How to reach the Costa Viola

Planes, trains, ferries, motorway and buses: plan your journey all the way to your village, last mile included. And how to get around once you arrive.

Choose your mode of transport and, if you like, your destination town: we'll show you the route step by step to the Costa Viola and the Piana di Gioia Tauro.

Explore by mode

Plane, train, car, bus, ferry or local mobility: choose the way you prefer, with direct links to the operators.

By plane

Two airports less than an hour away

  • Reggio Calabria (Aeroporto dello Stretto) is the closest to the Piana; Lamezia Terme is farther but has more flights.
  • From both airports you can reach the area by car, with a transfer/shuttle or by train.

By train

On the Tyrrhenian line

  • Trains stop at Rosarno, Gioia Tauro, Palmi, Bagnara and Villa San Giovanni.
  • Frecce and Intercity trains mainly stop at Rosarno, Gioia Tauro and Villa San Giovanni.

By car

Toll-free A2 motorway

  • The A2 "Autostrada del Mediterraneo" is toll-free.
  • Take the exit at Rosarno, Gioia Tauro, Palmi or Bagnara depending on your destination.

By bus

Long-distance and regional services

  • FlixBus, Lirosi, Autolinee Federico and Mediterranea connect the Costa Viola to the main cities.
  • The main stops are at Rosarno, Gioia Tauro and Palmi.

By sea

Ferries across the Strait

  • From the port of Villa San Giovanni there are continuous ferries to Messina (Caronte & Tourist, Blu Jet), 24 hours a day.
  • For the Eolie islands, Liberty Lines hydrofoils depart in summer from Reggio Calabria.

Taxi and private hire

For the last mile

  • Taxis and private hire cover airports, stations and the final leg to your accommodation.

Rental car

Maximum freedom

  • Car rental is available at the airports of Lamezia and Reggio: the most flexible option for exploring villages and beaches.

Reaching the beaches

How to get to the seaside areas of the Costa Viola. Summer timetables change often: we take you straight to the official schedule pages.

Choose your travel scenario

Not everyone arrives the same way: these ready-made routes cover the most common tourist situations.

  • Arriving without a car — Train to the most convenient station and a short last mile to Palmi: ideal if you want to travel light.
  • Arriving in the evening — Reggio airport and direct transfer to Gioia Tauro: fewer changes and an easy route to share.
  • Family with luggage — Drive to the closest junction for Palmi, with clear timings and fewer unknowns on the final leg.
  • From Sicily and the Strait — Ferry to Villa San Giovanni, then continue towards Scilla: perfect if you are arriving from Messina.
  • Short weekend — Reggio Calabria as a quick airport and Palmi as your base: the most compact option for a few days.
  • Beaches without stress — Train towards Scilla, close to the beach and Chianalea, with fewer parking issues in summer.

Frequently asked questions

Which airport is the most convenient?

Reggio Calabria (Aeroporto dello Stretto) is the closest to the Piana, about 50 minutes from Gioia Tauro; Lamezia Terme is farther but has more flights, especially Ryanair.

Does the A2 motorway have a toll?

No: the A2 "Autostrada del Mediterraneo" is toll-free. Take the exit at Rosarno, Gioia Tauro, Palmi or Bagnara depending on your destination.

How do I reach the Eolie islands?

In summer Liberty Lines hydrofoils connect Reggio Calabria to the Eolie. Alternatively you can depart from Milazzo, in Sicilia, reachable by ferry from Villa San Giovanni.

Is it worth renting a car?

To explore the villages and beaches of the Costa Viola the car is the most flexible option; rental is available at the airports of Lamezia and Reggio. In summer, however, many places are also served by buses and trains.

How do I arrive from Sicilia?

Continuous Caronte & Tourist ferries and fast Blu Jet services connect Messina to Villa San Giovanni 24 hours a day; from there continue by train or car to the Costa Viola.