Arrival & Transport
By Plane
Italy has over 30 airports with international connections. From Germany, there are direct flights to virtually every region. The flight time is 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
The Most Important Airports
| Airport | Code | Region | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome Fiumicino (Leonardo da Vinci) | FCO | Lazio | Leonardo Express to Termini main station (32 Min., €14) |
| Rome Ciampino | CIA | Lazio | Low-cost hub. Bus to Termini (40 Min., €6–7) |
| Milan Malpensa | MXP | Lombardy | Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale (50 Min., €13) |
| Milan Bergamo (Orio al Serio) | BGY | Lombardy | Ryanair hub. Bus to Milano Centrale (1h, €7–10) |
| Venice Marco Polo | VCE | Veneto | Water bus (Alilaguna) to Venice (1h 15, €15) or bus to Mestre (20 Min., €8) |
| Naples Capodichino | NAP | Campania | Alibus to main station (20 Min., €5) |
| Catania Fontanarossa | CTA | Sicily | AMT bus to center (20 Min., €4) |
| Palermo Falcone-Borsellino | PMO | Sicily | Trinacria Express to center (45 Min., €7) |
| Florence Peretola | FLR | Tuscany | Tram T2 to main station SMN (20 Min., €1.70) |
| Pisa Galileo Galilei | PSA | Tuscany | PisaMover to station (5 Min.), then train to Florence (1h) |
Airlines from Germany
Lufthansa, Eurowings, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Condor, Vueling, ITA Airways (successor of Alitalia) fly from practically every German airport to Italy. The cheapest prices are with Ryanair from Bergamo, easyJet from Malpensa, and Wizz Air from various destinations.
Flight Prices (Guidelines, Round Trip)
| Period | Price (Round Trip) |
|---|---|
| Off-Season (Nov–Mar) | €40–120 |
| Shoulder Season (Apr–May, Oct) | €80–180 |
| High Season (Jun–Aug) | €150–350 |
Tipp
Pisa is often significantly cheaper to fly into than Florence — and the train from Pisa Airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella costs only €9.60 and takes an hour. For Tuscany, Pisa is the better entry point.
By Train
Italy's high-speed network is one of the best in Europe. The Frecciarossa trains from Trenitalia and the red Italo trains connect the major cities quickly, comfortably, and punctually. For city travelers, the train is almost always the best choice.
Important High-Speed Connections
| Route | Duration | Price (from) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome → Florence | 1h 30 | €19.90 | every 20–30 min. |
| Rome → Naples | 1h 10 | €19.90 | every 30 min. |
| Rome → Milan | 2h 50 | €29.90 | every 30 min. |
| Rome → Venice | 3h 30 | €29.90 | hourly |
| Florence → Venice | 2h 05 | €19.90 | hourly |
| Milan → Venice | 2h 25 | €19.90 | hourly |
| Naples → Salerno | 0h 35 | €5.60 | every 15–30 min. |
Trenitalia vs. Italo
Trenitalia is the state railway company with the most comprehensive network (Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca + regional trains). Italo is the private competitor with modern trains, free Wi-Fi, and often cheaper prices on the main routes. Both bookable via their own apps/websites.
Tips for Train Travel
- Early Birds: The cheapest tickets (Economy/Super Economy) are available 2–4 months in advance and up to 70% cheaper than Flex tickets
- Regional Trains: For short distances (e.g., Florence–Siena, Rome–Tivoli), the slow regional trains (Regionale/Regionale Veloce) are significantly cheaper and require no reservation
- Validation: Tickets for regional trains MUST be validated at the green machines before boarding! Forgetting this risks a €50 fine
- Night Trains: ÖBB Nightjet runs directly from Munich and Vienna to Rome, Venice, Milan, and Florence. Sleeper cars from about €50, sleeping cars from about €100. Board in the evening, wake up in Italy — an experience
Tipp
The Italo app often has flash sales with tickets from €9.90 on the main routes. Activate notifications and act quickly!
Rental Car
For Tuscany, Sardinia, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, and rural areas, a rental car is almost indispensable. In the big cities (Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence), however, a car is a hindrance — ZTL zones, parking fees, and traffic chaos make driving an adventure.
Prices by Season (Small Car)
| Period | Price/Day | Price/Week |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Season (Nov–Mar) | €15–25 | €80–150 |
| Shoulder Season (Apr–May, Oct) | €25–45 | €150–280 |
| High Season (Jun–Aug) | €45–90 | €280–550 |
ZTL Zones — Italy's Biggest Tourist Trap
The Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) is the dreaded term for every driver in Italy. Almost every historic city center has cameras that register every entry. The penalty: €80–100 per entry — and you only find out weeks later by mail. Affected are, among others: Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Siena, Verona, Naples, Palermo, Pisa. Always ask your hotel if it is in a ZTL and if it can register your license plate.
Highway (Autostrada)
Italy's highways are toll roads. Payment at toll booths: cash, card (also contactless), Telepass (electronic). Guidelines: Rome–Florence about €18, Rome–Naples about €14, Milan–Venice about €19. The speed limit is 130 km/h, 110 km/h in rain. Tutor system (average speed measurement) on many sections.
Refueling
Gasoline (Benzina): about €1.75–1.90/liter (2025). Diesel (Gasolio): about €1.65–1.80/liter. Attention: Many gas stations have mandatory service (Servito) — fuel is significantly more expensive there than at self-service (Self-Service/Fai da te). Always use the self-service pump!
Achtung
Driving on the Amalfi Coast in summer is a nightmare: single-lane roads, tour buses in oncoming traffic, hardly any parking. From June to September, it's better to take the SITA bus or a boat from Salerno/Naples. If you drive, start as early as possible (before 9 AM).
Ferries & Boats
As a peninsula with two large islands, Italy has one of the densest ferry networks in Europe. For Sardinia and Sicily, ferries are a real alternative to flying.
Important Ferry Connections
| Route | Duration | Price (from, person) | Provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civitavecchia (Rome) → Olbia (Sardinia) | 5–8h | €35 | Grimaldi, Tirrenia, Moby |
| Genoa → Olbia (Sardinia) | 10–12h (night) | €40 | Moby, Tirrenia, GNV |
| Livorno → Olbia (Sardinia) | 8–10h | €35 | Grimaldi, Moby |
| Naples → Palermo (Sicily) | 10–11h (night) | €45 | GNV, Tirrenia |
| Villa San Giovanni → Messina (Sicily) | 20 Min. | €3.50 | Caronte & Tourist |
| Naples → Capri | 50–80 Min. | €15–22 | Caremar, SNAV, NLG |
| Salerno → Amalfi/Positano | 35–70 Min. | €10–14 | Travelmar |
| La Spezia → Cinque Terre | 25–75 Min. | €5–18 | Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti |
Tips
- Night Ferries to Sardinia and Sicily are ideal: You save a hotel night and wake up at your destination. Book a cabin (from €50–80), the deckchair area is noisy
- Bringing a Car is worthwhile on Sardinia and Sicily — a rental car is almost mandatory there. From about €70–100 per route for a car
- Capri, Ischia, Procida: Fast boats (Aliscafi) from Naples are faster but more expensive and rougher in choppy seas. Regular ferries (Traghetti) are cheaper and calmer
- Book Early for Sardinia in August — the ferries are booked weeks in advance, especially around Ferragosto (August 15)
Tipp
The ferry from Salerno along the Amalfi Coast to Positano and Amalfi is the most relaxing way to experience the coast — no traffic, no hairpin bends, just sea views. From €10 per route.
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