Travel to Italy
You are responsible for your own travel arrangements. Please consult the School in Italy calendar before planning your travel dates. We recommend that you arrive a few days before the start of orientation in order to become familiar with and adjust to your surroundings.
We further recommend that your travel plans allow you to arrive during the daytime so you will be able to find your way around and visit stores, etc. if necessary. It is especially important that you not plan your return to the United States or travel to another destination before the date of the last scheduled final exam. Exam dates cannot be changed to accommodate students’ travel plans. No exceptions will be made, so please don’t ask.
TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration regulates what items may be carried aboard aircraft and these regulations are subject to change. Therefore, you should consult their website close to your date of departure: https://www.tsa.gov/travel
Please note: Possessing certain items while going through security may result in fines or, in certain cases, may be considered a criminal offense.
Airline Luggage Regulations
You should contact your airline to confirm exact luggage allowances. We strongly suggest you stick to these guidelines, or be prepared to pay excess baggage fees, which can be quite expensive. We also suggest that you consider insuring your luggage through a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Travel insurance options can be researched at: http://www.insuremytrip.com
Students Arriving in Italy or the EU Prior to the Start of their Visas
In some cases, students may arrive in Italy or other countries in the EU and/or Schengen Zone as tourists prior to the official start date listed on their visas, or they may stay for a period of time as tourists after the last date listed on their visas*. In this case, students may need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, or ETIAS, which is slated to begin in late 2026. For more information, please consult the official ETIAS website here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias
*The ability to arrive early as a tourist, or to remain in Italy as a tourist beyond the end of the student visa, is dependent on a student’s nationality and comes with additional considerations that students must be aware of. For more information, please consult the advisor for the School in Italy.
Students with Layovers in the U.K.
Students who have a layover in the U.K. either on the way to or back from Italy may need to complete the U.K.’s Electronic Travel Authorization prior to leaving. Consult the official ETA website and your airline for more information and to determine if this is a step you need to complete prior to traveling: https://www.gov.uk/eta
Comfort in Flights
The following recommendations should help you during the flight and may ease the effect of “jet lag” when you arrive at your destination:
• Wear loose-fitting clothes while in flight, as well as shoes that can be removed easily.
• Replenish fluids frequently. Avoid alcoholic beverages, which are dehydrating. Too much coffee or tea can also cause dehydration.
• Contact lens wearers should remove them or use saline solution every few hours.
• Those with sensitive skin should carry moisturizing cream.
• Take a walk around the cabin when the seat belt sign is off.
