London to Catania (LHR–CTA) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Italy visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit. ID cards are no longer accepted for UK nationals.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds (EUR 280.46 for trips up to 5 days, EUR 44.93 per day for longer stays, per Italian authorities). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026. San Marino and Vatican City are not in Schengen, but entry from Italy involves no border check.

Direct flights from London to Rome run about 2 hours 30 minutes, to Milan about 2 hours, to Naples about 2 hours 40 minutes. Budget carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling) serve dozens of UK-Italy routes from regional airports. Italy uses the euro. No vaccination requirements. Italian law requires you to carry photo ID at all times. The "dichiarazione di presenza" (declaration of presence) is technically required for non-EU visitors staying outside hotels, but hotels file it automatically on check-in.

Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.