If you have never visited Rome before or haven’t done so for a while, the following details some important facts you should be aware of before you arrive. It is probably a good idea to print this out to use on arrival too.
When to Go The main tourist season starts at Easter and runs until October; peak periods are in spring and autumn. Numerous outdoor festivals and concerts makes summer almost worth the heat. If you do visit in summer, try to hit the sights early, take a long lunch and a nap, and then head out again around 6pm to take advantage of the cooler evening. Winters are usually mild with few tourists and some fun events around Christmas time.
Climate Rome generally has damp, cold winters, rainy springs and hot and humid summers.
Getting from the Airport to Town Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino Airport is 30 km south-west of the centre of Rome and the best way into town is by train. There is a non-stop express to Termini Station, the central rail station, and a train to Tiburtina Station on the east side of Rome. As for taxis, you'll probably find a crowd of people soliciting to drive you into Rome, but it is best to go to the taxi stand and use only the yellow or white taxis. Make sure the meter is running and if not, settle on a fare before you leave the airport. Travel time will be 40 to 60 minutes. More transport information can be found on our Transport pages.
Tourist Information Centre The Rome Tourism Office (Ente Provinciale per Turismo, telephone: 06. 488.3748 is on Via Parigi, 5, close to Piazza della Repubblica (one block from Santa Susanna) and has wonderful free brochures and publications. City maps are available free at McDonald’s and the American Express office at Piazza di Spagna.
Money Matters
Money and Banks Italy uses the Euro, abbreviated with the symbol €. Banks opening hours are Mon-Fri from 8.30 a.m to 1.30 pm and from 3 pm to 4 pm Only very few banks open on Saturday morning. Outside the official hours you can use one of several exchange offices. If you're in difficulties, it's usually possible to change cash at larger hotels [generally bad rates] or with travel agents, who may initially grumble but will eventually give a rate with the commission built in - useful for small amounts in a hurry.
ATM’s Credit or bank cards can now be used in ATMs throughout Rome to acquire Lire. Check with your bank before you leave home. If your card is stolen, report credit card losses to: American Express telephone: 800-864046, BankAmericard/Mastercard telephone: 800.870866 Visa telephone: 800.877232 and Diner's Club telephone: 800.864064.
Credit Cards Credit cards are widely accepted at the major tourist areas but you do still get many restaurants, small shops or bars that only accept cash.
Traveller’s Cheques are no longer the cheapest nor most convenient option and most people use bank cards now. However you can change up travellers checks pretty much everywhere and the usual fee for buying travellers' cheques is one or two percent. Buying cheques in Euros is the best option, since these can be cashed without incurring exchange service charges.
Tipping In restaurants a service charge of about 15% usually appears as a separate item on your check. A few restaurants mention on the menu that cover and service charge are included. Either way, it's customary to leave an additional 5%-10% tip for the waiter, depending on the service. Tip checkroom attendants, rest room attendants. Tip for whatever you drink standing up at a coffee bar, for table service in cafes.
From Rome south, tip taxi drivers 5%-10% of the meter amount. Railway and airport porters charge a fixed rate per bag. Tip an additional 500 lire per person, but more if the porter is very helpful. Theatre ushers expect a small tip or more for very expensive seats. Give a barber and a hairdresser's assistant a small tip for a shampoo or cut, depending on the type of establishment.
On sightseeing tours, tip guides for a half-day group tour, more if they are very good. In museums and other places of interest where admission is free, a contribution is expected. Service station attendants are tipped only for special services, for example, for checking your tires.
In hotels, give the concierge about 15% of his bill for services, if he has been generally helpful. For two people in a double room, leave the maid a small tip daily, or a larger one once a week, in an average hotel; tip for valet or room service. Double amounts in expensive hotels.
Greeting Someone in Rome Italians are keen on the most enthusiastic forms of greeting. Hugs, kisses and handshakes are all performed upon meeting a friend or even a mild acquaintance, regardless of sex. However, foreign visitors are not expected to join in with these warm hellos except, of course, for the handshake which is compulsory both socially and in business.
Dress Code Italians take dress very seriously, they like to take time to do it... Therefore, smart clothing should be worn especially in business settings where it is recommended that both men and women dress in suits. Outside business, casual clothing is ok, but stay tidy if you don't want to feel out of place. Italians dress up whenever possible.
Business Tips Even though much of Italy closes for about 2-3 hours for lunch, you'll find the centre of Rome stays open pretty much all day including Sundays.
Communications
Internet Rome has a series of "Internet Cafes," that allow visitors to check their email or make long distance or international telephone calls rather cheaply. There is one in the Main Train Station and a complete updated list can be found at the Tourist Office.
Telephones Public phones are located throughout the city and accept change or the ‘phone’ card (carta telefonica) sold in tobacco stores. It is wise to have a ‘phone’ card because money taking machines are becoming harder and harder to find and many public machines will accept only the card. These cards are inserted in a special slot on the phone, and allow the user to make calls for the amount shown on the card. Some older phones require a notched token called a gettone or coins that total a certain amount per local call. Avoid calling overseas from your hotel room unless you have a phone card which links you directly with the your home country.
Post Office The main branch at Piazza San Silvestro is open from 8:25 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. weekdays, and 8:25 - 11:50 a.m. on Saturdays. This is a multi-service post office and has an international telephone service. Stamps, or francobolli, are usually also available in tobacco stores. For quick, efficient and courteous service, the Vatican post office may be used by anyone. There are offices off the right hand colonnade of St. Peter's Square near the newsstand, and to the left of St. Peter's Square near the Information Office.
Newspapers English language papers are sold at the large newsstands (edicole). The International Herald Tribune and U.S.A. Today are published daily except Sunday. Wanted in Rome comes out twice monthly is widely available and has mainly classified advertising and some articles.
Childcare A list of reliable, English-speaking baby sitters can be obtained through American Women’s Assocation of Rome, Telephone: 06 482.5268.
Shopping Tip Some antiques, regardless of private ownership or foreign origin, are considered part of the patrimony of Italy and may not be exported. So before you buy that beautiful Etruscan vase, find out whether you will have to return to Rome each year in order to see it! More on shopping can be found on our Dining and Shopping pages.
Travelling with Children The Commune of Roma has published a Guide to Rome for Curious Children which has wonderful suggestions for visiting public sites with children and a series of safety tips. It can be found at most local Tourist Offices. The Villa Borghese has a children’s movie theatre, The Children’s Cinema Dei Piccoli, that shows children’s films on Sundays. The Gianicolo (Janiculum) has a wonderful view - and a marionette show! The lake in EUR is surrounded by a large park with trees, grass, park benches, and lots of space to play and run. For more travel advice if visiting with children, take a look at our Children’s Activity guides.
Health and Safety
Doctor An English speaking doctor is available 24 hours a day at International Medical Services telephone: 06.4882371, Via G. Amendola. We also recommend the offices of Dr. Frank Spelar. Dr. Spelar can be reached at: 06.488.4143.
Lost and Found Report lost items to Ufficio Oggetti Smarriti, Via Nicolo Bettoni, 1 telephone: 06.581.6040 . Report items lost on a bus or Metro to their office on Via Volturno, 65 (near the rail station), and items left on trains to the Servizio Movimento delle Ferrovie dello Stato telephone: 06.4669, ext. 7682 at the main station.
If your passport, driver's license, airline tickets, or traveller’s cheques are lost; report the loss to the nearest Carabinieri or Polizia station (at the Questura on Via Genova there is also a special office "per stranieri") to fill out a report or denuncia. This denuncia may be used as a temporary driver's license and must be presented at the Consulate for a new passport. Report lost traveller’s cheques to: American Express, Piazza di Spagna, 38, toll free - Tel. 1678.72000.
Extra Tip: Whether you are a tourist or a resident of Rome, you might want to photocopy all valuable documents, charge cards, driver's licenses, etc. and keep these copies all together in a safe place in your home or hotel.
Crime Like all big cities, Rome has its share of crime. Try to avoid wearing flashy, expensive jewellery, carrying open purses, or making your wallet easily accessible. Gypsies love to pick your pocket. While some of this is avoidable on the street, it may be more difficult to protect yourself on a crowed bus. Hold on tightly to purses and briefcases and keep them away from the traffic side of the street. Keep your eyes open on buses for suspicious characters - especially on the heavily travelled bus 64, 62, 46, 218 and 23. Warn someone you think is a potential victim; as you would want such a warning. If your pocket is picked on the bus, start screaming as loudly as you can. The bus driver should stop the bus and lock the doors. Often if the pickpocket is still aboard, he will drop your wallet on the floor of the bus.
Emergency Numbers
Emergencies - for police, fire, or other emergencies, dial 113
The police headquarters (Questura) is in Via San Vitale 15 - dial 4686
Laundrettes Called "Lavandarias," are available on Via Montebello, Via M. D’Azeglio, Via Dei Marsi, and Via Milazzo.
Public Rest Rooms (Toilets) are rare. Try using the facilities of a well-heeled bar or restaurant when in need. Ask for the servizi or the toilette. Some are located in St. Peter’s Square near the Information Office and at various catacombs. If around a McDonald’s try using the restrooms there.
Eating Out You've added up your bill and don't know why your amount and that totalled by the restaurant are different. You might have forgotten to add the pane e coperto charge, a per person "bread and cover" charge. A servizio or service charge - usually added by the establishment - runs between 12 and 15 percent. Ask if the service charge is included. More dining tips can be found on our Dining and Shopping pages for the area.
Roman Taxi
When you’re at the airport and/or Termini, do not accept taxi offers from anyone in the lobby area. Those drivers are illegal and they give Roman taxi drivers a bad name. Instead, walk out to the street and you’ll see a line of white or yellow cabs. They all bear the city shield on the side door. The cabs are parked in order and you are expected to take the first one in line. When you are within the city, ask any merchant where you can find a taxi stand. At the taxi stand, you’ll see the same thing: a line of licensed cabs, waiting. Roman taxi drivers are licensed and regulated; there is no need to worry about being overcharged. They always turn the meter on and always charge by the city-regulated rate. Note that there is an extra fee before 7AM and after 10PM on weekdays, plus all day on Sundays and holidays. Also, large luggage comes with an automatic luggage fee of € 1.04 each. In case of contention, the driver will provide at your request a receipt specifying itinerary, taxi number and amount paid. Travel within the city should cost between € 7 - € 10. From the airport, it costs about € 45 plus luggage and/or weekend and evening charge.