When there´s a church in the arrivals hall and the airport food smells better than in most upper-end eateries at home, you know you´ve landed in Italy. Milan Bergamo Airport though small in size, is rich in Italian spirit and is the airport of choice for those wanting to swoosh down snow-capped Alps or just partake in some apres-ski.
The six cafes and restaurants located within the terminal, showcase just a few of the things the country is best know for. The cuisine of the region is essentially Alpine-Venetian and dishes of polenta, game and a wide selection of locally made cheeses and salamis can be found in them. There are also places to sit and eat ice cream or have a light snack with a coffee while you wait.
Shops are relatively thin on the ground but there are still the essentials such as a pharmacy in arrivals hall and places to buy duty free goods and newspapers. There is also a few non-essentials such as a florist, a couple of clothing boutiques, a store selling leather goods and another selling sunglasses and accessories.
If you have forgotten to exchange your money before you leave, then this can always be done at the Maccorp desk in the terminal where you can buy currency, purchase or cash Travellers Cheques and even buy pre-paid phone cards and top-up cards. There are also two banks with cashpoints that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Unlike many airports where the VIP lounges are reserved purely for those flying Business or First Class, Bergamo Airport shares the love for an entry fee of just €15. For that you get free internet access, sockets to plug in your PC, SKY television and teletext, hot and cold refreshments, telecheck in before arrival and a dedicated check-in if you have luggage, so no more milling around with the hoi polloi.
Their are several different alternatives for onwards travel, although Bergamo Airport Car Hire is by far the most convenient and often cost effective. Shuttle buses leave regularly to Milan and Bergamo, including the train station, from outside arrivals, while several low cost coach companies offer travel to destinations further afield such as Zermatt, Lugano, Aosta Valley, Lombardy and Trentino. Bergamo Airport Transfers or taxis offer an alternative way of getting around.
For a small airport, it really has thought of everything and handicapped travellers are especially well-provided for here with wheelchair ramps, telephones for the hearing impaired, specifically designed toilets and relief pathways for the visually impaired. There is a Tourist Information Office in the Arrivals Hall where you can buy a card entitling you to discounts on transportation and attractions. Lost luggage is also located here and is open from 08:00 to 22:00.