Travel Tips Italy
Information from A to Z for your holidays in Italy
As in many countries, a number of customs and public facilities in Italy are different from those in other countries. That is why it is so important to be informed in advance and collect some useful information and important travel tips for Italy. Whether you would like to know more about arrival, important festivities, public holidays and events or medical care, postage and custom duties, here you will find important information from A to Z for your upcoming trip to Italy.
Useful travel tips for your trip to Italy
Based on official sources and many individual experiences, we have collected the most important information to master everyday situations in Italy.
Accommodation
As it is often the case, quality, service and prices vary enormously at the different accommodations. Starting from a shabby fleabag to a luxury hotel at the different price and quality classes everything is offered. Besides hotels, apartments and holiday houses, bed and breakfast as well as farm holidays gain more and more popularity. At Bed & Breakfast Italia one finds a large choice of b&bs at different price categories.
Arrival
By Car
Although it is not very environmental-friendly, the car is one of the most popular and also most effective mode of transportation in Italy. Especially during high season between June and September one often has to deal with slow traffic and traffic jams to the South. You can get detailed traffic information every hour via the large radio stations in Italy, Austria and Switzerland or via telephone and the Internet at ACI.
The most important travel routes lead through Austria (Brenner and Tauern motorway) and Switzerland (Comosee and Montblanc tunnel) and are all very scenically attractive. Alternative routes go from France and Slovenia to Italy.
By train
There are direct train connections to Venice, Milan, Rome and Naples from all important cities in Europe. Trains also call at many other Italian towns regularly – you get more information at the respective railroad companies.
By plane
The most important airports in Italy are Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa. They are approached directly from most of the international airports in Europe. But also many other airports like Olbia, Venice, Verona, Palermo, Florence, Genua, Bari and Bergamo are approached regularily. Especilly during the summer months, additional connections and charter flights are offered, where one can easily get a good bargain. A number of flight dealers and cheap-flight carriers provide attractive offers most of the time.
By ferry
The tight net of ferryboats from Italy to many countries in Europe and Northern Africa is also very interesting. It is recommended to book erly to get a seat during travel times. Online booking under www.enit-italia.de
Banks
In general, banks are open from 8.30 am to 1 pm. In the afternoon, the opening hours vary according to each bank. At weekdays before public holidays, banks close already at 11.30 am. At most of the cash dispensers one can easily draw money via credit card or bank card. The daily limit is set at € 500 – sometimes foreign cards are ejected – simply try again at another machine, most of the time it will work.
Barrier-free accessibility
Unfortunately, Italy is not well equipped for travellers with disabilities. Although there are many lifts in public buildings, a trip to Italy is often not that easy for wheelchair users. It is important to get information beforehand at the hotel as well as the tourism association of the respective town to avoid invincible obstacles during the holiday trip.
Beaches
The beaches in Italy belong to the most beautiful beaches of Europe. Many of them are although not freely accessible but a property of hotels and other facilities. One has to pay a fee for deckchairs, sunshades and other services – but in exchange, one has a clean beach.
Camping
Italy has a huge net of places for camping aficionados with more than 2.000 official camping sites in different categories. Especially during high season and in frequented tourist regions we recommend to apply beforehand, so that you will not encounter closed doors. Camping at a park or resting place for one night is allowed. Wild camping on the other hand is forbidden. Because of security reasons, a secure camping site should be preferred to camping at resting places.
Children
Although children are very popular in Italy, special offers for the little ones are limited. Family activities as well as special benefits must be searched for and asked individually. Especially for small children, there are often reductions or even free entrance fees.
Criminality
Especially in Rome and Naples, but also in other big cities and tourist centres one has to watch out for pickpockets. It is best to wear all the valuables in a purse close to the body and only the money for the day in the wallet. Bags and cameras should not be carried openly in any case and always as near to the body as possible. Attention of beggars who could become very offensive, especially in groups – best change to the other side of the street and ignore them. Special problems in Southern Italy are car break-ins. Rental cars and foreign automobiles are very often cracked. It is recommended to leave nothing valuable in the car and to not provide a potential target to thieves. If it comes to an annoying incident after all, the loss as well as the incident must be reported at a police station within 24 hours. The police then create a minute which is needed to claim the loss with the insurance company.
Customs and duty
Today, the private goods traffic within the European Union is more or less customs-free. 800 cigarettes, 10 litres of spirits and 90 litres of wine as well as 110 litres of beer can be imported duty free. At possible checks, besides the adherence to the allowed quantities of goods, one has to convince the customs officer that all the goods are only for private use.
Non-EU countries and Switzerland: Non-EU citizens are allowed to export 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine.
Doctor
If you are searching for a physician, in many places you can call for the Guardia Medica. You will also get medical treatment at the hospitals. In emergency cases, call the emergency number of the white, green or red cross, which can be found in the phone book, as well as the phone numbers of dentists.
Eating & Drinking
Besides pizzerias and the normal restaurants, there are the traditionally cheaper and often family-run trattorias and osterias, which offer most of the time simpler but notwithstanding delicious meals. Because it is not usual in Italy to choose a table for oneself, one waits for the waiter who guides you to a table. At many restaurants they charge an extra fee for the place setting as well as 10 – 15% service fee for the waiters – additional tips are nevertheless always welcome.
Traditionally, breakfast is rather modest in Italy and is often reduced to an espresso with pastry. Although most of the Italians also eat at lunchtime, the main meal is taken after 7 pm and normally consists of several courses.
Electricity
The voltage in Italy is normaly 220 Volt. An adapter is needed because of the different plugs. European plugs must not be used.
Emergency numbers:
General emergency: 113
Police: 112
Fire brigade: 115
Medical emergency: 118
Breakdown service: 800116800
Health insurance
The domestic health insurance funds have to pay within the European Union for medical services. The showing of the health insurance card is required. Nevertheless, in many cases one has to pay for the service – but with the corresponding bill the costs will be refunded by the health insurance funds afterwards.
Holidays and national holidays
August is the typical holiday month also in Italy. Schools as well as shops and companies are closed at least for part of the month.
The official public holidays are the following:
1st January (New Year’s Eve)
6th January (Epiphany)
Easter Monday
25th April (Liberation day)
1st May (Labour Day)
2nd June (Anniversary of the republic)
15th August (Assumption of the virgin)
1st November (All Saints’ Day)
8th December (Immaculate Conception)
25th and 26th December (Christmas)
Internet
W-LAN in hotels and restaurants is not very common in Italy- most of the time a fee is charged for Internet access. One possibility to be online is to buy a mobile Internet card at a mobile phone dealer. In most of the towns, there are also Internet cafes where one can surf per hour.
Language
The official language, which is spoken by the vast majority of Italians, is Italian. Besides, there are distinctive regional dialects like Sardinian, Sicilian and Neapolitan and some marginal languages especially in the autonomic regions: German in South Tyrol, French at the Aosta Valley, Slowenian in Friuli Guilia Venetia and there is a Greek minority in Apulia as well as Spanish native speakers in Sardinia.
Italian post offices are open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm and on Saturday from 8.30 am to 12 am. In the afternoon normally they are closed. Despite in post offices, one gets stamps also at the tobacconist’s. Letters and post cards normally are stamped with €0.65.
Money
Since 2002, the Euro is the official currency in Italy. Up to date exchange rates for Swiss francs and other currencies can be found in the newspapers before arrival or at your own bank. Normally, you can pay or draw money with all popular credit cards in Italy.
Motorways
Principally, nearly all motorways in Italy are liable to charges. At the tollbooths at the driveways and exits, one can pay the toll charge either cash, by credit card or by Viacard. Normally, you get the Viacard at the border crossings, petrol stations or the offices of the Italian car club ACI.
Newspapers
With enough knowledge of the Italian language, the Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica are recommendable daily newspapers. In larger cities and popular tourist regions, also international newspapers are available.
Opening Hours
The opening times in Italy depend on the company and on the area of business. Normally, most of the facilities are open from Monday to Friday from 8 am to 1 pm. In the afternoon, the opening hours vary notably. After a longer lunch break many shops open again only at about 4 pm – but then stay open until 7 pm. Some museums are closed on Mondays and also close for a lunch break. In many tourist destinations, it is possible to go shopping on Sundays.
Parking Space
Car burglar and car thefts are a huge problem in many Italian regions. If possible, one should park the car at a locked up or guarded parking area. Moreover, it is necessary to leave nothing at all in the vehicle, to empty the glove locker and leave it open, as well as – if possible – to take out the car radio.
In the cities, white street kerbs permit parking whereas yellow kerbs are only for authorized persons and at blue kerbs one has to pay a fee.
Pets
The entry of dogs and cats needs a EU pet animal passport and a valid anti-rabies inoculation. Additionally, the animal has to carry identification recognition (micro chip or tattoo). With a dog, one should also take muzzle and leash to avoid further problems.
Pharmacies
In Italy pharmacies are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1.30 pm and from 4 pm to 7.30 pm. On Wednesday afternoon many pharmacies are closed on a rotating basis. From outsides, pharmacies are easily recognized because of the green crossing and the inscription Farmacia.
Police
The police in Italy is divided into 2 big organizations. The Polizia statale and the Carabinieri. The Polizia is under the authority of the ministry of interior and is responsible for thefts, visa and residence permits. On the other hand, the Carabineri is a subject to the ministry of defence and looks for the public affairs and investigates criminal issues. In addition, the Polizia is met most of the time only in cities whereas the Carabineri maintains police stations even in the smallest villages.
Radio
There are a number of radio stations in Italy, which partly broadcast abroad. Many of them play good and popular music. Our personal Italian-wide favourites are Radio 105, Radio Capitale and RTL 102,5.
Rail traffic
Travelling by train is relatively easy in Italy. For those who plan a trip through Italy, there are Interral tickets at low prices and package offers of the Italian railway that allow travelling on 4 to 10 days per month.
Reductions
As in most countries in Europe, there are reductions for students and senior citizens in Italy. Many museums are free for seniors and teenagers at the age of 18 and younger – we recommend asking always for a reduction. Students should always take their international student identity card with them to benefit from the offers.
Rental Cars
In order to drive a rental car in Italy, one has to be at least 21 years of age and be in possession of a national driving licence for more than one year. All current credit cards will be accepted – although we recommend booking your rental car in advance via Internet. There you get a complete comparison of prices and most of the time you save lots of money.
Shopping
Italy and shopping seem to be intrinsically tied together. Fashion, shoes, food and wine are among the top shopping goods in Italy. Not only in the boutiques of the big fashion capitals Milan, Florence and Rome shopping therefore takes time, money and above all, one needs enough space for the journey home.
Smoking
Since 2005, in Italy smoking is prohibited in closed public places. Also bars, offices and trains are affected by this law. As a smoker it is necessary to keep the prohibition because it is strictly enforced by the state and high penalties are imposed.
Taxi
Many Italian taxis do not have a taximeter. It is recommended to negotiate the fare before the ride in order to avoid bad surprises.
Telephone
In public telephone boxes, one can only call with telephone cards, which can be bought in bars and at the tobacconist’s. There are various mobile nets in Italy. A comparison of the roaming fees can be worth it in many times.
Television
The largest TV stations are the state-controlled stations RAI 1, RAI 2 and RAI 3 as well as the commercial TV stations from Silvio Berlusconi Canale 5, Rete 4 and La 7.
Time
In Italy as well as in most part of Europe Central European Time (CET) applies. From the end of March to the end of October, the clock is changed of 1 hour to European summer time.
Tips
Tips are normally already included in restaurants as service fees and the waiter does not expect an additional tip – although they will of course like to take it. At the bars, usually one leaves the change.
Tourist information
Tourist information is not uniform in Italy and often very different in terms of quality. Nevertheless, one gets the most important information most of the times and to a nice questions, the Italians are likely to answer willingly even if they do not speak English.
Traffic
Traffic on the streets is in Italy – especially in the large towns – chaotically, to say the least. It is advisable to drive very attentively and give way more often if the car should be brought back home without any damages. The import of fuel is forbidden in Italy – the petrol stations all offer the conventional types of fuel and are normally open from 7 am to 12 am and from 2 pm to 8 pm. On the motorways there are additional 24 hours petrol stations. The light must be turned on at daylight and high visibility jackets are compulsory. The speed limit is 130 km/h on the motorways and 90 km/h over land. The legal alcohol limit is 0.5 parts per thousand. One should keep all these rules, otherwise large fees can be fined.
Travel documents
Citizens of the European Union and Switzerland need a valid ID card or a passport for their stay in Italy. Children under 16 years of age must posses their own ID or have to be listed at the parent’s passport.
Loss: If the passport gets lost, it is important to inform the police of the theft immediately, otherwise formularity will be difficult. We recommend also taking copies of the most importants documents with you in order to shorten the complicated formularities.
Car documents: If you drive to Italy with your own car, you have to take with you the national driving licence, registration papers as well as the green insurance card. If you don’t have a new EU licence plate, you will have to carry the oval country symbol. The absence of this symbol is penalized with high fines.
Travelling alone
Persons travelling alone should not have any problems in Italy. However, as in many other countries, the hotel prices for people travelling alone are far less attractive. A single room is most of the time only slightly cheaper than a double room. Women travelling alone need not to be be afraid, but are advised not to wander alone in dark alleys and remote quarters at night.
Travel time
Spring is the best travel time in Italy, as it is in many other countries. Many of the plants are blooming and the landscape presents itself with its whole magnificence. But also the late summer/autumn has its own charm and offers a beautiful stay at moderate temperatures and still warm water. At the high season in summer, it is often very hot. Who wants to stay away from the masses of tourists should progress deeper into the country to Southern Italy where it is still quieter in summer.
Visa
EU citizens do not need a visa in Italy. For a longer stay or a place of residence and work in Italy, one has to report to the police. Swiss citizens do not need a visa if they stay no longer than 90 days.
Women on the way
For women Italy is not a really dangerous country. Nevertheless, women have to count with flattering but also peeving come-ons in many parts of the country. Especially foreign women are meant to be “fair game”. But with determinate politeness and a coordinated drawback most of the time there will be no bigger problems. Beside this, common sense is the most secure way to avoid potential dangers at unsafe locations.
Working in Italy
EU citizens do not need a special working permission in Italy – although it is compulsory to apply for an individual tax identification code. Especially at the tourism and teaching sector, there is a surprising great number of jobs für foreign-language-speakers. For most of the other works, knowledge of the Italian language is vital.
Youth hostels
Italy is connected to the international youth hostel system. With an international hostel card, one can spend the night at a hostel without any problems. Prices depend on locations and time and are between €8 and €15.
