Do I need any specific document to go to the lounge? How do I book it?
You don't need any specific document to access the ItaliaPass Lounge in Rome Termini station at track 25; however, you do need to pass a security checkpoint. At the security checkpoint you can show your train ticket if you have a train journey, or, if you aren't traveling by train at that time, you can show your confirmation email that you receive after booking your time at the lounge. The email contains a pass to access the secured area and it's written in Italian so the guards can read and understand it and grant you access.
Booking is simple, you just use the booking link that's provided in your welcome email after you purchase your pass.
Do I need to purchase tickets for Tap and Go or just tap any card with tap and go capability?
The Tap and Go system doesn't require any additional purchases, all you do is simply tap your payment method on the reader when you pass through the turnstile on the Metro or on the reader you find on board the bus. Your payment method is your ticket, if an inspector asks to see.
Is the Roma 72H pass worth it for ATAC?
It really depends on how much you plan to use public transport. Here is the breakdown of costs versus number of rides:
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)
Metro station ticket offices
I’m celebrating my 73rd birthday and want to have a special dinner. We are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Claridge. Is there a restaurant in that area you would recommend?
Your hotel is in Rome's Parioli neighborhood, which is sort of known as the Beverly Hills of Rome, so for a special dinner here it depends on what budget you're looking at. The best option will probably be to ask the hotel staff what they recommend. However, here are a couple of gourmet restaurants less than 10 minutes away by taxi: (note that both have price points hovering around €100+ per person)
Restaurant Mirabelle, located in the Hotel Splendide Royal, which has a sweeping view of Rome from its terrace.
Relais Le Jardin Fine Dining Restaurant at the Hotel Lord Byron.
How long is the ItaliaPass good for? Is it a yearly pass?
The ItaliaPass is valid for one year from the time of purchase. It doesn't renew automatically but you can purchase it again if you'll be taking another trip within the coming year after the first year expires.
How do we get the free entrance to the Colosseum?
Go to the booking page link that's provided in your welcome email after you purchase your ItaliaPass, and follow the instructions there for booking your free entry ticket and guided tour (you need to insert your membership ID to book for free).
Are there areas in Rome to avoid?
Rome is generally a very safe city although petty crime can be a problem in crowded tourist areas. However in the center where most visitors will stay, there aren't really any areas to be avoided. Around the train station at night use the same precautions you would use in any other large metropolitan city.
What is the average price of a private transfer from the airport to Trastevere for four people?
For four people with luggage you'll likely need to book a minivan, which generally runs an average of €115. You can book this service with our partner ItaliaTours at this link for $115.
I’m 24 and am interested in renting a car. Is there any added difficulty for younger people trying to rent?
Drivers under age 25 will likely be required to pay a "young driver surcharge" that can range from €20 to €30 extra per day, on average. You'll also need to make sure you have an International Driver's Permit to supplement your home driver's license; you can get this through AAA in the United States.
Is it easy to rent a car for a day in Florence?
While renting a car isn't any more difficult for a day in Florence than it would be for renting a car otherwise, we don't recommend it for practical reasons. For a simple day trip from Rome to Florence we recommend taking a high-speed train. The reason is that a high-speed train takes about an hour and a half, while driving will run you 3 to 4 hours, which already cuts in significantly to the time you can spend in Florence, especially when you add in the return journey. Plus, you'll have to pay for parking once you reach Florence because you won't be able to drive around the center, and you'll have to pay freeway tolls all the way up and back, which total about €30 each way, plus fuel up and back, and keep in mind that gas prices in Italy are higher than in the US (in Italy the cost is roughly the equivalent of $7.50 per gallon).
Are there luxury transportation services at the Rome airport that are ready to take people to their hotels upon arrival that don't need to be scheduled in advance?
The only on-demand car services from the airport that don't require advance booking are the official white taxis and Uber. Uber in Italy isn't a private ride share car but rather a licensed private driver who uses a Mercedes Black car, so it's called Uber Black and would be the closest equivalent to a "luxury" service that you'd be able to find without an advance booking.
If we have only one day and it is the first Sunday of the month what do you recommend?
The first Sunday of the month is known for being the "free day" at the cultural sites, so you can theoretically save money by not having to buy entry tickets. However, be aware that lines can be long. What's recommended really depends on what your interests are, so it's hard to say, but if you only have one day in Rome then it would make sense to see the most famous monuments rather than the more off-the-beaten path sights. Click this link - First Sunday of the month: free entrance in the State Museums - for more information.
Do we need to carry our passports with us at all times?
Technically speaking, Italian law requires that everyone have a legal form of ID with them at all times. Chances are unlikely that you'll be randomly stopped on the street by a cop to check your ID, but it's good to know that if you are stopped you will be expected to have it on you. In practical terms, however, it's a bit risky especially if you're worried about pickpocketing. You might want to opt instead to carry a photocopy and a digital copy on your phone, like a photo of your passport, and keep the original back in your accommodations. However, if you're going to enter museums or archaeological sites such as the Colosseum, you should bring your passport with you in case you need to show ID along with your ticket.
Would you recommend the restaurant Orma Roma?
We're not personally familiar with Orma, but it really depends on what you're looking for. It holds a Michelin star so it's a fine-dining restaurant that will provide that type of experience (ie, tasting menu, €150+ per person, not traditional Roman, must be booked well in advance).
We are getting into Rome on the way back from Florence and spending the night. We have one adult with disability (cannot walk too much) and an infant but total of 4 adults. Which tour can you recommend to visit from the afternoon. We would like to see Spanish Steps, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Colosseum.
Depending on how much comfort and convenience you're looking for, some good options might be a hop-on/hop-off tour or a golf cart tour. That's because these tours don't require walking. Here are three golf cart tour companies you might want to look at (they aren't partners with us but I found them by researching online): Rolling Rome Golf Cart Tours, My Best Tour, Rome in Golf Cart.
Please send the link to reserve time to visit the airport lounge.
We don't offer an airport lounge. We have the ItaliaPass Lounge in Rome Termini station, and use of the lounge is included in your pass if you purchase an ItaliaPass; if you're interested in the pass you can purchase it at the ItaliaPass website here. You can also buy a one-time entrance to the ItaliaPass Lounge for $25 per person; if you wish to do so, you can book the ItaliaPass Lounge here.
How do I schedule the minivan for the pickup of 4 people on Sept 4?
You can book a private transfer by minivan to/from the Rome airport on our partner site ItaliaTours; here's the booking link.