BA opens routes to ‘little Naples’ and Italians’ favourite beach spot – are they great cheaper options?
British Airways is opening two new routes to Italy this summer – but does the claim that they could be cheaper holiday options stack up?
The airline will offer direct flights from London to Rimini on the Adriatic Coast and Salerno on the Amalfi Coast from May.
Both destinations are steeped in culture but aren’t among the best known tourist spots in Italy, making them quieter and potentially friendlier on the bank balance.
We’ve outlined everything you need to know, including how the costs compare with other holiday favourites…
Gatwick-Salerno
Salerno is an ancient port town known as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Affectionately known as “little Naples”, it benefits from being nowhere near as busy as its bigger sister along the coast.
The centuries-old Arechi Castle dominates Salerno’s skyline atop Monte Bonadies and sets the tone for a town steeped in history. Salerno Cathedral is built on the ruins of a Roman temple and features Byzantine bronze doors and a marble altar.
It’s also close to many of Italy’s top tourist destinations, including Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
Salerno Costa d’Amalfi airport only opened in July 2024, giving tourists the option to fly directly into the Amalfi Coast rather than Naples, which then requires a 90-minute drive.
BA will operate a seasonal service three times a week, with flights taking off on Monday, Thursday and Saturday until 25 October. The jounrney is two hours and 50 minutes.
How much for flights and a week-long stay?
BA says return flights are available from £168 once the route starts up in May, but the Money team found return flights available for almost half that price with easyJet during the same month.
We found slightly cheaper BA flights in July, with a £124 return fare when travelling from 17-24 July. But easyJet still comes out cheaper, costing £87 for a return fare when travelling from 16-23 July.
The cheapest three-star hotel for two adults from 16-23 July was £329 on Hotels.com, while the cheapest four-star hotel was £393.
For the same dates in May, the cheapest three-star hotel was £354 and the cheapest four-star hotel £345.
This does work out (slightly) cheaper than the popular Sorrento, where the cheapest three-star hotel was £354 for next month and the cheapest four-star hotel was £486.
In July, Sorrento will set you back £354 and £393 for the cheapest three or four-star hotel, respectively.
Heathrow-Rimini
A meeting point for traders 2,800 years ago, Rimini was founded by the Romans in 268 BC.
Today, it’s known as one of the favourite holiday destinations for Italians. It’s the biggest beach resort on the Adriatic Sea and features nine miles of sandy beaches along the coast.
The old town, about a 15-minute walk inland, has many interesting sights, including the 2,000-year-old Tiberius Bridge.
The structure has carried everything from marching Roman legions to Second World War Panzer tanks and flip-flop wearing tourists.
For motorsport fans, the San Marino and Rimini Riviera motorcycle Grand Prix takes place every September.
Rimini is also a great base from which to explore nearby San Marino, the small, landlocked republic situated a 30-minute drive inland.
It’s also a great place to visit on a budget, with cheap food and accommodation closer to the front.
BA will operate three times a week to Rimini, with flights taking off on Monday, Thursday and Saturday until 27 September. The flight takes two hours and 15 minutes.
How much for a week-long stay?
The cheapest British Airways flights on this route the Money team could find cost £133 per person for a week-long trip in May and £136 for the same stay in July.
We also found flights from London Stansted to Rimini with Ryanair for just £30 in May, though these savings aren’t replicated in July, when BA and Ryanair prices are similar.
The cheapest three-star hotel in May for the same dates costs £159 on Hotels.com, while the cheapest four-star comes in at £229.
For July, the cheapest three-star hotel we could find cost £258, with the cheapest four-star priced at £382.