L'Aquila is about 100 Km (62 miles) East of Rome and 100 km West of Pescara. The nearest airports are The international Airport L. da Vinci - Fiumicino (FCO), in Rome, and The Abruzzo International Airport (PSR) in Pescara. L'Aquila can be easily reached by bus or car. Train service (Trenitalia) is also available, though less advisable, since it takes a longer time due to intermediate train stops.
From Airport L. da Vinci - Fiumicino:
Direct Bus: A coach bus service connects directly Rome airports (Fiumicino/Ciampino) to L'Aquila. Time table and other information are available here.
Train+Bus combo: From the train station within the Fiumicino airport a local train (direction FARA SABINA) brings to Stazione Tiburtina. Trains leave from the Airport every 15 minutes from 5:57 to 23:27 (Monday-Saturday) and every 30 minutes from 5.57 to 23.27 (Sunday). The train journey takes some 45 minutes. Outside the Stazione Tiburtina, look for the bus terminal (some 200 meters). Coach buses to downtown L'Aquila are provided by the regional transportation agency (ARPA). The bus ticket must be purchased before you get on at the "Autolinee ARPA" ticket office located within the bus terminal (ticket costs about € 11.50, timetable and online ticketing here). The trip takes about 1h 40', stopping in front of Hotel Amiternum and then ending at Bus Terminal-Collemaggio (downtown L'Aquila).
From The Abruzzo International Airport - Pescara:
catch the local bus 38 (every 10 minutes, from 5:30 to 23:30; the journey takes about 15 minutes) from Pescara Airport Terminal to downtown Pescara (Piazza della Repubblica). The bus 38 starts just in front of the arrival terminal of the aiport and the ticket must be purchased before you get on, at the SAGA ticket office inside the airport. In Piazza della Repubblica, the regional transportation agency (ARPA) coaches connect Pescara with L'Aquila; ticket must be purchased before you get on, at the "Autolinee ARPA" ticket office located in Piazza della Repubblica (ticket costs about € 9.60, timetable and online ticketing here). The trip takes about 1 hour and 50, ending at Bus Terminal-Collemaggio (downtown L'Aquila).
From Airport L. da Vinci - Fiumicino:
take the Highway (toll free) to Rome Beltway (called GRA) in direction L’AQUILA and after 30 km of GRA, take the exit no.24 to L'AQUILA-PESCARA A24 Highway (Autostrada). Highway A24 to L’Aquila is about 100 km, take exit L’AQUILA OVEST.
From The Abruzzo International Airport - Pescara:
take Freeway direction 'AUTOSTRADA', then the Toll Highway A25-E80, direction Rome, and exit at BUSSI-L'AQUILA, then follow the Freeway 'SS17' to L'Aquila.
Rent-a-car service is available at Airport L. da Vinci - Fiumicino and at The Abruzzo International Airport - Pescara.