The Importance of a Good Airport

When you first imagine owning a property in Italy, your thoughts often focus on the beauty of the house itself — stone walls, rolling vineyards, hilltop villages, or views across the sea. These are the elements that capture the imagination. Yet one of the most practical and important considerations is often overlooked in the early stages of the search: how easily the property can be reached from a good airport.

Accessibility matters far more than many buyers initially realise. Whether you intend to use the property yourself, host family and friends, or rent it to visitors, the journey from airport to front door plays a significant role in how enjoyable and practical the property will be over the long term.

For owners who plan to visit regularly, a convenient airport connection can make the difference between spontaneous trips and occasional visits. If a property can be reached within a reasonable drive of a well-serviced airport, it becomes much easier to plan weekend visits or short breaks. On the other hand, if getting there requires multiple flights followed by several hours of complicated travel, the property may be used far less than originally intended.

The same principle applies if you expect friends and family to visit. Many people love the idea of hosting guests in their Italian home, but guests are far more likely to come if the journey is straightforward. A location that requires several connections or long transfers can discourage visitors, particularly those travelling from overseas.

When we bought our first Italian home we made sure it was around an hour from both Turin and Milan airports so it became an easy fly in from either Australia or other cities in Europe. 

Accessibility becomes even more important if the property is intended for short-term rental. Holidaymakers almost always choose destinations that are easy to reach. A beautiful property in a remote location may struggle to attract bookings if the journey from the nearest airport is complicated or time-consuming. By contrast, properties located within a reasonable distance of a well-connected airport often enjoy stronger demand and more consistent occupancy.

However, not all airports are the same. In Italy, airports vary widely in terms of size, connectivity, and the type of travellers they serve. Understanding the different types of airports can help you assess whether a location will be convenient for you and your potential guests. All airports are most definitely not equal.

As an example if we fly long haul international we generally use Malpensa (Milan) which is 75 minutes by car, but if we're flying within Europe we'd normally use Turin as it's the closest airport (50 minutes) that caters to low cost carriers like Ryan Air. 

The first category is the major international airport. These are large airports with extensive connections to major cities around the world. They typically offer frequent flights, competitive ticket pricing, and reliable year-round schedules. Airports serving major Italian cities such as Rome, Milan, and Venice fall into this category. Properties located within one to two hours of a major international airport tend to benefit from the widest pool of visitors and the greatest travel flexibility.

The map above shows these airports. My advice would be that you want to be no more than an hour or so's drive from one of these. Cities like Milan have both Category 1 and Category 3 airports.

The second category is the regional international airport. These airports are smaller but still offer a reasonable selection of international flights, often serving key European hubs. They may not have the same volume of flights as major airports, but they can still provide convenient access for travellers from many countries. For property owners, being near a strong regional airport can offer an excellent balance between accessibility and quieter surroundings.

A third category is the low-cost carrier airport. Many of these airports are served primarily by budget airlines offering inexpensive flights from various European cities. These airports can be extremely valuable for holiday rental markets because they make short trips affordable and accessible. However, flight schedules may be more seasonal, with fewer services during the winter months.

Finally, there are small local airports that are sometimes described as international but offer very limited routes. These airports may only have a handful of flights each week, often to a small number of destinations. While they may look attractive on a map, relying on them can be risky because routes can change or disappear entirely if airline demand shifts.

When evaluating accessibility, it is also worth considering the actual travel time from the airport to the property. A distance of 80 or 100 kilometres may look reasonable on paper, but winding rural roads can make the journey much longer than expected. Ideally, the final drive should be straightforward and comfortable, particularly if guests are arriving after a long international flight.

Also consider HOW you can get from the airport to your home. Do you need a car or is there good public transport ? The trains in Italy are generally a great way to travel so maybe your new property should be on a line that has a direct link to the airport. Are you close enough to the airport to Uber or Taxi ? Are there any local airport shuttle services that operate ?

One downside of our first Italian home is that the train trip from Malpensa (Milan) to our Village is quite convoluted with 3 trains required, Malpensa to Milan Centrale, Centrale to Turin, and finally Turin to either Asti or Casale, then the final 20k's requires a vehicle (so taxi, bus, or a local shuttle). We made a decision that we would target travellers who were driving or weekending out of Turin or Milan, but you need to review what you want and expect.

In the end, choosing a property with good airport access is about making life easier — for yourself, your family, and anyone who may visit or rent the property. A beautiful home in a wonderful location becomes far more valuable when it is also easy to reach. By thinking carefully about airport connections early in the search process, you can ensure that your Italian property remains a place you return to often and enjoy for many years to come. Great access is one of the keys to liquidity in the property market - ie being able to sell easily and quickly.