Many airlines fly to Rome, and it is possible to get good deals if you shop around. The flight from London takes about two hours.

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM LONDON: Ryanair fly from Stansted and from Luton. (People living in South London sometimes think Stansted is a long way away, but the fast train from Liverpool Street only takes 40 minutes. We get the Victoria line tube to Tottenham Hale and pick up the train from there taking just 30 minutes.) Easyjet and British Airways fly from Gatwick. British Airways and Alitalia fly from Heathrow. Usually the 'low cost' airlines (Ryanair & Easyjet) are the cheaper, but not always, so compare prices before you book!

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM OTHER UK DESTINATIONS: Globespan from Edinburgh; Ryanair from Liverpool, Nottingham East Midlands & Glasgow Prestwick; Easyjet from Newcastle, Bristol & Belfast; Jet2 from Leeds/Bradford & Manchester. bmibaby flies from Birmingham.

If you are travelling from other airports: there is a variety of connecting flights via Amsterdam with KLM; via Brussels with SN Brussels Airlines; via Frankfurt and Munich with Lufthansa; via Paris with Air France; via Zurich and Basle with Swiss; and via London with British Airways.

The British Airways website is useful for searching for a variety of options on various airlines. You can also try Opodo, which sometimes has good offers. If you don't have a computer, contact the airline directly (phone numbers are listed below), or else use one of the travel agents who specialise in Italian travel, e.g. Aviaggi or Trailfinders.

Ryanair & Easyjet use Rome Ciampino; other airlines use Rome Fiumicino. Both airports have good connections to Rome. The cost of the flights varies depending on the season and how long before you book, and whether you get a special offer. As a guide, we have found £120 per person return seems about right. However, you may do much better e.g. from as little as £35 return (including taxes)! We have chosen Tuesday or Wednesday as the changeover day (see individual apartments) as mid-week fares tend to be cheaper.

Or you may wish to travel more leisurely overland, either by train or car. Perhaps you want to make Rome one of your stopping points in Italy. We are happy to give you advice, if we can, on other places to visit. We would also be prepared to help if you needed any assistance booking your flight.