Italy Travel Tips

Social Conventions
The social structure is heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic church and, generally speaking, family ties are stronger than in most other countries in Western Europe. Normal social courtesies should be observed. Dress is casual but smart in most places, and beachwear should be confined to the beach. Conservative clothes are expected when visiting religious buildings and smaller, traditional communities. Formal wear is usually indicated on invitations. Smoking is prohibited in public buildings, transport and cinemas.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The national airline is Alitalia (AZ) (website: www.alitalia.com).

Departure Tax
None.

Main Airports
Rome (FCO) (Fiumicino) (website: www.adr.it) is 32km (20 miles) southwest of the city (journey time – 30 to 55 minutes). To/from the airport: There is a direct rail link to Termini Station in central Rome and a bus service every 15 minutes. Taxis are also available to the city. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, ATMs, bank and bureau de change and bar/restaurants.

Rome (CIA) (Ciampino) (website: www.adr.it) is 15km (9 miles) from the city (journey time – 30 to 40 minutes). To/from the airport: Buses are available to the underground station Anagnina, and to the city center. Taxis are also available. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, car hire, duty-free shop and souvenir shop and cafe.

Pisa (PSA) (Galileo Galilei) (website: www.pisa-airport.com), is 1.6km (1 mile) north of Pisa (journey time – 10 minutes). To/from the airport: Trains and buses run from Pisa airport to the center of Florence (journey time – 1 hour). Rail services connect with arrivals and departures of all international flights and major domestic services. Facilities: Bank/bureau de change, car hire, shops and cafe.

Milan (MXP) (Malpensa) (website: www.sea-aeroportimilano.it) is 45km (29 miles) northwest of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). To/from the airport: The Malapensa Express train connects terminal one with the center of Milan; the journey takes 40 minutes. A free shuttle bus connects the airport terminals. Taxis are available. Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: Ancona (website: www.autoritaportuale.ancona.it), Brindisi (website: www.porto.br.it), Naples (website: www.porto.napoli.it) and Venice (website: www.port.venice.it).

Main ferry operators: Superfast Ferries (website: www.superfast.com), SNAV (website: www.snav.it), Ustica Lines (website: www.usticalines.it) and Navigazione Libera del Golfo (website: www.navlib.it). The main international routes are from Greece, the Greek islands and Croatia.

Getting There by Rail
Trenitalia runs regular services covering national and international routes (website: www.trenitalia.com). The Artesia Service is the fastest railway link between France and Italy. Traveling by train from the UK, the quickest way is by Eurostar (see France section).

Rail Passes
InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited first-class train travel in 18 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more people traveling together. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26. The Eurailpass Flexi allows either 10 or 15 travel days within a two-month period. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows four to 10 travel days in a two-month period in one of 16 regions. Available from The Eurail Group (website: www.euraildirect.com). 

Greece ’n Italy Pass: offers 4 to 10 days of rail travel over a two-month period on all Trenitalia trains within Italy and on Greek Railway trains (OSE). Available from Trenitalia (website: www.trenitalia.com).

Getting There by Road
Routes to Italy run through Austria, France, Slovenia and Switzerland and most routes use the tunnels under the Alps and Apennines. From the UK, the quickest way to travel by car is via Eurotunnel to France (see France). Trenitalia runs regular daily services called auto al seguito (trains carrying cars), especially during the summer holiday season, covering national and international routes. These services operate from special railway stations and are generally bookable at the departure station. Owners must travel on the same train.

The documents required are the log-book, valid driving license with Italian translation, Green Card insurance and national identity plate fixed to the rear of the vehicle. For more information on routes, contact the Italian State Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses).

Coach: Eurolines (tel: 0870 580 8080, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from the UK to Italy. Passes: Travelers can book a 15- or 30-day pass. Available from Eurolines (website: www.eurolines-pass.com).

Overview
The communes of Livigno and Campione d’Italia are treated as being outside of the EU for the Duty Free section. The following goods may be imported into Italy from outside the EU by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco; 2l of wine and 1l of spirits (over 22%) or 2l of fortified or sparkling wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract (if over 15 years of age); 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract; gifts not exceeding €89.96 (if entering from an EU country), €175 (if entering from a non-EU country).

Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU
On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all of the original 15 EU member states. Of the 10 new member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and the two states that joined on 1 January 2007, these rules already apply to Cyprus and Malta. There are transitional rules in place for visitors returning to one of the original 15 EU countries from one of the other new EU countries. But for the original 15, plus Cyprus and Malta, there are no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another. Travelers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Member states may follow the EU’s guide levels of: 10l of spirits; 20l of fortified wine; 90l of wine; 110l of beer; 800 cigarettes; 400 cigarillos; 200 cigars and 1kg of tobacco.

Internal Travel:

Getting Around By Air
Alitalia (AZ) (website: www.alitalia.com) and other airlines run services to all the major cities. There are over 30 airports. For details, contact the airlines direct or ENIT, the Italian State Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses).

Getting Around by Water
Main ports: Cagliari (website: www.porto.cagliari.it), Civitavecchia (website: www.port-of-rome.org), Genoa (website: www.porto.genova.it), Livorno (website: www.portauthority.li.it) and Naples (website: www.porto.napoli.it). Ferries: A number of car and passenger ferries operate throughout the year linking Italian ports. Regular boat and hydrofoil services run to the islands of Capri, Elba, Giglio, Sardinia, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. There are also some links along the coast.

Getting Around by Rail
Trenitalia (FS) (tel: 89 20 21, within Italy only; website: www.trenitalia.com) runs a nationwide network at very reasonable fares, calculated on the distance traveled, and there are a number of excellent reductions. Main routes include Turin-Milan-Venice; Milan-Bologna-Bari; Rome-Genoa-Turin; and Rome-Naples-Palermo. Visitors from the UK can book tickets with Italia Rail (tel: 0870 084 1414, in the UK; website: www.italiarail.co.uk).

Rail Passes
The Trenitalia Pass is only available to people resident outside Italy. This allows from three to 10 days of unlimited travel within a two-month period. Any train in Italy can be used, although a small supplement is payable on Eurostar Italia services. The pass also entitles the holder to discounts on some Italy-Greece ferry routes, hotels and other special offers. Basic, Youth and Saver passes are available.

InterRail’s One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Italy. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travelers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Getting Around by Road
There are more than 479,688km (298,064 miles) of roads in Italy, including over 6,000km (3,700 miles) of motorway (autostrada). Tolls are charged at varying distances and scales. Road signs are international. More information on the Italian motorway network is available from Autostrade per l’Italia (website: www.autostrade.it). Traffic drives on the right. Coach: Good coach services run between towns and cities and there are also extensive local buses. Car hire: Self-drive hire is available in most cities and resorts. Many international and Italian firms operate this service. Generally, small local firms offer cheaper rates, but cars can only be booked locally. Many car hire agencies have booths at the airport. Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in urban areas, 90kph (55mph) on ordinary roads, 110kph (68mph) on dual carriageways and 130kph (80mph) on motorways. Dipped headlights are compulsory outside built-up areas during the day. All vehicles must carry a red warning triangle. Seat belts are compulsory. Note: Fines for driving offences are on-the-spot and particularly heavy. Emergency breakdown service: In case of breakdown, dial 803 116.The operator will inform the nearest Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) office (website: www.aci.it). Documentation: A UK driving license and EU pink format licenses are valid in Italy but old-style green licenses (without photos) must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. Visitors must carry their log-book, which must be in their name as owner, or have the owner’s written permission to drive the vehicle. A driving license or a motorcycle driving license is required for motorcycles over 49cc.

Getting Around Towns and Cities
Note: Travelers should be aware that tickets for public transport need to be endorsed in a ticket machine before the journey. Machines are located in entrances to platforms in railway and metro stations and on-board buses and trams. Failure to do so could lead to an on-the-spot fine of up to €60.

All the big towns and cities (Genoa, Milan, Naples, Rome, Turin and Venice) have good public transport networks. The Rome system is run by the City Transport Authority (ATAC) and MetRo. The Milanese system is run by the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM). Underground: In Rome there are two underground lines – Metropolitana A from Via Ottaviano via Termini station to Via Anagnina and also connecting with the Ottaviano-San Pietro link; and Metropolitana B, which runs between Termini Station, via Exhibition City and onwards to Rebibbia. Both day and monthly passes are available. Milan also has a three-line underground system, with tickets useable on both underground and bus. Tram: There is an extensive network consisting of eight routes in Rome; Milan, Messina and Turin also have tram services. Bus: Services operate in all main cities and towns. In Rome, the network is extensive and complements the underground and tram systems.In larger cities, fares are generally pre-purchased from machines or tobacconists (tabacchi). Bus tickets can be bought in packets of five and are fed into a stamping machine on boarding. Taxi: Available in all towns and cities. Government-regulated taxis are either white or yellow. Visitors should avoid un-metered taxis. They are generally relatively expensive, with extra charges for night service, luggage and taxis called by telephone. Water taxis in Venice are extremely expensive; a much cheaper public ferry service is available. Taxis can only be hailed at official ranks or booked by telephone.

Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Rome to other major cities/towns in Italy.

	Air	Road	Rail
Florence	1.00	2.55	2.30
Milan	1.10	5.30	4.05
Naples	0.55	2.15	1.27
Cagliari	0.55	-	-
Turin	1.15	6.35	6.35

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