Italy has more international airports than most European countries, and picking the right one can save both money and travel time. Here is what we recommend knowing before booking.
Italy’s Major International Airports
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is Italy’s busiest airport and the main long-haul gateway. It handles direct flights from North America, the Middle East, and Asia, plus extensive European connections. It sits about 30 km southwest of central Rome.
Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the primary airport for northern Italy and the second-busiest in the country. It serves long-haul routes to the US, Canada, and the Far East, plus most European carriers. It is roughly 50 km northwest of Milan city centre.
Milan Bergamo (BGY), often marketed as “Milan Bergamo,” is the main base for Ryanair in northern Italy. Fares here tend to be significantly lower than Malpensa, though the airport is about 45 km from Milan.
Venice Marco Polo (VCE) serves the Veneto region with good European and some long-haul connections. Naples (NAP) is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and southern Italy. Bologna (BLQ), Catania (CTA) in Sicily, and Pisa (PSA) for Tuscany round out the airports worth considering.
Airlines Serving Italy
From the UK, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, British Airways, and Jet2 all operate extensive networks. Ryanair alone flies to over 30 Italian airports from UK bases. British Airways runs London Heathrow to Rome and Milan daily.
From the US, direct flights operate from New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Washington Dulles (IAD), and Philadelphia (PHL). ITA Airways (Italy’s national carrier, successor to Alitalia), Delta, United, and American Airlines cover these routes. Flight time from New York to Rome is approximately 8.5 hours.
From mainland Europe, virtually every carrier flies to Italy. Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Iberia, Vueling, and Swiss all serve multiple Italian cities.
ITA Airways operates the largest domestic and international network within Italy and is worth checking for connections between Italian cities and onward European flights.
Best Time to Book for Deals
Italy’s peak season runs from mid-June through August, plus Easter week and Christmas. Flights during these windows are at their most expensive, particularly on routes to Rome, Venice, and Sicily.
The cheapest fares typically appear for January, February, and November departures. Shoulder months - March to May and September to October - offer a strong balance of reasonable fares and good weather.
For the best prices, we recommend booking 6 to 10 weeks ahead for short-haul European flights and 3 to 5 months ahead for transatlantic routes. Tuesday and Wednesday departures tend to be cheaper than weekend flights. Setting fare alerts on comparison tools is the most reliable way to catch drops - prices on popular Italian routes fluctuate frequently.
Return flights from London to Rome start from approximately £25-40 with budget carriers in the off-season, rising to £150-250 in peak summer as of 2026. Transatlantic returns from New York to Rome range from approximately $450-600 in shoulder season to $900+ in July and August as of 2026.
Domestic Flights Within Italy
Italy’s rail network (Trenitalia and Italo) is excellent for north-south travel, and high-speed trains often beat flying on time once you factor in airport transfers. Rome to Milan takes about 3 hours by train, compared to 1.5 hours flight time plus airport overhead.
That said, domestic flights make sense for longer distances. Rome to Catania (Sicily) takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. Milan to Palermo is around 1 hour 45 minutes. Rome to Cagliari (Sardinia) is about 1 hour.
ITA Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, and Volotea all operate domestic Italian routes. Ryanair and Volotea often have the lowest fares - expect approximately €20-50 one-way on domestic routes if booked early as of 2026.
For island destinations (Sicily and Sardinia), flying is almost always faster and often cheaper than ferry crossings, especially from northern Italy.
Budget Tips
Fly into secondary airports. Milan Bergamo and Pisa typically offer lower fares than Malpensa and Florence. Rome Ciampino (CIA) sometimes undercuts Fiumicino on budget carriers, though its facilities are more basic.
Be flexible on dates. Shifting departure by a day or two can save 30-50% on popular routes, particularly around public holidays (Italy has several, including Ferragosto on 15 August).
Consider open-jaw itineraries. Flying into Rome and out of Venice (or Milan in, Naples out) avoids backtracking and often costs no more than a standard return, while letting you cover more ground.
Book bags separately. Budget carriers charge heavily for checked luggage. If travelling light, cabin-bag-only fares on Ryanair and easyJet are substantially cheaper.
Use fare comparison tools to check across airlines simultaneously. Italian routes are served by so many carriers that prices vary widely on the same date.
Getting from the Airport to the City Centre
Rome Fiumicino → Rome Termini: The Leonardo Express train takes 32 minutes and costs approximately €15 as of 2026. Buses (SIT, Terravision) take 45-60 minutes and cost €7-8.
Milan Malpensa → Milan Centrale: The Malpensa Express train takes about 50 minutes and costs approximately €13 as of 2026. Buses take 50-70 minutes for around €10.
Venice Marco Polo → Venice: The Alilaguna water bus takes about 75 minutes to San Marco and costs approximately €15 as of 2026. ATVO and ACTV buses to Piazzale Roma take 20-25 minutes for about €10, from where you continue by vaporetto.
Naples → city centre: The Alibus shuttle runs to Napoli Centrale station in about 20 minutes for approximately €5 as of 2026.
Taxis from Fiumicino to central Rome have a fixed fare of €50 as of 2026. From Malpensa to central Milan, expect approximately €100 by taxi. Pre-booked airport transfers can sometimes offer better rates, especially for groups, and eliminate the uncertainty of metered taxi pricing.
For getting around Italy once you arrive: getting around Italy guide covers trains, buses, and car hire. For full travel cost budgeting: Italy travel costs guide sets out realistic daily budgets at every tier. For arriving in Rome: Rome travel guide covers the airport connection, neighbourhoods, and where to stay. For Milan: Milan travel guide. For a longer trip combining multiple airports: our 2 weeks in Italy itinerary and 3 weeks in Italy itinerary include transport logistics between cities.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
See our itineraries for inspiration:
- One Week in Italy - seven days through Rome, Florence, and Venice
- 10 Days in Italy - the classic grand tour of Italy’s highlights
- 2 Weeks in Italy - the ultimate two-week Italian itinerary
- 3 Weeks in Italy - the north-to-south grand tour from Milan to Sicily
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