Getting There & Away: Merano

Air Travel

Major Airports

Airports serving the Merano area include:

Nearby Options

Bolzano Airport (BZO): Smallest and closest, limited direct flights.
Innsbruck Airport (INN), Austria: Closest major international airport (130 km).
Verona Villafranca Airport (VRN), Italy: Larger international airport (170 km).

Airlines & Routes

Airlines like Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Ryanair, and easyJet serve these airports. Routes depend on origin.

Flight Information

Typically involves connecting flights at larger European hubs.
Check flight deals with Dollar Flight Club and compare on Skyscanner.
Flight prices highest during summer and holidays. Book 3-6 months in advance.

Milan Bergamo BGY

Major hub for low-cost carriers (approx. 250 km).

Munich Airport MUC

Major international hub (approx. 300 km).

Global Hubs

No direct transatlantic flights to Merano's immediate vicinity. Plan for at least one layover.

Airport Transfers to Merano

Transfer Methods

Taxi: From Bolzano BZO (~€60).
Public Bus: From Bolzano BZO to train station, then train to Merano.
Airport Shuttle: Südtirol Bus connects various airports (BZO, INN, VRN, MUC) to Merano.
Train: From INN, VRN, BGY, MUC, often with changes at Brennero or Bolzano.

Airport Facilities

All major airports offer car rental desks, ATMs.
Duty-free shops and a variety of restaurants.
Lounges are available at larger airports.
Bolzano Airport is smaller and features fewer services.

Booking & Information

Airline Websites

Book flights directly with Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Eurowings, Transavia.

Shuttle Services

Südtirol Bus for convenient airport shuttle connections.

General Travel Sites

Check aggregate sites for flight and transfer options.

Land Transportation

Train Travel

Merano is well-connected by regional trains, making train travel a convenient option.

Train Connections

Direct regional trains connect Merano to Bolzano (~30 mins).
From Bolzano, intercity trains connect to Verona, Florence, Rome, Milan.
Connections to Innsbruck (Austria) and Munich (Germany) via Brennero Pass.

Bus Services

Long-distance bus options and local bus companies serve the region.

Bus Options

FlixBus operates routes to Bolzano from various European cities.
From Bolzano, take a local train or bus to Merano.
Local SAD Nahverkehr buses connect Merano to nearby towns.

Self-Driving Essentials

Driving to Merano offers flexibility, especially for exploring the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Requirements & Rules

Valid driving license; International Driving Permit (IDP) if necessary.
Roads are generally well-maintained. Motorways (Autostrade) require tolls.
In winter, Snow chains or winter tires may be legally necessary for higher passes.

Car Rental & Parking

Major car rental companies have offices at airports and in Bolzano. Booking in advance is recommended.

Rental & Parking Tips

Car rental minimum age is typically 21-25. A credit card for deposit is necessary.
Parking can be challenging and expensive in Merano city center.
Use designated parking garages on the periphery or check accommodation for parking.

Border & Safety

Italy is part of the Schengen Area; no routine passport checks from neighboring Schengen countries.
Road conditions are generally excellent. Mountain roads can be winding and steep.
Exercise caution on mountain roads, especially in adverse weather.

Retain your passport and visa documents for identity checks.
Motorways have tolls, payable by cash, credit card, or Telepass.
Speed limits: Urban 50 km/h, Secondary 90 km/h, Main 110 km/h, Motorways 130 km/h.

Departure Information

Exit Procedures

There are no specific exit fees for air or land travel from Italy. These fees are typically included in ticket prices.

Timing Recommendations

Airports: Arrive 2-3 hours before an international flight, 1.5-2 hours for Schengen/domestic.
Train Stations: Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure.
Car Rental Return: Allow extra time, especially at busy airport locations.

Airport & Station Facilities

Major airports and train stations feature standard facilities for departing travelers.

Available Services

Various shops, including duty-free at airports.
Restaurants, cafes, and lounges.
Connectivity options at most hubs.

Efficiency

Allows time for check-in, security, and reaching your gate.

Inspection

Inspect the rental car with the agent upon return.

Bolzano Airport

Being smaller, Bolzano Airport has fewer services than major international hubs.

Sea/River Arrivals

Direct Water Travel

Merano is a landlocked alpine town.

Consideration

Direct sea or river arrivals are not applicable to travel to Merano.
The town's location in the Alps means it is not reachable by boat.
Travelers typically arrive by air or land.

Alternative Routes

Travelers often combine other modes of transport to reach Merano.

Combination Travel

Flights to nearby airports combined with train or bus travel.
Driving through scenic alpine roads.
Direct train connections from major Italian and Austrian cities.

Booking Your Journey

Train Tickets

Book through Trenitalia for Italian routes or Omio for broader European connections.

Car Rentals

Find options via DiscoverCars.com or major companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar from regional airports.

Airport Shuttles

Check Südtirol Bus for direct airport transfer services.

Getting There & Away