Pavia is located in Lombardy, Northern Italy, and is very easy to reach. It is at a short train ride from Milan, whose three airports (Malpensa, Linate, Bergamo/Orio al Serio) are extremely well-connected with direct flights (including many low cost flights) to/from all major and many smaller European cities, as well as several other destinations in the world. In addition, Milan has direct railway connections to France, Switzerland, and Germany.

Pavia is also within a relatively short distance from several tourist destinations in Italy, including for example Genova, Venice, and Bologna.

Travelling by plane

While planning your trip to Pavia, please be aware that Milan Linate airport will be closed from July 27th to October 27th.

The nearest airports are Milano Malpensa (EasyJet and several major airlines) and Bergamo Orio al Serio (Ryanair). Genova Airport (Cristoforo Colombo) is further away, but is served by Ryanair too.

— From Milan Malpensa Airport to Pavia:

Direct trains to Milan Central Station (46 minutes journey, twice a hour; timetable here), then trains to Pavia (see below under ‘travelling by train’).

Trains to Milano Bovisa (every 20-30 minutes), and change at Bovisa station to train S13 to Pavia (approx. 2 hours). Train schedule here.

Buses to Milan Central Station (Milano Stazione Centrale) (approximately one hour; timetables here) or trains (from terminal 1; every hour, approximately 50 minutes, timetables here) , then trains to Pavia (25-40 minutes; see below under ‘travelling by train’).

— From Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport to Pavia:

Buses (approximately one hour; timetables here, here, and here) to Milan Central Station (Milano Stazione Centrale), then trains to Pavia (see below under ‘travelling by train’).

You can also take city bus 1 to Bergamo train station, then take a train to Milan (approx. 40 minutes) and connect to Pavia at Milan Lambrate (approx. 20 minutes).

— From Genova Cristoforo Colombo Airport to Pavia:

Buses (approximately 30 minutes; timetables here) to Genova Brignole Station, then trains to Pavia (see below under ‘travelling by train’).

Travelling by train

— From France, Switzerland and Germany to Milan:

Direct connections from/to PARIS and CHAMBERY (SNCF, Trenitalia), BASEL, BERN, GENEVA and ZURICH (CFF, Trenitalia) and MUNICH (DB, Trenitalia).

— From Milan Central Station to Pavia:

Hourly trains (approximately 25-40 minutes depending on the train; timetables at http://www.trenitalia.it); any train with final destination GENOVA, VENTIMIGLIA, SESTRI LEVANTE, LA SPEZIA, and VOGHERA will stop in Pavia. Tickets for local trains (without a reservation) must be validated using the yellow machines near the platforms, unless they are bought online.

Travelling by car

Pavia is on the A7 Motorway, 30 km south of Milan Beltway (Tangenziale di Milano). The exit for Pavia is BEREGUARDO. Pavia is also served by Motorway A21 (Torino - Piacenza). The exit for Pavia is CASTEGGIO.

— From Germany and northern Europe:

Brenner: A22 (direction Verona) - A4 (direction Milan) - A21 (leave the motorway at BRONI STRADELLA junction). Follow the road signs to Pavia.

Gotthard: from the Italian border: A9 (direction Milan) - Tangenziale ovest of Milan - A7 (direction Genoa) - Leave the motorway at BEREGUARDO-PAVIA NORD junction. Follow the road signs to Pavia.

— From France, Spain and Portugal:

Monte Bianco: SS25 (direction Aosta) - A5 (direction Turin [Torino]) - Turin Beltway (Tangenziale Sud) to A 21, then A 21 (direction Piacenza) - Leave the motorway at CASTEGGIO, and follow the signs to Pavia. As an alternative, you can take link motorway A4/A5 - A4 (direction Milan) - Tangenziale ovest di Milano - A7 (direction Genoa) - Leave the motorway at BEREGUARDO-PAVIA NORD junction. Follow the road signs to Pavia.

Frejus: From the Italian border: SS335/SS24 (direction Turin [Torino]) - Tangenziale sud di Torino (direction A21) - A21 (direction Piacenza) - Leave the motorway at CASTEGGIO. Follow the road signs to Pavia.

Ventimiglia: A10 (direction Genoa) - A25 (direction Milan) - Link motorway A25/A7 (direction Milan) - A7 (direction Milan) - Leave the motorway at BEREGUARDO-PAVIA NORD. Follow the road signs to Pavia.

— From eastern Europe:

Brenner (see above);

Trieste: From the Italian border: E70/SS202 (get to SASTIANA) - Keep E70/A4 - Pass MANERBIO - Reach BRONI-STRADELLA - Leave the motorway in order to get the SP202 and SS517. Follow the road signs to Pavia.