Generally, Milan (MXP or LIN) is considered the most affordable gateway into Italy, especially for travelers flying from North America or other major European hubs. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is a massive international hub that hosts a high volume of flights from both legacy carriers and low-cost airlines like EasyJet, which maintains a primary base there. Because Milan is a global center for business and fashion, the competition among airlines is fierce, which often drives down ticket prices. Another strong contender is Rome (FCO), which serves as the main hub for the national carrier ITA Airways. While Rome is more popular for tourism, its high capacity allows for frequent deals. If you are already within Europe, flying into Venice Treviso (TSF) or Bergamo (BGY) via low-cost carriers like Ryanair can result in incredibly cheap fares, often under €30. To find the absolute best price, it is often recommended to fly into Milan and then use Italy’s highly efficient high-speed rail network (Frecciarossa) to reach other cities like Florence, Venice, or Rome.