Italy essentials: what to know before you go
The practical rules that apply everywhere in Italy. City guides cover local details; this page covers the country.
Good to know
Fewer bases, more time
The most repeated advice from travellers: on a short first trip choose one or two bases and use day trips, instead of changing hotel every night.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Watch out
Non-EU travellers: new border checks
Verified 2026-09-23
Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System registers your fingerprints and photo at your first Schengen entry. ETIAS is not running yet.
Good to know
Tickets: check the domain
Buy monument tickets on the attraction’s official site or on EmweGo — we take responsibility for every ticket sold through us — and trains on the operators’ apps. Look-alike sites are a common trap, so check the domain.
Good to know
Emergency: 112
Verified 2026-09-23
112 is the single European emergency number. It’s free, and Italian official guidance says it can be dialled without a SIM, without credit and from a locked phone — coverage and the device still matter.
When to go: holidays and August
Event
Ferragosto — 15 August
Verified 2026-09-23
A national holiday in the middle of Italy’s own holiday season: peak prices on the coasts, and some city shops and restaurants close for part of August.
Good to know
Avoid August if you can
Many travellers recommend moving a first trip away from August — to June or September — for prices and heat.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Good to know
Rain in autumn is not a trip-breaker
Showers often pass quickly: pack waterproof shoes and a small umbrella, and keep an indoor sight nearby.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
| 2027 national public holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year · Epiphany | 1 Jan · 6 Jan |
| Easter Monday | 29 Mar |
| Liberation Day · Labour Day | 25 Apr · 1 May |
| Republic Day | 2 Jun |
| Ferragosto (Assumption) | 15 Aug |
| St Francis (national holiday again from 2026) | 4 Oct |
| All Saints · Immaculate Conception | 1 Nov · 8 Dec |
| Christmas · St Stephen | 25 Dec · 26 Dec |
Plus each town’s patron saint day. Museums, shops and transport can run holiday timetables.
Presidenza del Consiglio · national days ↗ · Gazzetta Ufficiale · Law 151/2025 (4 October) ↗
Entering Italy
Watch out
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is live
Verified 2026-09-23
Non-EU short-stay visitors: at your first entry into the Schengen area your passport data, fingerprints and a facial photo are recorded; later entries and exits are logged. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and residence-permit holders are exempt.
- Since
- 10 April 2026
- Allow
- Extra time at your first border check
Good to know
ETIAS: not yet
Verified 2026-09-23
The EU says ETIAS is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026; the exact date will be announced. Once live, visa-exempt travellers apply online, pay a fee, and approval lasts 3 years or until the passport expires.
Main gateway
Rome
Fiumicino and Ciampino, then trains and fixed-fare taxis.
Open the Rome guide →Northern gatewayMilan
Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo.
Open the Milan guide →North-east gatewayVenice
Marco Polo, Treviso and Santa Lucia.
Open the Venice guide →Southern gatewayNaples
Capodichino and Napoli Centrale.
Open the Naples guide →Where to stay: the rules that apply everywhere
Good to know
Tourist tax is set by each town
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
Most Italian cities charge an ‘imposta di soggiorno’ per person per night, paid at your accommodation. Rates and exemptions differ by town — check each city guide.
Good to know
One base with day trips
Travellers often praise Florence and Bologna as rail-connected bases for day trips without changing hotels.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Good to know
Ask for a lift and the real entrance
Historic buildings may have stairs and no lift — ask before booking, especially with luggage or reduced mobility.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Getting around Italy
Trains
Ticket
Regional paper tickets: stamp before boarding
Verified 2026-09-23
Validate paper regional tickets in the station machine before the train leaves; you then have 4 hours to complete the journey (unless the fare says otherwise).
Ticket
Digital regional tickets
Verified 2026-09-23
They validate themselves at the scheduled departure of the train you chose and are valid only on that train.
Ticket
High-speed trains: seat included
Verified 2026-09-23
Frecce and Italo tickets come with an assigned seat and need no validation — just show the ticket.
Watch out
Watch the platform board
Travellers report platforms can change shortly before departure — keep an eye on the board and the app.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Apps
Good to know
Official train apps
Verified 2026-09-23
Trenitalia (Frecce and regional trains) and Italo Treno (Italo high-speed).
Traveller tip
Other apps travellers use
Trainline or Omio to compare trains; FlixBus or Itabus for cheap coaches; FreeNow or Uber for taxis; TheFork for restaurant bookings; Bounce for luggage storage.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
- Check
- Fees and coverage differ by city
Good to know
City transport: tap to pay
In big cities such as Rome and Milan you can tap a contactless card on the metro gates; each city guide lists fares and apps.
Car & ZTL
Watch out
Non-EU licence? Carry an International Driving Permit
Verified 2026-09-23
Drivers with a non-EU licence (for example US) must carry an International Driving Permit or an official translation together with their licence.
US Embassy Italy · driving ↗ · ACI · documents for foreign drivers (PDF) ↗
Watch out
ZTL: restricted zones with cameras
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
Historic centres have limited-traffic zones (ZTL). Cameras read number plates and unauthorised cars are fined — often weeks later via the rental company. If your hotel is inside a ZTL, ask it to register your plate.
Traveller tip
Rental cars and credit cards
Travellers report rental companies usually want a credit card in the driver’s name and hold a deposit — check the exact terms before booking.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Good to know
Train or car?
Trains are simplest between big cities; travellers recommend a car mainly for Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia and the countryside.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Strikes
Watch out
Check the official strike calendar
Verified 2026-09-23
Strikes are announced in advance on the Ministry of Transport calendar. During train strikes Trenitalia runs guaranteed regional trains 06:00–09:00 and 18:00–21:00 on weekdays (07:00–10:00 and 18:00–21:00 on holidays). City buses and metros set their own guaranteed hours.
Step-free travel by train
Good to know
Sala Blu assistance
Verified 2026-09-24
RFI/Trenitalia’s free assistance for travellers with reduced mobility at 360+ stations: book online (SalaBlu), in the app or at a Sala Blu office; 06:45–21:30 daily. Phone 800 90 60 60 in Italy or +39 02 32 32 32 from abroad. Book ahead — each station has its own notice period.
RFI · SalaBlu online ↗ · Trenitalia · passengers with reduced mobility ↗
Tickets: book on EmweGo
Ticket
Colosseum: tickets are named
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
The official online channel is ticketing.colosseo.it. Every ticket is in your name and ID is checked at the entrance; the name can be changed once.
Watch out
Beware look-alike ticket sites
Travellers repeatedly warn about clone sites for the Colosseum, Vatican and Last Supper. The Vatican Museums name tickets.museivaticani.va as their only official online shop — check the domain before you pay, or book through EmweGo, which stands behind every ticket it sells.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Good to know
Book the timed anchors first
Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Borghese Gallery, Last Supper and the Uffizi sell timed slots — book them before building the rest of the day.
Eating in Italy: times, bills and water
Good to know
Coperto and service on the bill
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
A cover charge (coperto) is legal in most regions but must be shown on the menu; in Lazio (Rome) a cover charge is banned by regional law. Tipping is not expected — round up for good service.
Traveller tip
Lunch early, dinner late
Travellers note many kitchens serve lunch until about 14:30 and reopen for dinner around 19:00 — plan meals, or look for places with continuous service.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
- Varies
- By city, season and restaurant
Good to know
Drink from the fountains
Verified 2026-09-23
Tap water is drinkable in Italian cities; in Rome the ‘nasoni’ fountains carry the same water as household taps. Bring a bottle.
Traveller tip
Coffee at the bar is cheaper
A coffee drunk standing at the counter (al banco) usually costs less than the same coffee at a table.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Where to go next: our Italy guides
Big city
Rome
Ancient Rome, the Vatican and neighbourhood food.
Open the Rome guide →Big cityFlorence
Renaissance art and a rail base for Tuscany.
Open the Florence guide →Big cityVenice
Canals, islands and bacari.
Open the Venice guide →Big cityMilan
Design, Leonardo and the lakes.
Open the Milan guide →Big cityNaples
Pizza, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast gateway.
Open the Naples guide →RegionItalian Lakes
Como, Garda, Maggiore and more.
Open the Italian Lakes guide →RegionAmalfi Coast
Towns, ferries and coastal stays.
Open the Amalfi Coast guide →RegionItalian Mountains
Dolomites, Alps and spa towns.
Open the Italian Mountains guide →Money, safety, health and phones
Money
Good to know
Cards are accepted
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
Businesses must accept card payments; refusals can be fined. Keep some cash for small bars, markets and tips.
Good to know
Tax-free shopping over €70
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund on purchases of more than €70 (VAT included) — ask the shop for the tax-free form and validate it when you leave the EU.
Safety & scams
Watch out
Pickpockets: where and how
Crowded metros, stations, trains (bags on luggage racks), queues and busy squares. Carry a cross-body bag in front, keep your ID in a zipped inner pocket and your phone off café tables.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Watch out
Common street tricks
‘Free’ friendship bracelets, petition signatures, pigeon feed near cathedrals, ‘the terrace is sold out’ ticket touts and staged crowding at metro doors. Say no and walk on.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Good to know
Taxis: official ranks or apps
Use official taxi ranks, radio taxis or apps; don’t accept rides from people approaching you at arrivals.
Health & emergencies
Good to know
112 for emergencies
Verified 2026-09-23
Free. Officially also works without a SIM, without credit and from a locked phone — coverage permitting. Multilingual, with telephone interpreters.
Good to know
116117 for non-urgent medical help
Verified 2026-09-23
The European non-emergency medical number replaces the out-of-hours doctor (guardia medica); availability is being rolled out region by region.
Good to know
Pharmacies on duty
Partially verified · 2026-09-23
Pharmacies take turns covering nights and holidays (‘farmacia di turno’); the rota is posted on pharmacy doors and on local Federfarma sites.
Phone & power
Good to know
Plugs and voltage
Verified 2026-09-23
230 V, 50 Hz; sockets and plugs are types C, F and L. Bring an adapter (and a converter for 110 V-only devices).
Traveller tip
Local SIM or eSIM
Travellers from outside the EU often buy a local SIM (shops ask for a passport) or an eSIM before departure; EU mobile plans usually work at home rates.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
- Check
- Current prices and data allowances
Traveller tip
Offline maps
Download your cities for offline use before you go — useful in old centres with weak signal.
- Source
- Community tip — from traveller discussions, not an official rule
Churches
Watch out
Dress code in churches
Verified 2026-09-23
At St Peter’s Basilica shoulders must be covered; men wear long trousers, women skirts below the knee or trousers. Many cathedrals apply similar rules — carry a light scarf.
City tax by city
Per person, per night, paid at the accommodation — approximate 2026 rates; the exact amount depends on the star rating and is shown at booking.
| City | Approximate rate | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | €3–€12 hotels by category (from 1 Apr 2026); B&B and short lets about €9.50 | Under-18s exempt |
| Rome | About €7.50 in a 4★ hotel (lower in 1–3★) | Check your category at booking |
| Florence | Graduated, up to about €8 | Check your category at booking |
| Naples | €4–€6 (from 1 May 2026) | Max 14 nights |
| Verona | €1.50–€5 | Max 4 nights; 20% off for 70+ and 15–25 |
| Genoa | €2.50–€5 hotels | Max 8 nights |
| Palermo | €3–€5 hotels; about €4 short lets | |
| Cagliari | €1–€5 | |
| Venice, Amalfi Coast, Dolomites, lakes | Varies by town | Check at booking — Venice’s Access Fee is separate |
Sources: Comune di Milano, Roma Capitale, Comune di Firenze, Comune di Napoli, Comune di Verona, Comune di Genova, Comune di Palermo, Cagliari — checked 24 Sep 2026. 2027 rates aren’t set yet.
Apps
What to install for this destination — official apps first.
Good to know
The essentials
Verified 2026-09-24
Google Maps offline · Trenitalia and Italo · Citymapper · TheFork · Google Translate · an eSIM · 112 Where ARE U — plus the local transport app in each city.
Google Maps · offline maps help ↗ · Trenitalia · official app ↗ · 112 Where ARE U · Google Play ↗
Watch out
Tourist walls
Partially verified · 2026-09-24
Some local apps want an Italian SMS code or a codice fiscale. Keep contactless and ticket machines as back-up; nothing a tourist needs requires SPID.
Article
Apps for Italy: what to install
The essential 10, local transport apps by city, and the ones that don’t work for tourists.
FAQ
Do I need ETIAS to visit Italy?
Not yet: ETIAS is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026. The EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo for non-EU visitors) is already live.
Do I have to validate train tickets in Italy?
Paper regional tickets: yes, stamp them before boarding. Digital regional tickets and Frecce/Italo high-speed tickets: no.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Italy?
Yes if your licence is from outside the EU — carry the IDP (or an official translation) with your licence.
Is tap water safe to drink in Italy?
Yes in Italian cities; Rome’s street fountains carry the same drinking water as household taps.
Do you tip in Italy?
Tipping is not expected; rounding up for good service is common. Check the menu for a cover charge (banned in Lazio).
What plug do I need for Italy?
Types C, F or L; 230 V, 50 Hz.
What is the minimum for tax-free shopping?
More than €70 including VAT, for non-EU residents.
What number do I call in an emergency?
112 — free from any phone.
Continue your Italy trip
Content: Official sources checked 23 Sep 2026 + Threads traveller research. Each card keeps its sheet Block ID in data-block-id. No block is publication-approved; prices, hours and timetables are high-freshness facts — recheck before booking. “EN from RU source” = English adaptation of Russian source text.