Is flying into Milan a good alternative, rather than flying into Rome?

Question

I am thinking about going to Italy in the fall from the USA, and noticed that plane tickets are much cheaper flying into Milan than flying into Rome in the tune to about 600 US dollars less. Most people I know who have gone to Italy flew into Rome, so I was just wondering if anyone out there flew into Milan instead and if it was worth it. I figure I could always take a train to Rome. Thanks.

Answer 1

It was not worth it in my opinion because you end up spending much more time traveling between cities and much more money on travel.  To maximize your visit I suggest flying straight to Rome.

Answer 2

Another alternative would be to fly to Milan, then take a flight to Rome.

Alitalia and other airlines fly from Milan to Rome several times per day, in nearly the same amount of time it takes to go by bus to Milano Centrale train station. The current cost for a one-way flight in mid- September is about $160.

This would work especially well if you plan to visit Rome first, then work your way northwards [Assisi, Siena, Florence, etc.] cities .flying out of Milan for your flight back home.

Answer 3

Milan is a viable alternative if you don't mind the 1 hour bus ride and to the train station and 4.5 to 6 hours on the train to get to Rome. The high speed trains cost 44.90 or 56.10 depending on whether the discounted fare is available or not - you do have to get your ticket at least a day in advance to get the discounted fare.

You can always take your time getting to Rome and see some of the rest of Italy as well. For example, a stop in Florence for a day or two is worth it if you're here for any significant length of time. You could also take the route down the Ligurian coast and spend a day in Cinque Terre.

Answer 4

A lot of good answers here.  A couple of points:

I agree with Taylor's Dad - the Milan airport is easier to deal with than the Rome airport (for departure, arrival is always a snap).  Fiumincino has it's better days and it's worse days.  On the bad days you really don't want to see the lines.

Much of what you may want to see lies between Milan and Rome, so it's not all wasted motion - although most of it is closer to Rome.  If you're going to take in Venice you're pushing back up over the Mountains anyway.  Milan makes sense.

Even though we spend very little time in the North, if I had a $600 dollar difference on the fare, I would definitely go to Milan.  And I'd be driving.

Answer 5

I'm an Italian girl, i live in Milan. So sorry for my English!!!!

The airports in Milan are ok, no problems! If you have time i suggest you 2 different way to spend your hoiday in Italy:

1-you can flying into Milan and spend same days visiting the city. It takes 45 minutes/1 hour from the airport to the city (the buses let people at the train station "Centrale"); than you can spend same days in the city; Milan is not as beautiful and artistic as Rome, it's the Italisn "busisness city"; anyway there are wonderful places to visit: the central area of the city (the "Duomo" and all the streets just around it), it's full of fantastic shops, if you are a fachion victim, there's a castle with its huge park where people walk, sing, play instruments, have party, have  pick-nick and do really everything they want...a place to have fun!!! During the night it turns into a wonderful place to spend your time, thanks to its clubs and the houndred of people who chose it. And Milan is full of places like this to vist..if you are interested in it and you want more infos just tell me!!!...So after some days you could take the train and join Rome..in my opinion it'a the most beautiful city in Italy, it's really stunning!!!! You have to visit it! I can't describe it, it would take all the day!

Believe me!

2-If you don't want spend some days in Milan you can flying into Milan, join the train station "Centrale", take a ticket for Rome and go there!! It takes more less 4/5 hours from Milan to Rome. It would be ok, and probably better than flying directly into Rome. And you'd have more days to live the fantastic atmosphere of this city!

Anyway i think it would be better flying into Milan and than go to Rome by train! You can see a great part of the Italian landscape that is absolutly amazing!!

I hope to have been usefull..and I hope you have fun, dirng your Italian holiday! You've done a good choice ^.^

Bye!

Answer 6

Lots of good suggestions above.  I have traveled in each of the suggested ways.  One thing I will say is that I think Milan's airports (Malpensa and Linate) are both much easier to deal with than Fiumicino in Rome.  They are less crowded and much easier to negotiate.  Every time I fly into Rome (more than 100 times total) I am frustrated by the disorganization and amazed by the crowds.  Milan will give you a much more gentle welcome to bella Italia, and departing from there is much less hectic that leaving from Rome.

Buon viaggio!

Answer 7

I think it's a good idea, IF YOU HAVE TIME.  The trains in Italy are wonderful, not expensive ( go 2nd class- it's fine) and you will see lots of Italy as you travel.  You can stop in other cities, too.  Especially great if you have time to travel south to Genoa, then along the coast until you are near Rome.  The Cinqueterre is fabulous! I have done all this by train.