We arrive at FCO at 10 am and have an ItaliaRail tickets for 4 pm. Is there a comfortable place to wait at the airport?
FCO is consistently rated among the top European airports and has an extensive shopping and dining area. There are also various areas for charging devices and working. If you are heading to Rome and your train is out of Rome Termini, consider becoming an ItaliaPass member so you can relax in the members-only lounge at the station.

How much do you tip for a private transfer from the airport?
If you book with ItaliaTours, no tip is needed. Book here for our airport shuttle.

What if you have young children without cards?
Children under age 10 ride public transport for free. If your children are 10 or older, you'd need to use a different payment method for each. If you don't have enough cards to tap for each rider, you can purchase paper tickets or use an app such as MooneyGo.

Can you talk a bit about coffee? I usually enjoy iced coffee, is that possible to order?
You can enjoy an iced coffee in Italy. Try ordering caffè freddo (an iced espresso with sugar already added) or a caffè shakerato (a coffee drink with espresso shaken in a cocktail shaker and also pre-sweetened).

My son has Celiac's disease. do you have any restaurant recs for gluten free dining?
Here are several restaurants in Rome that have been certified by AIC, the Italian Celiac Association, which means they offer gluten-free dishes prepared properly to avoid contamination with any other gluten-containing products in the restaurant.

• Pantha Rei: via della Minerva 18/19 (Pantheon)

• Mama Eat: via di San Cosimato, 7/9 (Trastevere) | Viale di Tor di Quinto, 21 (Ponte Milvio) | Borgo Pio, 28 (Vatican)

• Pizza in Trevi: via di San Vincenzo 30-30/A (Trevi)

• Il Secchio e l'Olivaro: Via delle Sette Chiese 188 (Garbatella), Via del Porto Fluviale 3 (Ostiense)

• Écru: Via Acciaioli, 13 (Piazza Navona)

• La Soffitta Renovatio: Piazza Risorgimento, 46/a (Vaticano)

Any tips for battling the Roman Heat during this time of year? (I came in a bit late so sorry if you already covered this)
It's best to avoid walking or generally being out and about during the hottest hours of the day from about 10 am to 2 pm. Make sure you wear sunscreen, a hat, and keep hydrated. Many locals use handheld fans or handheld cooling devices.

What about men - do they need long pants?
For entering St. Peter's Basilica men are required to wear pants that cover their knees. This is also a good rule of thumb for the other major basilicas, however may not be as strictly enforced. It's also generally considered respectful in all churches even though it won't be "policed" as much as at St. Peter's.

I don't drink coffee--can I get tea in Italy?
Yes, you can order hot tea (tè caldo) or iced tea (tè freddo) at the bar. If you order bottled tea, such as Estatè, it will already have sweetener, but if you order iced tea made by the bar, it will most likely be unsweetened.

Do we need to carry our passports for tours?
Yes, you should keep your original passport on you for tours and entry to venues such as the Colosseum. Italian law mandates that non-EU tourists keep their original passport on them at all times in case the authorities ask to see identification.

Where should we store our luggage before our hotel is available?
A great place to store luggage before your hotel is available is at our ItaliaPass Lounge in Rome's Termini station. The lounge is available to ItaliaPass members at no extra charge, all you have to do is book in advance using the link you will receive when you purchase your ItaliaPass membership.

How do you get a taxi from Romi Termini to your hotel? Is there at stand or should we use Uber?
There's a taxi stand in front of the station on the Piazza dei Cinquecento side.

Each passenger needed their own card / ticket for the buses. What about minor children and infants? They certainly don't have their own payment cards.
Children under 10 ride free. Children ages 10 and up require a ticket. It doesn't have to be a contactless payment. You can purchase paper tickets for €1.50 at tobacconists or newsstands or the automatic machines in the subway stations. If you have additional cards that are contactless, you can use them for the children.

We are using Rome Transfer Agency for airport transfer, is that your transfer company?
No, our company is ItaliaTours and this is our Rome airport transfer page.

Can you bring water bottles into the Colesseum, the Vatican, etc?
Yes.

I bought an additional ticket for the tour guide at the Colosseum. Will they provide the guide person?
Without knowing a bit more about what you booked, it's difficult to understand this question. However if you booked a guided tour, the tour guide's ticket is included in the price.

Can we use a copy of our passport?
No, you need to use your original passport.

Is there someone we can contact to organize tours? To help make the most of our stay in Rome?
Yes, please reach out to [email protected].

What about making reservations?
For ItaliaTours and ItaliaRail, feel free to book directly on the websites or contact a Traveler Experience Specialist using the email above. If this is regarding restaurant reservations, most restaurants don't need to be booked in advance but you can always check before hand just to make sure (most of the restaurants that have a website will state on their website if they require reservations, and if they do, most of them will allow you to book directly online.)

If I have already booked a private tour, can I still receive the $100 discount?
Yes, if the private tour you booked was with ItaliaTours, and you decide to purchase an ItaliaPass Primo, you can receive the $100 discount. For more information comparing the Viva and Primo, visit the ItaliaPass website.

If we booked ItaliaRail tickets through you can we still get discounts for what you offer?
You can get discounts based on the ItaliaRail fare that you chose, or you can upgrade after your purchase. Have a look at the Viva and Primo options on the website, and if you already purchased with ItaliaRail, email [email protected] to see how much it will cost to upgrade.

Should we buy a temporary SIM card?
It's not strictly necessary because nowadays a lot of people have smartphones that accept eSIMs and these are easy and convenient. One company we hear travelers praise a lot is Airalo.

What about WiFi?
Wifi isn't always available in all coffee bars or restaurants because Italy doesn't really have a "third place" concept — most Italians go to coffee bars to stand at the bar and drink and espresso, not to bring their laptop. However you can be sure that you'll find Wifi at McDonald's if you're in a pinch. Also if you find restaurants that cater to tourists and offer brunch, these types of places often have wifi for their customers and don't mind if you stay and work.

What about walking tours?
ItaliaTours has a wide range of different walking tours, you can view them all at the ItaliaTours website and view by your destination.

What about taxi apps?
The most popular taxi apps in Rome are itTaxi and Freenow. Uber also works in Rome.

What things do we have to pay in cash?
You don't really need cash because nowadays even coffee bars are required to take card payments. However you might pay with cash if you buy something small from a food truck or a street vendor.

What's the best map or app to use to map out metro or bus use?
I use Google Maps, just click on the bus icon next to the car when you're getting directions, and it will walk you through the journey. Another app is Moovit.

What is the temperature today?
Today it's cooler than it has been recently, it's about 77°F (25°C). In recent days the temperature has been around 30-31°C (87°F). It's quite humid and I recommend that you avoid walking intensely during the hottest hours of the day, from about 11 am to 3 pm.

Are there any strikes (train, subway or buses) that are planned for the month of June?
One is actually scheduled for tonight, that could interrupt transport tomorrow, Friday, June 12. Here's more information on that.

Should I expect any differences on Sundays?
Many businesses in the main tourist areas are open on Sunday, such as restaurants, stores, and museums. Please note that many museums are closed on Mondays.

Best taxi app for Rome and Bologna?
itTaxi app

Is the ItaliaPass and buying your 1st train ticket Primo the same?
Yes, if you purchased the Primo fare on ItaliaRail then you have ItaliaPass Primo benefits.

If you need to go to Trevi Fountain area from FCO. Is it best to take a taxi directly for a family of 4? Or do you recommend going to Termini station?
We recommend taking a taxi because it's a flat 55 euros from the airport, while taking the Leonardo Express train from FCO costs around €15 per person.

Do you recommend any audio guides for self tours?
We don't have any apps in particular that we recommend but here is a list of some that are available for your smartphone:

• Rick Steves Audio Europe (Free): Excellent, free audio walking tours for Rome, Florence, and Venice. Includes historical context and interactive maps.

• SmartGuide (Free/Paid): Turns your phone into a personal guide, offering GPS-driven audio in300+ destinations worldwide, including Rome.

• VoiceMap (Paid/Free): Offers audio tours created by local guides, with narration that plays automatically via GPS.

• Rome Audio Guide (Free/Paid): A dedicated app for Rome that covers 169 museums, featuring offline maps and, in-depth audio for the Vatican and Colosseum.

• ItalyGuides.it (Paid): Provides high-quality, professionally produced audio guides for major Italian cities, available for download.

Is everything open on Easter Sunday?
In the major tourist areas you'll find some restaurants and stores open; however Easter is a major holiday in Italy so in smaller areas many shops and restaurants will be closed.

Once you buy a Primo train ticket, how long does it take to get registration code to buy other tickets, trips, or other benefits?
Your welcome email should arrive within two hours after purchase.

If I'm in Rome on Good Friday, will I be able to attend Stations of the Cross at the Coloseum?
Yes, this event is open to the public and no tickets are required. It will take place on Friday, April 3, 2026 and is scheduled to start at 9:15 pm. We recommend arriving at least 2 hours in advance, and note that the Colosseum Metro stop will close prior to the event for security reasons so it's best to get off at Cavour and walk.

Are there a lot of English speaking people in Italy or do I need to start learning Italian? How about Spanish?
Most people who work in the hospitality industry in Italy speak at least enough basic tourist English to assist visitors easily. If you speak Spanish you'll have an easier time because it's similar enough to Italian to make yourself understood.

Is the ItaliaPass Lounge free or require a purchase?
The ItaliaPass Lounge is free for ItaliaPass Passholders. To purchase an ItaliaPass, click here. There are also day passes to the lounge available for non-Passholders for $25 USD. To get a day pass, click here.

If we are traveling from the US to Rome and then going to Florence. When should we purchase our train tickets for that day? More than 3 hours or not more than 3 hours?
We recommend purchasing your train tickets in advance at ItaliaRail.com. Since you'll be going to Florence after you arrive in Rome, we recommend booking a train that departs no earlier than three hours after your plane arrival time at Fiumicino airport. This allows you sufficient time to clear customs, gather your luggage, and get into the city and to the train station.

When do I Check-In to the ItaliaRail - before boarding? - after boarding?
There's no check-in process for train travel. Bring your ticket QR code to access the platforms at larger stations such as Termini. At smaller stations access to the platforms is open and you'll just need to keep your ticket information handy so you can show it to the conductor when they come through to check tickets.

Can we book the train tickets online or on an app?
You can book train tickets directly at ItaliaRail.com. There's no app, you just simply book directly at the website.

Are there multiple-day transit options in Rome?
Yes, there are unlimited-ride passes available for 24, 48, and 72 hours:

24-hour pass: €7 (worth it if you'll take at least 5 rides in a 24-hr period)

48-hour pass: €12.50 (worth it if you'll take at least 9 rides in a 48-hr period)

72-hour pass: €18 (worth it if you'll take at least 13 rides in a 72-hr period)

Is Uber an option from the airport?
Yes, you can use the Uber app on your smartphone.

Benefit of companions pass vs full ticket?
The ItaliaPass companion pass includes many of the benefits of the regular $149 ItaliaPass but doesn't include the $150 in refunds on rail tickets and tours. Companion Passholders can join an ItaliaPass holder on their free tour of the Colosseum, free entry to the Pantheon, Uffizi & Accademia galleries, and access to ItaliaPass Lounges.

Are tips expected for your guides?
Tips aren't mandatory on walking tours or guided tours but they are appreciated and often may be expected. A general guideline is between 5-10 euros per person for any tours of a half day or less, and possibly more for a longer tour such as a day-long tour.

The bus 64 you say goes from termini to Vatican. Where at Vatican is the bus station? We are staying across from Vatican City.
The terminus for bus 64 is at St. Peter's train station (Stazione San Pietro). However, the stop just prior to that on Via Cavalleggeri is the one that's closest to St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro).

Lounge - how do we book ahead?
When you purchase ItaliaPass you'll receive an email with a link to your Passholder benefits, and on that page is the booking link for the Lounge (this is the link, you'll need your ItaliaPass number to book at no charge).

One of your slides mentioned Florence. Are there some other discounts for Florence as we will be visiting Florence as well?
The ItaliaTours $100 off benefit is available on any tour, including those in Florence. The ItaliaPass benefits in Florence include free access to the Uffizi and Accademia galleries.

So the bus is get on and off as much as you want in the 100 min?
Yes, with the exception that your ticket entitles you to only one subway ride within that time frame. The time starts when you board your first form of public transport and either validate your ticket (in the case of paper tickets) or from the time you first tap in with your Tap & Go payment method.

Tap & go -  each person needs a different credit card on their apple pay?
Yes, this system requires a different payment method for each passenger, because the payment card counts as the ticket and only one ticket can be purchased on each card.

Aperitivo times - are they free?
Aperitivo time starts generally around 6-6:30 pm and is usually a pre-dinner drink with snacks. Prices vary depending on location, but a general range is 6-15 euros per person.

The free dinner -  where is it??  Different locations?  Changes?  
Here is information about the Roman Dinner Party benefit as part of ItaliaPass.

reservations limited? might be a large group travelling
You can book a larger group, just make sure you do so in advance as this is a very popular benefit and spots book quickly.

Are food tours worth it? Places that bring you out to 3 - places for drink/food samples.  Tourist traps?
It depends on the provider, but this ItaliaTours food tour in Rome called Eat as the Romans Do has received positive reviews.

What hotel chains are the discounts good for?
There is a wide variety of hotels that ItaliaPass Passholders can get wholesale pricing for; in order to find out and book, you need to contact your ItaliaPass Traveler Experience specialist.