Private car transfer from Rome to Cortona

Door-to-door
in 2 h 20 min
From €64
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2024
Excellent

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Rome.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 2 h 20 min.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in Cortona.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
203 km2 h 20 min

Overview: Car trip from Rome to Cortona

If you drive north from Rome for 140 miles (220 km), you’ll reach Cortona in about 2.5 hours. After seeing Italy’s bustling capital, a trip to the countryside is just what you need to round out your Italian vacation. Add some depth to your trip from Rome to Cortona by visiting a few key cultural sites along the route.

Who wouldn't be intrigued by a park full of monsters? The Sacro Bosco garden showcases a collection of eerie sculptures of mythical beasts and gods amidst flower gardens. Created in the 16th century, this unique garden was commissioned by the Italian nobleman Pier Francesco Orsini as a way to grieve his late wife. While it has a creepy atmosphere, Sacro Bosco remains a mesmerizing and spellbinding attraction for visitors.

About halfway between Rome and Cortona is the ancient Etruscan settlement of Civita di Bagnoregio. This town stands out, as it is on a plateau that is slowly eroding away. Bits of the town have already fallen off of the cliffside, and the buildings that remain are slowly being consumed by vines. Make a visit to Civita di Bagnoregio before it is eventually lost to time.

About Cortona

Cortona is a historic town located in the province of Arezzo in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Chiana Valley, offering panoramic views of the surrounding olive groves and vineyards. You’ll be pleased to leave the large crowds as you leave from Rome to Cortona. This small hill town has only 22,000 inhabitants.

During the Etruscan era, Cortona was known as "Curtun" and played a significant role as a fortified city. It later became a Roman colony and prospered as a commercial and agricultural center. The town's strategic location along trade routes contributed to its economic growth and cultural exchange. The Etruscans are also where we get the word Tuscany.

In the medieval period, Cortona was ruled by various noble families and became a thriving center of art, culture, and learning. The town's architectural heritage reflects this rich history, with churches, palaces, and fortifications dating back to different epochs.

Today, Cortona attracts visitors from around the world who come to have a peaceful getaway in the beautiful countryside and visit the museums. The Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca showcases artifacts from the Etruscan and Roman periods, while the MAEC Archaeological Park takes visitors back in time to see how the ancient civilizations once inhabited the area.

Cortona can thank the 2003 romantic comedy Under the Tuscan Sun for the increase in American tourism, as it was the backdrop for the movie. Once you’re there, you’ll see why Cortona was picked as the filming location- it is the heart of Tuscany and has all the charm of an ancient hilltop town.

From Rome to Cortona: travel tips

Follow these travel tips to make the most out of your trip from Rome to Cortona.

Leave space in your schedule for spontaneity

Italy has a slower pace of life than much of the world. Be prepared for leisurely meals and a generally relaxed approach to appointment times. Don’t hold yourself to a strict schedule, and leave time in between activities for unexpected delays.

Be prepared for hills

You surely did plenty of walking in Rome, so keep your sturdy shoes nearby for Cortona as well. This Italian hill town is small, but incredibly steep and full of hills.

Communicate with your driver

Your Daytrip driver is a local and knows the region very well. Ask them about typical life in Italy, their favorite meals, and seasonal activities and tours you should do while in Cortona.

How to get from Rome to Cortona

You have several transportation options for your trip from Rome to Cortona. Pick the one that’s right for your timeline and budget!

From Rome to Cortona via private driver

Hiring a private driver to get you from Rome to Cortona offers you flexibility and the opportunity to explore the countryside on your schedule. This 140-mile (220 km) distance can be covered in about 2.5 to 3 hours via the A1/E35 highway. With Daytrip, you will have door-to-door convenience and luggage service included.

Italy is one of the best countries for seeing the smaller towns and castles in between major cities, so take advantage of having a private driver. Unlike with a rental car, you won’t have to worry about returning on time, filling up the gas tank, or driving on tiny Italian roads. You don’t even need to do any research! We’ve already found the best places to visit on the way!

From Rome to Cortona via Bus

To travel from Rome to Cortona by bus, it is possible to take a direct bus from Rome's Tiburtina Bus Station to Cortona. The journey takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the station or online, with prices ranging from $16 to $27 (€15 to €25).

From Rome to Cortona via Train

There are no direct trains from Rome to Cortona. In fact, Cortona doesn't have a train station! Instead, you can take a train from Rome's Termini Station to Camucia-Cortona station, followed by a bus from Camucia-Cortona to the center of Cortona. It is also possible to take a taxi from Camucia-Cortona. The total journey time is approximately 3 to 4 hours, including the transfer. Train tickets start at $16 (€15) and the trains leave Rome frequently all year round.

Things to do when you get to Cortona

You’ll find a slower pace of life as you leave from the crowded streets of Rome to Cortona. This small Tuscan town shows a slower side to Italy. Relax, sip on an Italian coffee, and see these sites during your trip.

Step back in time at the MAEC Archaeological Park

Civilization has called Tuscany home for thousands of years. This archaeological park just a short distance outside of Cortona features remains of Etruscan and Roman civilizations. Here, you can explore ancient tombs, walls, and other archaeological findings.

Visit Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca

Housed in a historic villa, the Accademia Etrusca Museum will give you a glimpse into Cortona's Etruscan heritage through its collection of artifacts, including pottery, sculptures, and ancient inscriptions. It’s a key supplement to the MAEC Archaeological Park.

Climb to the top of the Santa Margherita Sanctuary

This 16th-century church is dedicated to St. Margherita of Cortona and has panoramic views of Cortona and the surrounding countryside. Her feast day is 22 February, and you can expect a small celebration on this date. The climb up the hill provides a scenic hike and a chance to appreciate the Tuscan landscape.

Dine at traditional Tuscan restaurants

Cortona has numerous restaurants serving authentic Tuscan cuisine. From hearty pasta dishes to locally sourced meats and wines, indulge in a gastronomic experience unlike any other. Sample popular Tuscan dishes like bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), necci (chestnut flour pancakes), and cantucci (biscotti).

Cortona's weekly markets have stalls that offer a variety of local produce, cheese, wines, crafts, and artisanal products. Here you can pick up some souvenirs, and maybe make plans to do some of your own Tuscan cooking.

Have a wine tasting in local vineyards

Cortona is surrounded by vineyards producing renowned Tuscan wines, such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Find a guided tour and tasting at a local winery to appreciate Tuscany’s viticultural heritage, and maybe find a new favorite wine!

When is the best time to visit Cortona

The best time to visit Italy in general is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) months. These seasons offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds on tours, and pleasant weather during the day. But no matter the time of year, you’ll find a romantic getaway as you make your way from Rome to Cortona.

During autumn, the "Chestnut Festival" takes place in October across villages in Tuscany. Celebrate this harvest season tradition with a day full of chestnut picking, visiting food stalls, and watching cultural performances. If you’re visiting in Autumn, try to align your trip with this festival and enjoy the changing of the leaves to warm oranges, reds, and yellows.

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Rome to Cortona

Where do you fly into Cortona Italy?
Cortona doesn't have its own airport. The nearest major airports are Florence Airport (FLR) and Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi - Umbria International Airport (PEG), both of which are approximately an hour's drive away from Cortona.
How far is Cortona from Rome?
Cortona is approximately 140 miles (220 km) north of Rome, in the heart of the Italian Peninsula. By car, this journey takes about 2.5 hours, and by train, it can take 2.5 to 4 hours.
How long is the train from Rome to Cortona?
The train journey from Rome to Cortona takes between 2.5 and 4 hours and requires transferring to a bus at Camucia Cortona for the final leg of the journey. Camucia Cortona is about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from downtown Cortona.
Is English widely spoken in Cortona?
While Italian is the primary language spoken in Cortona, many locals working in the tourism industry, restaurants, and shops speak English. Still, it's always helpful to learn some basic Italian phrases to enhance your experience.
Is there a train to Cortona?
Yes, there is a train to Cortona and the closest station is Camucia Cortona, outside of the city. You can take a train from major cities like Rome or Florence with connections to Cortona but will have to switch to a bus or taxi once you get to Camucia Cortona.
Is Cortona hilly?
Yes, Cortona is very hilly. They don’t call them hill towns for nothing! Its main street is one of the few level, flat streets in town. Keep this in mind before traveling with strollers or walkers, as the steep, cobbled sidewalks may be a challenge.

Visit these sights on the way

Tivoli

Tivoli

Scattered with stunning ruins and impressive waterfalls, Tivoli embodies the true meaning of picturesque. A Town Built on Waterfalls 

Sacro Bosco

Sacro Bosco

Created in the 16th century by a grieving widower, Sacro Bosco is unlike any garden you’ve ever seen, featuring magnificent sculptures in a tranquil setting. Little Park of Monsters 

Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita di Bagnoregio

On a lush plateau, this ancient city is overflowing with lush greenery as it slowly returns to the earth.  The Shrinking Garden of Eden 

National Archeological Museum Chiusi

National Archeological Museum Chiusi

Walk through ancient history, one floor at a time, and take some extra time to visit the 2500-year-old tombs nearby. The Monkey on History’s Back 

Montepulciano

Montepulciano

Steep, twisty, cobbled lanes clamber up through an ancient, stony cityscape draped over a ridge. Medieval town of rare beauty 

Lucignano

Lucignano

At the heart of the concentric rings of medieval streets stands a 13th century town hall, home to the magnificent Golden Tree. Where Gold Grows on Trees 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
5,100+ reviews
  • 214 travelers took this route with us
Oct 2, 2025

Great transfer option.

I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Robyn C
Sep 20, 2025

It was a fantastic trip.

We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Daydream20046758137
Sep 15, 2025

Best transport company anywhere

We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Mary L
Aug 20, 2025

Excellent experience in traveling

We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Steve N
Apr 22, 2025

Reasonably Priced and Safe Transportation

Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler COCO
Apr 2, 2025

Daytrip never disappoints

We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Julie M
Feb 28, 2025

Great driver in Egypt

Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Maps315861
Feb 20, 2025

Comfortable and Safe Rides in Mexico

Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Golourdesduarte
Feb 10, 2025

Great way to travel and see some sights on the way

We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Michelle R
Jan 25, 2025

Excellent service

We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler Omar

Good to know

Children

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!

Pets

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know your exact address at the time of booking - you’ll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select “Return” when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select “One Way” or “Return” to change the type of trip you need. It’s a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you don’t see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.

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