By Car

Driving is the best (sometimes the only) way to explore the remote rural areas and provides the freedom to really enjoy the towns and scenery. Umbria roads are generally well-maintained, and 24-hour gas stations are reasonably common, though don`t always count on being able to use your credit card in the machine. Parking in many historic towns is restricted or metered.

Driving License: You must get an International Driving Permit (IDP) to accompany non-European licenses and older-style green European licenses. The IDP has your driver license information translated into ten languages, but it is only valid as long as it accompanies your own driver`s license. The IDP must be issued in the same country as your driver`s license. If you have an U.S. driver`s license, you can apply for an IDP through AAA (aaa.com/vacation/idpf) The more recent EU pink/green licenses can be used in Italy without an IDP.

By Bus

Buses connect most smaller towns and villages, and provide the only public transport access to Norcia and Gubbio, though services can be sparse on Sundays; tickets should be bought before boarding, generally in newspaper booths or tabacchi (look for the blue `T` sign). Don`t forget that train and bus tickets always need stamping: for trains, in the orange machines on platforms and in station buildings, for buses, in the machines on board. Sulga (sulga.it) runs long-distance buses to Rome and Florence from Perugia and Assisi.

By Train

The train is a fast and an efficient way to explore. Orvieto is on the Rome-Florence line and Spoleto, Narni and Trevi can be accessed on the Rome-Ancona line, with a change at Foligno providing connections to Perugia, Assisi, Spello and Passignano on Lake Trasimeno. Coming south on the main line from Florence, change at Terontola for Perugia and Assisi.

A scenic branch line, the private Ferrovie Centrale Umbra (umbriamobilita.it) runs south to north from Terni to Sansepolcro in Tuscany, offering access to Todi, Perugia, Umbertide and Città di Castello. There are connections to the state network at Terni (Rome-Ancona line) and Perugia.

Note that stations are often some distance from the towns (or at least historic centers) they purport to serve, notably at Orvieto, Todi, Perugia and Assisi.