Getting Around Italy
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use high-speed trains for Rome and Milan. Rural: Rent a car for Tuscany exploration. Islands: Ferries and hydrofoils. For convenience, book airport transfers from Rome to your destination.
Train Travel
Trenitalia & Italo High-Speed
Efficient high-speed network connecting major cities with frequent services up to 300 km/h.
Cost: Rome to Florence €20-50, journeys under 3 hours between most cities.
Tickets: Buy via Trenitalia or Italo apps, websites, or station machines. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM for better prices and seats.
Rail Passes
Eurail Italy Pass offers 3-8 travel days from €200 (youth) or €250 (adult) for unlimited trips.
Best For: Multiple city visits over several days, significant savings for 4+ trips.
Where to Buy: Train stations, Eurail website, or official app with instant activation.
High-Speed Options
Frecciarossa and Italo connect Italy to France, Switzerland, and Austria via Milan and Turin.
Booking: Reserve seats weeks in advance for best prices, discounts up to 50%.
Main Stations: Roma Termini, Milano Centrale, with connections to regional lines.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Tuscany and rural areas. Compare rental prices from €25-60/day at Rome Fiumicino and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (EU or International), credit card, minimum age 18-21.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage recommended, check what's included in rental.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90-110 km/h rural, 130 km/h highways.
Tolls: Autostrade highways require electronic tolls (€0.20-0.30/km), pay at gates or via Telepass.
Priority: Give way to right unless signposted otherwise, roundabouts common in cities.
Parking: Blue zones require parking discs, metered parking €1-3/hour in cities.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations plentiful at €1.80-2.00/liter for petrol, €1.70-1.90 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, both work well offline.
Traffic: Expect congestion in Rome and Milan during rush hours and holidays.
Urban Transport
Rome & Milan Metro
Extensive networks covering key sites, single ticket €1.50, day pass €7, 48-hour €12.50.
Validation: Validate tickets in yellow machines before boarding, inspections are frequent.
Apps: ATAC or ATM apps for routes, real-time updates, and mobile tickets.
Bike Rentals
BikeMi in Milan and Bicing in other cities, €5-10/day with stations throughout.
Routes: Dedicated cycling paths in flat areas like Po Valley and coastal routes.
Tours: Guided cycling tours available in major cities, combining sightseeing with exercise.
Buses & Local Services
ATAC (Rome), ATM (Milan), and regional operators provide comprehensive bus networks.
Tickets: €1.50-2 per ride, buy from kiosks or use contactless payment.
Venice Vaporetto: Water bus system connecting canals, €9.50/ride or €25/day pass.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near train stations in cities for easy access, central Rome or Florence for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and major festivals like Carnevale.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable weather travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 5G coverage in cities, 4G throughout most of Italy including rural areas.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from €5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
TIM, Vodafone Italy, and WindTre offer prepaid SIMs from €10-20 with good coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for €15, 10GB for €25, unlimited for €30/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and most public spaces.
Public Hotspots: Major train stations and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (20-100 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC+1, daylight saving March-October (CEST, UTC+2).
- Airport Transfers: Rome Fiumicino (FCO) 30km from city center, train to center €14 (32 min), taxi €50, or book private transfer for €40-60.
- Luggage Storage: Available at train stations (€6-10/day) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Modern trains and metro accessible, many historic sites have limited access due to ancient architecture.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains (small free, large €5), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on trains off-peak for €3.50, folding bikes free anytime.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Italy
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Primary international gateway, 30km southwest of city center with train connections.
Milan Malpensa (MXP): Major northern hub 50km from Milan, train to center €13 (50 min).
Venice Marco Polo (VCE): Key for northeast, water taxi or bus to city €15 (20-30 min).
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Milan or Naples and taking train to other regions for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air serve Rome Ciampino and other secondary airports with European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee €2-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express less common in smaller establishments.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Still needed for markets, small cafes, and rural areas, keep €50-100 in small denominations.
- Tipping: Service charge included in restaurants, round up or add 5-10% for excellent service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.