The 2026 Winter Olympics run from February 6 to 22 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy the first Winter Games to span two major host cities simultaneously. For the solo traveler who made it out there, the experience of a lifetime ends with a practical question: how do you get home, and how do you do it well on your own?
This guide is written specifically for solo travelers flying back from Winter Olympics 2026. It covers the best return airports, which airlines and routes to prioritize, when to book, how much to budget, and how to extend your solo trip in northern Italy before the final whistle. Whether you flew into Milan Malpensa, Venice, or drove up to Cortina, here is your complete exit strategy.
Winter Olympics 2026: Where Is It and Why It Matters for Your Return Flight
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is hosted across three primary venues. Milan hosts ice sports including ice hockey, figure skating, and short track speed skating at the PalaItalia Santa Giulia and Mediolanum Forum arenas. Cortina d’Ampezzo, located 160 km northeast of Milan in the Dolomites, hosts alpine skiing, bobsled, luge, and curling. A third cluster in Bormio and Livigno, in the western Alps near the Swiss border, hosts additional ski events.
This geographic spread Milan in the west, Cortina in the northeast, and Bormio/Livigno in the northwest means solo travelers are likely finishing the Games in completely different locations depending on which events they attended last. Your return airport choice hinges on where you end up at the end of the closing ceremony on February 22.
The four main return airports for solo travelers leaving the 2026 Winter Olympics are:
- Milan Malpensa (MXP) primary international hub, 50 km northwest of central Milan, largest volume of direct intercontinental flights
- Milan Linate (LIN) city airport, 8 km from central Milan, predominantly European routes
- Venice Marco Polo (VCE) 15 km from Venice city center, closest major airport to Cortina d’Ampezzo (approx. 3 hours by road)
- Verona Villafranca (VRN) smaller airport, 2.5 hours from Cortina, limited long-haul options but strong European connections
Most solo travelers attending events in both cities will find Milan Malpensa the most logical return hub. It handles over 28 million passengers annually and offers direct flights to North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and throughout Europe, with over 100 airlines operating regular routes. However, if you finish the Games in Cortina or the Veneto region, Venice Marco Polo can save significant backtracking time.
Best Return Airports from Winter Olympics 2026 for Solo Travelers
Milan Malpensa (MXP): The Primary Gateway Home
Milan Malpensa is Italy’s second busiest airport and the default return point for the majority of international solo travelers attending the 2026 Winter Olympics. In 2026, Malpensa handles direct routes to over 200 destinations across 6 continents. Terminal 1 handles most international flights including intercontinental routes; Terminal 2 is primarily used by easyJet and low-cost European carriers.
Getting to Malpensa from central Milan is straightforward. The Malpensa Express train runs every 30 minutes from Milano Centrale and takes 51 minutes, costing €13 one way. From Cortina d’Ampezzo, the most practical route to Malpensa is the Flixbus direct coach (around 4.5 to 5 hours, €25 to €40) or a combination of regional train to Milan followed by the Malpensa Express.
| Route from Malpensa (MXP) | Airlines | Flight Time | Avg Return Price (Feb 2026) |
| Milan → London Heathrow | British Airways, ITA Airways | 2h 05m | €90 to €180 |
| Milan → New York JFK | Delta, ITA Airways, Emirates (via DXB) | 9h 30m | €320 to €620 |
| Milan → Toronto Pearson | Air Canada, ITA Airways | 9h 45m | €310 to €580 |
| Milan → Dubai | Emirates, flydubai | 5h 10m | €180 to €380 |
| Milan → Tokyo Narita | ANA, ITA Airways | 12h 20m | €480 to €850 |
| Milan → Sydney | Emirates/Qantas (via DXB) | 22h+ | €680 to €1,200 |
| Milan → São Paulo | ITA Airways, LATAM | 12h 30m | €420 to €780 |
Venice Marco Polo (VCE): Best for Cortina-Based Solo Travelers
If you spend the final days of the Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Venice Marco Polo Airport is your most practical return option. It sits approximately 145 km southwest of Cortina, and the journey by bus or transfer service takes 2.5 to 3 hours. The ATVO bus service connects Venice Airport to Cortina via Belluno during the Games period and typically costs €20 to €35 one way.
Venice VCE handled 11.2 million passengers in 2024 and offers direct connections to most major European hubs including London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris CDG, Zurich, and Istanbul. For intercontinental travelers, the most common routing is Venice to a hub city London, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt then onwards long-haul. This adds 2 to 4 hours to total journey time compared to flying direct from Milan but can be worth it to avoid backtracking 3+ hours by land.
Milan Linate (LIN): Best for Quick European Hops
Milan Linate is 8 km from the city center and reachable by metro in under 30 minutes (Line 4, operational since 2023). It serves primarily European destinations and is the preferred option for solo travelers flying back to nearby European cities. Routes to Rome Fiumicino, Paris Orly, London City, Madrid, and Barcelona operate frequently from Linate, often at lower fares than Malpensa for the same corridor. Average return fares from Linate for European routes range €60 to €180 in late February 2026.
When to Book Your Return Flight from Winter Olympics 2026
The single most important factor in return flight pricing from the 2026 Winter Olympics is timing both when you book and when you fly. The Games close on February 22, 2026, meaning demand for return flights on February 22 to 24 is extremely high. Prices on those exact dates from Milan Malpensa to long-haul destinations typically run 40 to 70% above average fares.
Based on historical pricing patterns from the 2022 Beijing and 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, here is the optimal booking and departure strategy for solo travelers:
| Departure Window | Price Impact vs Average | Solo Traveler Verdict |
| Feb 22 to 23 (closing ceremony dates) | +40% to +70% | Avoid if budget-sensitive highest demand period |
| Feb 24 to 25 (2 days post-closing) | +20% to +35% | Slightly better but still elevated book early |
| Feb 26 to 28 | +5% to +15% | Near-normal pricing good sweet spot for most |
| Mar 1 to 7 | At or below average | Best value stay on in Italy if schedule allows |
| Booked 3 to 4 months in advance | -15% to -30% vs late booking | Book by November 2025 for best fares |
The practical advice for solo travelers is this: if your schedule allows any flexibility, departing February 26 or later instead of February 22 to 23 can save €80 to €300 on a long-haul return ticket. Solo travelers have an inherent advantage here unlike group travelers coordinating with others, you can make this date shift independently and pocket the savings.
For a deeper breakdown of how to plan your budget and book flights smartly for an international solo trip, the TalkTravel guide to planning an international solo trip for the first time covers flight booking strategy, insurance, and pre-departure logistics in full.
Best Airlines for Solo Travelers Flying Back from Winter Olympics 2026
Not all airlines serve solo travelers equally. For a solo return journey, the key factors are single-seat booking without forced pair assignments, clear baggage policies for winter gear, and flexible change fees in case Games schedules or weather affect your departure plans.
Long-Haul Airlines from Milan Malpensa
ITA Airways (Italy’s national carrier) operates direct routes from Malpensa to New York JFK, Boston, Miami, Toronto, São Paulo, and Tokyo. As the home carrier of the Games and an official sponsor of Milano Cortina 2026, ITA Airways is offering enhanced rebooking flexibility on international fares purchased for the Games window (February to March 2026). Solo travelers on ITA can select individual seats from booking, with no mandatory couple or group seating policy.
Emirates is the highest-rated long-haul option out of Milan Malpensa for solo travelers heading to Asia-Pacific, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. The Dubai hub gives access to 240+ onward destinations with layovers typically of 2 to 4 hours. A Milan to Dubai to Sydney fare for late February 2026 typically runs €680 to €1,050 return booked in advance. Emirates’ economy class allows individual seat selection at no additional charge.
For North American routes, Air Canada and Delta both operate direct from Malpensa to Toronto and New York respectively. Air Canada’s direct Milan to Toronto service takes 9 hours 45 minutes and is popular with Canadian solo travelers who attended the Olympics. Delta operates the Milan to New York JFK route as a codeshare with ITA Airways.
Budget and Mid-Range European Carriers
| Airline | Routes from MXP/LIN/VCE | Avg Fare (Feb 2026) | Solo-Friendly Features |
| easyJet | Milan LIN/MXP to London LGT/LGW, Amsterdam, Paris CDG | €55 to €130 | No seat assignment required; carry-on free |
| Ryanair | Milan BGY (Bergamo) to Dublin, Edinburgh, Warsaw, Lisbon | €30 to €90 | Lowest fares; paid seat selection |
| Wizz Air | Milan MXP to Budapest, Bucharest, Warsaw, Sofia | €35 to €85 | Low base fares; solo travelers pay standard rates |
| Lufthansa | Milan MXP/LIN to Frankfurt, Munich (hub connections) | €90 to €180 | Strong connections; Star Alliance rewards |
| Swiss | Milan MXP to Zurich (global connections) | €80 to €160 | Excellent for Asia/US connections via ZRH |
| KLM | Milan MXP to Amsterdam AMS (global hub) | €85 to €175 | Strong SkyTeam connections; solo seat selection free |
One practical note for solo travelers: Milan Bergamo (BGY) airport, used primarily by Ryanair, is 45 km northeast of central Milan and requires around 1 hour by shuttle bus (€10). It is not served by direct train. Solo travelers with heavy winter sports luggage should factor in the additional transfer logistics before choosing a Bergamo-based route.
Getting from Cortina and the Dolomites to Your Return Airport
For solo travelers who spent their final Games days in Cortina d’Ampezzo, getting to a return airport independently requires planning. Cortina has no train station the nearest rail connections are at Calalzo di Cadore (30 km south, reached by local bus) and Dobbiaco (30 km north, reached by shuttle during the Games).
Cortina to Venice Marco Polo (VCE)
The most direct route is the ATVO Olympic express bus service, which is expected to operate direct Cortina to Venice Airport transfers throughout the Games period. Journey time is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. Cost is estimated at €20 to €35 one way based on similar Games shuttle pricing. Alternatively, a shared taxi or transfer service costs €90 to €130 per person and can be booked via Italian transfer operators such as GoOpti or Welcome Pickups. For solo travelers, the shuttle bus is the more budget-conscious option.
Cortina to Milan Malpensa (MXP)
Getting from Cortina to Milan Malpensa involves either a Flixbus direct coach (Cortina to Milan runs approximately 4.5 hours, €25 to €45) or a combination of regional bus to Calalzo di Cadore, train to Venice, then train or coach to Milan, followed by the Malpensa Express. The all-in public transport journey takes 5.5 to 7 hours but costs as little as €35 to €60 total a manageable option for solo travelers with light luggage. With a large bag of winter sports gear, the coach is far more practical.
Milan City to Milan Malpensa
From central Milan, the Malpensa Express train departs Milano Centrale and Porta Garibaldi stations every 30 minutes from early morning to late evening. Journey time is 51 minutes to Terminal 1, 38 minutes to Terminal 2. A single ticket costs €13. Taxis from Milan city center to Malpensa cost approximately €90 to €110 (fixed rate). For solo travelers, the Malpensa Express is both the cheapest and most reliable option, avoiding road congestion that is significantly heavier in the post-Games departure rush.
| Journey | Best Option | Duration | Cost (Solo, 1 way) |
| Cortina → Venice Airport (VCE) | ATVO Olympic shuttle bus | 2h 45m | €20 to €35 |
| Cortina → Milan Malpensa (MXP) | Flixbus direct coach | 4h 30m | €25 to €45 |
| Milan Centre → Malpensa (MXP) | Malpensa Express train | 51 min | €13 |
| Milan Centre → Linate (LIN) | Metro Line 4 | 27 min | €1.50 to €2 |
| Venice City → Venice Airport (VCE) | ACTV Bus / Alilaguna boat | 20 to 45 min | €8 to €15 |
| Bormio/Livigno → Milan (MXP) | Flixbus or regional coach to Milan | 3h to 4h 30m | €15 to €35 |
Extend Your Solo Trip After the Games: Northern Italy Routes Worth Taking
One of the genuine advantages of being a solo traveler returning from the Winter Olympics 2026 is that you answer to nobody’s schedule. If you can hold your return flight by even two or three days, northern Italy in late February offers experiences that most tourists never access.
Stay in Milan: Post-Games Solo Exploration
Milan is the fashion and design capital of Italy and one of Europe’s most underrated solo cities. With the Olympics crowd departed by February 23, the city returns to a quieter rhythm. The Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy’s finest art galleries, has free entry on the first Sunday of each month. The Navigli canal district, with its aperitivo bar culture, is consistently ranked as one of the best solo social scenes in northern Italy. A solo night in Milan in late February costs €40 to €80 in a hostel private room or €80 to €150 in a mid-range hotel.
Milan is also useful for solo travelers who want to tie in a short side trip before flying home. From Milano Centrale, trains reach:
- Venice: 2 hours 17 minutes (€15 to €45), a city best appreciated at dawn when tourist crowds thin
- Florence: 1 hour 47 minutes (€20 to €50), gateway to Tuscany and day trips through winter vineyards
- Verona: 1 hour 8 minutes (€10 to €25), the smallest and most walkable of northern Italy’s Roman cities
- Zurich: 3 hours 22 minutes by train (€40 to €80), offering a completely different cultural atmosphere within half a day
If you have ever considered turning a solo trip into something more than a holiday, building a startup while traveling solo explores how to use downtime between international trips including the kind of productive quiet that northern Italy in late February genuinely provides.
The Dolomites: Post-Games Ski or Hiking Extension
Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the finest ski resorts in the Alps. In the days immediately after the Games, Olympic venues transition back to public use and solo skiers can access the Dolomiti Superski area, a network of 12 ski areas covering 1,200 km of groomed runs across five Italian provinces. A daily ski pass for adults in the Cortina area costs €52 to €62 in 2026. Accommodation in Cortina after the Olympics drops significantly from Games-period prices; hostel and shared accommodation returns to normal rates of €35 to €55 per night.
Solo Travel Safety Tips for Your Return Journey from Italy
The return journey from a major international event like the Winter Olympics presents specific practical risks for solo travelers crowded transport, heavy luggage, post-event fatigue, and high-demand situations where scams and overcharging are more common. Here is what experienced solo travelers know that first-timers often do not.
At the airport during the post-Games rush:
- Arrive at Milan Malpensa at least 3 hours before international departures on February 22 to 24 these are the highest-traffic exit days and security queues are expected to be significantly longer than normal
- Use online check-in 24 hours in advance and carry only a personal item if possible overhead bin space sells out on popular return routes
- Pre-book your Malpensa Express ticket via the Trenord app before arriving at the station ticket queues at Centrale can run 20 to 30 minutes during peak Games departure days
- Keep your travel insurance documents and emergency contacts offline on your phone, not only in cloud storage
- Carry €50 to €100 in cash some Cortina transport options and smaller shuttle services do not accept card payment
If the Winter Olympics has inspired your next big solo adventure, the TalkTravel solo travel Europe budget routes guide maps out cost-effective solo routes across the continent perfect for extending your Italy trip into France, Austria, Switzerland, or beyond before flying home.
Return Flight Budget: What Solo Travelers Should Expect to Pay
Total return flight costs from the 2026 Winter Olympics vary enormously based on destination, departure date, and how far in advance you book. The estimates below are based on available February 2026 fare data from Skyscanner and Google Flights, assuming departure from Milan Malpensa on February 26 to 28 (the optimal window identified in Section 3).
| Destination | Route | Airline Options | Budget Fare | Mid-Range Fare |
| London (UK) | MXP → LHR/LGW/STN | BA, easyJet, ITA | €55 to €90 | €110 to €180 |
| New York (USA) | MXP → JFK | ITA, Delta, Emirates via DXB | €320 to €450 | €550 to €720 |
| Toronto (Canada) | MXP → YYZ | Air Canada, ITA | €310 to €440 | €530 to €700 |
| Sydney (Australia) | MXP → SYD via DXB | Emirates, Qantas | €680 to €950 | €1,050 to €1,400 |
| Tokyo (Japan) | MXP → NRT | ANA, ITA, Lufthansa via MUC | €480 to €680 | €800 to €1,100 |
| Dubai (UAE) | MXP → DXB | Emirates, flydubai | €180 to €260 | €320 to €480 |
| New York (USA) via Europe hub | MXP → LHR/AMS → JFK | BA/AA, KLM/DL | €280 to €400 | €480 to €650 |
| São Paulo (Brazil) | MXP → GRU | ITA, LATAM | €420 to €580 | €720 to €950 |
| Amsterdam (Netherlands) | MXP → AMS | KLM, easyJet | €65 to €110 | €130 to €200 |
| Seoul (South Korea) | MXP → ICN via hub | Korean Air/LH, ANA/ITA | €520 to €720 | €900 to €1,200 |
These fares assume economy class with standard checked baggage allowance. Solo travelers with ski equipment or snowboard bags should budget an additional €30 to €80 per way for oversized sports baggage fees, which vary by airline. ITA Airways and Air Canada have the most transparent sports equipment policies for winter sports gear in this route set.
Conclusion: Your Solo Exit Strategy from Winter Olympics 2026
Flying home solo from the Winter Olympics 2026 is a moment worth getting right. After two weeks in the Alps attending history, the return journey should be smooth, well-planned, and if you play the dates correctly significantly cheaper than the chaotic rush that catches unprepared travelers off guard.
The core advice is consistent: book early, depart a few days after closing ceremony if your schedule allows, use Milan Malpensa for long-haul and Venice Marco Polo if you finish the Games in Cortina, and treat the northern Italy window post-February 22 as a bonus travel opportunity rather than dead time. As a solo traveler, you have every structural advantage to execute this perfectly.
For every resource you need to make this and your next solo trip seamless from destination guides to flight booking tools visit talktravel.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the nearest airport to the 2026 Winter Olympics?
The nearest major airports are Milan Malpensa (MXP) for events in Milan and Bormio, and Venice Marco Polo (VCE) for events in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Malpensa is the primary international hub with the widest range of direct long-haul routes.
What is the best airport to fly back from Winter Olympics 2026?
For most solo travelers, Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the best return airport due to its volume of direct intercontinental routes, frequency of European connections, and reliable Malpensa Express train link from central Milan. Solo travelers finishing the Games in Cortina should consider Venice Marco Polo (VCE) to avoid 3+ hours of additional land travel.
When should I book return flights from Milan for the Winter Olympics 2026?
Book by November 2025 for the best fares. Prices on February 22 to 24 (closing ceremony dates) run 40 to 70% above normal. Departing February 26 to 28 reduces costs by €80 to €300 on long-haul routes while still allowing for post-Games exploration of northern Italy.
How do I get from Cortina d’Ampezzo to the airport after the Winter Olympics?
The ATVO Olympic express bus connects Cortina directly to Venice Marco Polo Airport in approximately 2 hours 45 minutes (estimated €20 to €35). For Milan Malpensa, the Flixbus direct coach from Cortina takes around 4.5 hours and costs €25 to €45. Cortina has no train station, so all transfers involve a bus or road journey.
What airlines fly from Milan Malpensa to the United States?
ITA Airways operates direct services from Milan Malpensa to New York JFK, Boston, and Miami. Delta codeshares on the Milan to JFK route with ITA. Air Canada operates Milan to Toronto. For other US destinations, connecting through London Heathrow, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt is the most common routing.
Is it worth extending my solo trip in Italy after the Winter Olympics?
Yes, for most solo travelers. Staying two to four days beyond the closing ceremony on February 22 reduces return flight costs significantly, allows you to experience Milan, Venice, or the Dolomites without Olympic crowds, and takes advantage of lower post-Games accommodation prices in Cortina (which can drop by 30 to 50% in the days after the closing ceremony).
How much does it cost to fly back from the Winter Olympics 2026 on a budget?
Budget return fares from Milan Malpensa in late February 2026 start at approximately €55 to €90 for European destinations (London, Amsterdam, Paris) and €280 to €450 for transatlantic routes (New York, Toronto). Budget travelers should book by November 2025, use flexible date searches on Google Flights or Skyscanner, and target February 26 to 28 departures for the lowest post-Games pricing.
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