What is the best airport to fly into?

We recommend flying into Milan Airport (Milano Malpensa - MXP). It is also recommended to fly in 2-3 days prior to the wedding to adjust to the time zone and enjoy some pre-wedding fun. This may also help with any unexpected travel delays that may occur.

How do I get from the airport to Lake Maggiore?

We highly recommend renting a car from the airport for your weekend at the lake!

1. Rental Car: an international drivers permit (license) which must be obtained stateside before you depart (~$20). Reserve your vehicle in advance as there are limited automatic cars (you don't want to be stuck with a manual, if you don't drive stick!). Driving is the same as in the states. Fire up google maps and take A8 motorway then A26 toward Gravellona Toce / Lake Maggiore.

2. Private taxi or rideshare: Bolt is the European version of Lyft, but rideshares are very limited in small lake towns. Please let us know if you require assistance organizing transportation.

3. Rome2Rio: is a free app for travel planning, showing all the routes & costs from buses, trains, taxis, ferries, flights etc. It estimates travel times, costs, transfers, and anything else you may need to get from A to B.

What travel requirements are needed?

1) U.S. Passport - must be valid for at least 6 months after your date of departure from the states.

2) ETIAS visa - is a new requirement in 2026 for non-European Union passport holders entering the area. You must apply for this visa online with your passport information, travel plans, and personal information. There is a €7 fee. The visa is valid for 3 years. Visa is usually approved within minutes to a day. Details will be added here in mid 2026 on obtaining this visa. The visa is intended to go live 4th quarter of 2026. Please be aware of scams.

Notes on Arriving/Departing from Malpensa Airport (MXP):

The Schengen region (area of 27 European countries) has implemented the EES (entry exit system) as of 2026. When you disembark your flight, the corridors will lead you to the EES system which is passport/border patrol. These are electronic machines which will scan your passport and biometrics (photo and fingerprints) to clear you through the border. After this, you will proceed to baggage claim to collect you luggage, and then pass through the green corridor (customs), as you are a visitor on holiday with nothing to declare.

Departing through Malpensa, please note that passport control is after security clearance. You will go through security (similar to TSA), then duty-free and all of the airport shops, then passport control. Passport control lines may get long so don't get too distracted by duty-free shopping after security.

Notes on Driving:

There is sufficient parking around the lake. Blue marked parking lanes means you must pay for parking. Find a parking kiosk or download the app via QR code on the kiosk. White marked parking lanes mean parking is free (usually by public parks, near the water line). Yellow marked parking is for handicapped placard cars only.

There are many bikers and pedestrians walking on the roads, share the road with caution as certain bends and passes may be narrow or obscure.

There are adequate gas stations between the lake and MXP. Many gas stations have an attendant, but finding one without is no problem. You must pre-pay at a kiosk. Enter your pump number into the kiosk and insert your card into the machine, then pump as usual. Highly recommend to fill up the tank before returning the car as the airport gas prices are significantly higher.