Getting There
The main gateway for Udine is Trieste Airport (TRS), also known as Aeroporto FVG or Ronchi dei Legionari, located approximately 27 miles from Udine city center. The fastest public transit option is the Trenitalia regional train direct from the airport's on-site rail station, reaching Udine in about 33 minutes for roughly €4.75; the TPL FVG/APT Gorizia bus (line G51) is a cheaper alternative at around €3.90 and takes approximately 55 minutes, arriving at Udine's main rail and bus station on Viale Europa Unita. Driving takes about 30 minutes via the A4/A23 motorway, and international fans with more flexible budgets can also fly into Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and connect to Udine by train in roughly two hours.
Getting Around
Udine's urban bus network is operated by TPL FVG and runs 12 numbered routes (lines 1 through 11 plus line C) connecting all main city areas, with buses departing from the train station hub on Viale Europa Unita every 10 minutes on core routes; buy tickets at tobacconists or via the TPL FVG app before boarding, as tickets are not sold on the bus. The historic center is compact and highly walkable, so most visiting fans staying centrally will not need a car for matchday or city exploration. Taxis are available at ranks outside the train station and main piazzas (Radiotaxi C.A.P.U.: +39 0432 505858), and there is no metro or tram system in Udine.
Where to Stay
The historic center around Piazza della Libertà and Piazza San Giacomo is the best base for visiting fans, putting you within walking distance of the city's best pre-match bars, restaurants, and the lively aperitivo scene that Udine is known for; expect to pay roughly €90–115 per night for a well-located hotel here. The area around the train station on Viale Europa Unita is a practical budget alternative, with several hotels in the €65–85 range and easy bus connections to Bluenergy Stadium on matchdays. Book well ahead for Serie A weekends, as Udine is a small city and quality central inventory is limited. Avoid the industrial southern outskirts unless you are driving, as they are poorly connected to both the stadium and the city center.
Sports Fan Notes
Udinese is the city's sole major professional club, competing in Serie A, and the Bluenergy Stadium (formerly Dacia Arena / Stadio Friuli) is one of Italy's more modern mid-sized grounds, giving visiting fans a good match experience in a passionate but relatively relaxed atmosphere compared to big-city Italian clubs. Udinese fans are proud of their club's identity as a well-run, family-owned (Pozzo family) provincial side that regularly punches above its weight in Serie A and has a tradition of scouting and developing talent from across the world, which gives matchday squads an international flavor worth watching. The city sits near the Slovenian and Austrian borders, so the fanbase has a distinct Central European character, and the broader Friuli-Venezia Giulia region offers easy side trips to Trieste (Serie B side Triestina) for fans wanting to see multiple clubs in one trip. Friulian food and wine culture is a genuine bonus: prosciutto di San Daniele and local Friulian whites are the essential pre-match fuel.
Venues in Udine
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from TRS to downtown Udine?
The fastest option is the Trenitalia regional train directly from the TRS airport rail station (accessible via a covered pedestrian bridge from the terminal), which reaches Udine station in about 33 minutes for approximately €4.75. Alternatively, the TPL FVG/APT Gorizia bus (line G51) departs from the airport bus station, costs around €3.90, and takes about 55 minutes to Udine's main station on Viale Europa Unita. Driving takes around 30 minutes via the A4/A23 motorway. From Udine station, the city center is a short bus ride (line 1, roughly 4 minutes) or a 20-minute walk.
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Udine for a sports trip?
The historic center around Piazza della Libertà is the top choice: it keeps you close to the best bars and restaurants for pre- and post-match gatherings, and the city's aperitivo culture is centered here. It is walkable, lively on matchdays, and well connected by TPL FVG buses to Bluenergy Stadium. The train station area (Viale Europa Unita) is a solid budget alternative with good transit links if you want to save on accommodation costs.
Which sports teams play in Udine?
Udine's top professional team is Udinese Calcio, who play Serie A football at Bluenergy Stadium. The club is owned by the Pozzo family and is known for its innovative global scouting network and for consistently competing in Italy's top flight from a relatively small provincial base.
Is Udine a World Cup 2026 host city?
No, Udine is not hosting any 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosted exclusively in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The nearest host city geographically would be one of the North American venues such as New York/New Jersey.
Sports cities near Udine
Close enough to pair with a Udine trip — or to catch a game on the drive in.