Trieste Airport, officially named Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, serves as a convenient gateway to northeastern Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia, handling over one million passengers in 2024. Located 33 kilometres northwest of Trieste’s city centre in Ronchi dei Legionari, the airport is easily accessible via an efficient transport network. The Intermodal Transit Hub, completed in 2018, connects the terminal to the Venice–Trieste railway via a 425-metre walkway, with 48 daily trains to Trieste (30 minutes, £4) and 28 to Venice (90 minutes, £8). Bus line 51, operated by APT Gorizia, runs every 30 minutes to Trieste’s bus station in 30–35 minutes for £4.
05, with stops at scenic spots like Grignano Miramare.
Taxis cost £40–£55 to Trieste, and car rentals from Avis, Hertz, and Sixt are available in the arrivals hall. Passengers with reduced mobility benefit from free parking and assistance, bookable 48 hours in advance, with accessible buses and trains.
The single terminal spans two floors, with check-in counters, arrivals, and baggage claim on the ground floor and departures, security, and eight gates on the first floor. The compact layout ensures easy navigation, with lifts and escalators aiding accessibility.
Security queues are generally short but can reach 30 minutes during peak summer months. Travellers should arrive 1.5 hours before domestic flights and 2 hours before international ones, as bus-boarding to aircraft may involve a brief outdoor walk. Passport control for non-Schengen flights can add 20–30 minutes for arrivals.
On-time performance is reliable, with real-time updates available via Flightradar24 or the airport’s website. Delays may occur in summer due to high passenger volumes or in winter due to fog, a common issue in the region. The airport serves 30 destinations across eight airlines, including Ryanair, ITA Airways, and Lufthansa, with flights to Rome, Frankfurt, and Tirana. Connections are efficient, with minimum connection times of 30–45 minutes, though non-Schengen transfers require extra time for border checks.
Dining and retail options are modest but practical. The Gusto self-service restaurant on the first floor serves hot and cold dishes, including local Friulian cuisine, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The main bar on the viewing terrace, accessible to all visitors, offers drinks and snacks, while the Moka Café Gourmé, airside, provides coffee and quick bites for passengers. Aelia and Relay shops sell duty-free items, souvenirs, and books, and a free book-sharing space adds a unique touch. Prices can be high, so bringing snacks is advisable.
Facilities cater to traveller needs effectively. Free Wi-Fi is available for 20 minutes, with paid access thereafter, and a first aid station, baby-changing rooms, and a prayer room are located across the terminal. The Sala Calligaris lounge, airside near gates 8/9, offers seating and refreshments for £25 for economy passengers. Over 1,500 parking spaces, including a multi-storey car park, start at £4 per day, with free parking for passengers with reduced mobility. The airport closes from midnight to 4:00 am, but nearby hotels like Hotel Major, 1 kilometre away, suit layovers. A self-service photo machine in arrivals provides passport photos, and baggage services include lockers and lost property.
