As Liverpool and Manchester Airports are conveniently located near us, we decided to explore more cities through short breaks. With the availability of cheap airplane tickets to Italy and the short flight duration, we couldn’t resist the temptation to purchase tickets to Bergamo. Our itinerary for the day trip from Bergamo to Milan was a perfect blend of seeing two beautiful cities in one weekend.
To avoid using up any more of my vacation days, I decided to explore alternative options for a weekend getaway. With this in mind, I began searching for a suitable flight that would depart on Friday evening and return on Sunday evening. After careful consideration, I found that the Bergamo route from the UK was the ideal choice for our short trip.
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Bergamo Airport
Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) is an excellent option for travelers seeking affordable weekend getaways. Its strategic location makes it a gateway to a variety of stunning destinations, allowing visitors to easily explore the vibrant city of Milan, the picturesque shores of Lake Como, Lake Garda, and the charming towns of Brescia and Verona. Each of these locations offers unique experiences, from cultural attractions to natural beauty, making them ideal for a short escape.
Airlines that Fly to Milan Italy
If you’re looking for budget-friendly travel options to Milan, Ryanair is a great choice, providing some of the most affordable fares to Bergamo – Orio al Serio (BGY) airport. With direct flights available from numerous key cities across the UK, such as London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Bristol, you can enjoy a swift and convenient journey. This makes Milan an ideal destination for a weekend escape, especially if you’re eager to leave behind the often dreary British weather.
Flight Time from Manchester to Milan
When you choose to fly from Manchester to Milan with Ryanair, you can reach your destination in just 2 hours and 20 minutes. To make your experience even smoother, consider packing light and bringing only a travel backpack. This way, you can bypass the baggage claim area and head straight out of the airport, saving you valuable time.
By avoiding checked luggage fees, you can keep your travel costs down, allowing you to allocate more of your budget towards enjoying the experiences that Milan has to offer. Whether it’s exploring San Siro Stadium or admiring the views from Milan Cathedral, traveling light can enhance your overall experience.
Distance from Rome to Milan by Plane
Traveling from Rome to Milan by air is a quick and efficient option, with flights available from FCO Rome Fiumicino to LIN Milan Linate taking approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. ITA Airways offers a wide range of flights, connecting travelers to over 70 destinations across Italy, Europe, and beyond. This makes flying a convenient choice for those looking to maximize their time in either city.
On the other hand, if you prefer a different route, you can opt for a direct train journey from Roma Termini to Milano Centrale. This train ride typically lasts between 3 hours and 10 minutes to 3 hours and 40 minutes. However, it’s important to consider the cost and time factors when deciding between these two modes of transportation.
How to Get From Milan Bergamo to Milan City Centre?
🚌💨 BUS
Traveling from Milan Bergamo Airport to the heart of Milan is quite straightforward and convenient. The most popular option is to take a bus from the airport to Milan Centrale Piazza Duca D’Aosta. This bus ride typically lasts about 50 minutes, making it a quick and efficient way to reach the city. Two reliable bus services that operate this route are Terravision and flibco.
To ensure a smooth journey, it’s advisable to buy your tickets in advance. A great platform for this is Busbud, where you can easily purchase your tickets online, saving you time and hassle at the airport. The bus station at Bergamo Airport is conveniently located right next to the airport entrance, so you won’t have any trouble finding it. Just follow the signs, and you’ll be on your way to Milan in no time.
🚗💨 BY CAR
If you’re planning to rent a car at Bergamo Airport, I highly suggest visiting the Discovercars website. It’s a fantastic resource for finding the best car rental options available. During our travels, we had a great experience renting a vehicle through Discovercars while exploring Montenegro, and we also utilized their services in Northern Ireland and Iceland, where everything went smoothly without any complications.
Discovercars offers a user-friendly platform that allows you to compare various rental companies, ensuring you find the perfect vehicle to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a compact car for city driving or a larger vehicle for a family trip, their extensive selection makes it easy to find what you’re looking for.
How to Get from Milan Bergamo to Bergamo City Centre?
If you’re wondering about the transportation options from Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY) to the city, let me guide you through it. As soon as you step out of the airport, you’ll come across several bus stops conveniently located nearby.
To reach Bergamo, make your way to bus stop number 1, which is easily identifiable. At this particular stop, you can purchase your tickets for a reasonable price of a few euros. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes from your purchase.
Once you’ve boarded the bus, sit back and relax as you embark on a short journey to Bergamo. The ride typically takes around 20 minutes. As you approach your destination, keep an eye out for the Bergamo train station bus stop, which is the third stop on the route.
How to Get from Bergamo to Milan City Center?
🚆 BY TRAIN
One popular choice is to take a direct train from Bergamo to Milan. The train ride typically takes around an hour.
🚌💨 BUS
You can also consider taking a Bus from Bergamo to Milan. Buses operate frequently between the two cities, and the journey usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.
🚗💨 BY CAR
Another option to reach Milan from Bergamo is by renting a car. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and make stops along the way.
The distance between the two cities is approximately 50 kilometers, and the drive takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic. Keep in mind that parking in Milan can be challenging and expensive, so it’s advisable to research parking options in advance.
Renting a car allows you to have more control over your itinerary and is a great choice if you plan to visit other destinations in the region as well.
Where to Stay in Bergamo if you Want to Visit Milan on Next Day?
Our preference is to avoid traveling long distances from Bergamo Airport to our hotel, especially at night. We believe it would be more convenient and time-saving to find accommodation closer to the airport. By doing so, we can minimize the stress and fatigue that often come with lengthy journeys, allowing us to start our trip on a more relaxed note.
By choosing the Best Western Hotel Piemontese, not only will you save money on accommodation, but you’ll also have easy access to the train service that will take you directly to Milan.
This is a great option for those who want to explore the vibrant city of Milan without the hassle of finding transportation from Bergamo. You can simply hop on the train and enjoy a comfortable journey to Milan.
How to Get Around Milan by Public Transport?
While we thoroughly enjoyed the Hop on off bus tours in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the bus tour experience in Milan is quite different. Unfortunately, we found that it wasn’t worth the time and effort. The bus takes a significant amount of time to travel between attractions, and once you arrive, exploring them can be quite time-consuming. This means that you won’t be able to cover as much ground as you would like.
Instead, we highly recommend using the metro system in Milan to get around more efficiently and at a lower cost. The metro system in Milan is well-connected and easy to navigate. In Milan, you have the option to buy 24-hour metro tickets that provide coverage for three zones at a very reasonable price.
Things to Do On a Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan
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Milan Cathedral (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
When traveling from Bergamo to Milan, one of the essential stops is the magnificent Milan Cathedral. This architectural marvel, which began its construction in 1386, showcases a stunning blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles, with its intricate details being finalized as recently as 1965. It is the third largest cathedral in the world, following St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady Aparecida in Brazil.
Given its immense popularity, it is highly advisable to secure your tickets online ahead of time. If you plan to explore other attractions on the same day, I suggest opting for a morning time slot to visit both the Cathedral and its breathtaking Terraces.
Milan Cathedral is conveniently accessible from Centrale FS, the main train station that connects Bergamo to Milan, making it easy to navigate the metro system. In just five minutes, you can reach the iconic Duomo di Milano from Centrale FS.
On our trip, we initially overlooked this convenience and chose to visit San Siro Stadium first. This decision required us to navigate multiple metro lines, which added a layer of stress as we tried to return to Piazza del Duomo on time for our scheduled visit.
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Castello Sforzesco (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
Just a short 15-minute stroll from the iconic Milan Cathedral, Castello Sforzesco is a must-see destination that I highly recommend after you’ve taken in the sights of Piazza del Duomo. As you make your way there, consider passing through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, where you can admire Italy’s oldest active shopping gallery, which has been delighting visitors since its opening in 1877.
Castello Sforzesco stands as a remarkable medieval fortress and was once one of the largest citadels in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Its impressive architecture and rich history make it an essential stop for anyone exploring Milan. The castle not only offers a glimpse into the past but also serves as a beautiful backdrop for leisurely walks and photography.
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Arco della Pace (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
Once you’ve finished your visit to the magnificent Castello Sforzesco, take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Parco Sempione. As you wander through the charming pathways in the park, you’ll soon arrive at the stunning Arco della Pace, which is also known as the Arch of Peace.
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Chinatown (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
If you’re on the hunt for a delightful dining experience in Milan, you should definitely check out Chinatown, which is conveniently located just a short 15-minute stroll from the iconic Arco della Pace. While I had high hopes for the local specialty, Cotoletta alla Milanese, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. During my next visit to Milan I will explore the various restaurants in Chinatown, as I believe they might offer a more satisfying culinary adventure.
My experience with pizza in Lombardy was not also amazing, especially when compared to the incredible pizzas I’ve enjoyed in Venice and Rome. However, I did consider trying another local favorite, risotto alla Milanese, which is known for its rich flavors. Unfortunately, the price was a bit steep, so we opted for the Cotoletta alla Milanese instead.
For those seeking budget-friendly dining options in Milan, Chinatown is certainly a hidden gem worth discovering. Exploring this vibrant neighborhood not only promises a more affordable meal but also a chance to experience a different side of Milan’s culinary scene, making it a must-visit for any food lover.
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Monumental Cemetery of Milan (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
After enjoying a delightful meal in Chinatown, take a leisurely stroll to the Monumental Cemetery of Milan, which is conveniently located just a short 12-minute walk away. This cemetery is one of the largest in Milan and is renowned for its stunning array of both contemporary and classical Italian sculptures. As you wander through its grounds, you’ll encounter impressive Greek temples and intricately designed obelisks that add to the cemetery’s unique charm and artistic significance
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by the grand entrance of the Famedio, a striking Neo-Medieval style structure crafted from marble and stone. This impressive place serves as a tribute to some of the most esteemed citizens of Milan and Italy. Inside, you can find the final resting places of notable figures, including the celebrated novelist Alessandro Manzoni.
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Piazza Gae Aulenti (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
Nestled close to the Monumental Cemetery of Milan, Piazza Gae Aulenti stands out as a contemporary square that adds a vibrant touch to the cityscape of Milan. This area is home to several noteworthy attractions, including the striking UniCredit Tower and the beautiful BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano.
During our brief visit to Milan, which was limited to just one day, we made the decision to bypass Piazza Gae Aulenti in favor of other sights. However, if you can spend a few days in Milan, I highly recommend making time to visit this impressive square, which was completed in 2012 and has quickly become a focal point of urban life in the city.
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Indro Montanelli Gardens (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
Just a short stroll of under 20 minutes from Piazza Gae Aulenti will lead you to the beautiful Indro Montanelli Gardens. This serene green space is home to several notable attractions, including the elegant Palazzo Dugnani with Fontana di Palazzo Dugnani.
Within the Indro Montanelli Gardens, you’ll also discover the Milan Natural History Museum, a fantastic destination for anyone interested in the natural world. This museum offers a wealth of exhibits that showcase the rich biodiversity of our planet, making it an educational and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages.
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San Siro Stadium (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
San Siro Stadium stands as Italy’s largest stadium and ranks among the most significant sporting venues in Europe. If you’re planning a visit, I strongly suggest purchasing your tickets online to ensure you don’t miss out on experiencing this remarkable site.
During our day trip from Bergamo to Milan, we were fortunate enough to explore both the Milan Cathedral and San Siro Stadium. However, for a more relaxed experience, it would be wise to dedicate separate days to fully appreciate each attraction.
We were surprised to discover that the San Siro Stadium tour lasts over 2 hours. Additionally, traveling from the heart of Milan to the stadium can be a bit time-consuming, which adds to the overall duration of your visit. This means that if you’re on a tight schedule, you might want to plan accordingly to avoid feeling rushed and to make the most of your time at this iconic venue.
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The Sforza Monument (Day Trip from Bergamo to Milan)
If you choose to visit San Siro Stadium, don’t miss the opportunity to appreciate the nearby Sforza Monument. This impressive equestrian statue was commissioned by Duke Ludovico il Moro of Milan in 1482, with the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci tasked with its creation. The ambition behind this project was to craft the largest equestrian statue ever made.
The culmination of this long-awaited vision, known as Leonardo’s Horse, was finally unveiled in front of the Hippodrome of San Siro on September 10, 1999. This moment marked a significant milestone, as it came over five centuries after the original commission.
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