How to get to Parma
The region of Emilia Romagna is in the north of Italy and it is here, halfway between Bologna and Milan, that we find the city of Parma. The location also makes it ideal for numerous short trips to places such as Venice, Verona, Ferrara, Turin and also to the villages of the Cinque Terre in Liguria, Portovenere, Portofino, and even to the famous resorts on the Romagnola Riviera.
Public transport to Parma is quite well organized. It is a popular destination for arriving by train and there is an airport. Another bonus is that the city itself is located along a main motorway, although you should bear in mind that the city center is off limits to cars.
By train
The train station is 10 minutes’ walk from the historical center (marked on the map), on the Eastern bank of the river (of the same name), which runs through Parma. Hundreds of trains arrive here every day from northern and central Italy and also from some European cities.
The train is the most convenient and comfortable way to reach Parma, and you can find the timetables and categories of trains on the Trenitalia website. It’s a good idea to buy your ticket in advance for the long-distance trains (Intercity or Freccia), because it costs less. Tickets for regional trains can be purchased at any time, and you can buy them at the station ticket window between 6am and 9pm; there are also automatic ticket machines available at any station.
By plane
Parma has an airport, but it serves a limited number of aircraft. We advise you to browse this site and decide which is the best and more practical city to reach by plane. You can get to Parma by train from any major airport in Italy; some of the stations nearest to Parma are Milan, Bologna and Verona. Below is the list of airports with the flight time to Parma. To book a car you can use the car rental webpage.
Milan Linate: 2 h, about €17 / $20 by train. One hour and a half by car.
Milan Malpensa: 2 h 30 min, about €25 / $29 by train. Two hours by car.
Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio: 3 h, about €16 / $18 by train. Two hours by car.
Bologna: an hour and a half, about €14 / $16 by train. One hour by car.
Tip: if you land in Milan, for example, spend one day visiting this city before leaving for Parma. You can find information on Milan on this site www.bestofcinqueterre.com/en/milan
By car
Whatever road you take to get to Parma, you will find free parking available. These car parks are served by shuttle buses. You can purchase your bus ticket from the ticket machines at a cost of €2 / $2.30 and it’s valid for the entire day. It is a special ticket for tourists making a one-day visit to Parma.
There are also huge underground car parks in the center of the city. The cost is €2 / $2.30 per hour to a maximum cost per day of €12 / $14.
All parking areas are marked on the map. Use the navigator, indicating the address of one of the car parks or of your hotel.
Addresses of free carparks:
- North: Str. Traversante Lupo, 5, Parma.
- East: Via Marco Emilio Lepido, 101, Parma.
- West: Largo 24 Agosto 1942, 3, Parma.
- South: Largo Francesco Antonio Simonini, Parma.
- South-2 (Esselunga supermarket): Str. Traversetolo, 31, Parma.
Addresses of paid underground parking:
- Toschi: Viale IV Novembre, 2, Parma.
- Goito: Via Goito, 1, Parma.