Holidays in Italy

Travel across Italy

Air

There are many low-cost flights around Italy, which are sometimes cheaper than trains. In particular, you should pay attention to Ryanair (flights across Europe, tickets from 10 EUR) and Air Dolomiti (flights from Munich to Italy and across Italy, tickets from 53 EUR).

Public transport

The Italian railway is considered to be one of the best in Europe and one of the most convenient way to travel around the country – train stations are practically everywhere. Tickets for the train are sold on the official carrier’s website, at the ticket offices and ticket machines, which are available not only at the train stations but also at tobacco and newspaper kiosks in cities. You will have to pay a commission to buy a ticket through the vending machine.

The fare depends on the distance and class of the train (for example, a trip on the route Rome – Naples – from 19 EUR). Discounts are available for groups of 3 persons. You can also make pay less by using the Italy Rail Card for 3, 4, 5 or 8 days during the month. You can buy them at train stations and tourist offices. The seat in the car can only be selected if the ticket is booked in advance. If you buy it at the box office before departure, you are allowed to occupy any available seat.

Intercity buses

This is another way to travel across the country. There is no single carrier in Italy, each region has its own bus fleet and its own timetable. Traveling by bus will be cheaper than by train, but the last option is more comfortable and predictable. The exception is the south of the country where bus service is more popular.

Public transport in cities

Italian public transport is represented by buses, trams and subways. The specificity depends on the region: in Venice, for example, there are river trams. Public transport runs on average from 5:30 to midnight, bus or subway travel costs EUR 1.1-1.7. You can buy metro tickets at ticket offices and vending machines at stations; The bus ticket can be purchased from the driver only after 21:00, in the daytime – at newsstands and tobacco kiosks with ATAF sign. In major Italian cities there are night buses, they are marked with the letter “N” and depart from the north until 5:30.

Travel tickets

A one-day public transit (BIT) trip costs EUR 1.10-1.70, depending on the region. The ticket is valid on buses, subways, trolleybuses and trams for 90-100 minutes. In some cities (for example, in Rome) there are restrictions: in the subway it can be reached only once. It is worth paying attention to, as there are only two branches in the Roman subway, and in some areas, if you miss your station, you will have to go outside and compost your ticket again.

BIG is a one-day tourist ticket, valid from the first composting until 0:00 the same day. It costs 3-6 EUR, it is possible to ride without restrictions, except for trips to the airport and special excursions.

CIS is a weekly ticket, which also covers all BIG restrictions . Checking is rare, but it is advisable to fill in the columns with personal information. It costs about 24 EUR.

Tickets must be composted at some stations not only at the entrance but also at the exit. Penalty for no-ticket travel – about 100 EUR.

Car rent in Italy

International driving license will be required to rent a car. Government agencies in Italy threaten to issue fines of EUR 300 for driving around the country with national driving license only. You will also need a plastic card (credit or debit no lower than the Classic level) with enough free funds in your account to block as collateral (from EUR 500).

When booking a car, it better to overpay a bit and take on full insurance (full insurance, from 10 EUR per day), which includes payment for any scratches and dents.

Taxi in Italy

Taxis in Italy are yellow with traditional “checkers”, on the side glass should be a table with tariffs. You can catch a taxi on the street only in busy areas of big cities, in other cases it is better to go to a special parking lot or call the car by phone from the hotel, bar or shop. Fare is about 1-2 EUR/km plus call costs about ​​3-4 EUR, extra baggage is a bi charge.