Italy is enchantment at every turn: think ancient city streets, golden coastline, striking mountains, and vibrant urban life. Whether you’re coming for world-famous art, mouthwatering food, or just a taste of dolce vita, your Italian adventure really begins the moment you land. But with so many airports in Italy, ranging from major international hubs to charming, smaller outposts, how do you know which arrival airport is best for your itinerary, your budget, and your travel style? This guide will help you choose the perfect landing spot, maximize your travel time, and get the best value from your flight.
For even more travel insights, city guides, and insider tips for walking Italy, check out Italy on Foot as you plan!
Why Your Choice of Airport Matters in Italy
Italian airports are not all alike! Some offer super-fast connections to top attractions, while others are ideal for affordable travel or specific regions. Landing at the right airport can save you hours on a train, money on tickets, and start your trip with less stress. We’ll break down your options, not just by city, but by trip goals, best deals, and easiest local transfers.
Italy’s Top International Gateways: Where To Start
Rome Fiumicino (FCO): The Beating Heart of Central Italy
If you want to start your journey immersed in Italy’s rich culture and history, Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO), known to many as Rome Fiumicino, is the country’s largest and busiest. It welcomes flights from North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, making it an easy starting point for travelers worldwide.
- Best for: Exploring Rome, the Vatican, and Central Italy; visiting Florence, Orvieto, and even parts of Southern Italy
- Airport to City: FCO is about 19 miles (30 km) from central Rome. The Leonardo Express train takes you straight to Rome Termini Station in about 32 minutes.
- Traveler tip: Flying out of Rome at the end of your trip allows open-jaw itineraries, arrive in the north (e.g. Milan), depart from the south (Rome or Naples).
Milan Malpensa (MXP): Gateway to the North, Lakes, and Alps
Milan Malpensa is Northern Italy’s main international airport, ideal if you’re heading to Milan, Lake Como, the Italian Lakes, or ski resorts in the Alps. It handles a wide range of both full-service and long-haul carriers.
- Best for: Northern Italy, especially Milan, the Lakes region (Como, Maggiore), Verona, and onward to Switzerland; fashion, business, and design trips.
- Airport to City: The Malpensa Express trains connect the airport with Milan Centrale and Cadorna stations (every 30 mins, 30–52 min ride).
- Quick facts: Milan has two other airports, Linate (LIN), which is much closer (for EU/domestic flights, now on Metro M4 to city center), and Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY), the region’s main low-cost hub.
Venice Marco Polo (VCE): Arrive by Air, Reach the Canals
Start your Italian story amid Venice’s iconic canals by flying directly into Venice Marco Polo. It serves many major European cities and a handful of seasonal long-haul flights.
- Best for: Venice, the Veneto region, Verona, or even the Dolomites
- Airport to City: Unique to Venice, you can hop from the airport straight onto a water bus or private water taxi. The Alilaguna water bus takes you to many spots around Venice Lagoon.
- Budget option: Treviso Airport (TSF), about an hour’s bus ride away, is a Ryanair hub; ATVO buses run directly to Venice or Mestre.
Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP): Southern Charm & Coastal Wonders
Heading to Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, or Capri? Naples Airport is the key southern hub. It is one of the two busiest airports in Southern Italy, together with Catania (Sicily).
- Best for: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast
- Airport to City: The Alibus airport shuttle takes you to Naples Centrale Station in about 20 minutes. Buy tickets here.
Pisa (PSA) & Florence Peretola (FLR): Tuscany’s Main Gateways
If Florence or Tuscany is your goal, you’ve got two good options:
- Florence Peretola (FLR): Closest to Florence. Take Tram T2, a 20–22 min ride to Santa Maria Novella station.
- Pisa Galileo Galilei (PSA): Use PisaMover (5 min) to Pisa Centrale, then the train to Florence (about 1 hour).
- Traveler tip: FLR has a short runway, so PSA is often more reliable for on-time arrivals/departures.
Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY): Milan’s Budget Star
If saving money is your main goal, look closely at Bergamo. Orio al Serio is the largest low-cost carrier hub in Italy, with millions of travelers thanks to airlines like Ryanair.
- Best for: Milan region, Lombardy, budget flights to Verona or the eastern lakes
- Airport to City: Regular buses take you from BGY to Milan Centrale. Info on the official airport website.
Catania (CTA) & Palermo (PMO): The Gateways to Sicily
- Catania (CTA): Best for eastern Sicily, Mount Etna, Taormina; note that volcanic ash can sometimes disrupt service.
Catania Airport website. - Palermo (PMO): Best for Palermo, Cefalù, and Sicily’s northwest.
Palermo Airport website.
Best Airport by Itinerary: Quick Picks
| Airport | Best For | Fastest City Transfer | Pitfalls/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiumicino (FCO) | Rome & Central Italy | Leonardo Express (~32 min to Termini) | None |
| Ciampino (CIA) | Rome (Low-cost, intra-Europe) | Bus+train (Ciampino Airlink) | No long-haul flights |
| Malpensa (MXP) | Milan/Alps/Lakes | Malpensa Express (~30–52 min) | 1+ hr from lakes |
| Bergamo (BGY) | Budget Milan/Verona | Bus to Milan Centrale | 1 hr from Milan |
| Linate (LIN) | Milan (close-in) | Metro M4 (~15 min to center) | Only EU/UK/domestic flights |
| Venice (VCE) | Venice/Dolomites | Alilaguna waterbus | Higher summer fares |
| Treviso (TSF) | Budget Venice | ATVO Bus (~60 min) | Fewer flights |
| Pisa (PSA) | Florence/Pisa/Tuscany | PisaMover + train (~60 min) | Slightly further from Florence |
| Florence (FLR) | Florence | Tram T2 (20–22 min) | Weather diversions |
| Naples (NAP) | Amalfi/Pompeii | Alibus to Centrale | Busy in peak season |
| Bari (BRI) | Puglia, Bari | Shuttle to center | Best for Bari/Polignano area |
| Brindisi (BDS) | Salento/Lecce | Shuttle bus | Good for southern Puglia |
| Catania (CTA) | East Sicily/Etna | Bus/taxi | Ash disruptions |
| Palermo (PMO) | West Sicily | Train/taxi | Good for Palermo/Cefalù |
Smart Booking & Money-Saving Tips
- Open-jaw = More Italy, Less Backtracking: Try flying into a northern hub (Milan, Venice, Pisa) and out of a southern hub (Rome, Naples, Palermo, Catania). This lets you see more of Italy without retracing your steps.
- When to Get the Best Flight Deals: Lowest fares appear from January–March and late October–November (avoid holidays). Summer and late December are busiest and most expensive.
- Set Price Alerts & Compare Airports: Keep alerts on major and budget airports. Sometimes, flying into a less-obvious airport (like BGY or CIA) can offer big savings.
- No “Magic Day” to Book, but Mid-Week Flights Are Often Cheaper: No single best day to buy, but flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday usually brings lower prices due to less demand.
- Budget Carriers = Low Fares, Longer Transit: At airports like Bergamo (BGY), Rome Ciampino (CIA), or Treviso (TSF), expect longer city transfers but much lower costs.
Special Destinations: What Airport Should You Choose?
- Cinque Terre: Pisa (PSA) or Genoa (GOA). Both have easy trains to La Spezia for reaching the famous towns.
- Dolomites: Venice (VCE) (for coach links to Cortina); Innsbruck (INN) for northern Dolomite resorts.
- Tuscany (Florence, Siena, Pisa): PSA (Pisa) is reliable and well-connected; FLR (Florence) is closer to downtown, but faces more weather delays.
- Puglia and the South: Bari (BRI) for northern Puglia, Brindisi (BDS) for the south and Salento area.
About Flying to Italy: Airlines and What to Expect
ITA Airways is Italy’s national carrier and offers a wide range of nonstop routes to Rome and Milan from North America and Europe (Lufthansa is now a part-owner). Compare schedules, rewards programs, and prices with other major carriers like Lufthansa, British Airways, and Emirates.
Airport Transfers: Official Ticket Links
- Leonardo Express (FCO ↔ Termini, Rome)
- Malpensa Express (MXP ↔ Milan)
- Alilaguna (VCE ↔ Venice)
- PisaMover (PSA ↔ Pisa Centrale)
- Firenze Tramvia (FLR ↔ Santa Maria Novella, Florence)
- ATVO Bus (TSF ↔ Venice/Mestre)
For Naples, Bari, Brindisi, Palermo, and Catania, airport shuttles or taxis are easy, look for signs or check your hotel’s directions.
Choosing the right airport helps start your adventure on the right foot, saving you time, money, and hassle. Plan according to your itinerary (not just fare), book city transfers from official sources, and use Italy’s fantastic train/bus network for further travel.
Buon viaggio!