Transport to and around Italy

There are several ways of getting to Italy from the UK. One way is to enrol on a package holiday and let the tour company organise everything for you. This can be very relaxing and it can also be the cheapest option. However, it is not for everybody.

Italy by air

If you want to travel to Italy independently, probably the easiest - and certainly the quickest - way is to fly. The UK is well served with flights to Italy and you can find some very good deals. As with most destinations, the biggest choice is from the London airports but you can get an affordable direct flight to somewhere in Italy from practically every UK regional airport. The budget airlines cover a huge number of these routes but the other airlines also have good offers from time to time.

When you are booking a flight, it is worthwhile finding out how far away the airport is from your ultimate destination. For example, if you are going to Milan, Linate airport is more or less in the city and you can just hop on a normal bus straight into town. Malpensa is rather further out and some airlines even take you to Bergamo airport for Milan.

Once you are in Italy, it is usually better to travel around by train. Italian domestic flights are generally expensive and the rail service is generally very good.

Italy by train

If you have more time, you can travel to Italy by train. You can find train timetables and book your tickets or buy a pass online before you go. You may choose to take a few days getting to Italy and enjoy the stops along the way. If not, you can get from London to Milan in about twelve hours.

Once you are in Italy, train is an excellent way to get about. Even in quite small places, the trains are reliable and comfortable. Just pay attention to the system for ticket-checking. There is a yellow machine at the entrance to the platform, where you must stamp your ticket. If you fail to do so, you may well be fined; the inspectors can be quite tough. Be aware also that you have to pay a supplement to travel on some of the fast trains.

Italian stations get very busy and the queues are usually long. Do make sure you allow enough time to buy and stamp your tickets.

Italy by car

Again, if you have got time, it can be nice to amble down to Italy by car. You can choose to take your car on the train for all or part of the journey or you can take a ferry and drive the whole way. Depending on your route, you can go through five or more other countries before hitting Italy. Since these are all EU members, it is very easy to do this and it is fun to watch the signs and billboards changing language as you go.

Once you are in Italy, car is a good way to travel between cities. If you have not brought your own, you can very easily hire on there, of course. Petrol is fairly expensive in Italy and so are the motorway tolls, payable on every motorway, but the roads are generally well maintained and Italians' lane discipline is very good so the autostrade are an efficient way to go.

Within a city, it is best not to get around by car. The traffic is usually appalling and the driving is not for the faint-hearted. Italian public transport is of a high standard and there is generally no need to use the car in town.

Italy by bus

It is also possible to reach Italy by bus/coach. This is a cheap option, which can be rather tiring but also great fun.

Local buses, trams and the underground

As mentioned above, public transport in Italy is good. In urban areas, buses and trams are frequent, reliable and the best way to travel. In rural areas, the buses are pretty reliable too, though, naturally, less frequent.

Tickets for buses and trams are not sold on the vehicle but at the Tabacchi (tobacconist) and other shops and bars.

Rome and Milan both have excellent underground services. Milan's is slightly smarter than Rome's but, in both cities, the metropolitana (or metrò for short) is definitely an efficient way of getting about. You can buy tickets at the stations, though they are the same tickets you use for the bus and tram.

On buses, trams and metro trains, Italians tend to move to stand by the door well in advance of the next stop. If the vehicle is full and you are standing by the door for lack of anywhere else to be, you will almost certainly be asked, "Scende alla prossima?" or simply, "Scende?" [Shenday]. This means "Are you getting off at the next?" (stop is not specified but implicit). If you are, you say "Sì" and that is that. If you are not, you say "No" and you will need somehow to get out of the way so that those who are can get nearer the door.

Taxis

If you need to take a taxi in Italy, make sure it is licensed (it should have a sign saying TAXI on the roof). You will be charged extra for every piece of luggage and for travelling at night or on Sundays or holidays.

On the whole, it is much better to go by public transport but the occasional taxi ride will be fine, as long as you are careful. However, you will not find a taxi you can hail in the street; you have to go to a rank.

Ferries

There are good ferry services to and from the Italian islands, across the big lakes and to and from other countries. It is always advisable to book in advance, particularly for more serious journeys.