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Novara is an easy city to navigate, but a few specifics make the difference: which airport to use, how much a taxi costs, what to tip, and where to eat well without overpaying. These are the practical answers. For month-by-month temperatures and rainfall, see our Novara weather by month.
Novara Travel Tips: Getting There
The nearest airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP), 34 km northeast, about a 30-minute drive on the A4. The Malpensa Express runs from Malpensa Terminal 1 and 2 to Novara Nord station in about 45 minutes via FerrovieNord; a one-way ticket costs roughly 9 euro. By train, Novara FS is on the Milan-Turin line: Milan Centrale to Novara takes about 40 minutes and costs around 5 euro with a regional ticket. If you fly into Milan Linate or Bergamo Orio al Serio, allow 90 minutes to two hours by shuttle and train. Our best time to visit Novara covers the best months to visit in detail.
Novara Travel Tips: Getting Around
The historic centre is flat and walkable, with all major sights within a 15-minute radius. Local buses run by SUN cover the outer districts; a single ticket costs about 1.50 euro and is valid for 90 minutes. Taxis wait at Novara FS station and Piazza Martiri; a cross-town ride costs roughly 8 to 12 euro. If you hire a car for Lake Orta and the rice country, note that the centre is a ZTL (restricted traffic zone), so park in one of the perimeter car parks. For the annual calendar of festivals, see our Novara events and festivals.
Novara Travel Tips: Money, Tipping and Safety
Novara is safe and quiet by Italian standards; standard city precautions around the station at night are enough. Tipping is not expected: leave 1 to 2 euro per person in casual restaurants or round up the bill. Tap water is drinkable. Italy uses the euro, and card payments are accepted nearly everywhere, though small bars and market stalls may prefer cash. Our Novara neighborhoods covers the district-by-district rundown in detail.
Novara Travel Tips: Food and Drink
Novara is rice country, so order risotto, the local paniscia (a rice, beans and salami dish from the Vercelli-Novara area), and gorgonzola, the blue cheese named for the nearby town. A full meal in a trattoria runs 20 to 35 euro; a cafe coffee at the bar costs about 1.20 euro, more if you sit at a table. For local wines, ask for the Nebbiolo-based reds of the nearby Colline Novaresi DOC.
Novara Travel Tips: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a car in Novara? No, the centre is walkable and trains cover Milan, Turin and Lake Orta. Is Novara worth more than a day trip? Two nights lets you climb the dome, see the museums and take the Lake Orta day trip without rushing. What should I pack? Layers year-round: a rain jacket for the spring and autumn peaks, and a warm coat plus scarf from November to February when fog and freezing lows are common.
Suggested Hotels in Novara
La Bussola (LVG Hotel Collection)
A four-star hotel in a green area on the southern edge of the city with a pool, spa and easy A4 motorway access. Best for drivers and business travellers who want parking and quiet. Check rates and availability
Hotel Cavour
A central three-star hotel within walking distance of the basilica and the main shopping streets. Best for first-time visitors who want to explore on foot. Check rates and availability
Hotel Cristallo
A no-frills budget hotel near Novara FS station with small, clean rooms and a 24-hour front desk. Best for solo travellers and train passengers stopping over for one night. Check rates and availability
For the full set of options by area, see our where to stay in Novara guide, and for what to do once you arrive, our things to do in Novara page.
