Reggio Calabria without cars: trains, buses and villages

Yes, you can visit Southern Calabria without a car: the regional train covers the coast well, while for the villages in the hills and for Aspromonte you need a ride. From Reggio Calabria Centrale you arrive in the day in Scilla, Melito di Porto Salvo, Bova Marina, Locri and Tropea. The problem is the last kilometers: Pentedattilo, Bova and Gerace stay away from the stations, and Gambarie has only one bus, on weekdays.

The dispersion of places to visit weighs on the entire region. According to the Bank of Italy (2026 report, 2022 data), a tourist in Calabria reached an average of 6 cultural sites within 30 minutes, compared to 12 in the South and 29 in Italy. Timetables and prices in this guide come from the Trenitalia sales system, consulted on 5 October 2026 for Tuesday 6 and Sunday 11 October.

Where to arrive by train from Reggio Calabria

Scilla and Villa San Giovanni, on the Tyrrhenian line

On Tuesday 6 October 2026, you'll find 22 direct trains from Reggio Centrale to 21:08, from 4:58 AM to 9:08 PM, with a journey time of 25-40 minutes. The regional ticket costs €2.70. The last weekday departure departs from Scilla at 9:46 PM. On Sundays, departures drop to 9.

On the same line there is Villa San Giovanni: on a weekday about 40 trains depart, and with the regional it takes 15-33 minutes (€ 2.10). At Villa San Giovanni, at the Pet Academy, there is an Aperitif with Alpacas (2 hours, from € 30 per person).

Melito di Porto Salvo, on the Ionian line

Melito has more trains than all the other Ionian destinations in this guide: 31 direct trains on weekdays, from 5:00 to 20:08, with a journey of 21-41 minutes. Fast trains take 21-25 minutes, those that stop at all stations about 40. The regional costs €2.70, the Intercity €8.50. On Saturdays there are 24 departures, on Sundays 16. The last weekday return leaves Melito at 22:31.

Bova Marina, the station for Bova

To Bova Marina on Tuesdays there are 14 direct trains, from 5:00 to 20:08, in 31-55 minutes, with a ticket from € 4.00. On Sundays the solutions drop to 7. Pay attention to the name: Bova Marina is the municipality on the coast, the village of Bova is above, at 820 meters above sea level.

Locri, the station for Gerace

Locri is from Reggio from 1 hour and 9 minutes to almost 2 hours by train, with 16 direct weekday trips. The regional costs € 7.40, the Intercity € 8.50. On Sundays there are 8 trips. The last weekday return leaves Locri at 21:40.

Tropea, on the Tyrrhenian line

For Tropea, 7 direct regional trains depart from Reggio Centrale on weekdays: they take from 1 hour and 42 minutes to 2 hours and cost €7.40. In addition to these, there is the Intercity Night at 21:08 (€12.50). The last direct return leaves Tropea at 20:35. On Sundays there are 5 direct outbound and 4 return, the last at 18:45.

Where the train stops: the last stretch towards the villages

From Melito to Pentedattilo

Pentedattilo does not have a bus with published timetables: the official website of the village indicates to get off at Melito and call a shuttle service. On the same page, however, you will not find either the number or the timetable of the shuttle. By car, from the Pentedattilo/Annà exit of the state road 106, go up for about 4 km northwards. Without a car, there are two options: a taxi from Melito or an excursion with transport included.

Those who sleep on the Costa degli Dei have to take into account more time: from Capo Vaticano to Pentedattilo Rome2rio calculates 2 hours and 50 minutes by train, with a change in Reggio Calabria.

From Bova Marina to Bova

Between the station of Bova Marina and the village of Bova there are 13.5 km of road and almost 770 meters of elevation gain, without a bus with published timetables. In the regional timetable search of Autolinee Federico, consulted on October 5, 2026, Bova Marina and Melito di Porto Salvo appear; Bova and Pentedattilo, on the other hand, do not. The practical public alternative is the taxi.

From Locri to Gerace

Gerace is about 10 km from Locri station: on weekdays there is the Autolinee Federico bus, which Trenitalia sells with a single train plus bus ticket. The bus leaves from the square of the Locri station, with a supplement of € 1.80. On Sunday 18 October 2026, the Trenitalia search did not return bus rides: on holidays you need a taxi, about 13 minutes by road.

How to get around Reggio Calabria with ATAM buses and the urban train

In the city you move with ATAM buses and regional trains, which stop at several stations within the municipality. On the Tyrrhenian line you will find Catona, Gallico, Archi, Pentimele and Lido; on the Ionian Airport, Omeca, Pellaro and Bocale. For the airport, take ATAM lines 27 and 28 in front of the Central Station: with Trenitalia you buy a single train plus bus ticket, with a supplement of € 1.50.

The center and the National Archaeological Museum can be explored on foot. The Reggio City + Museum Tour starts from Piazza Duomo, lasts 3 and a half hours, includes a visit to the Riace Bronzes and costs from € 85 per person.

How to get to Gambarie and Aspromonte without a car

For Gambarie there is the ATAM 319 suburban line, which leaves from Piazza Garibaldi, in front of the Central Station, and takes about an hour and a half. The route crosses Calanna, Laganadi, Sant'Alessio and Santo Stefano in Aspromonte. By car, the same journey takes about 37 minutes.

The timetables follow commuters and schools: the line runs from Monday to Friday and, according to the latest ATAM update of January 2025, leaves Gambarie early in the morning and Reggio in the early afternoon. For a day at high altitude at the weekend, the bus is not enough. Athena ETC organizes tailor-made itineraries with driver for 2-8 people, even in Aspromonte.

Summary: destination, public transport, time, alternative Athena

Scilla: regional train from Reggio Centrale, 25-40 minutes, 22 weekday trips. Alternative: Scilla Experience, 5 hours with round-trip transport, from €40; to stay, the Scilla and Chianalea package, two nights on the Strait.
Villa San Giovanni: regional train, 15-33 minutes. On site: Aperitif with Alpacas.
Pentedattilo: train to Melito (21-41 minutes), then on-call shuttle with no published timetable or taxi. Alternative: Pentedattilo, the ghost village, 4 hours with transport included, from 60 €.
Bova: train to Bova Marina (31-55 minutes), then 13.5 km without bus with published timetables. Alternative: Bova, capital of Greek Calabria, 5 and a half hours with transport included, from 85 €.
Pentedattilo and Bova together: by public transport you need two taxi rides. Alternative: Pentedattilo & Bova, the secret villages of Aspromonte, 8 hours with transport and lunch, from 100 €.
Gerace: train to Locri (from 1 hour and 9 minutes), then 10 km by bus on weekdays, with the single train plus bus ticket, or by taxi. Alternative: Gerace Experience, 7 and a half hours with transport included, from 120 €.
Tropea: direct regional train, from 1 hour and 42 minutes to 2 hours, 7 weekday trips. Alternative: Tropea and Pizzo excursion, full day with transport, from 120 €.
Gambarie: ATAM 319 bus, about an hour and a half, only on weekdays. Alternative: tailor-made itinerary with driver.
Strait Airport: ATAM buses 27 and 28 (the Airport train station is about one kilometer from the terminal, without shuttle). Alternative: Athena transfer, 20 € in total for 1 to 4 people.

How to book with Athena ETC

Athena ETC services are reserved for members: you register online from the Join us page. The experiences are on request: choose the date, indicate how many people you are and receive confirmation. All the excursions listed start from Piazza Indipendenza in Reggio, except the City Tour (Piazza Duomo) and the aperitif with alpacas (Villa San Giovanni). For transfers from ports and stations and itineraries with driver write to info@athenaetc.com or call +39 379 14 92 736. The office is in Via del Torrione 1/E, Reggio Calabria.

Frequently Asked Questions about Reggio Calabria without a car

Can you visit Southern Calabria without a car?

Yes, for the coast. Scilla, Melito, Bova Marina, Locri and Tropea have direct trains from Reggio Centrale; Pentedattilo, Bova, Gerace and Gambarie require taxis, a weekday bus or an excursion with transport.

How long does it take to train from Reggio Calabria to Scilla?

25 to 40 minutes, with 22 direct trains on weekdays and 9 on Sundays (October 2026). The regional costs €2.70.

How long is the train from Reggio Calabria to Melito di Porto Salvo?

From 21 to 41 minutes, depending on the type of train. On weekdays in October 2026 there are 31 departures, on Sundays 16.

How do I get to Pentedattilo by public transportation?

By train to Melito di Porto Salvo, then shuttle on call indicated by the village website, without published timetables, or taxi. The village is about 4 km north of the state road 106.

Is there a bus from Bova Marina to Bova?

There is no line with published timetables as of October 5, 2026. The village is 13.5 km from the station, with almost 770 meters of elevation gain.

How do I get to Gerace from Locri station?

Gerace is about 10 km away. On weekdays Trenitalia sells the single train plus bus ticket, with the Autolinee Federico bus from the square of the Locri station (supplement € 1.80). On holidays you need a taxi, about 13 minutes.

Is it possible to go to Tropea in a day by train from Reggio Calabria?

Yes. On weekdays in October 2026, there are 7 direct regional trains, with a journey of around 2 hours and the last direct return at 20:35.

How do you go to Gambarie without a car?

With the ATAM line 319 from Piazza Garibaldi, from Monday to Friday, in about an hour and a half. On weekends you need private transport.

Are trains less frequent on Sundays?

Yes, about half. For Melito it goes from 31 to 16 departures, for Bova Marina from 14 to 7, for Scilla from 22 to 9 (October 2026).

How much does the airport transfer cost with Athena ETC?

20 € in total from 1 to 4 people, 5 € per person from 5 to 8.

Reggio Calabria without a car: how to move between the sea, villages and Aspromonte