About flights from Milan (BGY)
BGY doesn't get the credit it deserves. While most travelers default to Milan Malpensa for their European connections, Orio al Serio quietly runs one of Italy's most efficient low-cost hubs, with 151 direct routes spanning 42 countries across three continents. Ryanair dominates here, which means if you're willing to pack light and plan ahead, you're looking at some genuinely unbeatable fares into the heart of northern Italy. The airport sits about 45 kilometers northeast of central Milan, closer to Bergamo's gorgeous upper city than to the Duomo. That's actually a feature, not a bug — more on that shortly.
Quick stats for BGY
- Direct destinations: 151
- Countries served: 42
- Continents reached: 3 of 6
- Average flight distance: 1,475 km
- Longest non-stop: Tashkent (TAS) — 4,722 km (~5h 54m)
- Shortest non-stop: Rimini (RMI) — 294 km (~22 min)
- Reach score: 78/99
Why fly to Milan?
Italy and Spain each claim 17 routes out of BGY, which tells you exactly who this airport serves: sun-seekers, city-hoppers, and budget warriors moving around southern Europe. Greece adds another 15 routes, so Athens, Santorini, and Thessaloniki are all genuinely accessible without routing through a major hub. That's real value. The reach score of 78 out of 99 reflects solid international connectivity for a secondary airport. You can fly 4,722 kilometers to Tashkent, Uzbekistan on the longest route, or hop just 294 kilometers to Rimini for a quick Adriatic beach trip. That range is impressive. Romania pulling 9 routes also signals strong demand from Eastern Europe — positioning flights through BGY often undercuts prices at bigger Italian airports by 30 to 40 percent.
Longest non-stop flights from BGY
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Milan:
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan (TAS) — 4,722 km, approximately 5h 54m
- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (SHJ) — 4,642 km, approximately 5h 48m
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB) — 4,635 km, approximately 5h 48m
- Boa Vista, Cape Verde (BVC) — 4,464 km, approximately 5h 35m
- Sal, Cape Verde (SID) — 4,413 km, approximately 5h 31m
Short-haul flights from BGY
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Milan:
- Rimini, Italy (RMI) — 294 km, approximately 22 min
- Marseille, France (MRS) — 432 km, approximately 32 min
- Rome, Italy (FCO) — 477 km, approximately 36 min
- Zadar, Croatia (ZAD) — 479 km, approximately 36 min
- Zagreb, Croatia (ZAG) — 494 km, approximately 37 min
Top countries by direct connections from BGY
Orio al Serio International Airport connects to 42 countries. Here are the most served:
- Italy — 17 destinations (Alghero, Bari, Brindisi, Cagliari and 13 more)
- Spain — 17 destinations (Alicante, Asturias, Barcelona, Benlloch and 13 more)
- Greece — 15 destinations (Athens, Chania, Heraklion, Kalamata and 11 more)
- Romania — 9 destinations (Bacau, Bucharest, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and 5 more)
- United Kingdom — 9 destinations (Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and 5 more)
- Poland — 9 destinations (Gdansk, Katowice, Krakow, Lodz and 5 more)
- Morocco — 7 destinations (Agadir, Beni Mellal, Casablanca, Fes and 3 more)
- Norway — 6 destinations (Bergen, Harstad-Narvik, Oslo, Sandefjord and 2 more)
Where to fly from Milan
Flights to Italy
Milan has 17 direct routes to Italy:
- Rimini (RMI) — 294 km
- Rome (FCO) — 477 km
- Pescara (PSR) — 507 km
- Olbia (OLB) — 530 km
- Alghero (AHO) — 571 km
- Naples (NAP) — 648 km
- ...and 11 more destinations
Flights to Spain
Milan has 17 direct routes to Spain:
- Barcelona (BCN) — 783 km
- Menorca (MAH) — 784 km
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI) — 887 km
- Zaragoza (ZAZ) — 968 km
- Benlloch (CDT) — 989 km
- Ibiza (IBZ) — 1,019 km
- ...and 11 more destinations
Flights to Greece
Milan has 15 direct routes to Greece:
- Kerkyra (CFU) — 1,072 km
- Preveza (PVK) — 1,177 km
- Thessaloniki (SKG) — 1,218 km
- Kefallinia (EFL) — 1,225 km
- Zakinthos (ZTH) — 1,277 km
- Skiathos (JSI) — 1,341 km
- ...and 9 more destinations
Tips for travelers at BGY
The Orio Shuttle bus connects BGY directly to Milan's central station in about 50 minutes and costs around 10 euros each way — book it in advance and you'll save versus the taxi rank. Bergamo's upper city is a 20-minute bus ride from the terminal, and honestly worth a night's stay rather than rushing into Milan. Morning departures are your friend here since Ryanair's BGY schedule stacks early flights, and delays compound fast by afternoon. Pack your carry-on to Ryanair's exact dimensions — 40x20x25 centimeters for the personal item — or you're paying at the gate.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Milan
How do I get from Orio al Serio Airport to Milan city center?
The Orio Shuttle bus is your cheapest option at around €5 and takes about 50 minutes to Centrale Station, while taxis run €50-70 depending on traffic. You can also rent a car if you're planning to explore the region beyond Milan.
What's the best time to fly from Milan to get cheaper fares?
Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) is typically cheaper than weekends, and booking 6-8 weeks in advance usually gets you better prices. Summer and Christmas are peak seasons, so consider shoulder months like April-May or September-October for better deals.
How many destinations can I reach directly from Orio al Serio?
You can fly non-stop to 151 direct destinations from BGY, making it a great hub for reaching across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East without connections. This gives you tons of flexibility for both business and leisure travel.
Do I need a visa to travel through Milan's Orio al Serio Airport?
If you're an EU/EEA citizen, you just need a valid passport or ID card. Non-EU travelers should check the Schengen visa requirements well in advance, as rules vary by nationality and can take several weeks to process.
What's a practical tip for getting through Orio al Serio smoothly?
Arrive at least 2.5 hours before your flight since this airport can get busy, and download your boarding pass beforehand to skip lines at check-in. Also, the airport has free WiFi throughout, so you can stay connected while waiting.
Is flying from Orio al Serio cheaper than Milan's other airports?
Yes, BGY is generally the budget option compared to Malpensa and Linate, which is why budget airlines like Ryanair operate heavily here. You'll often find significantly cheaper fares here, though factor in transportation costs to the city center when comparing total trip expenses.
Plan your trip from Milan
Browse the complete list of 151 destinations below to find your next flight from Orio al Serio International Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.