How long does it take to travel on Bus 64 from Termini to the Vatican?
Point to point, depending on traffic, with all the stops it takes about 45 minutes. If you click on this link, you can see all the buses running on the 64 line in real time, what stops they're currently at, as well as how crowded they are.
Did you say that you can use credit cards in taxis?
Yes.
Are there public water fountains in Florence and Pisa, too?
There are fewer than in Rome, and they're called fontanelle outside of Rome (the Rome nickname is nasoni): here's a map of the fontanelle in Florence and here's a map of the fontanelle in Pisa. The ones indicated in green are the ones that are presumed to be active.
Is the aperitif typically a fixed plate/dish from the restaurant or is there a mini menu?Typically it's a fixed plate or dish or even just something as simple as peanuts and potato chips, but it really depends on where you go.
What do I need to know about rail strikes?
Strikes do occasionally happen but many trains still run during a strike and certain high-speed trains are actually guaranteed to run in the event of a strike. If you've purchased your tickets with ItaliaRail and there's a planned strike that affects your tickets, you'll be notified via email with information on what to do. For regional trains, the best thing to do if you can't change your travel date/time, is head to the station and see if your train is running (you can also check in real-time here at Viaggia Treno, click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left and type in your train number). It may just be delayed. If it's cancelled and it's a high-speed train you've booked in advance, you're entitled to a refund; simply contact your ItaliaRail agent for assistance processing the refund.
Can I use a paper ticket on the trains or do I have to download them to the phones of each of us?
If you've purchased your tickets online then the digital QR code is sufficient. You can use a paper ticket if you purchase your tickets from a machine in the station.
Do people tip hotel staff?
Yes, you can tip hotel staff the same as you would in other large European cities. Generally speaking if you use a baggage porter the tip is €1-2 per bag, and housekeeping €1-2 for each day of your stay.
I am renting a car in Florence, how do I make sure I do not drive in the wrong zone?
If there's an area that's off-limits to traffic it will be signposted or even have an electronic sign before you enter. Look for the letters "ZTL" as this indicates a traffic-limited zone. The best strategy is to park at a parking lot outside the city center and walk into the historic center. On this map you can see where all the ZTL barriers are located in Florence.
I heard that there are city taxes to be paid at the hotel. Do you have to pay in cash or can credit cards be used?
In larger cities credit cards are almost always accepted, while sometimes in smaller towns or at smaller establishments you may be asked to pay in cash.
Do you know how much a taxi would cost from FCO to Roma Terminal for 5 people and luggage? You stated 55 earlier.
Yes, the fixed rate for a taxi from FCO airport to Rome Termini (or anywhere within the Rome city walls) is €55, but this is for a maximum of four passengers and includes all luggage. For five passengers or more, the taxi driver will use the taximeter to calculate the fare.
My children are coming with me for the first time, we're going to the Vatican but what else would you recommend they see with limited time?
Depending on how old your children are: if they're young, they might enjoy Explora, the Rome children's museum. The official City of Rome website offers a page of suggestions for "Things to do with kids in Rome".
If you want to see more historical sites and monuments, you can't go wrong with the Colosseum/Roman Forum/Palatine Hill and Pantheon, and you get one free entrance to all with an ItaliaPass membership.
How to get the $50 credit for an ItaliaRail ticket?
When you become an ItaliaPass member, your first ItaliaRail ticket purchase includes an automatic $50 refund. If you have any questions about this you can contact ItaliaPass using your exclusive member email contact address (see your welcome email).
Traveling to Civitavecchia via train from Termini - best way to secure baggage?
There isn't a way to secure baggage on the train. The best way is to keep your bags as close to you as possible and travel light to facilitate baggage storage on board the train (as spaces to store luggage, especially large bags, are extremely limited). If you have a lot of large bags, we recommend booking a driver service instead, which you can access at our partner site ItaliaTours (Civitavecchia Port-Rome transfer).
When taking a train or ferry, how early do I need to be there before the train/boat departs?For trains we generally recommend arriving at the station around 20 to 30 minutes before departure time. If you're connecting from another train, the standard connection time is generally 15 minutes, which is sufficient for moving from your arrival platform to your connecting train's departure platform.
For ferries, if you're boarding on foot, 30 minutes is usually sufficient, although if you anticipate you may run into traffic or delays on your way to the port (for example if you're taking public transport to the port), then it's best to make sure you plan to arrive an hour in advance to leave room for any potential delays. If you're boarding with a vehicle, 1.5 to 2 hours in advance is a good general rule.
We are a family of 4. Should I get memberships for each of us, or 1 membership, 3 companion passes?
It really depends on how many ItaliaRail train tickets you plan to buy and how many ItaliaTours tours you plan to take. For example, if you purchase four full memberships ($149 as opposed to $95 for the companion pass), you get a total of $400 off tours ($100 per member) and $200 off train tickets ($50 per member), because the companion pass doesn't include these discounts.
Is it worth saving to take a shuttle bus over a taxi? We are going from Fiumicino to Rome Vaticano via Crescenzio.
If you're trying to decide between the shuttle bus and taxi, I'd actually recommend the train instead of the shuttle bus. Unless you're on a super tight budget, the shuttle bus isn't the most convenient option. The shuttle bus costs less than €10 per person to Termini (generally around €7), but the Leonardo Express train to Termini is €14 ($16 on ItaliaRail), so it isn't that much more than the shuttle bus. Plus it runs from directly inside the airport, runs every 15 minutes, and takes just over 30 minutes to arrive. A taxi makes more sense if you are traveling with a lot of luggage, which can be inconvenient on the train. If you're in a group of four, the taxi is cheaper than four train tickets plus takes you directly to your destination and luggage is included in the €55 fixed fare.
How do you compare your ItaliaRail to using Trainline or Omio or Italo trains?
The national railway is Trenitalia. ItaliaRail is a third-party vendor of Trenitalia tickets, with the added advantage of award-winning English-speaking customer service, which Trenitalia doesn't have. Trainline and Omio are also third-party vendors. Italo is a secondary national Italian railway company with limited routes compared to Trenitalia.
What is your favorite gelato shop in Rome? Favorite local restaurant?
In the downtown area, two of my (Shelley) favorite gelato shops are Frigidarium and Fatamorgana (various locations). My favorite place for street-food pizza is Pizza Florida. One of my favorite restaurants is La Fraschetta (three locations and you can book online at their website).
Do taxi drivers speak English? In general, is English spoken?
Most people who work in the tourism/hospitality industry in Rome speak enough basic English to converse.
When we return from our cruise, we will need to get from the port back to the Rome airport - what's your recommendation for transportation (for a family of 4)? And should we book ahead of time or can we wait until the day of?
More specifically, we are disembarking around 6:15 am in Civitacecchia and have a 3:30 pm flight out of FCO. How should our family of 4 get there most efficiently and do we realistically have time to see the Pantheon in between?
This really depends on your budget and how much luggage you're traveling with. The most convenient and fastest way is to take a transfer. Our ItaliaTours driver service from Civitavecchia port to Rome costs $219. It's super convenient because your driver will be waiting for you as you disembark, and will assist you with loading your luggage, and then take you directly to your destination in Rome. You could go to Termini, store your luggage at the ItaliaPass lounge for free (if you're an ItaliaPass member), and then take a taxi or public transport down to the Pantheon.
The other option is the train. It's less convenient because you have to conform to the set schedules. It involves taking a bus from the port, then taking the train to Termini. If you have a lot of luggage this can be cumbersome. The shuttle bus from the cruise port to the train station starts running at 7 am and costs €6 per person. The train tickets from Civitavecchia to Rome Termini cost $18 each on ItaliaRail. So the total cost is roughly €90 for four people (just over $100).
What do most women tourists wear?
Nothing in particular that would be different than in any other large European city. We discourage visitors from wearing flip flops, as that's considered beachwear here in Italy and isn't practical footwear for the cobblestone streets. If you plan to visit St. Peter's Basilica or any other major basilicas in Italy, men and women need to have their shoulders and knees covered.