Italy captivates travelers with its unparalleled blend of ancient history, Renaissance art, and world-renowned cuisine. From the romantic canals of Venice to the ancient ruins of Rome, the rolling hills of Tuscany to the dramatic Amalfi Coast, Italy offers diverse experiences across its varied regions.
- Public
- Excellent metro systems in Rome (3 lines), Milan (4 lines), and Naples (2 lines); comprehensive bus and tram networks in all major cities; ACTV vaporetti essential in Venice. National high-speed rail (Trenitalia Frecciarossa, Italo) connects cities at 250-300 km/h and is far faster than flying city-to-city.
- Taxi
- Official white taxis reliable and metered in all cities; apps Free Now and ItTaxi work across Italy; Uber operates as Uber Taxi (metered, not cheaper). Fixed airport fares in Rome (€48 to city) and Milan. Be wary of illegal unmetered touts.
- Rental
- Car rental excellent for Tuscany countryside, Amalfi Coast, Sicily, and Sardinia where public transport is limited. Avoid cars entirely in Venice (no cars allowed), Rome center, and Florence historic center (ZTL fines). E-scooters and bike-share widely available in cities.
- Walking
- Italy's historic cities are supremely walkable — Rome, Florence, and Venice centers are compact and rewarding on foot. Venice is entirely pedestrian; Rome's centro storico connects major sights within 30-minute walks.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Leonardo Express train to Termini Station - €14, 32 minutes, every 15 minutes
- Shuttle
- FL1 regional train to Trastevere, Ostiense, Tiburtina - €8, 45-60 minutes
- Bus
- Taxi to city center - €48 fixed fare, 45-60 minutes
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Alternatives
metro, bus_tram, taxi, rideshare, bike_share, water_transport
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €3-5 depending on city and time
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Routes: Connect smaller towns without train service. Rome-Florence €10-20, Milan-Venice €15-25
Cost: €5-40 depending on distance - usually cheaper than trains
- Operators
- FlixBus (international/intercity), MarinoBus, Baltour (regional)
- Notes
- Slower than trains but more budget-friendly. Book online for best prices. Buses depart from designated terminals, not always near train stations.
- Comfort
- Modern buses with WiFi, power outlets, toilets. Less comfortable than trains for long journeys.
Flights
Routes: Useful for Sicily, Sardinia, or long distances like Milan-Palermo, Rome-Cagliari
Cost: €40-150 depending on route and advance booking
- Airlines
- ITA Airways, Ryanair, EasyJet, Volotea
- Notes
- Train usually faster city-to-city when accounting for airport time. Flights worthwhile for islands or distances over 600km.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport
From centre: 32 km from Rome city center
Options: Leonardo Express train to Termini Station - €14, 32 minutes, every 15 minutes; FL1 regional train to Trastevere, Ostiense, Tiburtina - €8, 45-60 minutes; Taxi to city center - €48 fixed fare, 45-60 minutes; Private transfer - €55-80, advance booking recommended; ATRAL/Cotral buses to various locations - €5-7
Milan Malpensa Airport
From centre: 49 km from Milan city center
Options: Malpensa Express train to Cadorna or Centrale - €13, 45-52 minutes; Malpensa Shuttle bus to Centrale - €10, 50 minutes; Taxi to city center - €90 fixed fare, 45-60 minutes; Uber/private transfer - €70-100; Car rental available - from €35/day
Venice Marco Polo Airport
From centre: 12 km from Venice
Options: ACTV bus #5 to Piazzale Roma - €8, 25 minutes; Alilaguna water bus to various stops - €15, 60-90 minutes, scenic route; Water taxi to hotel dock - €110-150, 30 minutes, door-to-door; Land taxi to Piazzale Roma - €40, 20 minutes; Private transfer - €50-80
Naples Capodichino Airport
From centre: 7 km from Naples city center
Options: Alibus to Piazza Garibaldi/Centrale Station - €5, 20 minutes; Taxi to city center - €20-25, 15-30 minutes depending on traffic; Private transfer - €30-50; Local bus to metro station - €1.20; Car rental available - from €30/day
Florence Peretola Airport
From centre: 5 km from Florence city center
Options: Tramvia T2 tram to Santa Maria Novella - €1.50, 20 minutes; Volainbus shuttle to Santa Maria Novella - €6, 25 minutes; Taxi to city center - €20-25, 15-20 minutes; Private transfer - €30-45; Uber available - €15-25
Catania Fontanarossa Airport
From centre: 7 km from Catania city center
Options: Alibus to Catania Centrale Station - €4, 20 minutes; Taxi to city center - €20-25, 15 minutes; Private transfer - €30-40; Car rental available - from €25/day for Sicily exploration; Etna shuttle buses to Taormina - €10, 60 minutes
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Trenitalia app
National rail booking for Frecciarossa high-speed trains and regional trains — book in advance for deep discounts
Italo Treno app
Private high-speed rail competitor to Trenitalia on Rome-Naples-Milan-Venice routes — often has better prices on advance bookings
Free Now (myTaxi)
Best taxi app working in all major Italian cities — book official white taxis with transparent pricing
Moovit
Real-time public transport navigation for all Italian cities — shows bus routes, waiting times, and walking directions
Rome2Rio
Multi-modal journey planner comparing train, bus, flight, and ferry options between any two Italian cities with price comparisons
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy integrated city transport tickets valid on bus, tram, and metro — in Rome the BIT ticket (€1.50) covers 100 minutes on all modes
The Trenitalia app and Italo app offer best train prices with advance booking — same-day trains can cost 3-4x the advance price
Always validate bus, tram, and regional train tickets in the yellow machines before boarding — inspectors issue €50-100 on-the-spot fines
In Venice, buy a 24h (€25), 48h (€35) or 72h (€45) ACTV vaporetto pass if staying more than 1 day — much cheaper than individual €7.50 tickets
Trenitalia regional trains (Regionale) don't require advance booking and can be bought at station machines — flexible for day trips
Avoid night buses unless necessary — they're infrequent and confusing; taxis or rideshares at night are safer and not prohibitively expensive
E-scooters (Lime, Bird, Voi) available in Rome, Milan, Florence — convenient for short distances between metro stops and sights