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Getting around Italy
Italy's main domestic airline, ITA Airways, operates an extensive network of internal routes, with frequent services linking Rome and Milan to cities such as Naples, Venice, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Bari, Palermo, Catania, Cagliari and Olbia. Low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, easyJet and Volotea, also operate numerous domestic routes, often offering competitive fares, particularly to island destinations.
Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate serve as the main domestic hubs, with multiple daily flights to regional airports across the country. Sicily is well served by airports in Palermo, Catania, Trapani and Comiso, while Sardinia has three main airports at Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero. Seasonal increases in capacity are common during summer, particularly on routes serving holiday destinations.
Italy has an extensive motorway network linking major cities, alongside a dense web of secondary and local roads that pass through vineyards, mountain valleys and historic villages. Driving is particularly rewarding in regions such as Tuscany, Umbria, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and Sicily.
Two scenic routes stand out as classic Italian road trips. The Amalfi Coast road (SS163) winds dramatically between cliffs and the Tyrrhenian Sea, passing through towns such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. In the north, the Great Dolomite Road (Grande Strada delle Dolomiti) offers spectacular alpine scenery between Bolzano and Cortina d'Ampezzo, with jagged peaks, mountain passes and postcard-perfect views.
Fuel stations are widely available, including 24-hour self-service stations on major routes. Tolls apply on most motorways, while scenic coastal and mountain roads are usually toll-free.
Road quality in Italy is generally good, particularly on motorways and major highways, which are well-maintained and clearly signposted. Secondary roads are also mostly in good condition, though surfaces can deteriorate in rural or mountainous areas. In historic town centres and villages, roads may be narrow, uneven or cobbled, requiring slower speeds and careful driving.
Italy's road network is divided into several categories. Autostrade (A roads) are toll motorways designed for fast, long-distance travel. Strade Statali (SS) are state highways connecting regions and cities, while Strade Provinciali (SP) and Strade Comunali (SC) serve provincial and local traffic. Speed limits and road conditions vary by classification and location.
Car hire is widely available across Italy, with rental desks at airports, major train stations and city centres. A wide range of vehicles is offered, from compact city cars to larger family models. Booking in advance is recommended during peak summer months and holiday periods. Manual transmission vehicles are more common than automatics.
Taxis in Italy are easy to recognise, as licensed taxis are uniformly white nationwide, with a roof sign displaying the word "TAXI" and a city-issued licence number. Fares are regulated and metered, with supplements often applied for luggage, night journeys, weekends and trips to or from airports. Taxis cannot usually be hailed on the street; they are best taken from designated taxi ranks, booked by phone, or ordered via an app.
Ride-hailing services are more limited than in many other countries. Uber operates in Italy but mainly offers premium services (such as Uber Black) and is available only in major cities. More widely used are taxi-booking apps that connect passengers to licensed taxis, including Free Now, itTaxi and AppTaxi. These apps allow cashless payment, fare estimates and advance bookings, and are often the most convenient way for visitors to use taxis in Italy.
Cycling is increasingly popular in Italy, both for leisure and as a means of transport. Dedicated cycle paths are common in cities and along rivers, lakes and coastal areas, while regions such as Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna and South Tyrol are particularly well suited to cycling holidays. Mountain terrain and heavy traffic can make cycling challenging in some areas, especially on narrow rural roads.
Long-distance coach travel is widely available and often cheaper than trains, especially for routes not served by high-speed rail. Companies such as FlixBus and Itabus operate extensive domestic networks linking major cities and regional centres. Coaches are generally modern and comfortable, though journeys are slower than rail on longer routes.
Italy drives on the right. Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on secondary roads, 110 km/h on main highways, and 130 km/h on motorways. Lower limits apply in adverse weather conditions and for new drivers. Speed limits are strictly enforced on motorways using fixed cameras, mobile patrols and average-speed systems (Tutor).
Drink-driving laws are strict. The standard legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, but for drivers with less than three years' experience and professional drivers, the limit is 0.00%. Penalties increase sharply for higher readings and may include heavy fines, licence suspension, or vehicle confiscation.
Police are authorised to issue on-the-spot fines for many motoring offences, including speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, failing to wear a seat belt, and certain documentation issues. Foreign drivers who cannot provide an Italian address may be required to pay immediately, often in cash or by card. If payment is not made on the spot, the authorities may require a security deposit or retain the vehicle documents until the fine is settled.
Seat belts are compulsory for all occupants, child restraint rules are strictly enforced, and headlights must be used outside built-up areas on motorways and main roads, even during the day. Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited unless fully hands-free.
Many towns and cities operate ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) restricted traffic zones in historic centres. These are monitored by cameras, and fines are issued automatically. Foreign-registered vehicles are not exempt, and fines may be sent to drivers' home addresses months after the offence.
The national automobile club, Automobile Club d'Italia, provides roadside assistance, and most car hire companies include basic breakdown cover. Emergency assistance can also be accessed via motorway emergency phones or by calling 112.
Foreign drivers must carry a valid driving licence, passport or national ID, and vehicle registration documents. Drivers from EU and EEA countries can use their home licence. Non-EU drivers may need an International Driving Permit (IDP), depending on their country of issue. Rental companies may impose additional requirements, such as minimum age and driving experience.
Getting around Italian cities is generally straightforward, with public transport systems that combine buses, trams, metro lines and suburban trains. Larger cities such as Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin have metro systems, while trams remain an important part of daily transport in cities like Milan, Turin and Florence. Smaller cities typically rely on buses, which are frequent but can be crowded at peak times.
Tickets are usually valid across different forms of public transport within a city for a set time period and must be validated before travel. Ticket inspections are common, and passengers without a valid ticket are fined on the spot. Many cities now offer mobile ticketing apps and contactless payment options.
Historic city centres are often compact and best explored on foot. Pedestrian zones are common, particularly around major attractions, and walking is frequently the quickest way to get around. In cities such as Venice, water transport replaces buses and metros, with vaporetti (water buses) forming the backbone of public transport.
Italy has one of Europe's most extensive and efficient rail networks, making train travel one of the easiest ways to move around the country. The national operator, Trenitalia, runs high-speed, intercity and regional services, while private operator Italo competes on major high-speed routes. Trains are generally frequent, comfortable and reliable, particularly on main corridors.
High-speed services (Frecciarossa and Italo) link Italy's largest cities, dramatically reducing travel times. Popular routes include Rome–Florence (about 1.5 hours), Rome–Milan (about 3 hours), Milan–Venice (just over 2 hours), and Naples–Rome (about 1 hour 10 minutes). These routes are heavily used by both visitors and locals, and advance reservations are recommended during peak periods.
InterCity and regional trains serve smaller cities, towns and rural areas, offering slower but scenic journeys, particularly along the coast and through mountainous regions. Notable scenic routes include the Cinque Terre line between La Spezia and Levanto, the coastal railway from Naples to Reggio Calabria, and alpine routes in northern Italy connecting Milan with the lakes and mountain regions.
Domestic travel by water plays an important role in Italy, particularly for island and coastal travel. Ferries and hydrofoils link the mainland with Sicily, Sardinia and smaller islands such as Capri, Ischia, Elba and the Aeolian Islands. Venice relies heavily on water buses (vaporetti) for urban transport, while ferries on lakes such as Como, Garda and Maggiore are both practical and scenic.
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