How to get to Lunigiana by train or car
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 28, 2026
Lunigiana sits on the railway between La Spezia and Parma, with stations at Aulla, Villafranca-Bagnone and Pontremoli. From La Spezia, Aulla is 23 to 29 minutes away.
Pisa is the closest big airport, about 52 minutes by car. A car is the easiest way to reach the hill villages, castles and mountain walks; the main towns work without one.
By train
| Route | Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| La Spezia Centrale to Aulla Lunigiana | 23 to 29 min | 25 direct trains a day |
| Aulla to Pontremoli | About 21 min | Roughly hourly |
| Pisa Centrale to Aulla | 1 h 04 to 2 h 44 | 15 direct trains a day; slower ones run via Lucca |
| Parma to Aulla | About 1 h 40 | Regional trains |
Timetable data for 2025/26 from Aulla Lunigiana to La Spezia trains (e656 timetable), Pisa Centrale to Aulla trains (e656 timetable), Aulla Lunigiana station timetable (e656) and Aulla to Pontremoli (Rome2Rio). The line is the Pontremolese, Parma to La Spezia (Parma to La Spezia railway (Wikipedia)).
Aulla Lunigiana station has step-free paths or ramps to all five platforms, raised platforms, accessible toilets and a car park with reserved spaces. Book Sala Blu assistance at least 12 hours ahead (Aulla Lunigiana station accessibility (RFI)).
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Compare car rentals at PisaNearest airports
- Pisa: the closest, about 52 minutes and 79 km by car to Aulla (Pisa to Aulla (Rome2Rio)).
- Genoa and Parma are also within about 70 minutes by car, and Parma has a direct train line into the valley.
Driving and parking
- Use the A15 "della Cisa" motorway: the Aulla exit is 17 km from La Spezia and the Pontremoli exit 34 km (A15 motorway exits and distances (Wikipedia)).
- A car makes sense for the mountain passes and trailheads such as Lagastrello, Cerreto and Brattello, which you reach on provincial roads (Five walks in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (Visit Tuscany)).
- We could not find official parking rates for the centres of Aulla and Pontremoli. Plan to park on the edge of each old town and walk in.
On foot: the Via Francigena
| Stage | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passo della Cisa to Pontremoli | 20 km | Descent from the Apennines |
| Pontremoli to Aulla | 32.5 km | Described as particularly demanding |
| Aulla to Sarzana | 18.5 km | Towards Liguria |
Source: Via Francigena in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany). There are pilgrim hostels in Pontremoli, at the Abbey of San Caprasio in Aulla and in Sarzana.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Lunigiana without a car?
Take the train: Aulla is 23 to 29 minutes from La Spezia, and Pontremoli about 21 minutes further north. For villages off the railway, a car is much easier.
What is the nearest airport to Lunigiana?
Pisa, about 52 minutes by car from Aulla.
Which motorway exit do I take for Lunigiana?
Aulla or Pontremoli on the A15 between La Spezia and Parma.
Plan the trip
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More Lunigiana guides
Sources
- Aulla Lunigiana to La Spezia trains (e656 timetable)
- Pisa Centrale to Aulla trains (e656 timetable)
- Aulla Lunigiana station timetable (e656)
- Aulla to Pontremoli (Rome2Rio)
- Parma to La Spezia railway (Wikipedia)
- Aulla Lunigiana station accessibility (RFI)
- Pisa to Aulla (Rome2Rio)
- A15 motorway exits and distances (Wikipedia)
- Five walks in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines (Visit Tuscany)
- Via Francigena in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 28, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.