Flying from Canada to Florence

Take option 2; high possibility that your flight schedule my change by September or arrive too late to make the 1:55 train

Check flying KLM into Amsterdam and connect to a flight into Florence. That is if the schedules line up without too long a layover.

An alternative would be flying Air Canada into London Heathrow and catching a connecting flight on British Airways into Pisa--an hour west of Florence. Trains run just about hourly.

I also see WestJet is flying seasonally (for what that means) to Heathrow and Rome-Fiumicino out of Calgary. You could catch a train up to Florence easily from Rome Termini.

KLM definitely has the best option, but have a ton of WJ dollars and aeroplan points to use so hoping to stick with AC or WJ due to this.

Calgary has some limited direct options in the summer/fall months. YYC to FCO on Saturday evenings via Westjet.

Between AC and WJ, I'd go with AC just for the reliability and flexibility factor. And AC is partnered with Lufthansa/Air Dolomiti. We've done that route (but out of Pearson) several times. You'd have ample time in Frankfurt to clear Passport Control and stretch your legs before your connecting flight. Plus, if you are flying business class or have status on AC, the lounge in Frankfurt is very nice.

I’ve used the Option 2 method in the past and found that to be very easy. Coming from the Okanagan, I usually have to connect with international flights in either Vancouver, Calgary or Toronto. As you won’t be touring Rome this time, there’s no point in going there first.

I typically use Air Canada and then connect with their partner airline, Lufthansa.

Frankfurt is a large airport but it’s reasonably easy to navigate. Since this is your first point of entry to the EU, you’ll go through passport control there.

As I recall, there’s a light rail shuttle that takes passengers into Florence.

I remember WestJet announcing plans to start twice weekly service from Calgary to Amsterdam. Maybe the service was a victim of the pandemic.

Thanks everyone! Looks like the AC route might be my best bet to avoid going to Rome for the sake of a train transfer.

The option via FRA would be my choice, assuming FLR is not absurdly more expensive than flying to FCO (which often is). But if the price difference is less than $250, I would definitely flying directly to Florence since you don't plan to visit Rome at all.

If you fly to Rome, you will have to sustain additional expenses (train) plus an extra night in Rome the day before your flight, which you may not care to spend, since Rome is not part of your itinerary.

If you decide to go with option 1, I recommend not to buy the train ticket in advance. You will lose the opportunity to save 30-40% on the price, but if you book a train that you end up missing due to flight delays, you lose the whole train tickets because those tickets are not refundable or exchangeable.

I wouldn't consider flying via LHR to Pisa with BA. Going it's ok, but there is only one flight a day (at midday) to/from Pisa with BA, therefore to go back to Canada you would need to spend a night in London (or depart from Rome instead of Pisa). Amsterdam (KLM), Frankfurt/Munich (Lufthansa), Paris (AirFrance), Zurich (Swiss) are the only viable options for a one layover flight to Florence.

Hi,

I fly to Italy every couple of years from Vancouver, and I would take Option 2.
I like to get to Europe and then transfer flights.
This September I'm flying KLM to Munich and then flying on to Florence from there.
Perhaps see if you can find an AC flight to Munich instead of Frankfurt...it's a bit smaller and better organised.
Then on to Florence.
Although, if you have 4.5 hours to connect, then that's ok.
You could buy a Lounge pass in advance , to occupy you in Frankfurt.

Be sure to have at least a two hour connection time in Europe whatever you book, and don't book through Paris CDG.
Stick to the German airports for connecting.
You will love Florence, I hope!

I’m an ex-Calgarian now living a few hours outside of Rome. I was so excited when WestJet added the nonstop YYC-FCO. My recommendation is counter to everyone else’s. I would absolutely take option 1 to get out of airports as fast as possible. FCO is a very good, highly-ranked airport. Arriving at Terminal 3, everything is modern, well-signed and organized.

If you make the train, which I believe is not impossible, you are on your way and not stuck in waiting areas, security lines or Frankfurt’s huge shopping areas for 4.5 hours (a long, uncomfortable layover after a night with little sleep.) If you miss it, the dedicated Leonardo Express to Rome Termini is easy and the train station is a head-in station, meaning all tracks are side by side on the same level, no navigating underground passages to transfer to your Florence train. To me, making forward progress instead of sitting in an airport wins every time, especially when it’s as uncomplicated as this train solution. Exiting the station in Florence is similarly easy, another head-in station with obvious, no-stairs-required exits.

As you’ll presumably be returning out of Dublin, there is no backtracking to Rome and no wasted overnight stay at the end of your trip.

I realize I’m swimming upstream here, but that is my advice to all my family and friends. I tell them to take advantage of the nonstop and then carry on. We don’t have very many nonstops to Europe from Calgary, I’ve usually gone through Frankfurt, and for visiting Italy, Rome is better in my opinion.

I’m a Vancouverite. My AC flight to Rome was changed by AC 3 times before I finally flew mid April. AC consolidates its flights depending on tix sales.
I did also have a 4 hour layover in Frankfurt en route to Rome and was glad for the extra time as my AC flight ended up being delayed. It’s a nice airport- has public shower for 6 euros, lots of eatery options and relaxing stations at no charge.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful responses everyone! I think for the first euro trip we'll opt for a layover in Frankfurt, and take the direct FCO flight the next time we plan a trip. That way we'll have a feel for Italy & experience with the trains.