Italian Airport

Most travelers visiting Italy independently will fly in or out of Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) or Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). This guide covers how to get from each airport to the city center, and how to process your VAT tax refund before you leave.

A few Italian words that will help you navigate any airport or train station:

Airport and Station Essentials

  • Arrivi: Arrivals
  • Partenze: Departures
  • Binario: Platform (important: look for this when finding your train)
  • Biglietteria: Ticket office
  • Uscita: Exit
  • Controllo Passaporti: Passport control
  • Ritiro Bagagli: Baggage claim

Transport

  • Treni: Trains
  • Autobus / Pullman: Bus / Coach
  • Navetta: Shuttle
  • Convalida: Ticket validation

 

1. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

 

How to Get to the City Center

By Train (Recommended)

The train station is easy to find. Follow the yellow train signs from T1 or T3, both within walking distance.

  • Leonardo Express (Airport Express): Direct to Roma Termini (central Rome) in 32 minutes, running every 15 to 30 minutes. Tickets cost approximately €14, available on the Go By Train website. First-class rail pass holders ride free. Standard class passes are not valid.
  • Regional Train FL1: Terminates at Roma Tiburtina / Ostiense (does not reach Roma Termini). Tickets cost approximately €8, available on the Go By Train website. All rail pass classes are valid on this service.
Rome Fiumicino Airport train route map

By Bus (SIT / Terravision)

  • Journey to the city center takes approximately 1 hour
  • Multiple operators are available with slightly different fares. COTRAL departs from T1; all others depart from near Exit 6 at T3
  • Drop-off points vary by operator: Roma Termini, Vatican, Ostiense, and others. Confirm your destination before boarding
  • Recommended to keep Google Maps open throughout the journey in case stop announcements are not displayed

 

2. Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

 

How to Get to the City Center

By Train: Malpensa Express (TreNord)

  • Available from both T1 and T2. Head to the basement level and the platform is easy to find
  • Journey to Milano Centrale takes approximately 43 minutes, with trains running every 1.5 hours
  • When buying tickets, confirm your stop: Cadorna, Garibaldi, or Centrale
  • Tickets cost approximately €15, available on the Go By Train website or at ticket machines throughout the airport
  • Important: Rail passes (Eurail Global or Italy single-country) are NOT valid on the Malpensa Express.
Milan Malpensa Express route map

By Bus (Terravision / Malpensa Shuttle)

  • Departs from T1, stops at T2, then continues to the city center. Journey takes approximately 1 hour
  • Milan city traffic can be heavy; allow extra time when planning your journey
 

3. Italy Tax Refund Tips

  • Always write TAIWAN in the nationality field
  • When shopping, always ask for a tax refund form (ricevuta di ritorno) at the point of purchase
  • Items to be refunded must not be consumed, worn, or opened before going through Customs

At the Airport: Step by Step

  • Checked luggage refund: Go to the airline check-in counter first and get your boarding pass (tell staff you have items for tax refund and do not check the bag yet). Bring the bag to the Customs counter for stamping or scanning. Your luggage will be collected right there at Customs.
  • Carry-on luggage refund: Process after going through security, at the Customs counter inside the secure zone

Rome vs Milan: Tax Refund Comparison

  • Rome Fiumicino (FCO): The airport has been upgraded in recent years. Travelers with e-tickets and purchases made within Italy can often scan directly at the refund company's machine (such as Global Blue) without needing to find a Customs officer first. The process is generally faster than Milan.
  • Milan Malpensa (MXP): The refund counters get extremely busy during peak hours, especially before large international departures. The process is the same, but plan to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours early to allow enough time.