Brescia

The city of Brescia,149 metres above sea level, lies at the foot of the hills below the Pre-Alps, almost at the mouth of Trompia valley. It is bordered to the north-east by Cidneo Hill, an extension of Mount Maddalena, which rises to the east. There are very pleasant panoramic roads which climb the slopes of the hilly zone of the Ronchi amid varied almost Mediterranean vegetation.

Since the beginning of the XX century, in the presence of vigorous industrial growth, the city has been expanding. The demolition of the city walls, which began towards the end of the previous century and the urbanization of the green areas which separated the old city centre from outlying villages, destroyed the original conformation of the town. The wide ring roads, built where the walls once stood, connect the different districts and ease the traffic in the town, which still has a historic city centre quite different from the newer parts.

Today the population of Brescia is about two hundred thousand - the same number as at the end of the postwar period. It is the second most important city in Lombardy and capital of a province with a population of over a million, and with a territory of which more than half is mountainous, it has become one of the most industrialised areas of Italy.

How to reach Brescia

By Plane

Nearest airports to Brescia are: Milan Bergamo airport (55 km), Verona airport (65 km), Milan Linate airport (90 km), Milan Malpensa airport (140 km), and Venice airport (190 km). Brescia Montichiari airport (25 km) currently does not operate regular passenger flights.

Milan – Malpensa airport (MXP)

Milan Malpensa airport is the main hub of northern Italy for international and intercontinental flights. Main international carriers operating to/from Milan Malpensa airport are: Aeroflot, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Alitalia, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Korean Air, LAN Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines. Milan Malpensa airport is also a hub for the low-cost carrier EasyJet, which connects with several European cities.

Connection between Milan Malpensa airport and Brescia is guaranteed by regular bus and train transfer to Milan main railway station (about 1 hour, 13 EUR) and from there to Brescia railway station (about 1 hour, 7-20 EUR). By car, the journey takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions. An on-demand taxi service is also available for about 40 EUR per person, one way.

Milan – Linate airport (LIN)

Milan Linate airport is well linked with the major European cities as well as main European hubs for non-direct intercontinental flights. Main international carriers operating to/from Milan Linate and Verona airports are: Air Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Dolomiti, Jet2.com, Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, EasyJet, El Al, Germanwings, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Meridiana, Niki, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air.

Connection between Milan Linate airport and Brescia is guaranteed by regular city bus transfer to Milan main railway station (about 20 minutes, 1.50 EUR) and from there to Brescia railway station (about 1 hour, 7-20 EUR). By car, the journey takes approximately one hour.

Verona – Villafranca airport (VRN)

Verona Villafranca airport is well linked with the major European cities as well as main European hubs for non-direct intercontinental flights. Main international carriers operating to/from Milan Linate and Verona airports are: Air Lingus, Air Berlin, Air Dolomiti, Jet2.com, Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, EasyJet, El Al, Germanwings, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Meridiana, Niki, Ryanair, Scandinavian Airlines, Vueling, Wizz Air.

Connection between Verona airport and Brescia is guaranteed by regular city bus transfer to Verona main railway station (about 25 minutes, 6 EUR) and from there to Brescia railway station (about 40 minutes, 7-20 EUR). By car, the journey takes approximately 45 minutes.

Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE)

Venice airport is the main airport of northeast Italy. It hosts several major as well as low-cost companies. Main international carriers operating to/from Venice airport are: Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EasyJet, El Al, Emirates, Finnair, Germanwings, Iberia, Jet2.com, KLM, Lufthansa, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Volotea, Vueling.

Connection between Venice airport and Brescia is guaranteed by regular city bus transfer to Venezia-Mestre railway station (about 20 minutes, 8 EUR) and from there to Brescia railway station (about 2 hours, 9-35 EUR). By car, the journey takes approximately 2 hours.

By Train

Brescia is one of the major train stops along the railway backbone connecting Turin to Venice, via Milan, Bergamo and Verona.
There is only one railway station ("Stazione FS") in Brescia.
There are three rail companies available:

By Car

Brescia is located along the highway ("Autostrada") A4 Milan-Venice ("Milano – Venezia"). We suggest to take the "Brescia-Ovest" exit as it is the most convenient to reach the conference venue.
Directions from airports:

From Milan – Linate airport drive towards Milan ("Milano") and then take the highway A4 towards Venice ("Venezia").
From Milan – Malpensa airport take the highway A8 towards Milan ("Milano") and then join the highway A4 towards Venice ("Venezia").
From Bergamo – Orio al Serio airport take the highway A4 towards Venice ("Venezia").
From Verona – Villafranca airport take the highway A4 towards Milan ("Milano").