Italy Travel FAQ
Essential Tips for Your Trip
Answers to the most common questions about traveling in Italy, from transportation and safety to food, tipping, and cultural etiquette.
Planning a trip to Italy? This FAQ covers the most common questions travelers ask before visiting. Whether you're exploring ancient cities, wandering through small coastal villages, or enjoying Italy's famous food culture, these answers will help you travel with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most places accept credit cards, especially in larger cities. However, small cafés, markets, and rural shops may prefer cash. Having €20–50 on hand is recommended.
Yes. Tap water is safe to drink across the country, and you'll often find public drinking fountains in cities.
Tipping is not required. Some restaurants add a *coperto* (service charge), shown on the receipt. Small rounding up is appreciated but not expected.
Italy is generally safe. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas such as train stations, buses, and famous landmarks. Keep personal belongings secure.
Cities have reliable buses, trams, and metro systems. Trains between cities are efficient and fast — especially the high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo).
April–June and September–October offer great weather without extreme crowds. July and August can be hot and busy.
Yes. EU residents roam normally. Non-EU travelers should consider a prepaid SIM card (TIM, Vodafone, Iliad).
Most restaurants close between lunch and dinner (approximately 14:30–18:30). Tourist areas are more flexible.
In major cities and tourist areas, yes. In rural regions, English is less common — but you'll get by.
Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered. Photography rules vary depending on the site.
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