Thank you to everyone who attended our September 6 webinar! Our apologies for any connection issues during the live Q&A and it looks like the connection came out ok in the recording, which you have the link to in the post-webinar email you received.
Here is a recap of all the questions that were asked, along with our answers. Please feel free to ask any other questions at any time here in the ItaliaPass community!
🚨 SPECIAL NOTE FOR TRAVELERS IN ITALY ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 8:
If you're planning to travel by train in Italy on Sunday, September 8, be aware that a national 24-hour train strike is planned that may affect your train travel (possible delays and/or cancellations). For more information see our post here.
In addition, a national 8-hour public transport strike is planned for Monday, September 9 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, so expect local public transport to be severely reduced with many routes unavailable during those hours.
Here's the Q&A recap:
Does the 55 eur taxi flat rate include all passengers?
Yes.
Does the no-tipping policy apply not just for Rome but for other Italian cities?
Yes.
For rail tickets purchased online, is there a need to validate them before boarding?
Regional tickets require check in (the link is provided in the email that includes your tickets) while high-speed train tickets don't require validation before boarding.
Are electric bikes a good option for getting around?
You can rent an electric bike in Rome with the smartphone app Lime (click here) for €0.26 cents per minute plus €1 to unlock the bike, or with Dott (click here) for €0.25 cents per minute plus €1 to unlock the bike. Keep in mind that Rome traffic is hectic, bike lanes are scarce to non-existent, bikes aren't allowed on sidewalks, cobblestones are common in the historic center, and the ebike rentals don't come with helmets. Unfortunately Rome isn't a very bike-friendly city.
What do you recommend for people with limited mobility for tours in Rome?
Our sister company ItaliaTours offers a lovely tour called Rome By Night: Twilight Drive, which is a private tour of Rome by night with a luxury van and English-speaking driver. With a Primo membership you can take a $100 credit on this tour for every Primo member in your group.
Here's some additional information for you from my ItaliaTours colleague about touring with limited mobility:
Scooters are not allowed in most of the museums, but they can use a wheelchair. Also, if they have a certificate of disability, Rome's monuments provide free entry and provide special access for such guests. If they can walk, but very slowly, we suggest a private tour so that the guide to give them full attention and to let them go at their own pace.
Does the Vatican tour include St. Peter's Basilica and are you able to skip the line?
Click here to see all the options for Vatican tours with our sister company ItaliaTours. If you're a Primo member you can take a $100 credit on any of these tours. Check out the Best of the Vatican: Fast Track Highlights tour. It costs $99 per person (so your Primo pass would pay for itself) and includes skip-the-line access to both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica.
Can you rent wheelchairs?
Yes, we have assisted our Primo members with this; you can contact your Primo travel experience specialist to get assistance.
What are the prices for Primo membership?
Primo costs $99 at regular price; $49 if you've already purchased rail tickets totaling $100 or more with ItaliaRail and $30 if you've purchased ItaliaRail tickets totaling $100 or more together with the RailAid add-on. For the $49 and $30 options, if you qualify you'll receive a promotional email inviting you to join at the reduced price. If you purchase at the $99 regular price, you'll automatically receive RailAid ($19 value) with your membership as well as an automatic $50 refund on your first ItaliaRail purchase.
Do you happen to know about the availability of gluten free food at restaurants and pizzarias?
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)
What is the best place to buy SIM cards for phones and money exchange?
ItaliaPass Primo members receive a complimentary digital eSIM with 2GB of data with their Primo membership, valid for 30 days starting from the date you specify as the start of your Italy trip. Regular SIM cards can be purchased at local Italian cell phone shops such as TIM and Wind; however, free wifi is prevalent in shops and stations so a physical SIM isn't strictly necessary to stay connected. You could opt to use messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram that use a data connection to send text messages and make video/audio calls.
We don't recommend exchanging foreign currency for euros because of the high commissions. A better option is to take money directly out of a local bank ATM (Bancomat) as the exchange rate tends to be more favorable; check with your home bank to see if they charge a foreign ATM fee for withdrawals abroad. Avoid non-Italian-bank ATMS such as Euronet ATMs, which target tourists and charge high commissions.
Is a reservation required for supper for most local restaurants?
It really depends on the restaurant. Some restaurants don't take reservations at all. You can book many restaurants through the smartphone app The Fork and sometimes even get discounts by booking through the app.
Are there vans to take 4 people and luggage to the hotel?
Our sister company ItaliaTours offers private transfers:
(Please note, this service is not eligible for the $100 tour credit that comes with the Primo membership.)
There are also large taxis that can easily accommodate four people plus luggage. You can book a taxi with the app itTaxi or catch a taxi directly at the taxi stand at the airport or train station.
Is there a benefit to buying train tickets in advance?
The benefit to buying train tickets in advance is that you have everything ready to go and downloaded on your cell phone without having to try to find a machine or ticket agent in the station, so it's more convenient and hassle-free. You can book in advance at our sister company ItaliaRail.
Can you get sales tax refunds when you leave Italy?
Yes. Here's a helpful article that explains how: How to Get a Tax Refund in Italy.
Are there any lounges in train terminals in other cities and if so how can I get access?
While ItaliaPass members have free access to lounge in Rome's Termini station, the national railway Trenitalia also offers its Freccialounges in Florence, Milan, Bologna, and Naples train stations and these are available to Executive Class passengers. (You can purchase an Executive Class train ticket on ItaliaRail.)
Are bus tickets available as booklets eg 10 tickets in the book or are they only sold individually?
Technically yes (they're called MULTIBIT), it's a ticket that includes multiple tickets on just one physical ticket (2, 3, or 10), but it doesn't offer any discount on the per-ticket price so it's not worth it to seek this out.
Do you need reservations for the Borgia Gallery? Also, we do not drink, is that okay or will that be an issue with the wine-tasting part? We don't want to seem rude for not partaking in cocktails.
Primo members receive a special link where they can book their Borgia Gallery visit on the date they choose (the event takes place three times per week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). All are welcome and not drinking wine is absolutely not an issue! Alternative non-alcoholic beverages (water and soft drinks) are always available and you can learn about the wines without tasting them. The wine tasting is just part of the larger event, which is based on expert historical storytelling about the gallery space and its unique features in the context of ancient and Renaissance Roman history.
I have asked for the e-sim card twice and still have not received it. What should I do?Unfortunately since you registered as an anonymous attendee I don't have your email address in order to have one of our Primo traveler experience agents reach out to you directly. This is the link where you can redeem your eSIM. If that link doesn't work for you, please email [email protected] for assistance.
I will be in Rome this Sunday. Would I still be able to get tickets for Vatican, etc.?
Vatican tickets usually book quite far in advance; however you can check availability for all of our Vatican tours at our sister company ItaliaTours: click here.
How is the weather in Rome over the next few days?
Here's a 7-day forecast captured at 11 am here in Rome on Saturday, September 7:
We booked a tour of the Vatican with ItailaTours. Staying near Pantheon. Is there a transit route from near there?
There are lots of buses that depart from Largo Argentina, which is a big transit hub a few minutes' walk from the Pantheon. To get to the Vatican area from there you can take any of the following buses: 46, 62, 64, 916.
Do restaurants have a dress code or would jeans do?
I'm not aware of any restaurants with dress codes; if you're going to a super fancy restaurant you should inquire with them directly, otherwise smart casual (including jeans) is fine.
Where can we get the information about booking the Colosseum and Roman Forum tickets?Primo members receive an email with a link to redeem their Colosseum entry.