STUDY IN  ITALY - Getting to Italy

National Airline

Alitalia Airlines AZ Website: http://www.alitalia.it

A great number of major international airlines operate direct flights to various destinations in Italy from the USA, Italy, Australia and Europe. Owing to the number of flights available, ticket prices vary greatly and there is a wide range of discount fares and special tickets available. Further information can be obtained from the airline or a travel agent.

Approximate flight times: From Rome to London is 2 hours 30 minutes, to Los Angeles is 15 hours 35 minutes, to New York is 9 hours 45 minutes, to Singapore is 13 hours 55 minutes and to Sydney is 24 hours 50 minutes.

International Airports

Rome Airport FCO Website: http://www.adr.it

Rome Airport (FCO) (Fiumicino) is 26km (16 miles) southwest of the city (travel time – 30-55 minutes). A new terminal B was recently opened to cater primarily for flights to other European destinations. Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bank and 24-hour bureau de change and 24-hour bar/restaurant. There is a direct rail link to Termini Station in central Rome and a bus service every 15 minutes. Taxis are also available to the city.

Rome Airport (CIA) (Ciampino) (website: http://www.adr.it), 32km (15 miles) from the city (travel time – 60 minutes). Airport facilities include a bank/bureau de change, duty-free shop and souvenir shop and cafe. Buses are available to the underground station Anagnina. Taxis are also available.

Bologna Airport (BLQ) (G Marconi) (website: http://www.bologna-airport.it), 6km (4 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 20 minutes) has good airport facilities. Buses and taxis are available to the city.

Genoa Airport (GOA) (Cristoforo Colombo, Sestri) (website: http://www.airport.genova.it), 6km (4 miles) west of the city (travel time – 20 minutes) has duty-free facilities. Buses are available to the city.

Milan Airport (MXP) (Malpensa) (website: http://www.sea-aeroportimilano.it) is 45km (29 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 30 minutes) and has duty-free facilities.

Milan Airport (LIN) (Linate) (website: http://www.sea-aeroportimilano.it) is 10km (6 miles) east of the city (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free facilities, car hire, bank/bureau de change and bar/restaurant. Taxis and buses are available to the city.

Bergamo Airport (BGY) (Milano Orio al Serio) (website: http://www.milanoorio-airport.it) is 45km (28 miles) east of Milan. Taxis and buses are available to both Milan and Bergamo.

Naples Airport (NAP) (Capodichino) (website: http://www.gesac.it) is 7km (4.5 miles) north of the city (travel time – 20-30 minutes) and has good airport facilities. Buses and taxis operate to the city centre.

Pisa Airport (PSA) (Galileo Galilei) (website: http://www.pisa-airport.com) is 2km (1.5 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes) and has duty-free facilities.

Palermo Airport (PMO) (Punta Raisi) (website: http://www.gesap.it) is 30km (19 miles) west of the city (travel time – 40 minutes).

Turin (TRN) (Citta di Torino) (website: http://www.aeroportoditorino.it/en/hp_en.html) is 16km (10 miles) northeast of the city (travel time – 35 minutes). Airport facilities include bureaux de change, left luggage, restaurants, bars and duty-free shopping. Buses, trains and taxis all run to the city centre.

Venice (VCE) (Marco Polo) (website: http://www.veniceairport.it) is 10km (6 miles) northwest of the city (travel time – 20 minutes) has good airport facilities. Buses and taxi services run to Piazzale Roma and the railway station. Water taxis operate to San Marco.

Note: People travelling to Florence can fly to Pisa and then take the new train service directly from Pisa Airport to Florence (travel time – 60 minutes). The railway station in Pisa is practically inside the airport. Rail services connect with arrivals and departures of all international flights and major domestic services.

Departure tax: None.

RAIL: Travelling from the UK, the quickest way is to travel by Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris (travel time – 3 hours) and, from there, to Italy. For further information and reservations, contact: Eurostar (tel: (0870) 6000 792 (travel agents) or (08705) 186 186 (public; within the UK) or +44 (1233) 617 575 (public; outside the UK); website: http://www.eurostar.com); or Rail Europe (tel: 08705 848 848). Travel agents can obtain refunds for unused tickets from Eurostar Trade Refunds, Second Floor, Kent House, 81 Station Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PD. Complaints and comments may be sent to Eurostar Customer Relations, Eurostar House, Waterloo Station, London SE1 8SE. General enquiries and information requests must be made by telephone. Rail travellers not using the Channel Tunnel link need to make some form of sea crossing, usually by ferry or catamaran; for details on sea crossings see also Sea above. The cost of the crossing is usually included in the price of the rail ticket. For information and reservations contact Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848). The main rail connections from London (Victoria) and Paris to Italy are: Artesia (Lyon, Milan, Paris, Rome and Turin); and Simplon Express (Brigue, Domodossola, Lausanne, Milan, Paris, Trieste and Venice).

ROAD: Travelling by car from the UK, the quickest way is via Eurotunnel trains which carry all types of vehicles through the channel tunnel (travel time – 35 minutes). For further details, see also Travel - International in the France section. For information and reservations, contact Eurotunnel in the UK (tel: (08705) 353 535; website: http://www.eurotunnel.com).

Routes from the UK to Italy run through France, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia and most routes use the tunnels under the Alps and Apennines. Italian State Railways run regular daily services called autotreni (trains carrying cars), especially during the summer holiday season. The main routes covered are: Milan–Genoa–Naples–Villa San Giovanni; Bologna–Naples–Villa San Giovanni; Milan–Rome–Naples–Villa San Giovanni; Turin–Bolzano–Bari; and Bologna–Catania. These services operate from special railway stations and are generally bookable at the departure station. Owners must travel on the same train. The documents required are the log-book, valid driving licence with Italian translation, Green Card insurance and national identity plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle. For more information on routes, contact the Italian State Tourist Board. For more information on required documentation and traffic regulations in Italy, see Travel – Internal section.

Coach: Eurolines run coach services from the UK to the following destinations: Ancona, Bologna, Cattolica, Florence, Genoa, L'Aquila, Mestre, Milan, Montecatini, Naples, Padua, Parma, Pesaro, Pisa, Riccione, Rimini, Rome, Siena, Teramo, Turin, Venice and Verona. For information on timetables and fares, call Eurolines in the UK (4 Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, L41 1PP; tel: (08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694; website: http://www.eurolines.com or http://www.gobycoach.com).

International sailings to Italy run from Albania, Croatia, the Far East, France, Greece, Libya, Malta, Portugal, South America, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey and West Africa. For details, contact shipping agents direct. The quickest route from the UK is via France. The following companies run regular cross-channel ferries from the UK to France: Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Roscoff, from Portsmouth to St Malo and Caen, and from Poole to Cherbourg; Condor Ferries from Jersey, Guernsey, Poole, Portsmouth and Weymouth to Cherbourg and St Malo; Hoverspeed from Dover to Calais, and from Newhaven to Dieppe; SeaFrance from Dover to Calais; P&O Stena Line from Dover to Calais; and P&O Portsmouth from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Le Havre. These companies offer a variety of promotional fares and inclusive holidays for short breaks and shopping trips.