Italy Travel Resources

In SPRING take a sweater, a lightweight jacket (a warmer jacket for mountains in early spring), sturdy water-resistant shoes, a scarf and an umbrella (though when it rains it’s easy to buy a cheap umbrella on the streets in most cities). In late spring, you may want to pack your bathing suit and sandals, too.
In SUMMER take a lightweight sweater and a rain jacket (especially if you’re heading to the mountains), your bathing suit and sandals. Please note that sleeveless tops and shorts are usually not allowed in churches and religious sites.
FALL weather can be unpredictable, so it’s best to pack clothes that can be worn in layers. Even in November there may still be warm days along the coast. Take a versatile sweater, a rain jacket, sturdy shoes that can be worn in rain and a good umbrella. In late fall, you may want a heavier coat, too.
In WINTER take a sweater, a thicker rain or snow jacket, sturdy shoes (or boots) that can be worn in rain and snow, gloves, scarf, winter hat and a good umbrella.
Bring an elegant casual outfit for dinners (no shorts and no sneakers); there’s no need for a formal attire.
Another reminder that sleeveless tops and shorts are not allowed in churches and religious sites, and especially the Vatican.

Italy has been one of the first EU Countries to adopt the EURO (€). The € is available in coins with 8 denominations: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 e 50 cents, €1 and €2. (Any Euro coin has a common side and a national side that represents the issuing country. The eight coins of any country can be used in the whole Euro zone).
Banknotes are available in seven denominations (like in other European countries): €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500. Please note that €200 and €500 banknotes are mainly used for high-value transactions and aren’t usually accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels.
If you are without Euros upon your arrival in Italy, you can change your currency into Euros at any bank, currency exchange offices at airports, ports and railway stations in the main cities. Also post offices in main tourist destinations typically have currency exchange services. You can also withdraw Euros from the BANCOMAT (ATM) located outside any bank through your credit or debit card.
Travelers’ checks can be exchanged into Euros in most hotels, shops and exchange offices.

Most shops and restaurants accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express); typically they have a sign at the door that displays the credit cards accepted. ATMs in Italy are called BANCOMAT and are widely available everywhere (in big cities as well as smaller towns). ATM machines work just like in other countries; many of them now offer the option to carry out your transaction in English. Before inserting your card, it is best to check if it is compatible with the ATM machine (the symbol must be visible both on the card and the machine). Cirrus, BankMate and Plus are the most widespread systems.
If you’re not sure your card is usable abroad, it’s best to check with your bank or credit card company before you arrive to Italy. Also check your daily withdrawal limits (remember to convert them into Euro) so that you can accurately calculate your budget.
Usually it is preferable to use a debit card or ATM card for withdrawals because the charges are typically lower than with credit cards.

Tips

Tipping in Italy is not compulsory and there are no established rules, but it is customary to leave an amount close to 10% of the bill when the customer is satisfied with the service received.

A general rule of thumb would be: € 20-25 for a half day visit/drive, and € 20 to 50 for a full day private guide/driver.

In higher-end places, a tip for great service can be closer to 15% of the bill; we remind you that leaving a tip is a courteous gesture of appreciation of the service received. As such, leaving a tip, although always welcome, is entirely up to you.

It’s not necessary to tip taxi drivers (also not that costs are higher compared to those in other countries).
In hotels, it is recommended to tip the porter who carries your luggage to your room.

Once again, there is no obligation to tip; it’s an extra reward for excellent service and it’s totally up to you.

Cash

It is difficult to say how much cash to carry with you, as it depends on your “shopping style.” Take into account that most restaurants and shops accept credit cards. American Express is less commonly accepted in Italy than in the US so you may find some shops don’t take AmEx. You will need cash for small expenses such as cafes, souvenirs, snacks etc. You’ll also need cash if you want to tip the guides and the drivers, as well as the restaurants. Also, you can take cash at the ATM machines, the so called “Bancomat”; our advice is to check your daily withdrawal limits (remember to convert them into Euro) so that you can accurately calculate your budget.

If we’re talking about a reference amount, we generally suggest to bring € 500, but again, it’s very personal.

Just to give you an idea of the average cost of meals: a light lunch at a restaurant or a pizza at a pizzeria is approximately €20-25. Dinner at local restaurants (‘trattorias‘ or ‘osterias‘) can vary in price depending on the setting and the type of venue however, prices are generally affordable.

All the hotels we select are very attentive to the quality of service. In every room you will find a private bathroom with a shower or a bath tub, a hairdryer, a courtesy set of towels (though not a face cloth), A/C, telephone and television.

The electrical power in Italy is 220volts, 50Hz. Make sure all the electronics you intend to bring are compatible with this voltage; if not, use the appropriate transformer. Power sockets have three round holes. You can purchase adapters in stores that sell electronics or in specialized shops at the airports.

A typical Italian breakfast is made of a cappuccino (note that Italians drink cappuccino only at breakfast; they tolerate foreigners who drink a cappuccino after lunch or dinner, though they may give you a horrified look because it goes against the tradition) and cornetto or brioche usually stuffed with jam or chocolate. If having breakfast out, Italians typically eat standing at the bar counter. The hotels we select offer big buffet breakfasts, often featuring fresh local products, plus you can order bacon, eggs and the like.
In the past, lunch was the main meal of the day and always eaten at home. Today things have changed and as a result of a fast-paced rhythm of life, people eat lunch outside and often grab a sandwich, a dish of pasta or a salad. Lunch is usually between 12.30pm and 2.30 pm.
Dinner never starts before 7.30-8pm and has become the main meal that brings together Italian families after a busy day.
Most Italian restaurants have opening hours (at lunch and dinner) in line with the country’s traditions. Restaurants that cater to tourists are more flexible with their opening hours and are your best bet if you want to eat outside the typical meal times.

Traditional meals in Italy are made up of various courses. Starters are generally served first, followed by the first course (pasta, rice or soup) and then the main course (meat or fish) with vegetables. A cake or fruit is usually served at the end of the meal; coffee comes only when the cake is finished. Don’t get upset if you can’t complete the three-course marathon feast. Nowadays restaurants are used to serving both Italians and foreign customers who order only one or two courses.
Pizza deserves a special remark: all the Italians – northern, southern, young, old – love pizza. You can eat any time of day: as a snack, a quick lunch or a dinner with friends. You can find pizza by the slice, pizza al taglio, everywhere; you can eat it standing or sitting in a pizzeria.

Here’s an explanation of various dining and drinking establishments in Italy:

• Bar– sells coffee, cappuccino and other hot beverages together with snacks, ice cream and alcoholic drinks
  • Gelateria– sells delicious Italian handmade ice cream
  • Pizzeria – specializes in pizzas and sometimes simple dishes like pasta or salads
  • Trattoria and Osteria – small informal restaurants where you can taste regional dishes at reasonable prices
  • Ristorante – a more formal place serving typical Italian menus (starters-appetizers, first courses-pasta or soup, second courses-entree: meat, fish or vegetarian, dessert)
  • Paninoteca – fast food eateries that serve almost exclusively sandwiches, toasts, appetizers and beverages (can be found mainly in big cities)
  • Enoteca – a popular fusion of a wine bar and an osteria where you can sit and try local wines by the glass while snacking on regional finger food

Just to give you an idea of the average cost of meals: a light lunch at a restaurant or a pizza at a pizzeria is approximately €10–15. However, if you eat street food (which is usually tasty and delicious), the cost is much lower. Dinner at a nice local restaurant usually costs €20–35 (more if you take a bottle of wine).

Italian food is diverse and features a variety of choices. Visitors with special diets are typically catered to well. The owners and waiters of the restaurants we select will do their best to meet your dietary needs while showing you the outstanding variety of Italian food. If you need something particular, please don’t hesitate to talk to us in advance.

Emergency numbers
112 (the equivalent of 911 in the US) – You will be redirected by an operator to the service you require.

Area codes
To make phone calls in Italy, you need to dial the area code of the city or the town you’re calling. For example, to make a call to a number in Rome even if you’re calling from Rome, it is necessary to dial 06 + the phone number. To call Rome from Florence, you still need to dial 06 + the phone number. If you need to call Florence from Rome, it is necessary to dial 055 + the phone number. The area code is typically listed before any phone number. Note that this area code doesn’t apply to cell phone numbers.
To make international calls from Italy, you must dial 00 before the number; the code for Italy, if you’re calling from abroad, is 39.

If travelling from outside the EU, it is worth making sure you have an international call package with your mobile phone provider before visiting Italy.

As well as the free Wi-Fi networks in Italy provided by hotels and on means of transport, such as Wi-Fi on trains, you can also use Wi-Fi offered free of charge by many commercial establishments, such as bars and restaurants, attractions, cultural venues, etc.

Data roaming.

A word of warning: it is a good idea to inform yourself about available offers and tariffs beforehand, to avoid unknowingly running out of credit. If your tariff plan includes additional costs for roaming, we recommend connecting to a Wi-Fi network. For information on roaming services and any additional costs, you can check the  dedicated page.

Italian is the official language of Italy. Italian derives directly from Latin (the language of ancient Romans). One interesting feature of Italy’s linguistic development is that almost every town and small region has its own distinct dialect. Nowadays, especially in major cities and towns, several dialects closely resemble standard Italian, while others – still practiced in the countryside – are in a league of their own.
Nowadays the vast majority of Italians speak English and many of them also speak a third language (French, Spanish, German, etc). Italians have very good communication skills so it’s typically easy to understand each other even if you don’t speak a common language.

Shops are typically open from Monday through Saturday 8am–8pm. The opening hours do change according to the type of store as well as the location/region. In big cities and in tourist areas, shops typically have longer hours and are sometimes open on Sundays. In more remote areas, shops sometimes close for lunch during the week.

Banks in Italy are open from Monday to Friday 8.35 am–1.35 pm and 3–4 pm; they’re closed on weekends and during festivities.

Opening hours for pharmacies are similar to those of any other shop (from 8.30/9am–12.30 pm/1pm & from 3.30/4pm–7.30/8pm Monday–Saturday). In bigger cities pharmacies are open all day. Every city has at least one pharmacy that’s open during the night and on holidays (the hours, the shifts and the addresses of these are displayed on the shop window of any pharmacy).

Post offices are open Monday to Friday 8.30am–1.30pm and on Saturdays till 12.30 pm. In every medium-sized town and larger city there is a central post office that keeps longer opening hours, typically from 8am–6.30pm Monday–Saturday). You can find the list of all the post offices in Italy on the Poste Italiane website. Stamps can be purchased at the post offices but also in tobacco shops. When buying stamps, always specify the country you’re sending mail to, as the fees vary. Mailboxes are red and you can find them in every post office, near tobacco shops and along the main roads.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome and the Consulates General in Milan, Florence and Naples prepared the following listings of hospitals, English speaking doctors, ambulances, laboratories and pharmacies as a service to U.S. citizens.

An Overview of the Italian National Health System

In Italy, patients are free to choose between public hospitals and private hospitals. Public hospitals normally provide both emergency and non-emergency services. At public hospitals, patients may receive emergency services at no cost or upon payment of a limited contribution, depending on the public hospital’s policy. Non-emergency services provided by public hospitals are subject to a fee.

Italian public hospitals must meet quality standards and criteria established by Italian law and are normally equipped to provide emergency services.

In case of an emergency, for immediate medical attention or to call an ambulance dial 112 from any telephone in Italy. No country code is necessary if calling from within Europe.

Private hospitals do not normally have emergency rooms. To be admitted to a private hospital, it is usually necessary to make arrangements with the hospital’s administration or directly with a doctor affiliated with the private hospital prior to being admitted.

Private hospitals normally have higher fees than public hospitals. Patients in private hospitals are generally required to pay fees upfront before leaving the hospital. (Patients with insurance may subsequently seek reimbursement from their insurance companies.) Some private hospitals may be “accredited” which means that fees can be reimbursed by the Italian National Health Service if the patient is an official resident in Italy and affiliated with the National Health System. It is highly recommended that tourists obtain medical insurance with overseas coverage before travelling to Italy.
For more information click here insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Medical personnel working in Italy are not required to speak English. However, some doctors may be able to communicate in English.

Should travelers have any medical issues or questions regarding medicine while staying in Italy, they should contact one of the English speaking doctors available on this page.

Medical Escorts and Medical Evacuation

When a U.S. citizen becomes ill in Italy and requires assistance to fly back to the US, he/she could hire a medical escort. Generally, when a medical escort is hired, a physician with basic medical equipment accompanies the patient on board a commercial airline flight. Costs can vary from 3,000 to 6,000 US dollars excluding expenses. U.S. citizens seeking a medical escort could consult with the physicians or hospitals on this list to see about hiring a medical escort.

If the patient requires additional assistance, he/she may decide to be medically evacuated and hire an air ambulance service. An air ambulance is an aircraft that gives immediate medical assistance in case of emergencies. Each air ambulance is normally equipped with medical equipment along with specialized medical personnel to care for the patient’s needs. Family members are usually allowed to accompany the patient. For a listing of air ambulances, please see the “Country Specific Information – Health” webpage on the State Department website.

Our tours are all non-smoking. If you are a smoker, you are welcome to participate – if you respect some basic rules. We can book a hotel room specifically designed for smokers, and you can smoke in any designated common area of the hotel. Smoking in restaurants during meals is not allowed; you can have a cigarette outside. Smoking inside the minivans is also not allowed.

The documents required and the rules for entry into Italy vary depending on the traveler’s country of origin. For citizens of the European Union or of countries that have joined the Schengen Treaty, it is sufficient to show a valid identity card or passport. More specifically, American citizens must hold a passport that is valid for at least three months after the date of departure from the Schengen Area.

Do American citizens need a Travel Visa to Italy?

The short answer is no, for the moment. The EU has proposed a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which should function similarly to a Travel Visa and will have a processing cost of €7. The roll-out for this new procedure has been pushed back to May 2025.

As regards anti-Covid regulations, as of 1 June 2022, it is no longer necessary to hold a Green Pass or other equivalent certification. There are no compulsory vaccinations for those entering the country.  

What should I do if I lose a document while travelling?
If a document is stolen or lost while travelling in Italy, you must immediately file a complaint with the Carabinieri or the State Police. At the consulate of your country of origin, you can be issued with the documents required to return home. To speed up the process, it is advisable to have a copy of the most important identity documents with you, just in case. For credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards or similar, it is a good idea to immediately block any possible disbursement of money in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

To successfully recover VAT, shopping must be carried out at shops that bear the Vat refund or Tax Free sign, requesting an invoice (often electronic) that shows the characteristics of the product, the taxes applied and the personal details.

VAT direct relief or VAT refund is granted provided that:

• The value of purchased goods, (for each invoice) exceeds 154,94 euros (VAT included);
• The goods are intended for personal or family use and are carried in the personal luggage;
• The purchase is certified by an invoice containing the description of the goods, the personal data of the traveller, the details of his/her passport or of any equivalent document proving that the traveller is resident or domiciled outside the EU;
• The goods leave the EU territory within three months following the date of issue of the invoice proved by the “endorsement by customs authorities”;
• The invoice thus endorsed is returned to the Italian seller within the four months following the purchase, when the traveller leaves the EU from a Member State other than Italy.You will find Tax Refund offices also in all major Italian and European airports:Roma- Leonardo Da Vinci Airport: Leonardo Da Vinci Airport – Immigration and Customs 
  Milano – Milano Malpensa Airport: Tax Refund – Milano Malpensa
  Venezia- Marco Polo Airport: Vat Tax and Refund – Venice Airport
  Bologna – Marconi Airport: Vat and Tax refund – Bologna Airport
  Florence – Tax Refund – Florence
  Napoli – Napoli-Capodichino Airport: Tax Refund – Napoli Capodichino Airport
  Palermo – Tax Refund – Palermo
  Bari – Tax Refund – Bari Airport

Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
The time difference between Italy and some major cities is as follows:
London: -1 hour
New York: -6 hours
Chicago: -7 hours
Denver: -8 hours
San Francisco: -9 hours
Ottawa: -6 hours
New Delhi: +3.5 hours
Beijing: +6 hours
Canberra: +8 hours
Wellington: +10 hours
Daylight Savings Time is observed from the end of March to the end of October.

Below is a list of national holidays in Italy, when you’ll find offices, banks and shops closed. Museums are usually open, except on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

1 January (New Year’s Day)
6 January (Epiphany)
Easter and Easter Monday (varies every year)
25 April (Liberation Day)
1 May (Labor Day)
2 June (Republic Day)
15 August (Assumption)
1 November (All Saint’s Day)
8 December (Immaculate Conception)
25 December (Christmas)
26 December (Boxing Day)

Traveling by train in Italy is a fantastic way to get around our beautiful country. Services are efficient and fast, and when traveling between major cities, the train will take you straight to the heart of the action.

The name of the station often starts with the name of the city, e.g. Roma Termini or Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Arrive at the train station with at least 30 minutes before departure. You don’t need to worry about long security lines but you will need enough time to check the electronic boards which display the train numbers and their corresponding track number (or bin./binario in Italian). Since you will have your luggage, you want to give yourself time to find the track number and board the right train.

Check the “partenze”. Partenze are departures in Italian, whereas Arrivi are arrivals. Make sure you find your train number under the Partenze column to ensure that you go to the correct platform for your departure. Knowing your train number is crucial because the Partenze will display the final destination o the train. If you are traveling from Florence to Rome, your train might actually keep going to Naples – so it will be Napoli which shows on the board. If you keep watching, all of the stops will scroll by in the smaller letters next to the main destination. This should help put you at ease, but you really can’t go wrong if you focus on the number of the train (usually 4 digits) and the departure time.

Train tickets in Italy will include your train number, the date and time of your departure, and a carriage and seat number. To make evrything easier; the carriage numbers are clearly visible either on the side of the train or on an electronic sign on the door.

There is no checked baggage. Trains in Italy have luggage racks over the seats and also have dedicated spaces for large bags right inside the doors when you board. If you are traveling with a lot of stuff, you are going to have to get it all onto the train and then take it down again when you reach your destination.
We don’t recommend bringing luggage too large for you to carry or not compact enough to fit in small spaces, as this can become a massive problem when you board and deboard trains.
You’ll often need to lift heavy luggage into an overhead compartment, so packing light may benefit you more than packing everything you could need.

Small cases and bags can be stored under your seat, medium sized bags can go in the overhead racks and large suitcases must be placed in the luggage racks at the end of each carriage, often across from the bathroom.

Enjoy your trip!

For the most part, you hire a taxi at a taxi stand, where you normally find many taxis lined up waiting for new fares. Just walk to the first taxi at the head of the line and get in. Taxis in large cities usually have an official emblem on the side of their car.

If you need a taxi from your hotel, we advise you to rely on the hotel’s team who will call one on your behalf.

In case you are outside and are having a hard time finding a cab, you can use a dedicated App. We are glad to list below the best Italian taxi App.

ItTaxi

ItTaxi has about 12,000 taxi drivers and operates in 95 Italian cities. Thus, it is generally locals’ favorite app, while for travelers, it is convenient due to the app’s feature of saving your favorite routes.

Additionally, ItTaxi Network focuses on technological innovation. Particularly it pays critical attention to social and environmental issues. So, it is undoubtedly one of the most innovative apps in Italy.

WeTaxi

Created in 2015,  WeTaxi is one of the best taxi apps loved by Italians. It is an innovative network that lets you immediately find a taxi based on your geolocation. Furthermore, WeTaxi allows you to know instantly the amount you will need to spend, and if you share the taxi with other passengers, you can save up to 50%.

Apptaxi

AppTaxi covers 18 Italian cities, including Bologna, Cagliari, Milan, Palermo, and Venice. It is operated with the primary Radiotaxi in Italy and is easy to use. Specifically, you just need to turn on GPS or manually enter your starting address, and you can immediately find a nearby taxi. Furthermore, the moment you choose your route, you can get an estimate for your trip, and once you decide, you can choose whether you want to pay in advance or directly to the taxi driver. Also, AppTaxi is the only app that operates in Venice and allows travelers to call for a water taxi.

Finally, we are pleased to add the main numbers to call a taxi from the main Italian cities.

ROME
+39 06 3570
+39 06 6645
+39 060609 which is the Rome city council’s number to call a taxi

MILAN
+39 02 4040
+39 02 8585
+39 02 6969

VENICE
+39 041 5964

FLORENCE
+39 055 4390
+39 055 4242

NAPLES
+39 081 0101
+39 081 8888