The nearest railway station is Camucia–Cortona, in the valley about four kilometres below the town and served by regional trains on the Florence–Rome line (roughly two hours from either city). A local bus connects the station with the historic centre; taxis are also available.
By car, Cortona sits a few kilometres east of the A1 Florence–Rome autostrada. The drive from Florence takes about 90 minutes; from Rome, around two hours. Parking inside the town walls is restricted; large free car parks ring the lower edge of the town with a short, steep walk up.