From the airport to the city centre Genoa
Cristoforo Colombo airport is only 8 km from the city center, but the road to get there is very busy and there are many traffic jams. Make sure you leave enough time to catch your plane.
Volabus. Shuttle service between the airport (just outside the arrivals hall) and Principe and Brignole train stations (20-30 minute journey). Hourly departures from Brignole station, with a stop in Principe. Service operates from 6 a.m. to around 11 p.m. Ticket €6.
Cab. 25 € fare from airport to city center.
Arrival by train Genoa
There are two main railway stations in Genoa: the stazione Principe (Piazza Acquaverde) to the west of the city, and the stazione Brignole (Piazza Verdi) to the east. Most trains to and from Italy's major cities stop at both. There are slightly more trains to the Riviera di Ponente, Milan and Turin from Principe, while Brignole is more convenient for the Cinque Terre and La Spezia. Information at www.trenitalia.com. Direct metro line linking the two stations.
Arrival by boat Genoa
The sea connections are one of the peculiarities of Genoa, part of its charm. With a port that extends for more than 20 km, Genoa is the seat of an intense commercial and tourist activity. Today, connections with several countries of the Mediterranean basin (Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco) are guaranteed by the major international shipping companies and cruise lines that have included Genoa in their routes in the Mediterranean but also between the East and the Atlantic (www.portsofgenoa.com).
On the rivers, it is mainly the tourist shipping company Golfo Paradiso SNC that ensures rotations between Genoa and Portovenere (www.golfoparadiso.it).
Public transport Genoa
AMT (Azienda Mobilità e Trasporti) is the company responsible for public transport in Genoa. It manages a network of 139 bus lines, 1 metro line, 2 funicular railways, 1 rack railway, 10 elevators and 1 boat-bus line covering a total of 900 km. Operating from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m., connections are efficient and regular.
A ticket valid for 110 minutes costs €2 (usable on all bus lines, the metro and vertical transport, but no longer valid for other transport as of January 2024).
Bus. The city is served by an extensive network of urban and extra-urban lines.
Metro. An 8-station line links Brin, at the north-western end of the city, to Brignole station. It operates between 6.30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Funicular railways. The two funicular railways, Zecca Righi and Sant'Anna, and the Granarolo rack railway are one of the best ways to reach the heights of Genoa.
Elevators. A dozen public elevators link the city to the higher parts.
Navebus. A waterbus links Porto Antico to Genoa's west coast (Pegli) in 30 min.
Volabus. Connects Genoa to the airport.
By car Genoa
We strongly advise against driving in Genoa. Most of the historic center is closed to traffic, as are the seaside resorts along the coast during peak periods.
In the center of Genoa, parking lots for non-residents are marked with a blue line. Parking tickets are rather expensive (€2.50 for one hour, Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm) and can be purchased from tobacconists and authorized dealers.
Here's a list of the main pay-and-display parking lots. The average rate is between €15 and €25 for 24 hours.
Olimpo. Via Bellucci, 10/R - +39 010 251 2414.
Autopark Piccapietra. Piazza Piccapietra, 58/A - +39 010 564 244.
Autorimessa Porta d'archi. Via alla Porta degli Archi, 46 - +39 010 592 514.
City Park. Via delle Casaccie, 108/110 - +39 010 590 782.
Marina Park. Via della Marina - +39 010 251 0378.
Royal Park Corvetto. Via M. Piaggio, 11/R - +39 010 810 391
Accessibility Genoa
People with reduced mobility will have no problem getting around on public transport. Almost all metro stations have elevators to the platforms.
In the city, the cobbled streets of the historic center and the very narrow caruggi can sometimes make walking difficult; fortunately, most sidewalks have a ramp for getting on and off.