Italian airport transfers are where tourists lose the most money. A taxi from Rome Fiumicino costs €50 (fixed fare — don't pay more). The Leonardo Express train costs €14 and takes the same time. The bus costs €6. This guide gives you the EXACT options, prices, and timings for Italy's 5 busiest airports.
Leonardo Express train: €14, 32 min to Termini, every 15 min. The standard choice. Buy at machines in the airport station. SIT bus: €6, 50 min to Termini/Vatican, every 30 min. Cheaper, slower. Taxi: €50 FIXED to anywhere inside Aurelian Walls (ask driver to confirm before getting in — if they quote more, walk away). Uber/FreeNow: Available, €45-60. Night (after 11pm): Bus or taxi only (trains stop ~11:30pm).
Malpensa Express train: €13, 50 min to Milano Centrale. Every 30 min. Bus (Terravision/Autostradale): €8-10, 60 min to Milano Centrale. Taxi: €95 fixed to Milan center. Linate (LIN, city airport): Bus 73 (€2, 25 min to San Babila metro) or taxi (€30-35).
Alilaguna water bus: €15, 75 min to San Marco (the scenic arrival — boat through the lagoon). Lines Blu/Arancio/Rossa. ATVO/ACTV bus: €8-10, 20 min to Piazzale Roma (then vaporetto). Water taxi: €110-130 to hotels on the Grand Canal (expensive but SPECTACULAR — private boat to your hotel door). Venice tip: Arrive by Alilaguna if first visit. The approach by water = the most dramatic city entrance in the world.
Florence Peretola (FLR): Tram T2 (€1.50, 20 min to Santa Maria Novella station — opened 2024, the BEST option). Taxi: €22-25 fixed. Pisa (PSA) to Florence: PisaMover (€5, 8 min to Pisa Centrale) + train (€9, 1h to Florence SMN). Naples Capodichino (NAP): Alibus (€5, 20 min to Piazza Garibaldi/Centrale). Taxi: €19-23 fixed (zona 1/zona 2 — check the tariff chart on the taxi door).