Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €20–45 | €70–140 |
| Food | €15–25 | €30–55 |
| Transport | €3–7 | €10–18 |
| Activities | €0–15 | €20–40 |
| Drinks | €5–8 | €10–20 |
| Daily Total | €43–100 | €140–273 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Schengen Zone — most nationalities get 90 days visa-free. EU/EEA citizens need only a national ID card
- Passport valid for 3+ months beyond departure. Keep a copy separate from the original
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO): Leonardo Express to Termini (€14, 32 min). Ciampino (CIA): bus to Termini (€6, 40 min)
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations required. Tap water is safe and excellent — the nasoni fountains are everywhere. Carry a bottle
- Pickpocketing is common on metro lines (A and B), around Termini, Colosseum, and Trevi Fountain. Front pockets, money belt
- Emergency 112. Pharmacies (farmacie) marked by green crosses are common — some open 24 hours near Termini
Getting Around
- Rome Metro: 3 lines, limited coverage. Single ticket €1.50 (100 min). 24hr pass €7, 48hr €12.50, 72hr €18, 7-day €24
- Bus network is extensive but slow in traffic. Tram 3 and 8 are useful. Buy tickets at tabacchi (tobacco shops) — not on board
- Central Rome is walkable — Colosseum to Trastevere is 25 minutes on foot. Taxis are metered, starting at €3
Connectivity
- Free WiFi in many cafes and restaurants. Some piazzas have Roma WiFi hotspots. Hotel WiFi is usually reliable
- EU roaming works at home rates. Otherwise, TIM, Vodafone, or Wind Tre tourist SIMs from €10 for 10–50GB at any tabacchi
- Download Google Maps offline — Rome's narrow streets confuse GPS, but offline maps work better than cellular
Money
- Cards accepted at most restaurants and shops. Some smaller trattorias and markets are cash-only — carry €20–30
- ATMs (Bancomat) are everywhere. Use bank ATMs (Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit) — avoid Euronet and independent machines
- Service charge (coperto) of €1–3 per person is added to restaurant bills. Tipping 5–10% for excellent service is appreciated
Packing Tips
- Shoulders and knees must be covered to enter churches including St. Peter's and the Vatican — carry a scarf or light layer
- Cobblestones (sampietrini) are brutal on shoes — bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes with good soles
- A refillable water bottle is essential — fill at any nasone fountain. Sunscreen and a hat for summer visits (35°C+)
Cultural tips
Coffee Culture
Espresso is the default coffee — order "un caffè" and you get an espresso. Standing at the bar (al banco) is €1–1.50, sitting at a table doubles or triples the price. Cappuccino is only for the morning.
Pasta Rules
Never order fettuccine Alfredo (it does not exist in Italy). The four Roman pastas are carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and gricia. Never ask for parmesan on seafood pasta — it is a serious offense.
Church Dress Code
Cover shoulders and knees in all churches — this is strictly enforced at St. Peter's and the Vatican. Carry a light scarf. No selfie sticks, no loud talking, and silence your phone.
Dining Etiquette
Coperto (cover charge, €1–3) is standard and legal. Avoid restaurants with hawkers outside, picture menus, or signs in five languages — these are tourist traps. Follow the locals.
Greeting & Pace
Greet shopkeepers with "Buongiorno" (morning) or "Buonasera" (after 3pm). Romans are not rude — they are direct. The pace of life is slow and deliberate. Rushing is considered gauche.
Free Water Trick
The nasoni street fountains provide cold, clean drinking water for free. Block the main spout with your hand and water shoots up from a small hole on top — a centuries-old Roman drinking fountain design.
