Siena is a small town in terms of area, so there is no need to worry particularly about getting around the town, nor is there any need to find out a great deal of information in advance.

On foot

The most efficient way to get around the city is on foot. After all, wandering through the narrow streets of the city centre is one of the main reasons you’re visiting Siena, so walking really is the best way to get about.

Although the map may suggest that the railway station is a long way from the centre and involves a significant climb, there’s no need to worry. You’ll overcome the greatest difference in elevation via the escalators, and the distance to the main square,Piazza del Campo, is only about 1.6 km.

Once you’ve come up the escalators, turn left onto the main street, Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, until you reach the city walls and the Porta Camollia gate. Go through the gate and you’ll find yourself in the historic centre; the shortest route to the square is via the pedestrianised street Via Camollia.

• Map of the walking route from the station

Public transport – buses

There are also public buses running throughout Siena, which are a good option if you’re really tired. They even go into the narrowest parts of the historic centre, to places you wouldn’t expect, usually in the form of small orange minibuses.

They’re also a good option for getting from the railway station to the centre if you don’t fancy walking.

When travellingtothe city centre, bear in mind that the bus stopsare notdirectly in front of the station building. Only buses coming from the city centre stop there, as they continue on to the suburbs of Siena. To get from the station, follow the signs leading to the shopping centre.

This will take you past a series of long escalators which will take you up to Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, where you can catch a bus towards the city centre from the Antiporto Camollia stop (on the left as you face the escalators).

From the Antiporto Camollia stop, you can reach the main bus station on Via Tozzi, near the city centre, using the following routes: 0S1, 112, 130, 131, 136, 506, 513, 601, 706, S35, S36 and S37. Buses run on average about once every 10 minutes, and there is no need to check the timetables separately.

To travel from the Via Tozzi bus station directly to the railway station, you can use routes 0S3, 0S9, S10 and S30

From Piazza del Sale, on the edge of the city walls, you can take routes 0S4, 0S7, 0S8, S17 and S77.

Timetables can be found on the at-bus.it website under the ‘Servizi Urbani’ and ‘Servizi Extraurbani’ sections.

Tickets

You can buy a ticket at any Tabacchi tobacconist’s, which can be found on virtually every corner, including at the station. A ticket valid for 70 minutes costs 1,50 eur, – day tickets are not available.

The easiest way to pay your fare is with your own contactless card, which you tap on the validator after boarding the bus.

Alternatively, you can buy tickets via the AT Bus mobile app (Google Play / App Store).