it is just you alone or a very small group, having a professional, locally based driver means you can all relax and enjoy the gorgeous landscapes in two of Italy's most beautiful regions. Pickup is conveniently at whatever hotel or other location you choose, as is the drop off, with no worries about parking. And if you arrange to book the car and driver by the hour, you'll be able to stop and smell the roses (or sip the wine) along the way.

Our local experts are well versed in taking care of these private-car bookings for you and ready to assist, meaning all you have to do is be ready for your pickup at the appointed time.

By Bus

Duration: 2 hours

The bus is the least expensive way to get from Tuscany to Umbria, but you'll need to be going from a big city to another big city (like Florence to Perugia). That itinerary is a two-hour trip and the buses run every few hours, all day long. Priced at between $10 and $17 one way, this is a frugal way to travel between the two regions.