Cheapest Time to Fly to Italy (and the Most Expensive)
The cheapest time to fly to Italy is usually winter and late fall—while summer, Easter week, and late December are the priciest.
Flights to Italy can swing a lot by season—mainly because demand jumps during summer vacations, major spring holiday weeks, and year-end travel.
If you’re flexible by even a few days, you can often save a surprising amount by flying during winter and the calmer shoulder-season stretches—then skipping the weeks when everyone has the same idea.
Quick Take
- Cheapest time to fly to Italy: mid-January–early March, parts of late April, late October–November, and early December
- Most expensive time to fly to Italy: June–August, Easter week (March/April), mid-August (Ferragosto weeks), and late December–early January
Cheapest Time to Fly to Italy
The cheapest flights to Italy usually show up when fewer people are crossing the Atlantic and airlines have more open seats to fill—especially if you can avoid weekend-heavy travel.
Mid-January to Early March (Post–New Year Dip)
Once the holiday rush ends, fares often drop and stay calmer for a while. This is one of the most consistent windows for lower-priced flights into big gateways like Rome and Milan.
Money-saving tip: Aim for Tuesday–Thursday departures if you can.
Exception: Late February can bump up for certain city-specific event weeks (especially if you’re flying into Milan or Venice).
Late April (Select Weeks After Spring Break)
Some late-April weeks can price well—especially if they land after the spring-break surge but before early-summer demand starts ramping.
Money-saving tip: Price-check more than one arrival airport—Rome (FCO), Milan (MXP), Venice (VCE), and Naples (NAP) can price very differently.
Exception: If your dates drift into early May, fares can jump fast.
Late October to November (Late-Fall Value)
This is a sweet spot for deal-hunting because summer is long gone and holiday travel hasn’t started yet. You’ll often see better availability and fewer “priced like peak season” days on the calendar.
Money-saving tip: Look for longer trips with flexible returns—sometimes a Monday/Tuesday return is meaningfully cheaper than Sunday.
Exception: If you’re flying around Thanksgiving week, prices can be less predictable from US airports.
Early December (Pre-Holiday Lull)
Early December can be a strong deal window before Christmas and New Year pricing kicks in. If you want Italy in a quieter season but still want a fun travel feel, this is a great time to watch fares.
Money-saving tip: Lock in your outbound early and keep the return flexible—late December returns are where pricing usually bites.
Exception: Once school breaks begin, fares often jump quickly.
Most Expensive Time to Fly to Italy
High fares usually come from the same pattern—summer demand, holiday weeks, and a few date-specific surges where a ton of travelers want the same flights.
June to August (Summer Peak)
This is the toughest stretch for deals. Flights fill faster, nonstop options disappear first, and the “good itinerary” times tend to get pricey early.
Peak within peak: Late June through early August is often the roughest run for pricing.
March to April (Easter Week and Surrounding Dates)
Easter timing changes each year, but the week leading into it and the week after can get expensive—especially if it lines up with US spring breaks.
Peak within peak: Friday/Saturday departures before Easter and Sunday/Monday returns after it.
Mid-August (Ferragosto Weeks)
Mid-August is a common “why is everything so expensive?” time. Even if you’re not going for the holiday itself, those weeks can tighten flight inventory.
Peak within peak: The days right before and right after mid-August.
Late December to Early January (Holiday Rush)
Year-end travel pushes up fares across most international routes. If you want Italy during Christmas or New Year, you’ll usually do better booking earlier rather than waiting.
Peak within peak: Late-December departures and early-January returns.
On a Budget But Want Good Weather in Italy?
If you want comfortable weather without paying summer-level airfare, these windows are usually your best bet:
- Late April (select weeks): Spring feel, often cheaper than May and June if you avoid the busiest dates
- September (after Labor Day): Great weather in many regions, usually better deal odds than midsummer
- Early October: Still pleasant in much of Italy, with pricing that often cools off compared to summer
Best Booking Window for Cheap Flights to Italy
Transatlantic pricing can change fast, especially when a good fare pops up. The best move is to start watching early—then book when you see a real drop.
- Low/shoulder seasons: start tracking 2–5 months ahead
- Popular seasons: start tracking 4–7+ months ahead
Extra tip: Italy is perfect for open-jaw flights—fly into Rome and out of Milan (or vice versa) so you don’t waste time and money backtracking.
Seasonal Flight Demand Chart for Italy
Use this chart as a quick guide to the cheapest vs. priciest months to fly.
| Month | Demand Level | Price Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Best deals after New Year travel ends |
| Feb | Low | Low | Often one of the best months for airfare |
| Mar | Medium | Medium | Prices can rise around spring-break timing |
| Apr | Medium → High | Medium → High | Easter week can spike hard (varies by year) |
| May | Medium → High | Medium → High | Often climbs as summer approaches |
| Jun | High | High | Summer demand ramps up fast |
| Jul | High | High | Peak summer pricing |
| Aug | High | High | Peak season continues—mid-August often spikes |
| Sep | Medium | Medium | Prices often ease after summer travel fades |
| Oct | Medium | Medium | Early month can be great—late month cools off |
| Nov | Low | Low | Strong value before December climbs |
| Dec | Medium → Very High | Medium → Very High | Early deals, then holiday surge later in the month |
This Ultimate Italy Travel Guide will teach you everything you need to know to help you plan your trip!
- Best cities
- National Parks
- Beach destinations
- When to visit
- Cost and more.