Public Transport costs
g Need to Know g Contents
Whether you are visiting for a short city break or rural country retreat, discover how best to reach your destination and travel like a pro.
Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) and Milan’s Malpensa are the main airports for long-haul flights into Italy.
European budget airlines fly to cities across Italy year round at very reasonable prices. They also offer very good rates on internal flights within the country – ideal if you want to cover multiple destinations in one trip .
For information on getting to and from Italy’s main airports, see this table.
International Train Travel
Regular high-speed international trains connect Italy to the main towns and cities in Austria, Germany, France and Eastern Europe. Reservations for these services are essential and tickets are booked up quickly.
You can buy tickets and passes for multiple international journeys via Eurail or Interrail, however you may still need to pay an additional reservation fee depending on which rail service you travel with. Always check that your pass is valid before boarding.
Eurail
Interrail
Domestic Train Travel
Trenitalia is the main operator in Italy. Tickets can be bought online, but there are only a fixed number available so book ahead.
Italo Treno (NTV) and Trenitalia (FS) offer a high-speed service between major train stations throughout Italy. Book in advance to ensure a good price; reservations are essential.
Train tickets must be validated before boarding by stamping them in machines at the entrance to platforms. Heavy fines are levied if you are caught with an unvalidated ticket.
Italo Treno
Trenitalia
Most cities operate multiple public transport services comprising buses, trams, metro and in the case of Venice, boats. It is worth noting that many historic centres are relatively compact and can easily be covered on foot.
Public Transport Operators
Florence: ATAF
∑ ataf.net
Rome: ATAC
Milan: ATM
∑ atm.it
Venice: Venezia Unica
Buses and Trams
Tickets (biglietti) are available from kiosks, stations, bars, and newsstands. A single ticket is normally valid on all modes of public transport, including metro if avalable, and transfers for a designated amount of time (usually around one hour).
Some operators accept contactless payments or smart cards rather than traditional paper tickets. It is always best to check the website of the local transport company before travelling.
Discounted tickets bought in bulk (un blocchetto or un carnet), or day- or week-long visitor’s tickets and passes, are usually better value than paying as you go.
Tickets for public transport must be validated at the time of boarding. Validation machines are usually placed in the entrance hall at metro stations and on board buses and trams.
Long Distance Bus Travel
Eurolines offers a variety of coach routes to various destinations in Italy from other European cities. Fares are very reasonable, with discounts available for students, children and seniors.
SITA offer reasonably priced coach travel throughout Italy. You can usually buy tickets on board for long-haul buses (pullman or corriera) between towns and cities.
Services often depart from outside main railway stations or from a town’s main piazza. In rural areas, check bus stops for timetables and the details of local transport companies.
Eurolines
SITA
Metro
Italy’s major cities have a metro system (la metropolitana, or la metro for short), with the exception of Florence and other historic cities.
Milan, Naples and Rome are the largest with multiple lines, whilst Brescia, Catania, Genoa, and Turin have only one line.
For transport information about a specific town or city, consult the relevant public transport operator.
Taxis
Taxis are not hailed; take one at an official taxi stand (usually found at the station, main piazza or close to key tourist sights), or reserve one by phone. When you order a taxi by phone, the meter will run from your call.
Only accept rides in licensed, metered taxis. In Rome, official taxis are white, have a “taxi” sign on the roof and their official taxi licence number on the doors.
Extra charges are added for each piece of luggage placed in the boot, for rides between 10pm and 7am, on Sundays and public holidays, and for journeys to and from airports.
Taxi apps such as UBER (black service only) also operate in most major towns and cities.
One of the best ways to explore Italy is by car. However, it can also be a hair-raising experience. Italians have a reputation for driving erratically; this is particularly true in the south. Make sure you are familiar with the rules of the road and have all the necessary documentation, as traffic police (carabinieri) carry out routine checks.
Driving to Italy
Italy is easily reachable from other European countries via E-roads, the International European Road Network connecting major roads across national borders within Europe, or by national (N) and secondary (SS) roads from neighbouring France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Vehicles may also be transported into the country by ferry or rail.
Car Rental
To rent a car in Italy you must be over 21 and have held a valid driver’s licence for at least a year.
Driving licences issued by any of the EU member states are valid throughout the European Union, including Italy. If visiting from outside the EU, you may need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check with your local automobile association.
Driving in Italy
If you bring your own foreign-registered car into the country, you must carry a Green Card, the vehicle’s registration documents and a valid driver’s licence with you when driving.
Main towns and cities often enforce a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL). To avoid fines, consult the Urban Access Regulations in Europe website.
Tolls are payable on most motorways (autostrade), and payment is made at the end of the journey in either cash, credit card or pre-paid magnetic VIA cards, available from tobacconists and the ACI (Automobile Club d’Italia). Avoid tolls by using the national roads (strade nazionali), or secondary state roads (strade statali). Although less direct, they are often more scenic, allowing you to stop at viewpoints, towns and places of interest en route.
Roads known as white roads (strade bianche) have only a gravel surface. These are often narrow and steep, but are usually passable to cars. Always check your route before travelling.
ACI
∑ aci.it
ZTL and Urban Access Regulations in Europe
Rules of the Road
Drive on the right, use the left lane only for passing, and yield to traffic from the right.
Seat belts are required for all passengers in the front and back, and heavy fines are levied for using a mobile phone while driving. A strict drink-drive limit is enforced.
During the day dipped headlights are compulsory when you are driving on motorways, dual carriageways and on all out-of-town roads.
A red warning triangle, spare tyre and fluorescent vests must be carried at all times, for use in the event of an emergency.
In the event of an accident or breakdown switch on your hazard warning lights and place a warning triangle 50m (55 yd) behind your vehicle. For breakdowns call the ACI emergency number (116) or the emergency services (112 or 113). The ACI will tow any foreign-registered vehicle to the nearest ACI-affiliated garage free of charge.
Hitchhiking, or autostop, is illegal on motorways, but in more rural areas it is a common way for tourists and backpackers to get around on a budget. Always consider your own safety before entering an unknown vehicle.
Public bicycle sharing systems are available in most major cities, such as BikeMi in Milan and [TO]BIKE in Turin. You can rent bicycles, motorcycles and scooters hourly or by the day. You may have to leave your passport with the rental shop as a deposit, and you must have a valid licence to hire a scooter or motorcycle. Italian drivers are infamous for their blasé attitude to road safety, so only take to the roads if you are a confident cyclist or motorcyclist.
BikeMi
[TO]BIKE
The Italian islands are linked by sea to the mainland by regular ferry services including car ferries and hydrofoils.
The main Italian ports that serve the large islands of Sicily and Sardinia in the south are Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Fiumicino, Naples and Villa San Giovanni.
Ferry services are more frequent and reliable in summer, but book in advance to travel in July or August, especially if taking a vehicle.
The following international ferries run regular services to Italy’s main ports from Spain, France, Corsica, Malta, Tunisia, Morocco, Slovenia, Croatia, and Greece:
Emilia Romagna Lines
∑ directferries.it/emilia_romagna_lines.htm
Gnv Grandi Navi Veloci
∑ gnv.it
Grimaldi Line
Snav
∑ snav.it
Need to know Getting Around
Need to know Getting Around
Need to know Getting Around
| Airport | Distance to City | Taxi Fare | Public Transport | Journey Time |
| Bergamo (Orio al Serio) | 6 km (4 miles) | €18 | bus | 25 mins |
| Florence (Amerigo Vespucci) | 4km (3 miles) | €22 | bus | 20 mins |
| Milan (Linate) | 10 km (6 miles) | €20 | bus | 20 mins |
| Milan (Malpensa) | 50 km (31 miles) | €95 | train (FS) | 1 hour |
| Naples (Capodichino) | 7 km (4 miles) | €25 | bus | 30 mins |
| Palermo (Falcone-Borsellino) | 31 km (20 miles) | €45 | bus | 50 mins |
| Pisa (Galileo Galilei) | 2 km (1 mile) | €10 | train (FS) | 10 mins |
| Rome (Fiumicino) | 35 km (22 miles) | €48 | train (FS) | 30 mins |
| Rome (Ciampino) | 15 km (9 miles) | €30 | bus | 45 mins |
| Turin (Torino-Caselle) | 18 km (11 miles) | €30 | train (GTT) | 30 mins |
| Venice (Marco Polo) | 13 km (8 miles) | €35 | bus | 20 mins |
| Venice (Treviso) | 41 km (25 miles) | €75 | bus | 1 hour 10 mins |
| Verona (Villafranca) | 10 km (6 miles) | €25 | bus | 15 mins |
Need to know Getting Around
This map is a handy reference for intercity travel on Italy’s major train routes. Journey times given below are for the fastest available service on each route.
| Milan to Bologna | 1 hr |
| Milan to Turin | 1 hr |
| Milan to Florence | 2 hrs |
| Milan to Rome | 3 hrs |
| Rome to Florence | 1.5 hrs |
| Rome to Naples | 1 hr |
| Pisa to Florence | 1 hr |
| Naples to Bari | 4 hrs |
| Naples to Palermo | 10 hrs |
| Venice to Milan | 2.5 hrs |
| Venice to Bologna | 1.5 hrs |
Need to know Getting Around
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Venice has a unique transport network made up of the following vehicles: |
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Gondolas |
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A luxury form of transport. Before boarding, check the official tariffs and agree a price with the gondolier. |
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Traghetti |
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These gondola ferries cross the Grand Canal at seven different points. To find traghetti stops, look out for yellow street signs featuring a gondola. |
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Vaporetti |
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These large boats connect numerous ports across Venice and are the cheapest and most efficient way to travel. Smaller boats called Motoscafi and larger boats called Motonave also service the Vaproretti route. |
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Watertaxis |
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The fastest and most practical means of getting around in Venice. Beware of extra charges for transporting luggage, waiting, night service and call-out fees. |