Bologna G Marconi Airport (BLQ)

Overview

The small regional airport serving the Italian city of Bologna is named after its most famous son: engineer, Nobel Laureate and inventor of the radio Guglielmo Marconi. Located just 3.75 miles (6km) from the city, Bologna G Marconi Airport (BLQ) is seeing steadily rising traffic, as Bologna becomes an increasingly popular business and tourism destination. As Bologna is perfectly situated between heavyweight tourist destinations like Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Florence, San Marino, Venice, and Verona, it offers a great opportunity to escape the queues of the larger hubs. The small size of the airport makes for a hassle-free experience; a perfect introduction or a blissful end to a holiday spent soaking up the sights and attractions of northern Italy. Bologna Airport offers great connections to other Italian cities and to several key European destinations, and budget travellers should note that several low-cost carriers offer cheap flights to and from Bologna.

Location

The airport is located four miles (6km) north-east of Bologna's city centre. The drive takes 20 minutes.

Getting to the city

Train: The nearest train station to the airport is 4 miles (6km) away, but Bologna Central Railway Station is a major transport hub, with connections to places all over Italy. There is a €5 shuttle-bus that departs every two hours during the day.

Bus: There are buses departing directly to Modena and Siena every two hours from the airport.

Taxi: There are fixed-fare taxis outside the terminal; however, they are in high demand during peak times, so it may be a good idea to book in advance. The fare is €10, with a fee for airport pick-up that varies according to time: €3 on weekdays from 6am to 10pm, €4.70 on Sundays and holidays between 6am and 10pm, and €5.60 from 10pm until 6am every day.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Information desk: +39 051 647 9617 or +39 051 9680/3.

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Milan Linate Airport (LIN)

Overview

Officially named Airport Enrico Forlanini after the Italian inventor and aeronautical engineer, Milan Linate International Airport is located five miles (8km) southeast of central Milan. This convenient distance, along with quick and easy bus links into the city, make Milan Linate International Airport a good alternative to the city's other major facility, Malpensa Airport, which is much farther away.

Milan Linate International Airport handles roughly eight million passengers each year. Most flights to Milan Linate International Airport are domestic and short-haul routes from European hubs like Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Madrid, Berlin, Lisbon and Malta, with a range of flights to other Italian cities as well.

The airport itself is nothing special to look at, and the single terminal can be crowded and chaotic at peak times. However, there are friendly and helpful staff members on hand to assist passengers, and a dozen restaurants and three times as many shops provide plenty of diversions on long layovers.

Location

The airport is situated four miles (7km) from downtown Milan.

Getting to the city

Taxi: Taxis are available outside arrivals. Journey time to the city is 15-20 minutes and costs around €20; agree to a price before alighting.

Bus: Bus number 73 runs from Linate Airport to Milan Piazza S. Babila every 10 minutes, between 6:05am and 12:55am, and at a cost of €1 per ticket. Alternatively, there is a bus that travels to Milan Central Station every 30 minutes between 6:05am and 11:45pm. All buses departing from Linate Airport, including those travelling to other destinations, depart from the area just outside arrivals.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Tel: +39 02 7485 2200 or +39 02 2810 6306.

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Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP)

Overview

The largest of Milan's airports, Milan Malpensa Airport is among the busiest airports in Europe. Formerly known as Aeroporto Cittá diBusto Arsizio, the facility processes nearly 19 million passengers each year.

Milan Malpensa Airport is spread out over a large area, making shuttles between the two rather old-looking terminals necessary for making connections (the shuttles run every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day). Parking is a complicated process at present, with ongoing construction of a new car park restricting access by private vehicles. Despite these flaws, the staff at Milan Malpensa Airport is efficient and friendly, working hard to make queues and baggage move quickly.

Flights to Milan Malpensa Airport come in from around the world, including major destinations like Athens, Moscow, Berlin, Beijing, Dubai, Mauritius, Rome, Miami, New York, Tokyo, Cairo, Vienna, Aruba, Cancun, Bangkok, London, Havana, Edinburgh, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Ibiza.

Location

The airport is located 28 miles (45km) north-west of Milan.

Getting to the city

Train: A train station is located in Terminal 1 and offers transport to the Milano Cadrona Station in central Milan. Travel time is 40 minutes and a one-way ticket costs €9, or €12 for a return.

Taxi: Taxis are situated outside the arrivals hall. The duration of the trip into town is 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic, and the fare is between €70 and €80.

Bus: Malpesa Bus Express buses run regularly (every 20-30 minutes during the day) from both terminals to Milan Central Station. The journey time is approximately 50 minutes and fare is €4.50 to €6.50.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Tel: +39 02 7485 2200 or +39 02 7485 3852.

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Naples International Airport (officially known as Ugo Niutta) (NAP)

Overview

Officially known as Ugo Niutta, Naples International Airport is the main airport for flights to Naples. One of the busiest airports in Italy, the facility handles more than 5.5 million passengers each year. Located 3.7 miles (6km) northeast of central Naples, the airport is made up of two terminal buildings, one of which serves passenger flights.

Like most Italian airports, Naples International Airport can get crowded and chaotic at times, however the staff is friendly and efficient, and processing times are remarkably quick most days. The facilities are basic, but clean and well-kept, with a variety of shops and restaurants to entertain passengers while they wait for their flights.

Flights to Naples International Airport come from destinations across Europe and North Africa, including Dublin, Athens, Bucharest, London, Copenhagen, Madrid, Geneva, Moscow, Ibiza, Malta, Tunis, Istanbul, Paris, Barcelona, Prague and Tel Aviv.

Location

The airport is located five miles (8km) north of the city centre.

Getting to the city

Taxi: Taxis offer fixed rates for destinations within the city. A trip to the centre of town takes 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic.

Bus: The Alibus travels to two stops in Naples, namely Stazione Centrale and Piazza Municipio. Tickets can be purchased onboard for €3.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 081 751 5055; +39 081 789 6662 or +39 081 789 6277. Flight enquiries: +39 081 751 5471.

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Galileo Galilei International Airport (PSA)

Overview

Pisa International Airport is the gateway to those holidaying in Tuscany. It is situated less than a mile (1km) from Pisa's iconic landmark, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it is just 37 miles (60km) from Florence.

The airport boasts an impressive array of passenger amenities, but can get quite crowded during peak holiday periods. A number of low-cost carriers offer cheap flights to Pisa International Airport making it very accessible and a destination of choice for those wanting a relaxing holiday in Italy.

Location

The airport is located one mile (2km) north-east of Pisa, and 50 miles (80km) west of Florence.

Getting to the city

Train: The railway terminal is connected to the terminal's check-in hall by a 40m covered walkway. There are direct lines to Pisa Central Station and Florence, daily. Buy tickets at the information office in the arrivals hall. There is also a direct shuttle from Pisa International Airport to Pisa Central Station that costs €1.10 and runs every 30 minutes between 1.03am and 10.20pm during the week and slightly less regularly on Sundays and public holidays.

Taxis: The Pisa Taxi Cooperative operates taxis to and from the airport. Fares into central Pisa range from €5.70 to €8 and there is an added surcharge of €2.30 on Sundays and public holidays. The airport's taxi stand is in front of the terminal just after the arrivals exit. It generally takes about five to ten minutes to get from the airport to Pisa Centrale railway station.

Bus: Buses run to and from Pisa to destinations across Pisa as well as Tuscan destinations such as Firenze, Siena, Lucca and Viareggio. The Compagnia Pisana Transporti (CPT) has a bus going to central Pisa roughly every ten minutes between 5.20am and 12.01am from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays the buses run from 7.25am to 12.01am, but they are slightly less frequent than during the week, with between three and four buses an hour. Bus tickets cost €1.10 and can be bought from the information office in the terminal. The buses arrive at and depart from the bus stop just outside of the arrivals area.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 050 849 202/ 209

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Rome Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport (FCO)

Overview

Fiumicino Airport, or the Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, is the sixth busiest airport in Europe and handles over 35 million passengers annually. Fiumicino is a great airport to use when visiting Rome as is well connected to the centre of the city through public transportation making it easy to skip the traffic jams after a long flight.

The airport has loads of shops, restaurants and passenger entertainment options. However, there are often queues during peak periods and passengers are advised to arrive early to skip the masses.

Location

The airport is 19 miles (30km) south-west of central Rome.

Getting to the city

Train: The train station is across the road from Terminal 3, near car park D. There are two trains to the city. The Leonardo Express travels directly to Roma Termini, the station in the city centre, every half hour from 6:30am to 11:30pm for €14. Buy a ticket at the ticketing counter in the station and then validate it at one of the machines (the ticket will then be valid for an hour and a half). A cheaper option is the slightly slower Metro line FR1, which runs to major stations (Tiburtina, Tuscolana, Ostiense and Trastevere) every 15 minutes, or every half hour on Sundays and holidays, and costs €8.

Bus: Cotral buses leave from Roma Tiburtina railway station and stop at Piazza dei Cinquecento in front of the national museum. A one-way ticket to town will cost €4.50 if you buy it from the ticket machine in the arrivals section or at newsagents or tobacconists in the airport, and €7 if you buy it on the bus.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Telephone: +39 06 65 951 or +39 06 6595 4554.

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Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)

Overview

Holidaymakers looking for a romantic getaway in Venice will find Venice Marco Polo Airport to be the best introduction to the iconic city with its narrow streets, canals, piazzas and gondolas. The airport is just five miles (8km) from central Venice and is connected to the magical city via normal means of transportation as well as water taxis - the perfect start to a holiday in this Italian city of romance.

The single terminal at Venice Airport houses plenty of souvenir and gift shops as well as a range of restaurants. The airport is well connected to cities across Europe and others worldwide, while cheap flights to Venice are available on many low-cost carriers. The South Terrace on the second floor of the terminal offers great views of the airport and wonderful photo opportunities of the Venice skyline.

Location

The airport is located 5 miles (8km) north of Venice.

Getting to the city

Train: The Mestre-Venice and Venice-Santa Lucia stations are easily accessible from the airport by buses that leave from the airport at 20-minute intervals.

Taxis: Taxis leave from outside the arrivals level of the terminal. The fare for a trip into Venice will not be less than €30.

Bus: Buses going to the Venice-Santa Lucia railways station via Piazzale Roma. The ATVO FlyBus leave roughly every three hours from 6am until 11:40pm daily. Tickets cost €7 each and depart from Stand Three. ACTV buses leave the airport far more regularly. Bus Nos. 4 and 5 operate between Marco Polo Airport and central Venice. Bus No. 4 is the night bus and leaves the airport at 10:07pm, 11:07pm and 11:47pm from Monday to Saturday. Bus No. 5 operates between 4:08am and 11:10 at 10-20 minute intervals from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays bus service operates between 4:08am and 11:10pm at 40-minute intervals.

Boat: The Alilaguna boats are a faster way into central Venice. There are four different lines: red, blue, orange and yellow. Prices range from €7-15 depending upon your destination. View the Alilaguna website for specific stops and to buy discounted tickets online. The dock is a 5-10 minute walk from the airport.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 041 260 6111 or +39 041 260 6400.

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Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN)

Location

6 miles (9km) southwest of Verona

Getting to the city

Aerobus offers service to the Verona Railway station, as does the Trenitalia rail service.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 045 809 5666

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Giovan Battista Pastine Airport (CIA)

Overview

Giovan Battista Pastine Airport, generally known as Rome's Ciampino Airport is situated in downtown Rome. It is one of Italy's busiest transport hubs and one of the world's oldest operating airports as it was built in 1916.

The newer International Airport in Fiumicino handles most air traffic coming into Rome. However, the Ciampino Airport has now become a key hub for low-cost carriers like Ryan Air and easyJet. The airport offers relatively short waiting times as well as reasonable onward travel options and facilities.

Location

The airport is situated nine miles (15km) southeast of Rome.

Getting to the city

Airport taxis: As has been mentioned, taxi fares from Ciampino Airport into the centre of Rome (defined as the area within the Aurelian walls) can be prohibitively expensive. To combat this problem, the airport has set up an official taxi stand, located opposite the arrivals hall. Here, taxis operate on a fixed rate of €30 per cab, good for a maximum of four passengers and their baggage. However, be warned that it is only the cab drivers who are officially licensed by the city of Rome that are obliged to offer you the fixed rate - if they're not around, and you have to use someone else, the fare will be more like €50. The trip should take 25 minutes - but in traffic, it'll be closer to an hour.

Train: Buy a ticket (€1) in the arrivals hall for a COTRAL/SCHIAFFINI bus to Ciampino Città, the nearest train station to the airport. Buses leave every 30 minutes, and only take 5 minutes to reach the station. From there, you can buy a ticket (approx. €2) to Termini, which you should reach in about 15 minutes.

Bus: You have quite a few options available to you, should you choose to go the public bus route.

Terravision offer a service between Ciampino Airport and Rome's main railway station, Termini. These buses operate from stops located just outside the departures area of the terminal building, and make trips from the airport every 15-45 minutes, between 8.40am and midnight. You can buy tickets (€4 one-way, €8 return) for Terravision buses in the arrivals hall.

Sitbus also offers a service between the airport and Termini. These leave from the public bus stops, located across the road from the airport's parking area. Sitbus buses leave every 45 minutes between 8:30am and 11.45pm, with a journey time of about 45 minutes. Tickets (€4 one-way, €8 return) can be bought when boarding the bus, and there is no extra charge for luggage.

These two are the best options for going to Termini. If, however, you wish to get off at another Metro station, you should take an ATTRAL bus to Anagnina Metro. The (blue) ATTRAL buses operate from the public bus stops, located across the road from the airport's parking area, and run to the metro station Anagnina (on line A), leaving every 40 minutes between 6am and 10.40pm. You can buy your ATTRAL bus tickets (€1.20) from the arrivals hall, and it should take 10-15 minutes to get to Anagnina. Once at Anagnina, follow the 'M' sign to find the Metro station (line A). Metro tickets can be bought from an automated machine, and cost €1.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 06 7934 8521 or +39 06 7949 4234.

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Perugia-Sant Egidio International Airport (PEG)

Location

Sant Egidio, 12km from Perugia

Getting to the city

There are regular buses from the airport to Perugia, with the main stop being the Piazza Italia.

Time

Local time in Perugia is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Information: 8488-6564, International Flights: 8488-65642, Domestic Flights: 8488-65641

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Turin Caselle Airport (TRN)

Location

10 miles (16km) north of Turin

Getting to the city

The GTT railway has service directly to central Turin. There are regular buses to the city centre, which take approximately 40 minutes.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 011 567 6378

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Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)

Location

The airport is located 2 miles (about 3km) southeast of the city of Olbia.

Getting to the city

Public bus lines 2 and 10 connect Olbia airport to the city (€1, 10-20 minutes).

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Tel: +39 0789 563 400

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Rimini-Miramare Airport (RMI)

Location

5 miles (8km) southeast of Rimini

Getting to the city

There is regular bus and train service to the airport from the downtown Rimini Railway Station.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

+39 0541 715 755

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Catania Fontanaros International Airport (CTA)

Location

The airport is located 3 miles (about 5km) southwest of the city of Catania.

Getting to the city

The AMT Alibus service (#457) connects Fontanarossa Airport to Catania city centre. Fare is €0.80 for a 60-minute journey, or €2 for a ticket valid until midnight of the day of purchase.

Time

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Tel: +39 095 7239111

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Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA)

Location

4.6 miles (7.4km) west of Genoa

Getting to the city

There is a public bus service to Genoa from the airport.

Time

GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Tel: +39 010 60151 Email: info@airport.genova.it

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Bologna Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.