Parking for the Viareggio Carnival: where to leave the car, trains and shuttles

Events & Viareggio Carnival · 6 min read

On parade days Viareggio changes: the seafront avenues become the parade circuit, some streets close and parking spaces shrink. Arriving without a plan means driving in circles. Here are your options, with one important caveat: the 2027 parking plan has not been published yet. We list the car parks named by the Fondazione Carnevale and, clearly labelled, how the special plan worked in 2026, the most recent reference.

The dates when you need parking

The 2027 parades are Saturday 30 January (4 pm), Thursday 4 February (5 pm), Sunday 7 February (3 pm), Tuesday 9 February (3 pm), Sunday 14 February (3 pm) and Saturday 20 February (4 pm, according to the official site). All details are in our guide to the 2027 Carnival dates and tickets. There are queues at the entrances and traffic changes well before the parade: aim to reach town at least one or two hours early.

The train is still the easiest choice: the station is about a 13-minute walk from the sea.

The train: the easiest choice

The Fondazione Carnevale itself recommends public transport whenever possible. Viareggio station is served by Trenitalia regional, Intercity and Frecciabianca trains and is about a 13-minute walk from the sea. From the station just follow the crowd to the seafront: the circuit entrances are at piazza Mazzini, via Vespucci, via Saffi, viale Marconi and viale Margherita.

Practical train tips:

• buy your return ticket in advance to avoid the queue at the machines after the parade;
• check the last useful train on the Trenitalia app or website, especially for evening parades;
• after the fireworks the station is very crowded: if you are not in a hurry, eat something in town and leave later.

Coming from Pisa or Lucca, the train trip is handy all year round: see our guides Pisa from Viareggio by train and Lucca from Viareggio by train.

Paid car parks listed by the Fondazione

In its official FAQ the Fondazione Carnevale lists these paid car parks in town:

• via Fratti;
• via Nino Bixio;
• Stazione Vecchia;
• via Petrarca – stadio dei Pini;
• municipal swimming pool (piscina comunale);
• Largo Risorgimento;
• via Buonarroti;
• via Marco Polo;
• Terrazza della Repubblica.

In the centre and nearby there is also blue-line street parking. The Fondazione warns, however, that during the Carnival traffic is rerouted and fewer spaces are available: if you drive, arrive early.

The 2026 special plan (for reference)

For the 2026 edition the Comune di Viareggio, together with the Fondazione Carnevale and Mover (the company that runs parking in town), launched a special plan with more than a thousand extra spaces. These figures are for 2026: for 2027 wait for the new orders.

• Cotone, free parking + free shuttle: over 200 free spaces near the variante Aurelia junction. Two free shuttle buses ran from here to piazza D'Azeglio, a few steps from the circuit, roughly every 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday parade days.
• Piazzale Paolo VI: 170 car spaces, flat daily rate of €15 (8 am–midnight), payable at the meter, with parking apps or online in advance.
• Pineta di Ponente: about 450 spaces along via Capponi and its side road, entry and exit from via Marco Polo, flat rate €15 a day.
• Coaches: area next to the Cittadella del Carnevale, €60 a day, advance booking only.
• Campervans: 60 spaces in the Maria Valtorta car park (entrance from via Udine), €25 a day, advance booking only.

In 2026 the Cotone shuttles ran roughly from 1:20 pm to 8:35 pm for the Sunday parades and from 3:20 pm to 10:35 pm for the Saturday evening parades, with a break during the parade. The 2027 times will depend on the new calendar.

By bus

Autolinee Toscane (at) buses stop near piazza D'Azeglio, next to the route. In 2026 at listed urban lines 21, 25, 27, 31 and 33 (the last on public holidays only) and several suburban lines (E1, E2, E25, E26, E27 every day, plus others on weekdays). Urban line 21 also goes to the Cittadella del Carnevale. Routes may be diverted during parades: check notices on the at website or app.

In 2026 at season-ticket holders could buy parade entry at a reduced price (€18.50) at the ticket desks, not online. Whether this will return in 2027 is not known yet.

If you come from far away

According to the Fondazione Carnevale, by car Viareggio is reached via the A12 motorway or the SS1 Aurelia; several coach lines connect the town with other Italian cities, and the nearest airport is Pisa, well connected to Viareggio. If you fly in on parade day, allow plenty of time: with Carnival traffic even a short trip can take longer.

Our tips to keep calm

• Arrive early, especially on Sundays: the afternoon parades are the busiest.
• Note where you parked (a photo of the street sign is enough): coming back in the dark through the crowd, every street looks the same.
• Do not park illegally: checks are frequent on parade days and some areas become no-parking zones.
• Stay nearby: if you come from far away, a night in town saves you the traffic home. See where to stay in Versilia.
• With children pushchairs are allowed in the circuit: more tips in Viareggio Carnival with kids.

Sources: Fondazione Carnevale – FAQ (parcheggi e come arrivare) · Mover – Parcheggi straordinari Carnevale 2026 · Autolinee Toscane – servizi bus Carnevale 2026 · Vivere Viareggio – piano sosta 2026 · Trenitalia. General information: opening times, prices and dates change, so always check the official websites.