Do You Need a Car in Abruzzo? Yes — And Here Is Why

April, 09th 2026

This is one of the most common questions we get about Abruzzo. The honest answer is not “it depends” — it is yes. If you want to experience Abruzzo properly, you need a car. Here is why, and everything else you need to know before you arrive.

The Short Answer

You can reach Abruzzo without a car. You can stay on the coast without a car. You can visit Pescara, take a bus to Sulmona and catch a train along the Adriatic. All of that is possible.

But Abruzzo is not a destination built for public transport. Its greatest treasures — the medieval villages, the national parks, the wineries, the mountain passes, the trabocchi hidden along the coast — are scattered across four provinces and connected by roads that buses and trains simply do not reach.

You can piece together a trip without a car — but it requires significantly more planning, longer journey times and the acceptance that you will miss most of what makes Abruzzo extraordinary.

We have roots in Abruzzo. We have explored the region for years. Our honest recommendation is this: rent a car.

What You Can Do Without a Car

To be fair, there are parts of Abruzzo that are perfectly accessible without a car:

The coast: Pescara, Francavilla al Mare, Ortona, Lanciano, Vasto and most of the towns along the Adriatic can be reached by train or bus from Rome. If your plan is beaches and a few days enjoying the coastal towns, the coast is manageable without a car.

Sulmona: One of the most beautiful towns in Abruzzo is directly connected to Rome by train and bus. Sulmona is compact, walkable and genuinely charming — and it makes a reasonable base for day trips by bus to a handful of nearby villages.

L’Aquila: The regional capital is well connected by bus from Rome — approximately 1h35 from Tiburtina. The city itself is walkable and historically fascinating.

Pescara: As the main city and transport hub of the region, Pescara is accessible by train, bus and from the airport — and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

What You Cannot Do Without a Car

This is the part that matters — and the reason our answer is yes.

The medieval villages: Civitella del Tronto, Pennapiedimonte, Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Rocca Calascio, Scanno, Castelli — none of these are accessible by public transport. They sit on hillsides and mountain passes connected only by road. Without a car you will not see them.

The national parks: The Gran Sasso, the Maiella and the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise national park cover an extraordinary stretch of the Apennines. Hiking trails, mountain refuges, Campo Imperatore, the wolves and bears of the interior — all require a car to reach the starting points.

The wineries: Cirelli Farm, Feudo Antico and the great estates of the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo appellation sit in the countryside between the hills and the coast. You will not reach them without a car.

The Costa dei Trabocchi: The most beautiful stretch of the trabocchi coast — the wild coves, the cycling path, the fishing platforms jutting over the sea — is best explored with the freedom to stop wherever you want. Public transport connects the main towns but misses everything in between.

The mountains: Campo Imperatore, Passo San Leonardo, the ski resorts of Rivisondoli and Roccaraso, the Transiberiana d’Italia — all require a car. The interior of Abruzzo is one of the most spectacular landscapes in central Italy and it is entirely inaccessible without one.

Our Recommendation — The Best Approach

Take the bus or train from Rome to Pescara — affordable, direct and straightforward. From Pescara, pick up a rental car at Pescara Airport — just a few minutes from the city centre — and drive freely from there.

This avoids the one-way drop-off fees that come with picking up a car in Rome and leaving it in Abruzzo, and gives you the best of both worlds — an easy journey from Rome and complete freedom to explore the region on your own terms.

Book your car in advance, particularly in July and August when availability drops. All major rental agencies operate from Pescara Airport.

For full details on getting from Rome to Abruzzo see our complete guide: How to Get from Rome to Abruzzo.

Practical Tips for Driving in Abruzzo

The roads are excellent. The main state roads are well maintained and well signposted. The A24 and A25 motorways connect Rome to Teramo and Pescara directly. Do not be put off by the mountain roads — they are manageable and often spectacular.

Manual or automatic? Most rental cars in Italy are manual. If you prefer an automatic, book well in advance as availability is limited and prices are higher. For the hill towns and mountain passes, both work fine.

ZTL zones: Most historic centres in Abruzzo have a ZTL — Zona a Traffico Limitato, a restricted traffic zone — where driving without a permit results in an automatic fine. Always park outside the village walls and walk in. Signs are usually clear but if in doubt, park further away than you think you need to.

Parking: In most Abruzzo towns and villages, parking is free and easy — a significant difference from Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. Even in summer the car parks outside the medieval centres are rarely full.

Petrol: Fill up before heading into the mountains or remote areas. Petrol stations are well distributed along the main roads but less frequent in the interior.

FAQ

Do you need a car in Abruzzo?

Yes — if you want to experience Abruzzo properly. The medieval villages, national parks, wineries and mountain landscapes that make the region extraordinary are not accessible by public transport. A car is essential for exploring beyond the main coastal cities.

Can you visit Abruzzo without a car?

You can reach the coast and the main cities by bus and train from Rome. But without a car you will miss the medieval villages, national parks and most of what makes Abruzzo unique. We strongly recommend renting one.

Where is the best place to rent a car in Abruzzo?

Pescara Airport is the most practical location — all major agencies are represented and there are no one-way drop-off fees from Rome. Take the bus or train from Rome to Pescara and pick up your car from the airport. See our full guide: How to Get from Rome to Abruzzo.

Is driving in Abruzzo difficult?

No. The roads are well maintained and well signposted. Traffic is light outside the coastal cities in summer. The main thing to watch for is ZTL zones — Zona a Traffico Limitato — in historic centres. Always park outside the walls and walk in.

Manual or automatic car in Abruzzo?

Most rental cars in Italy are manual. If you prefer an automatic, book well in advance as availability is limited. Both work fine on Abruzzo roads.

Is a car necessary for the Costa dei Trabocchi?

A car gives you the most freedom along the Costa dei Trabocchi — to stop at hidden coves, explore the cycling path and reach the more remote trabocchi. The main coastal towns are accessible by train but the best of the coast requires a car.

Practical Information

Car hire: All major agencies at Pescara Airport — book in advance for July and August. Toll calculator: autostrade.it Getting to Pescara from Rome: How to Get from Rome to Abruzzo