Here are the questions we researched after the webinar and the many questions we were unable to answer in our 30-min live Q&A. Thank you to all 200+ of you who joined us!
Electric scooters: Lime
App for taxis in Rome: itTaxi
Are there Gluten Free restaurants in the city?
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)
Vegetarian options?
Buddy Veggy Restaurant Cafè: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A (vegan)
Il Margutta: Via Margutta 118
Rifugio Romano: Via Volturno 38/41
Vegan options?
Ops! Vegan Buffet: Via Bergamo 56
VEG-Jo: Via Vasto 4 (San Giovanni neighborhood)
Train from Sorrento to FCO?
This is a multi-stage journey. The train servicing Sorrento is called the Circumvesuviana (more info and timetables here). You get that train and take it to the Naples Central station, then from Napoli Centrale you can book through to Aeroporto Fiumicino (FCO airport) but you'll have to change trains in Rome at Roma Termini.
I have heard the time to load the high-speed trains once the track is announced is very quick, we have some mobility issues and are concerned about making the train - any recommendations?
There is a service at the station that can provide assistance if you have mobility issues. It's called Sala Blu and it has to be booked in advance. Click here for all the information.
If needed, how accessible are farmacia's (Pharmacies) in Rome?
Pharmacies are widespread throughout Rome and you should have no trouble finding one close to wherever you are. They are easy to identify because they usually have a large lighted green cross over the door. However, on Sundays not all pharmacies are open so if you find one that's closed, by law they're required to post a list next to their door that shows which are the closest open pharmacies nearby.
Are there places in Vatican City that you can explore without a ticket/going inside?
You can visit St. Peter's Basilica for free; the only drawback is that there's usually a long line to get inside. You can also just visit St. Peter's Square without going inside the basilica.
If I’ve already purchased a train ticket to Lecce and now want to upgrade to a membership, can I get that $50 credit on my existing ticket?
Yes, simply purchase your ItaliaPass Primo membership and then send your rail confirmation to [email protected] and you'll get a refund for the rail benefit of up to $50 (or for the total amount of your ticket if it was less than $50).
Is a day trip to Tivoli worthwhile? Are there tour guides available once you arrive there?
I'd say a day trip to Tivoli is worthwhile if you have a multiple-day stay in Rome and you'll have already covered the entire city and are looking for something else to do. Audio guides are available for rental at Villa d'Este for 4 euros. If you're looking for an actual guided walking tour with a tour guide then your best option is to book a group tour online. Unfortunately ItaliaTours doesn't offer day trips to Tivoli.
What is the weather like at the end of September?
The average daily temperatures in September range from around 64°F to 81°F.
How do we get the $5 off other train rides with the pass memberships?
These refunds happen automatically within seven business days from purchase and are applied once per order.
Do taxis go from the airport direct to hotels in the city?
Yes, you can specify your destination when you get the taxi at the airport, any destination within the Aurelian Walls (includes the entire city center) is covered by the €55 flat rate.
Did you say only a carry on is allowed on the trains? And also is the lounge only for primo members or for all train users?
You can bring as much luggage as you like on the trains, there isn't a limit; however, we advise you travel as light as possible because there is limited storage on board. Yes, the ItaliaPass first-class rail lounge is reserved exclusively for ItaliaPass Primo members and ItaliaRail customers who purchased RailAid.
Does Borghese Gallery release tickets a fixed time before the dates? Currently it says tickets for late September are temporarily unavailable.
Please try using the booking link again; all the September dates are available and currently showing as available online on the booking page.
Does a first class on Frecciarossa allow access to a lounge?
Yes, first-class and business customers on Freccia trains can access the Trenitalia FrecciaLounge.
Traveling from Salerno to Termini. How busy confusing is Termini to find the Bus 64 or a longer bus?
If you're going to get a bus at Termini, you'll need to exit the station on the Piazza dei Cinquecento side. It's relatively large to navigate but if you have patience you'll be able to find the stand that your bus departs from. It's best to know which bus you're looking for in advance.
Also do you book space for your luggage in advance? We will need to leave ours 4 hours before check in.
No, there is no luggage check-in or assigned storage on board trains. However, if you're departing from Rome Termini and need to drop your bags for some time before departure, and you're an ItaliaPass Primo or RailAid member with us, then you can store your bags securely for free at our ItaliaPass member lounge.
I arrive to Rome by train, is there a place to store my luggage at the train station?
If you're an ItaliaPass Primo member, you can store your luggage for free in our ItaliaPass lounge during opening hours. Alternatively there is an official baggage storage inside Termini that you can pay to store your bags at (KiBag).
What are the typical times for 'breakfasts' in Rome hotels?
Generally speaking breakfast is served at hotels in Rome from 7 am to 10 am.
Is it common in Rome for coffee shops to have alternative milks as an option? (oat milk, almond, etc)
This isn't common but you can ask. You probably won't find oat milk or almond milk but soy milk is becoming more common; ask for "latte di soia."
I’m an experienced Vespa rider and have a motorcycle license in the States. What are the requirements to rent a Vespa in Italy?
In terms of a license, the scooter rental shop will likely want to see your home driver's license alongside an International Driving Permit (IDP). In the US these are issued by AAA (more info here). Here's the FAQ page for a popular scooter rental shop in Rome.
Is wifi available in the various transportation terminals?
Yes.
Are there any golf places in Rome? Also can you rent golf clubs?
Golf Club Parco de' Medici golf course also has rental equipment. It's outside the city (about halfway between the city and the airport) but you could take a taxi to get there.
Can we see the Vatican in 2 hours? (before we have to get to airport)
You could walk around St. Peter's Square and probably also get through the line to see inside the Basilica. You wouldn't be able to visit the Vatican Museums in this limited amount of time especially if you're needing to catch a plane.
Do you tip taxi drivers?
No, tipping isn't required in taxis. If you're paying in cash, it's courteous to round the fare up to the next euro so the driver doesn't have to make change. So for example if your ride costs €14.47 then you could give the driver a €20 and just ask for a five-euro bill as change.
Do you offer bus tours?
We don't offer bus tours of Rome, but we do use buses as part of our day trip tours with ItaliaTours.
Can you not have backpacks on all tours, or just the Vatican tour?
Just the Vatican because they have high security on their tours. However it's always a good idea to travel as light as possible when you're taking a walking tour.
Do they serve free food/drinks in first class on Frecciarossa?
First-class Freccia passengers get a small fresh food snack box as part of their ticket, plus a water bottle and an espresso coffee.
Is the primo pass fee of $99 per person, not per couple?
Currently the Primo membership costs $99 per person if you want to "stack" discounts (for example, get $100 back on your rail tickets instead of $50 and get a $200 credit at ItaliaTours), We are working on a companion pass that would cost less than the regular Primo price without the discounts. At the current time many of the Primo activities are accessible without purchasing an additional pass (for example, a Primo member can bring a guest to the Borgia Gallery or the ItaliaPass Lounge without paying an additional fee). Once the companion pass is introduced, the companion pass will be required in order to bring guests to the Primo events.
How prevalent is Google Pay or Apple Pay for public transport, cafes, kiosks, etc.?
It's commonly used so you shouldn't have any problems; the only places that are still mainly cash-only are newsstands and food trucks in heavily tourist areas.
Can I buy a credit card with euros?
If you mean a prepaid debit card, I haven't really seen those here for purchase at stores here in Rome like you might find at the cash registers of supermarkets, etc., in the US.
Are Bolt or Uber easily available?
Uber is available in Rome using the smartphone app.
Is it true that there is a dress code for the Vatican that shoulders and knees need to be covered?
Yes, for entering St. Peter's Basilica.
How much are taxis to get around Rome?
Taxi fare depends on how far you're going. The minimum fare is 9 euros Monday-Saturday and 12 euros on Sundays and holidays. The initial fare at pick-up is €3.50 during the day and €7.50 at night (10 pm to 6 am). From there it costs €1.31 per kilometer.
I haven't researched Primo Pass yet. It seems it is a service providing excursions. Is a hop on/hop off bus a 'stupid' idea for a quick stay, or one where one person is limited on being able to walk for 6 hours?
ItaliaPass Primo is a traveler benefits membership that includes a $100 credit off any ItaliaTours tour (so this is the excursion part you mention) as well as the opportunity to take part in exclusive members-only activities such as the Borgia Gallery (wine tasting and historical storytelling evening) and visit our first-class rail lounge at Rome Termini, plus many other benefits.
For travelers who have limited mobility, the hop-on/hop-off bus could be a viable option for seeing the city in a relatively short amount of time without having to walk. Our companies don't offer any of these types of tours but I researched online and found an adult ticket at City Sightseeing costs just under €25 and at Big Bus Rome for just over €30.
Do you have a list to share of non-tourist trap restaurants?
We are working on a restaurant guide to Rome, but in the meantime I can offer you our guide to Rome pizza by our partner Italy Magazine:
Can I request a copy of the welcome email as I can't find what was sent after booking train tickets a while ago?
Yes, if you're referring to your ItaliaPass Primo membership welcome email, simply write to [email protected] and they will resend your welcome email. If you're talking about your booking email for your train tickets, contact [email protected].
You provide a free Colosseum fast pass. Is this helpful even if you have bought the rome tour pass with the Colosseum tour?
The Colosseum entry with the ItaliaPass Primo membership isn't a fast pass but rather an entry ticket for the Colosseum and it is designated as priority access because you don't have to wait in line to buy the ticket.
Are the evenings much cooler in Italy-September to mid October?
Yes, average evening temperatures are usually in the mid 60s F in September and low 60s F in October.
We are visiting in November. How is the weather first of November?
Highs are usually mid-60s F and lows mid-40s F.
What times do the trains stop running from the airport to Termini?
The last Leonardo Express train from FCO to Termini leaves the airport at 11:23 pm daily.
Is there a US phone number I can call for help, buying tours, with questions?
Yes, you can contact ItaliaRail directly at 1 (877) 375-7245 for any questions about any of our brands, from rail to tours to the Primo membership.