1
Italy has always been one of those places I can’t get enough of. The history, the food, the landscapes – it’s easily one of the best countries to visit in Europe.
But let’s be honest, getting there from the U.S. can be expensive. As a seasoned travel blogger, I’ve picked up a few tricks that have helped me find affordable flights to Italy, allowing me to explore Venice, Naples, and Sicily without breaking the bank.
In this guide, I’m sharing my go-to tips for finding cheap flights to Italy. Whether it’s using frequent flyer miles, timing your trip during less busy seasons, or taking advantage of stopover programs, I’ve tried it all and saved thousands of dollars in the process.
If you’re like me and can’t wait to explore Italy without dropping a ton of cash on flights, these tips will be right up your alley. And trust me, you don’t have to figure it out all on your own. Signing up for the Going App has been a game-changer for me, helping me catch those incredible deals that make trips to places like Milan and Florence more affordable.
For the past few years, Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) has been my go-to resource for finding affordable flights to Italy. Thanks to their alerts, I’ve been able to explore incredible places like Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast without blowing my budget.
Going is a membership site and app that takes the hassle out of finding the best flight deals. Once you subscribe to their alerts (via email or app), you’ll get notified as soon as deals pop up—everything from mistake fares to exclusive discounts that you might not find on your own.
There are three versions of the Going App – Limited, Premium, and Elite. If you’re aiming to snag great deals on business and first-class flights to Italy or other destinations, the Elite version is what you’ll want to choose.
No matter which tier you choose, I can’t recommend Going enough. It’s helped me save hundreds, if not thousands, on flights, turning my Italian travel dreams into reality.
2. Use frequent flyer miles for cheaper flights
Using frequent flyer miles has been one of my go-to strategies for saving on flights to Italy. Here are three frequent flyer programs I recommend, along with tips on how to make the most of them.
American Airlines AAdvantage
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is an excellent choice if you often fly out of cities like New York, Miami, or Dallas. AA is part of the Oneworld Alliance, which means you can use your miles on partner airlines like British Airways or Iberia for flights to Italy.
Typically, you’ll need around 30,000 to 50,000 AAdvantage miles for a one-way economy flight to Italy. If you’re aiming for business class flights to Italy, expect to redeem between 57,500 to 85,000 miles.
A tip from me: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® often offers sign-up bonuses of 50,000 to 60,000 miles. This can cover a round-trip economy ticket to Italy after meeting the spending requirements. If you time it right, you could book your entire flight using these bonus miles!
United MileagePlus
United MileagePlus is another solid choice, especially for those flying out of cities like San Francisco, Chicago, or Houston. United’s membership in the Star Alliance opens up a lot of options for flights to Italy, including on airlines like Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines. You’ll need around 30,000 to 45,000 miles for a one-way economy flight, and 60,000 to 85,000 miles for business class.
If you’re looking to accumulate miles quickly, I recommend the United Explorer Card. It usually comes with a sign-up bonus of 40,000 to 70,000 miles, which gets you a good portion of the way to a free flight. I also appreciate the card’s additional perks, like free checked bags and priority boarding, which come in handy for longer trips.
Delta SkyMiles
Delta SkyMiles has become one of my go-to programs, especially when I’m flying out of hubs like Atlanta or Los Angeles. One of the best parts is their partnership with Alitalia, which makes it easy to book direct flights to Italy’s top cities—Rome, Milan, Venice—you name it.
For economy flights, you’re generally looking at 35,000 to 50,000 miles one-way. If you’re aiming for business class, it can range from 70,000 to 120,000 miles. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has been super helpful in building up miles quickly. The sign-up bonuses, typically between 40,000 and 60,000 miles, have gotten me a lot closer to those Italian adventures. Plus, earning miles on everyday purchases means I’m always inching toward my next trip.
3. Travel during off-peak seasons
One of the simplest ways I’ve found to save on Italy flights is by traveling during off-peak seasons. Italy is amazing year-round, but prices drop significantly when you avoid the summer rush.
Winter (November to February)
If you’re okay with cooler weather, winter is one of the cheapest times to visit Italy. I’ve noticed that flights are significantly lower from November through February, except for the holiday period around Christmas and New Year’s.
Cities like Rome and Florence are still vibrant, and you’ll find fewer tourists crowding the major attractions. This time of year is great for visiting museums or enjoying Italy’s winter festivals. However, be mindful of public holidays like Epiphany (January 6th), which can cause a slight uptick in prices.
Early Spring (March to April)
This shoulder season offers a sweet spot. Flights are cheaper than in the summer, and the weather is starting to warm up.
During this time, you can explore popular spots like Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast before the crowds arrive. Easter can be a busy and slightly pricier period, especially in cities like Rome, so I usually plan my trip either just before or after the Easter holiday.
Late Fall (October to November)
Late fall is another off-peak period where you can find great deals on flights. I’ve flown to Italy in October, and it’s one of my favorite times to visit. The weather is mild, the summer crowds have thinned out, and flights are much more affordable. I’ve seen tons of flight deals this time of year in the Going app.
Cities like Venice and Milan are particularly enjoyable during this time because you can explore without feeling rushed. Just keep in mind that some smaller towns and coastal areas start to close up for the season by late November, so I recommend focusing on the larger cities.
Avoiding Major Italian Holidays
In general, I avoid planning trips around major Italian holidays like Ferragosto (August 15th) and public holidays such as Liberation Day (April 25th) or Republic Day (June 2nd). During these times, Italy flights tend to be more expensive. Plus, you’ll find more Italians traveling domestically, which drives up prices and crowds.
4. Take advantage of stopover programs
Why rush straight to Italy when you can squeeze in another amazing destination along the way? Stopover programs are one of my favorite travel hacks. They let you explore a whole new city without adding extra cost to your airfare. Here are a few stopover options I’ve tried (and loved) or have on my travel wish list.
Icelandair Stopover (Reykjavik)
Icelandair’s stopover program is one of the most popular, especially if you’re flying from the US. You can spend up to seven days in Reykjavik at no additional airfare cost before continuing your journey to Italy.
I’ve used this stopover several times, and it’s been a great way to break up the long flight. The chance to explore Iceland’s most beautiful places, like the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle, is a huge bonus!
TAP Air Portugal Stopover (Lisbon or Porto)
TAP Air Portugal offers a stopover program in Lisbon or Porto for up to five days. What I like about this one is the flexibility. You can choose either city for your stopover, and both have a lot to offer in terms of culture, history, and cuisine.
Flights from the US to Portugal tend to be reasonably priced, which makes this an attractive option. I haven’t used this one yet, but it’s high on my list for future trips, given how much there is to see in both Lisbon and Porto.
Turkish Airlines Stopover (Istanbul)
Turkish Airlines offers a stopover in Istanbul for up to two days. There are direct flights from several U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, to Istanbul (IST).
One of the things that stands out about this program is that Turkish Airlines provides free accommodation for passengers. You can claim one night in a four-star hotel for economy class and two nights in a five-star hotel for business class. I can’t recommend it enough – both Turkish Airlines and Istanbul are incredible!
5. Use budget airlines for European connections
There are a few key European cities that tend to have cheaper flights from the U.S., especially if you’re flexible with your dates and don’t mind an extra leg in your journey.
For example, I often fly with PLAY Airlines from Boston to Reykjavik, Iceland. PLAY often offers cheap flights to Europe from the US, and Iceland is a great stopover point if you want to break up the trip. From Reykjavik, it’s easy to find low-cost flights to Italy with carriers like Ryanair or EasyJet.
Another option I recommend is flying to London with Norse Atlantic Airways. Norse flies from cities like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, and you can often find one-way fares to London Gatwick (LGW) for under $200. From there, budget airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet can take you directly to Rome, Milan, or other Italian destinations at a fraction of the cost.
Once you’re in Europe, budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air make it easy to hop over to Italy without spending a lot. I’ve flown from Reykjavik to Milan for less than $100, and from London to Venice for even less. The key here is to pack light. Low-cost airlines in Europe charge extra for checked baggage, so I always stick to a carry-on to keep costs down.
The best part? You don’t have to hunt for these deals on your own. By signing up for the Going App, you’ll get alerts as soon as these low fares become available. It’s a simple way to save and get the most out of your travel budget. If you’re serious about saving on flights to Italy, Going is a game-changer.
Bonus tip: Check regional airports near Italy
Here’s a little trick that’s saved me some serious cash on flights to Italy: instead of flying directly into a big Italian city, I sometimes look for flights to nearby airports just across the border. Thanks to the Schengen Area, once you land in one of these neighboring countries, it’s super easy to cross over into Italy.
Take Nice, France, for example. I’ve found some great deals flying into Nice, and from there, it’s just a beautiful train ride along the coast to Italy. You can be in Genoa or Milan in a few hours, and honestly, the views from the train are worth it alone. Train tickets can be booked in advance through sites like Trenitalia or SNCF.
Zurich, Switzerland, is another gem. Flights to Zurich can be cheaper than flying into Milan directly, and the train ride from Zurich to Milan is incredibly scenic. Plus, you get to check out a bit of Switzerland on the way, which is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe.
If you’re more of a road trip person, renting a car in these border cities is also a great option. Driving through the Alps from Zurich or along the French Riviera from Nice can be an incredible start to your Italian adventure.
This strategy requires a bit more planning, but it’s a great way to see more of Europe while making your way to Italy.
