The Girovago

Surviving Ryanair

Here are a few hints if you’re flying from London to Milan (Bergamo) with Ryanair. Firstly if you can avoid it, please do. Orio al Serio, Ryanair’s new Italian hub is around a 50 minute bus ride away from Milan on a good day. Busses leave and depart from behind Milan’s Central Station and having to get to the station to catch a coach to catch your flight is a real pain in the arse.

Easyjet and BMI both fly to Milan Linate which is a definitely the stress-free option as you can catch a taxi from the airport to pretty much anywhere in the city for around 20 euro. But if like me money is an issue and you’re stuck with Ryanair then try and leave from Stanstead if it makes sense for you geographically speaking. Flights from Luton are generally around 10 – 20% cheaper those from Stanstead but Luton airport is a nightmare. It takes between ages (circa 15 mins) to walk to the departure gates and despite recent improvements their shopping facilities aren’t great.

Finally I know it is really tempting to plug in to your iPod to drown out the seemingly endless in-flight announcements that boom across the speakers during your journey but try and listen out for the announcement for the sale of coach tickets to Milan. The price on board is the same as in the airport and you’ll avoid having to join the huge queue for tickets once you land at Bergamo.

posted by Bella Figura @ 5:35 pm