Assisi Day Trip from Rome or Florence: Trains, Bus and a 6-Hour Route (2026)

An Assisi day trip works from both Rome and Florence. The town sits on a regional rail line, and a local bus then climbs from the station to the old town. So in five or six hours, you can see the Basilica of St. Francis, walk the medieval center and visit the Porziuncola in the valley below. This page, therefore, is the one-day plan: trains, the bus, a timed route and whether a tour is worth it.

Short on planning time? Many Umbria tours from Rome pair Assisi with Orvieto. So compare the options on our page on an Orvieto day trip from Rome.

Last updated: September 28, 2026

Assisi day trip at a glance

This page covers one day only. If you have more time, our Umbria itinerary shows how Assisi fits a 4, 5 or 7-day trip. For the wider region, meanwhile, see the Umbria travel guide instead.

Getting there: an Assisi day trip by train

First, know where you arrive. According to the basilica’s travel page (checked September 2026), Assisi station lies on the Florence–Terontola–Perugia–Foligno line. However, it sits down in the plain at Santa Maria degli Angeli, about 3 km (2 miles) from the old town. The Trenitalia regional timetable for Umbria (checked September 2026) also shows this line, with Foligno as the junction for Rome.

Trenitalia’s official journey planner showed these options for a sample weekday, Tuesday, October 6, 2026 (checked September 2026). Standard second-class adult fares:

• From Rome: trains run through Orte and Foligno. Aim for a direct morning train, because the change at Foligno adds time.
• From Florence: trains run via Terontola-Cortona and Perugia. So a Florence-based Assisi day trip can also add an hour in Perugia.

However, times vary by day and season, so check the Trenitalia app before you leave. Above all, do not assume a late train back. Our guide to trains in Italy explains regional tickets and validation.

From the station to the old town: Busitalia line C

Next, catch the bus in front of the station. The Busitalia Assisi timetable (checked September 2026) lists line C, branded Assisi Link. It runs from Assisi Stazione up to the San Francesco stop, then on to Piazza Matteotti at the top of the old town. In addition, the basilica says buses leave the forecourt about every 30 minutes. The ride to the basilica then takes about 10 minutes.

• Going up: get off at the San Francesco stop to start at the basilica.
• Going down: then board again at Piazza Matteotti or near the basilica, depending on where your walk ends.
• Valley stops: line C also serves Santa Maria degli Angeli, so it links the Porziuncola with the station.
• Taxi: instead, a taxi from the station is the fallback with heavy luggage or a tight connection.

Also, buy your ticket before boarding where possible, and check the return times printed at the stop.

A 5–6 hour Assisi day trip route

This route runs from west to east along the ridge, so the bus handles the long climbs. As a result, you walk mostly on the level or downhill.

Stop 1: the Basilica of St. Francis (about 2 hours)

First, start at the basilica, ideally before the coach groups arrive in late morning. In fact, it has two churches stacked on top of each other, plus the crypt with the tomb of St. Francis.

• Upper Church: French Gothic in style and completed in 1253, so it is the newer of the two. It holds the fresco cycle of the life of St. Francis, traditionally attributed to Giotto, and works by Cimabue in the apse.
• Lower Church: by contrast, darker and older in feel, with frescoes by several masters of the 13th and 14th centuries.
• Crypt: the tomb of the saint, which you reach from the Lower Church.

According to the official basilica hours (checked September 2026), the Upper Church opens from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. from April to October, and from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from November to March. The crypt, meanwhile, opens from 6:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The Lower Church opens at 6:00 a.m. but closes earlier on Wednesdays. In addition, the basilica booking site states that individual entry is free, with no ticket (checked September 2026). Groups, however, must book.

Dress as you would for any working church: covering your shoulders and knees is the safe choice. Also, keep your voice low, since masses run through the day.

Stop 2: Via San Francesco to Piazza del Comune (about 1 hour)

Then walk east along Via San Francesco, the main street of the old town. It then leads to Piazza del Comune, where the Temple of Minerva stands. This Roman temple front, with six columns, now also serves as a church. Meanwhile, the square is the natural place for a coffee or an early lunch.

Stop 3: the Sanctuary of the Spoliation and Carlo Acutis

Just below the square sits the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Here, according to tradition, the young Francis stripped off his clothes and gave up his inheritance. Today, it also holds the tomb of Carlo Acutis, according to the Carlo Acutis association (checked September 2026). Pope Leo XIV canonized him on September 7, 2025, according to the Holy See Press Office. Since then, the sanctuary draws many young pilgrims, so expect a line at busy times.

Stop 4: Basilica of Santa Chiara

Next, continue east to the Basilica of Santa Chiara, with its pink and white stone and wide terrace over the valley. Inside, you also find the tomb of St. Clare and the San Damiano crucifix, which, by tradition, spoke to Francis. After that, walk back to Piazza Matteotti for the bus.

Optional: Rocca Maggiore or San Rufino

Have energy left? Then climb to the Rocca Maggiore, the castle above the town, for the widest view. Alternatively, visit the cathedral of San Rufino, where Francis and Clare were baptized. However, on a train day, one of the two is usually enough.

Stop 5: Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Porziuncola

Finally, ride line C back down to Santa Maria degli Angeli. The large basilica there also encloses the Porziuncola, the small chapel where Francis founded his order and where he died. According to the sanctuary’s official hours (checked September 2026), it opens daily from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. Until November 1, it stays open without a break on weekends. So plan this stop for the late afternoon, close to your train.

Train or tour: which Assisi day trip fits you

The train is the flexible choice. A tour, however, removes the connections. So the table below shows the trade-offs.

• Choose the train if you want time inside the basilica and enjoy wandering.
• Choose a coach tour if you prefer a guide and do not mind a 12-hour day.
• Choose a private tour if you travel with kids or older relatives, since hills and buses add up.

Some long tours from Rome also add Civita di Bagnoregio, which means very short stops. For other options from the capital, then, see our list of day trips from Rome. From Florence, meanwhile, compare the day trips from Florence.

Assisi day trip in fall 2026: October 3–4 and the centenary

Fall is a lovely season for an Assisi day trip, with mild days and softer light. Still, this year has two dates to plan around.

• The 800th anniversary. St. Francis died on October 3, 1226. The Porziuncola sanctuary says the centenary year of his death opened there on January 10, 2026, according to its official announcement (checked September 2026). As a result, 2026 draws more pilgrims than usual.
• A new national holiday. Law 151 of 2025 made the feast of St. Francis, October 4, a national holiday from 2026, according to the Gazzetta Ufficiale (checked September 2026). So expect crowds and full trains around October 3–4.
• Winter hours. From November, the Upper Church closes earlier, at 6:00 p.m.
• Perugia in November. The chocolate festival fills Perugia in mid-November; see our Eurochocolate guide if you plan to combine the two.

Finally, for weather and packing, see our guide to Italy in fall.

Staying longer than a day

A night in Assisi, however, changes the experience. After the day visitors leave, the streets go quiet, and you can reach the basilica early the next morning. Also, a sunrise option opens up: see our page on a hot air balloon flight near Assisi. Whichever town you sleep in, you also pay a nightly tourist tax; see our guide to the Italy tourist tax.

With a second day, add Perugia. Our guide to things to do in Perugia lists the sights, while a Perugia walking tour gives local context. Alternatively, head south to the Sagrantino country with a Montefalco winery and olive oil mill tour.

Tours and experiences for your Assisi day trip

These experience pages on our site fit an Assisi day trip or an extra day in Umbria. Each one lists prices and ratings read on Viator:

• Orvieto day trip from Rome: the town most tours from Rome pair with Assisi.
• Hot air balloon flight near Assisi: for travelers who stay overnight.
• Perugia walking tour: the regional capital, on the same rail line.
• Montefalco winery and olive oil mill tour: wine and oil south of Assisi.
• Tuscany day trip to Siena, San Gimignano and Pisa: the classic alternative from Florence.
• Tivoli day trip from Rome: a shorter half-day option from Rome.

Planning your base cities too? Then see our 3 days in Rome and 3 days in Florence plans.

If you stop in Orvieto on the way, our guide to things to do in Orvieto covers the Duomo, the wells and the caves.

Want a guide once you arrive? The Assisi tour page compares a private walk through the Basilica of St. Francis and the town, rated 4.9 by 137 travelers on Viator, with a cheaper Basilica tour led by an official guide.

Assisi day trip: frequently asked questions

Is an Assisi day trip from Rome worth it?

Yes, if you start early. Direct regional trains from Roma Termini take about 2h07–2h45, with a fare of about €14.45 on a sample weekday. Line C then climbs to the basilica in about 10 minutes.

How do I get from Assisi station to the Basilica of St. Francis?

Take Busitalia line C, the Assisi Link, from the station forecourt to the San Francesco stop. Buses run about every 30 minutes, according to the basilica.

How long is the train from Florence to Assisi?

Direct regional trains from Florence S.M. Novella take about 2h30–2h40, and trains with a change about 3 hours. The fare was about €17.60 on a sample weekday; times vary, so check Trenitalia.

Do you need a ticket for the Basilica of St. Francis?

No. Entry is free for individual visitors and needs no ticket. Groups, however, must book in advance.

How much time do you need in Assisi?

Five to six hours cover the basilica, Piazza del Comune, Santa Chiara and the Porziuncola. With a night, however, you can add the Rocca Maggiore or Perugia.

Where is Carlo Acutis buried in Assisi?

His tomb is in the Sanctuary of the Spoliation, in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. It sits just below Piazza del Comune.