Make the journey between places easier
Transfers in Italy, private or shared, can be useful when public transport is awkward, luggage is heavy or arrival times make connections inconvenient. This page explains when a transfer beats the train and what to check before you book.
The short answer: in Italy, the train is usually the fastest and cheapest way between cities, and ferries serve the islands and the lakes. A private transfer makes sense for late arrivals, heavy luggage, families or groups, rural stays and cruise ports. Before you book, confirm the pickup point, waiting time and whether the price is per person or per vehicle.
Last updated: September 25, 2026
When a transfer makes sense
Late arrivals, families, groups, cruise ports, rural stays and routes with several changes.
What to verify
Pickup point, luggage allowance, vehicle type, waiting time, cancellation terms and whether the price is per person or per vehicle.
Browse the broader Experiences & Tours marketplace for day trips that include transport. For more planning help, read our Italy travel tips and the guide to Italian airlines.
Your arrival, sorted. The first hour in a new city sets the tone for the whole trip. These guides make it easy.
- Fiumicino to Rome: train, bus, taxi or transfer, with official fares.
- Malpensa to Milan: train, bus, taxi or transfer, with official fares.
- Marco Polo Airport to Venice: water bus, bus, water taxi or taxi.
- Naples Airport to the city: Alibus, fixed taxi fares and onward links.
- Florence Airport to the city: tram, taxi and the Pisa route.
- Civitavecchia to Rome: train, shuttle or transfer for cruise days.
- trains in Italy: Trenitalia vs Italo, tickets, stations and strikes.
Transfers in Italy: frequently asked questions
Is a private transfer worth it in Italy?
It is worth it for late arrivals, families, groups, heavy luggage and rural stays with no train station nearby. Between major cities, the train is usually faster and cheaper.
What should I check before booking a transfer?
The exact pickup point, how long the driver waits, the luggage allowance, the vehicle type, the cancellation terms and whether the price is per person or per vehicle.
Do I need a car in Italy?
Not for the main cities, where traffic-restricted zones make driving hard. A car helps in the countryside, in regions such as Tuscany, Puglia or Sicily, and for small villages.