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Travel Essentials › Italy

Travel Essentials

Italy: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types C, F and L, 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 113, Ambulance 118, Fire 115. Tipping: Not expected; a cover charge (coperto) is common, and rounding up is enough. Tap water: Generally safe to drink tap water.

Open The Italy Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C, F and L, 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: italia.it

Tipping

Not expected; a cover charge (coperto) is common, and rounding up is enough.

Water And Health

Tap water

Generally safe to drink tap water

Vaccines

Routine vaccines; hepatitis A for most travelers; hepatitis B for unvaccinated travelers under 60; tick-borne encephalitis for people with extensive exposure to ticks

Malaria

None

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: wwwnc.cdc.gov

Apps To Download Before You Go

• Trenitalia: Book high-speed Frecciarossa and regional trains across the country.
• Italo: The private high-speed rival, often cheaper on the Milan-Rome-Naples line.
• FreeNow: The main taxi app in Italian cities; Uber is limited to licensed cars in a few cities.
• WhatsApp: The standard way Italians and businesses communicate.
• Moovit: Live public transport directions for buses, trams and metros in Italian cities.
• Telepass / EasyPark: Pay for parking and motorway tolls when driving.
• Glovo: Popular for restaurant and grocery delivery in most cities.
• Deliveroo: Widely used in big cities alongside Just Eat.
• TheFork: Book restaurants and find discounts.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Cheek kisses (usually two) are common between acquaintances; a firm handshake is standard in business settings.

Dining etiquette. Cappuccino is a morning drink only in local custom; lunch/dinner have set courses (antipasto, primo, secondo) and tap water isn't automatic — bottled water is standard and charged.

Dress at churches. Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter churches and cathedrals, including St. Peter's Basilica; this is enforced.

Safety And Scams

Italy is generally safe with low rates of violent crime against tourists; the main risk is petty theft (pickpocketing and bag-snatching) in crowded tourist areas, stations and on public transport.

Distraction pickpocketing. A staged bump, spilled drink, clipboard petition, or someone asking for help with a map is used to distract while an accomplice takes a wallet or phone; keep bags zipped and in front of you.

Phone snatching. Phones are grabbed straight out of hands, especially while looking at maps near stations or landmarks; hold devices securely, away from the street edge.

Overcharging at tourist restaurants. Some restaurants near major sights add undisclosed cover charges or inflate bills for tourists; check the menu and bill carefully.

Women travelers. Solo women travelers are generally safe in cities and tourist areas; unwanted attention (catcalling) can occur, and normal urban precautions apply at night, especially around stations.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Mostly Safe

Same-sex relationships are legal and civil unions are recognized; LGBTQ+ travelers are broadly welcome in large cities (Rome, Milan, Bologna, Florence), though attitudes can be more conservative in small towns and the south.

What Things Cost

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

May and September are the sweet spot: warm but not scorching, with thinner crowds than the July-August peak and lower prices than summer. Spring and fall are also best for hiking and countryside touring; winter (outside Christmas/New Year and Venice Carnival) is quiet and cheap.

Do You Need A Visa?

Italy visa requirements by nationality

Phrases

Basic Italian phrases · Basic Sicilian phrases · Basic Neapolitan phrases · Basic Venetian phrases

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