Getting There
For travel between Italy and other parts of Europe, including the UK, buses are the cheapest but most tiring type of transport, although discount rail tickets are competitive and budget flights can be good value - sometimes better value than buses.
Air
Visitors travelling to Italy will find that flights are numerous and fares are competitive.
Road
Buses to Italy are numerous but can't really compete with the convenience of the train.
Rail
Unless you're pushed for time, train travel is a great way to enter Italy from within Europe.
Water
Ferries connect the country with Greece, Turkey, Tunisia, Malta, Albania, France, Slovenia, Croatia and Spain.
Getting Around
Given the excellent network of relatively cheap bus and train services in Italy, both are a great, stress-free way of seeing the country - and of being part of the great Italian travelling public. Bus travel is the less expensive of the two, but as there are many different operators it is less straightforward than train travel. Your own wheels give you the most potential freedom and flexibility, although both fuel and autostrada (motorway) tolls are rather expensive. Domestic air travel can be costly and is probably worth it only if you are really short of time.
Road
Buses are fast and reliable, whether they are traversing local routes linking small villages or zooming along autostrade between cities. They come into their own to reach destinations not serviced by the trains.
Disabled Travellers
Italy is not an easy country for disabled travellers and getting around can be a problem for the wheelchair bound. Even a short journey in a city or town can become a major expedition if cobblestoned streets have to be negotiated. Although many buildings have lifts, they are not always wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. The Italian State Tourist Office in your country may be able to provide advice on Italian associations for the disabled and information on what help is available. It may also carry a small brochure, Services for Disabled Passengers , published by the Italian railways company, Trenitalia, which details facilities at stations and on trains.
