Rome: know before you go

Rome has two airports. Fiumicino (FCO) is the main international hub, about 30 km southwest of the centre. Ciampino (CIA) is smaller, closer, and used mostly by Ryanair and Wizz Air. From Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train runs non-stop to Roma Termini in 32 minutes. The slower FL1 regional train costs less and stops at Trastevere, Ostiense, and Tiburtina, but not Termini. An official white taxi from Fiumicino to anywhere inside the Aurelian Walls costs a flat €55, luggage included, for up to four people. From Ciampino there is no direct train; shuttle buses to Termini take about 40 minutes. A Ciampino taxi has a flat €40 fare to the centre. Roma Termini is the city's main rail hub, with Metro Lines A and B crossing underneath it.

Rome's historic centre is best explored on foot. The metro, buses, and trams cover the wider city. Three metro lines run through Rome: A (red) from Battistini to Anagnina through Termini and the Spanish Steps, B (blue) from Rebibbia/Jonio to Laurentina through Termini and the Colosseum, and C (green) from the eastern suburbs to San Giovanni. Most of the centro storico sits between metro stops; buses and trams fill the gaps. Tap any contactless credit or debit card directly at metro turnstiles and on buses. The system charges you a single €1.50 BIT ticket, valid for 100 minutes on buses and trams and one metro journey. If you take enough rides in a day, the fare caps at €8.50, the price of a 24-hour pass. You can also buy 48-hour (€15), 72-hour (€22), or weekly (€29) passes at metro stations, tabaccherie, and newsstands.

Rome charges a tourist tax (contributo di soggiorno) per person, per night, collected by your accommodation at check-in. The rate depends on the star rating. It is not included in the price you see on booking sites and must be paid directly at the hotel, usually in cash or by card. The tax applies for a maximum of 10 consecutive nights. Children under 10 are exempt.

Rome is a safe city, but pickpocketing is common on crowded metro lines, buses, and around major attractions like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Keep your wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag, and stay alert on Metro Line A and bus 64, both notorious for theft. Common scams include the rose or bracelet trick (someone hands you a gift then demands payment) and people offering unsolicited help at ticket machines. Ignore them firmly. At night, the centre is well lit and busy; Trastevere and Monti are lively until late. Use official white taxis only, and confirm the flat rate from the airport before you get in.

Rome's tap water is excellent, drawn from mountain springs and tested over 250,000 times a year. The city has more than 2,500 free drinking fountains called nasoni, the cast-iron cylinders with curved spouts on nearly every street corner. To drink from one, plug the main spout with your thumb and the water arcs up through a small hole on top. Never drink from a fountain marked 'acqua non potabile.' In summer, carry a refillable bottle. Pharmacies (farmacia) are marked with a green cross and open roughly 8:30 to 7:30 on weekdays, with a rotating roster of night pharmacies posted on every shop door. For a serious issue, the emergency room at Policlinico Umberto I or Fatebenefratelli on Tiber Island is the place to go.

Free public WiFi in Rome is patchy. Some piazzas and metro stations have hotspots, but the signal is often weak. Most cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free WiFi to customers. If you need reliable data, buy an Italian SIM card (TIM, Vodafone, or WindTre) at any phone shop with your passport, or install an eSIM before you land. The city is well covered by 4G and 5G in the centre.

Cover your shoulders and knees when entering any church in Rome. This rule is enforced at St. Peter's Basilica and the Pantheon; you will be turned away in a tank top or short shorts. Carry a light scarf or sarong in summer for this reason alone. At restaurants, a coperto (cover charge) of €1 to €2 per person is printed on the bill and covers bread and service. You do not need to tip on top of it, though rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is appreciated. For coffee, drink your espresso standing at the bar like a Roman; sitting at a table costs more.

English is widely spoken in central Rome at hotels, restaurants, and major attractions. A few Italian phrases go a long way: 'Buongiorno' (good morning), 'Buonasera' (good evening), 'Per favore' (please), 'Grazie' (thank you), 'Un caffè, per favore' (an espresso, please), and 'Dov'è il bagno?' (where is the bathroom?). Romans appreciate the effort even if you only manage 'Ciao.'

Rome's historic centre is built on ancient cobblestones and seven hills. Wheelchair users will find many streets uneven and some sidewalks narrow. The metro has elevators at most central stations, though they are occasionally out of service; check the ATAC website for real-time status before you go. All city buses have ramps. Major museums and the Colosseum have step-free access and loan wheelchairs. The Vatican Museums offer a dedicated accessible route. For detailed, current information, the Roma Accessibile project maps accessible routes and attractions across the city.

Rome celebrates all standard Italian public holidays, plus its own patronal feast on June 29, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. On this day many shops and businesses close and the city holds events around St. Peter's and across the centre. August 15, Ferragosto, is the peak of the summer break: many family-run restaurants and shops shut as Romans leave town, and you will find reduced hours throughout the month.

Book these before you leave home or risk long lines and sold-out time slots: the Colosseum (tickets include the Forum and Palatine and are released 30 days ahead), the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel (book directly on the official Musei Vaticani site to avoid inflated reseller prices), and the Borghese Gallery, which admits a limited number of people per two-hour reservation window. The Pantheon charges a small entry fee on weekends and public holidays, but you can usually walk up on a weekday. For St. Peter's Basilica, entry is free, but the security line can take an hour in high season; arrive before 8:30 a.m. to beat it.