Cheap flights to Italy from $160

Italy Travel Guide

Italians live la dolce vita, enjoying good food, great wine and even better conversation. Every region and city has its own culinary specialty—risotto in Veneto, pesto in Liguria, ham in Parma, artichokes in Rome, balsamic vinegar in Modena, and, of course, pizza in Naples. The Italians have a word for it—campanilismo—which means “loyalty to your own bell tower”. This philosophy ensures that local culinary traditions endure and thrive.

And away from the food, there is nothing to compare with sitting in a cafe set amongst the ruins of Rome, surveying the green and rolling hills in Tuscany, watching the vaporetti plying their trade on the canals of Venice, visiting masterpiece-stuffed museums and churches, shopping in Milan and people-watching. The Italians are a stylish bunch with a passion for fashion and an eye for fine design.

Italy is a four-season destination. Book flights to Italy for sightseeing in the big cities and small towns, skiing in the winter or basking on the sandy beaches of the Amalfi Coast, the South and on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily.

What will you get from purchasing airline tickets to Italy? Poets, painters, musicians, magicians, artists, novelists are just a few of the types of people who emerged from Italy and set the groundwork for today’s music, literature, theater, art, and cuisine. Names like Raphael, Botticelli, Michelangelo, and da Vinci evoke images of the Renaissance era, when art was the backbone of humanity and extravagance knew no boundaries. Today, travelers going to Italy find themselves immersed in history and culture. From Rome and Venice to Tuscany and the Amalfi coast, travelers touring Italy will find culinary and historical delights everywhere they turn.

Embrace Roman architecture at its finest and indulge in Italy’s vineyards. Take a drive under the Tuscan sun before boarding your Italy flight to the snow-capped mountain tops of the Dolomites. Treat yourself to the finest cuisine before immersing yourself in the romantic Venice canals. Each city in Italy has its own character and personality but one thing remains constant throughout the country: Italy has style. Whether you’re a fashionista, sommelier, struggling artist or operatic singer, book a trip to Italy and you’re sure to be inspired.

Getting to and around the city of Italy

Rome Airport:

There is a direct train, the Leonardo Express, which operates between the airport and the center of Rome around every half an hour. You can buy your ticket either from the platform or from newsstands and shops. You’ll need to use the validation machines at the station or onboard before your journey begins otherwise you’ll face a fine. There are also bus services available from outside of the airport. You can find out about the timetables and which number is best for you once your flights to Italy land. As a final option, you can hail a taxi although these are a lot more expensive than the train.

Florence Airport:

The airport is located just 2.5 miles away from the city center and is easily accessible via public transport. There is a bus service that operates to and from the airport. The service runs daily and is very frequent, with a journey time of around 20 minutes.  The shuttles stop running around midnight so it is more convenient to hail a taxi from then on; just make sure you agree on a fee before you get in. You can get taxis during any point of the day but they are a lot more expensive than the bus shuttles.

Trains are extensive, throughout Italy. The north is better connected with all types of transport (trains and low-cost airlines) than the south.

Most Italian cities’ historic centers are best covered on foot. When walking around Venice, allow extra time for getting lost—it’s bound to happen. For all cities, bring comfortable and sturdy walking shoes as there are lots of cobblestones. Public transportation is the best way to travel in a city. Rome and Milan have underground trains, buses, and trams, and Florence and Bologna have buses. Venetian public transportation is water buses and ferries.

Taxis are available in most cities in Italy, and water taxis in Venice. Either call for one or hail one at a taxi stand. In Bologna, the network of one-way streets is so convoluted that taking a cab can be very expensive.

Mopeds are popular in Rome and Florence. Bicycling is difficult in Florence, but possible.

Ferry service between the mainland and the islands is good and regular but slow.

Tips for your stay in Italy

• In Emilia-Romagnaalone there are more than 40 products that have received the Denomination of Protected Origin from the European Union. DOP protection means they cannot be produced anywhere else in the world. They include cheeses (Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano), meats (Pancetta Piacentina, Prosciutto di Modena) olive oils (Olio Extra Vergine di oliva di Brisighella) and balsamic vinegar (DOP Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Reggio Emilia).
• Positanohas two beaches: Spiaggia Grande, in the center of the town is the main one, while Spiaggia del Fornillo is a bit further away. Spiaggia del Fornillo is a five-minute walk from the main beach, past the Hotel Covo dei Saraceni. The beach is quieter with some beachfront bars and restaurants.
• Buying a Courmayeurski pass allows you to ski or snowboard in Aosta Valley ski resorts such as Breuil-Cervinia, Etroubles, Pila or Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses.
• A stroll to the Ponte Vecchio in Florenceis a tourist must-do. Add a walk along the River Arno at dusk. The views down the river, to the other bridges, are beautiful.
• In Milan, the fashion gods—Gucci, Armani and Moschino—can be worshipped at the quadrilatero della moda. The quadrilaterois made up of via Montenapoleone, via della Spiga, Sant’Andrea and via Manzoni. Fashion houses include Roberto Cavalli, Armani and Versace. For shopping where a platinum credit card may not be as necessary, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an enormous shopping arcade lined with cafés and restaurants as well as tempting shops.
• Try to ensure that your trip to Italy coincides with La Notte Biancain Rome. The “white night” takes place in September and it’s a wonderful chance to spy behind normally closed doors such as the Palazzo Farnese, home of the French Embassy, or the Cinecittà studios, where many famous films have been made.

Finding Flights from Italy

Rome Fiumicino International Airport, Milan Malpensa International Airport, Venice Marco Polo International Airport, and the Sicily Catania International Airport serve a wide variety of U.S. and international carriers, so if you’re planning to take another journey outside of Italy, finding an outbound flight is simple.

If you’re looking for convenient and reliable transportation to the airport, there are several options available to ensure you arrive in plenty of time for your departure flight. Taxi services are available in all the major regions, and booking your ride in advance will help guarantee a timely pick-up. When traveling to the Marco Polo Airport in Venice, ATVO Bus Service offers shuttle service that runs every 20 minutes, while the Rome Airport Shuttle Express offers van service pick-ups from your hotel to the airport.

If you need a lift to Sicily Catania Airport, Taxi Sicily Catania offers flat rate ride service. For transportation to the Milan Airport, the Malpensa shuttle coach bus picks up passengers every 20 minutes at Milan Central Station. For travelers staying in one of Italy’s major cities, transportation through ride-share services such as Lyft and Uber is also available.

To learn more about the airports in Italy, take a look at our online international airport guide: