How to get to Volterra

Last Wednesday we told you about the Etruscan and Roman Volterra, a must-see destination for all lovers of antiquity. Well: we had also given you some hints about the fact that reaching this town, which is located in the center of Tuscany, is not very convenient, and some people have therefore asked us for enlightenment on the matter. So let us delve deeper into the topic and see how it is possible to reach Volterra to discover its artistic masterpieces... you will excuse us if today our space dedicated to travel does not deal with strictly artistic topics, but given the requests we think it is worth making an exception to the rule... and perhaps inaugurate a sub-section devoted to practical information :-)

Volterra

The means we recommend is the one we have used, which is one’ s own car... and we will see why we make this recommendation as soon as we move on to talk about how to get to Volterra by public transportation. Those who, like us, are coming from the northwest (so basically for those who have to go through Pisa), have two options: from Pisa, you take the Firenze-Pisa-Livorno superhighway and exit at the Ponsacco-Pontedera exit, not to be confused with the Pontedera exit, which is the next one: we tell you this because we once did it and lost half an hour figuring out where we had to go... :-) Once you exit, you follow the regional roads for about 40 km (there are always signs indicating the way to Volterra). You have to go through the town of Capannoli and continue to Lajatico, where there is a fork in the road: Volterra can be reached by both roads, only one (the one that passes near Montecatini Val di Cecina) is wider and more comfortable but longer, while the other is narrower and more winding but shorter. On all these roads, however, snow chains or winter tires are mandatory, so don’t forget that, especially if you are “seafaring” like us, in order to avoid unpleasant inconvenience in your journey. The other option is to get as far as Cecina by the A12 and from there take the road through the Cecina Valley that will take you to Saline di Volterra: from here, you go up to Volterra. All these roads are very beautiful and scenic :-)

For those coming from the south, the quickest and most practical route is the same as mentioned above: you take the A12 to Cecina, and then take the regional roads. On the other hand, for those coming from the northeast (in other words, for those passing through Florence), take the Firenze-Siena superhighway and exit at Colle Val d’Elsa nord: from here there is a regional road that will take you to Volterra after about 30 km. We would like to remind you that if you are on vacation in Florence or Pisa or Rome, there is the possibility of renting a car for your commute.

Let us now come to the painful notes of public transportation. For those arriving by train, Volterra has a station, but it is located in the hamlet of Saline, which is about 5 km from the village: so you have to consider taking a bus once you get to Saline. And by train you can get there only via Cecina, the only station of any importance with which Volterra is directly connected: from wherever you arrive, you will necessarily have to get off at Cecina and wait for the connection. Let us tell you that trains from Cecina to Volterra leave only at “office” times: early in the morning and at lunchtime, while in the afternoon Trenitalia covers the route with substitute bus rides. Not exactly the most practical, in short. You can find schedules and costs by logging on to Trenitalia.com

Given the rail assumptions, then, it might not be a bad idea to get to Volterra bybus. In this case, from wherever you are arriving, you have to get to Pontedera (easily reached by train from Pisa and Florence) or Colle di val d’Elsa, the two towns from which to take the bus to Volterra. From Pontedera, the bus is number 500 of the Compagnia Pisana Trasporti and leaves, from Pontedera station, approximately every two hours on weekdays (watch out for holidays). You can check the schedule by clicking on this link and selecting line 500, weekday schedule or holiday schedule. At the same link you will also find departures from Colle di val d’Elsa (in this case the line is 770), but the frequency of runs is far less. For those determined to make the trip by train, at the same link you will also find bus schedules from Saline to Volterra: the line is the 790. There is also the possibility of reaching Saline from Cecina by bus and again by the 790 line.

If you need more information or would like to arrange a private transfer (there is also this possibility if perhaps you are staying in Pisa or Florence) we suggest you contact our friend Deyse of Passeios na Toscana, a very knowledgeable guide and escort, who can provide you with assistance in organizing your trip, and above all act as your guide for site visits.

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.