What to know about Orio al Serio Airport: the essential guide
In our daily work, we have listened to many accounts from customers who faced complicated situations while passing through Orio al Serio Airport. Often these difficulties stemmed from partial information or incorrect expectations, leading to confusion, delays, and sometimes avoidable costs.
Here you will find the answers that would have clarified everything from the very beginning.
What is Orio al Serio Airport called?
The airport commonly known as Orio al Serio, often referred to as Bergamo Orio al Serio or simply Bergamo, has the official name “Il Caravaggio International Airport” and is identified by the code BGY.
Let’s bust a myth: Orio al Serio Airport is NOT small
The apparently modest size of the terminal leads many travelers to believe that Orio al Serio is a small and fast airport. Nothing could be further from the truth: air traffic is comparable to that of a large international hub.
Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is in fact one of the busiest airports in Italy today, ranking third for passenger traffic with over 17 million passengers per year. It is also one of the bases of the low-cost airline Ryanair. This results in queues at the gates, congestion in outdoor areas, and difficulty finding available parking spaces.
How to get to Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport
Getting to the airport is relatively easy thanks to its location directly connected to the A4 motorway and the dense network of regional shuttle buses. However, the choice of transport has a major impact on the overall experience: traffic, parking, and schedules can affect actual arrival times.
For more detailed information, we recommend consulting this article: How to get to Orio al Serio Airport.
Official parking at Orio al Serio Airport and low-cost alternatives
The airport is located just a few minutes from the Bergamo and Seriate exits of the A4 motorway, with easy-to-find road access. Despite this, during peak hours the final stretch can become congested: knowing this in advance will help you avoid unnecessary delays.
Official airport parking
BGY offers three dedicated parking areas, with rates varying according to distance from the terminal:
- P1: directly in front of the terminal; ideal for short stays. The first 10 minutes are free.
- P2: large parking area in the immediate vicinity of the terminal.
- P3: farther away, with shuttle service.
These parking areas are convenient for those arriving by car, but they are also more expensive. During the busiest weeks, spaces also fill up quickly.
Low-cost private parking
Around the airport there are several privately operated parking facilities, including Parking Orio20, with free 24/7 shuttle service, surveillance, and the possibility to keep your car keys. Its location near the Seriate A4 exit allows you to avoid queues at the Bergamo toll booth, an often underestimated but significant advantage during peak hours.
Attention: there is no free parking at Orio al Serio Airport! For further details, we invite you to read this article.
The Orio al Serio Airport terminal
Orio al Serio Airport has only one terminal. However, the internal organization and the high number of daily passengers and flights make it somewhat complex to navigate.
Number of gates and area organization
The departures area, located on the first floor after security checks, has around 20–25 operational gates. The number may vary because at certain times of the year or day some gates may be closed.
The gates are divided into:
- Gate A (A1–A15) for flights to Schengen countries.
- Gate B (B1–B5) for flights to non-Schengen countries, with dedicated passport control.
As of today, only gates A13 and B5 have jet bridges, meaning the mobile corridors that lead directly onto the aircraft. For all other gates, passengers are transported by bus to the boarding point.
Internal distances
From security checks to the farthest gate, the walk generally takes 5–10 minutes, a manageable distance that can become longer when there are many passengers.
Security checks and passenger flow
The security checkpoints are located on the first floor, at the end of the check-in hall, opposite the highest-numbered counters. The area is centralized: all passengers converge here.
Queues are arranged in a serpentine layout, with several parallel lines activated depending on the current flow.
The system works smoothly when traffic is regular, but the high turnover of Ryanair and other low-cost flights generates constant peaks in passenger volume, which can significantly slow access to security checks.
This aspect is crucial when calculating how early to arrive at Orio al Serio Airport.
Fast Track lane
For those in a hurry, a Fast Track lane is available, purchasable online or at the airport. Access is via a QR-code turnstile and allows you to skip the main queue.
What really slows down boarding?
- Departures concentrated during peak hours, with dozens of flights within a few minutes;
- Passport control;
- Passengers with bags requiring manual inspection;
- Large groups;
- Inexperienced passengers.
But there is good news: thanks to new scanners, from November 25, 2025 there will be greater tolerance for liquids on board aircraft. This innovation will help reduce waiting times before boarding.
Orio al Serio Airport services: food, shops, and comfort areas
The terminal offers a range of services comparable to that of a major airport.
Below you will find a very concise list of what you can do while waiting for your flight.
Eating and drinking
- Panella, Briciole, Berry & Coffee: bars and bakeries.
- Alice Pizza, Rossopomodoro, Panino Giusto, Eataly, Heineken Beer Hall, WorkEat, McDonald’s: for hot and quick meals.
Shopping
- Duty-free.
- Clothing, souvenir, and electronics shops.
- Pharmacy, newsstand/bookstore, ATMs, currency exchange.
Working
- Unlimited free Wi-Fi.
- Charging points with electrical outlets and USB ports available in waiting areas and near the gates.
- Paid lockers for secure charging.
- Tables and outlets to work in more stable conditions.
Resting
The VIP Lounge Gate/Check-In and the HelloSky Lounge offer comfortable seating, snacks, drinks, and dedicated work areas. Access is via pass.
How to get from the airport to the Oriocenter shopping mall
A distinctive feature of Bergamo Airport is its proximity to Oriocenter, one of the largest shopping malls in Europe. This is great news for those who have to spend more time than expected at the airport, whether due to a delay or during a layover.
To reach the shopping center, you use a protected pedestrian underpass, accessible from the airport entrance. From the arrivals area, simply follow the signs “Oriocenter / Shopping Center”. The distance is short and the walk takes less than 5 minutes.
Oriocenter is open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. on Sundays, with slight variations depending on the period.
What to do at Oriocenter
Oriocenter is truly massive. With a 3–4 hour window, you can eat or shop comfortably, relying on a wide variety of stores, bars, and restaurants.
It is also a good waiting point for those coming to pick you up, thanks to the large outdoor and underground parking areas, which avoid occupying airport parking spaces. However, keep in mind that Oriocenter parking is only for shopping center customers and is not free airport parking!
If there are less than two hours before departure, do not go. Oriocenter is close, but it is not part of the airport. You risk arriving at security checks too late, and there are no shortcuts that allow you to make up for lost time.
Orio al Serio arrivals: what to expect after landing
The arrival experience at Bergamo Orio al Serio is generally quick thanks to the compact terminal layout, but actual speed depends on the type of flight and the time of day.
Where baggage belts are located
After disembarking, usually by bus, follow the Arrivals / Baggage Claim route.
- Schengen flights access the baggage hall directly.
- Non-Schengen flights first pass through passport control, usually quick but subject to delays when multiple flights arrive at the same time.
The baggage claim hall is located on the ground floor, just beyond the arrivals entrances. Monitors indicate the assigned belt for each flight. The small size of the area makes orientation easy. Waiting times are generally short and rarely exceed 30 minutes.
Immediate ground connections: buses, taxis, private cars
After exiting the arrivals area, you enter the public hall where the main services for continuing your journey are located.
- Shuttles to Bergamo: the ATB Airport Bus departs from the stops in front of the terminal and connects to Bergamo train station in about 15 minutes.
- Shuttles to Milan: Terravision, Orio Shuttle, Autostradale, and FlixBus have dedicated stops right outside the arrivals exit, with frequent departures during the day.
- Shuttles to other cities: the airport also offers direct connections to Monza, Brescia, and other Lombardy destinations.
- Official taxis: available immediately outside the terminal, with fixed fares for Bergamo and higher costs for destinations such as Milan.
- Pick-up and drop-off: the Kiss&Ride area and the P1 short-stay parking are just a few steps from the arrivals exit, useful for those being dropped off or picked up by car.
The main advantage is that all options are concentrated within a few meters: no long walks or internal shuttles are required.
Average time to exit the airport
If traveling with hand luggage only, the time from landing to exiting the terminal is surprisingly short: 5 to 10 minutes.
With checked baggage, the average increases to 15–30 minutes, depending on baggage delivery times and any passport checks.
Leaving the airport: beware of late-night flights
An important but often overlooked point concerns connections after 11:00 p.m.
Some flights, especially low-cost ones, may land very late or experience evening delays. During these time slots, shuttle services may reduce frequency or end altogether. Taxis remain operational, but at significantly higher costs and with a limited number of vehicles during nighttime peak periods.
Therefore, while it is true that Orio al Serio Airport is open 24 hours a day, keep in mind that public transportation is not always available at all hours.
You now have the essential information to avoid chaos and make boarding and arrival at Orio al Serio Airport a pleasant experience. Have a good trip!