Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria International Airport

San Francesco d'Assisi Airport, also known as Perugia Airport (IATA: PEG), sits on a hilltop 12 kilometres east of Perugia's historic centre, serving the Umbria region with a compact single terminal. Opened in 2004, it handles seasonal flights to destinations like London Stansted, Brussels, and Tirana, plus year-round connections to Milan Linate and Rome Fiumicino. The airport is named after Saint Francis, reflecting the proximity to Assisi, and is a key entry point for travellers exploring Umbria's medieval towns, countryside, and cuisine. Its small size means straightforward navigation, but limited facilities require advance planning.

Getting There

The airport is located in the municipality of San Egidio, about 20 minutes by car from Perugia's centre and 10 minutes from Assisi. The most straightforward option is the APM bus service, which runs between Perugia's main railway station (Piazza Partigiani) and the airport terminal. Buses depart roughly every 30 minutes during flight operation hours, with a journey time of approximately 20 minutes. A one-way ticket costs around €5 (as of 2025). Taxis are available from Perugia and Assisi, with fares around €30-40 to the city centre. If driving, take the A1 motorway exit at Perugia Est or follow the SS75 bis towards San Egidio. The airport's paid parking lot offers short- and long-term spaces at €2 per hour or €15 per day, but spaces fill quickly during peak times.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single two-storey building, with check-in and security on the ground floor and departures on the upper level. Arrivals and baggage reclaim are on the ground floor near the exit. The airport has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilets, changing tables, and seating areas. A baggage storage service is available near the check-in area, charging €5 per bag for the first three hours. The only food option is a small café-bar near the departures area, offering coffee, pastries, and basic sandwiches. Wi-Fi is free but may be slow. Security checks are efficient during quiet periods but can be congested during the busiest times (Monday at 3 pm, Tuesday at 12 pm, Wednesday at 7 pm, Thursday at 10 am). Allow at least 90 minutes for off-peak departures and two hours during peak hours. The terminal's compact layout means passengers can walk from check-in to gate in under five minutes.

San Francesco d'Assisi Airport and Perugia

Perugia, capital of Umbria, is one of Italy's best-preserved medieval cities, built on a hilltop with Etruscan origins. Its historic centre is a maze of narrow cobblestone alleys, arched passages, and stairways, dominated by the massive Palazzo dei Priori and the Gothic Cathedral of San Lorenzo. The city is famous for its chocolate – Perugina, makers of the iconic Baci chocolates, has a factory and museum (Casa del Cioccolato) just outside the city. The Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria houses a significant collection of paintings from the Umbrian school, including works by Perugino (Raphael's teacher). Perugia also hosts the annual Umbria Jazz Festival, one of Europe's premier jazz events, and the Eurochocolate festival in October.

Assisi, 20 minutes from the airport, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. The Basilica of San Francesco, with frescoes by Giotto, Cimabue, and Lorenzetti, is a pilgrimage destination. The hills of Montefalco and Torgiano produce some of Italy's finest wines – Sagrantino, Rosso di Montefalco, and Orvieto. The region's olive oil, truffles, and cured meats are equally celebrated. Perugia's university (Università degli Studi di Perugia) gives the city a lively student atmosphere, with affordable eateries and bars around the historic centre. The airport's role is modest but vital – it connects this landlocked region directly to European cities, avoiding the longer transfer from Rome or Florence. For many travellers, the airport is the start of a deeper exploration of Umbria, a region often overshadowed by Tuscany but equally rich in culture and landscape.

Practical Information

The airport is not open all day; its operating hours depend on flight schedules. Typically, the terminal opens two hours before the first departure and closes after the last arrival. Check the official website for current hours: http://www.airport.umbria.it/. Contact phone: +39 075 592141. Facilities confirmed: wheelchair-accessible entrance and toilet, paid parking, baggage storage, changing table, and wheelchair-accessible seating. The bus service to Perugia is the most cost-effective, but it stops running after the last flight – confirm return bus times if you're departing late. One concrete tip: if you're flying out on a Monday afternoon (busiest time), arrive at least two hours early and bring snacks, as the café may be overwhelmed. For a stress-free experience, pre-book a taxi if you have a tight connection or heavy luggage.