How to plan a trip to Italy on your own
Last Updated on July 4, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex
Traveling to Italy might be an everyday business for me since I’ve visited so many times and have lived there for a while. So, let me share my experience of how to plan a trip to Italy on your own.
From how to travel between towns, what to pay attention to, how to dress, and what and how to pay, I will tell you all the things to know when traveling to Italy.
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How do you get around? Should you drive or use public transportation?
When I’m traveling to Northern Italy, I always prefer public transportation because it is easier and faster. For instance, if you book trains in advance, you will get pretty good rates.
I always encourage people not to stick only to the town they land in, but to always think about destinations which are easily reached by train.
Whenever I look for plane tickets, I always check Trenitalia.com for train ride options.
Just remember to validate your ticket before going on the train, especially on regional trains where you don’t have the time and date written on the ticket.
On the other hand, when traveling to the South of Italy, I would choose to rent a car. That’s because train schedules are not well synchronized, and buses might not come on schedule, giving you extra things to worry about.
Check out the best prices and rent your car here!
Another thing to have in mind is that you will need an international driver’s permit if you are coming from outside of Europe. If you are from the EU, your national driving license is valid.
When traveling to big cities such as Rome, Milan, or Naples, I always went for public transportation.
Traffic can be hectic in Rome, and finding a parking space is impossible. Thus, the solution is to use the bus or underground.
Just remember to buy the ticket from any tabaccheria and validate it on the bus.
What is the local currency?
Like in most European Union countries, the local currency in Italy is the EURO.
Paying by card or cash? Debit or credit card?
I always prefer having some cash on hand—I exchange some at home, then withdraw some more at a bank’s ATM in Italy—and paying for everything else with a card.
Please note that many Europeans prefer using debit cards instead of credit cards.
Consequently, hotels and restaurants will always accept credit and debit cards, while some supermarkets will accept debit cards only.
Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted; American Express is also accepted in many places but not everywhere (be sure to ask in advance).
You will need some cash for certain small payments at supermarkets or smaller shops, to use the public toilet, or to pay for parking.
Do I need a visa?
Visa requirements for Italy depend on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your visit.
Italy is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, which allows for visa-free travel within its member countries for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period).
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, do not need a visa for short stays in Italy.
If you are from any other country not listed here, check visa requirements and get your visa online here.
Is Italy safe?
In my experience, Italy is very safe to travel to. I have visited many places all over the country and have never felt unsafe.
I also lived, studied, and worked in Italy, thus, I spent considerable time there.
Moreover, my husband and I have regularly crisscrossed Italy with our little girl since she was just a few months old; we have never had any safety-related problems (fingers crossed).
Of course, like in any other country, there are certain areas you might want to avoid, or at least pay extra attention to your surroundings when visiting. Certain areas of Naples or Palermo might fall under this category.
This being said, Italy is known for petty crime such as pickpocketing, especially in crowded tourist destinations such as Rome or Venice, so always keep your belongings where you can see them.
When you choose to rent a car, don’t leave your valuables inside, and always have your documents with you.
Best time to travel?
Any time is a good time for your first trip to Italy. But if you can help it, avoid July and August!
That’s when Italy is packed with tourists! It is also a period of unexpected heat waves, especially with global warming and all. Moreover, prices can be significantly higher in July and August (that’s true for most European holiday destinations).
Alas, summer is also holiday time for most hard-working folks. So, should you have no other choice but to visit in July or August, make sure to book everything well in advance to avoid the summer price spikes. In addition, pack with the scourging sun in mind: a sun hat, long-sleeved and light shirts, pants, and comfy shoes.
Since traveling is my job, I always prefer heading to Italy during “shoulder season,” that is March – June and September – November.
However, you can stretch that a bit if you are planning to visit Southern Italy. I’ve been to Sicily in February, and it felt like spring.
Is tipping customary?
Knowing when and how to offer tips in Italy can save you from some unnecessary headaches.
In short, don’t overthink it! If you are satisfied with the service, add a few euros to the bill. If not, don’t.
By law, any employee in Italy (and the wider EU) is supposed to receive a living wage, including those employed in the tourism sector. This being said, tips are welcome (and expected up to a point) but are in no way “mandatory” (unlike in the US).
There is a difference between service charge and tip.
Coperto is the per-person service charge encountered in many Italian restaurants. It is usually around 2-4 EUR per person.
Additionally, some restaurants include a tip (called a servizio) of roughly 10% on the bill. In this case, you won’t have to add any extra tips.
On the other hand, if servizio is not included, you can leave a tip of 5 – 10% of the bill’s value.
Coperto and servizio should be both specified on the menu and the bill.
Tips are customary only in cafes and restaurants, not in supermarkets or other stores.
My personal rule is simple: I round up or tip 1 euro in a cafe (2 euros if the bill is around 20 euros or higher) and tip 7-10% in a restaurant unless it is included in the bill (i.e., servizio).
Read more about Italy food facts worth knowing.
Do I need a travel adapter for my electronic devices?
When traveling from outside of the EU to Italy, chances are you will need an adaptor or converter for your electronic devices (phone charger, camera chargers, curling iron, and so on) to work.
For example, here in Europe, we use 220-240 volts versus the North American standard of 110-120 volts, thus making it necessary to have a converter.
As for the plugs and sockets, the Europlug with its 2 round pins is the standard type in Italy (some older houses might have different sockets, but that’s rare). So if you are from the UK or other countries that use plugs with 3 pins, you’ll need a socket adaptor.
Italian phrases worth knowing
While in most places, especially in the popular tourist destinations, people will speak or at least understand English, there are some things worth knowing.
- Buongiorno/Buonasera – Good morning/Good evening!
- Buona Giornata – Have a nice day!
- Ciao/Salve – Hello!
- Grazie – Thank you!
- Prego – You are welcome!
- Arrivederci – See you again!
- Mi puo aiutare, per favore? – Could you please help me?
- Dov’e’ il/la – where can I find the…
- Un biglietto per favore – a ticket please!
- Un bicchiere di vino – a glass of wine!
What to wear in Italy?
While it is normal to always try to look your best when traveling (do it for the gram, haha), there are places in Italy where you will have to follow a dress code.
Catholic churches, of course, have a dress code. Cover your legs, shoulders, and cleavage if you want to visit religious buildings. In other words, no short pants, no short skirts, no sleeveless shirts, no see-through clothes, no bare belly button/bust, no flip-flops. The dress code applies to both ladies and gents.
I have seen people who traveled hundreds of miles to visit the Vatican and were barred from entry due to inappropriate clothing. So take heed when planning to visit a religious building. Dress as you would on office day, not on beach or party day.
Make sure you’ll pack all your travel essentials for Italy in spring!
Certain restaurants also have dress codes, especially the more fancy ones, such as the famous La Sponda Restaurant in Positano, which you can consult on their website.
That said, I see many people asking about the dress code in Italy, and I would not worry too much about it. As long as you bring comfortable clothes, shoes, and a few dresses, you will be fine.
Coffee drinking habits
In my opinion, Italy has the best coffee in the whole world (my husband disagrees… Men! What can you do?).
The taste is simply amazing, and Italians know how to treat their coffee right. They also take it seriously.
There are literally hundreds of types of coffee brews, different from one region to the other. They have rules in place, too.
Here are just a few coffee things to know when traveling to Italy for the first time:
- Milk in coffee (e.g., cappuccino) is only consumed in the morning up until lunch;
- Simple is the best way of having your coffee in Italy – you won’t find any of the long-named Starbucks concoctions;
- Italians never take their coffee to go and often drink it standing at the bar (al banco);
- Drinking coffee at the table is more expensive;
- Italian breakfast is normally a cup of coffee (with milk) and a pastry.
Lunch breaks
This is something I struggled with when I was living in Italy, but also something that you must adapt to while visiting as a tourist.
Supermarkets and shops are often closed between 1 and 4 PM due to lunch breaks.
Also, restaurants close between 3 or 4 PM and 7 PM; therefore, I sometimes starved because I forgot to eat or my tight schedule did not allow me to eat on time.
The fun part about waiting for dinner? Aperitivo!
Local language
While all Italians speak the standard language (based on the Tuscan dialect originating in Florence), local dialects are also spoken in each region.
I found out about this when I arrived in Trieste for the first time. Although I am fluent in Italian, I panicked when I couldn’t understand my colleagues. It turned out they were speaking the local Veneto dialect.
Not only are accents and pronunciations different between dialects, but words are as well. Even native Italians struggle to understand dialects other than their own, so don’t be worried.
Italian food
Italian food might be one of the best in the world, and no matter where you go, you’ll find at least one Italian restaurant. However, depending on the region you choose to visit, the local dishes will differ significantly.
One thing that holds true for any place in Italy is the number of dishes they eat during each meal.
In Italy, you’ll start your dinner with an antipasto (lit. “before / opposite to the pasta”), continue with a primo (lit. “first,” meaning pasta), a secondo (lit. “second,” meaning meal dish), and a contorno (side dish), and finish with a dessert and a strong espresso.
Avoid tourist traps
That being said, Italy is a popular tourist destination, so avoiding the crowds altogether might be hard, but not impossible.
There are some things worth knowing if you want to make the best out of your trip and reduce the costs.
- the closer you are to a tourist attraction, the higher the prices will be;
- the more rustic the place (eating on paper, for example), the better the food;
- go where locals go, get lost on the streets, and find those traditional places;
- only use official taxis; this way, you can avoid surcharges;
- book in advance and take the skip-the-line option, available at many of the tourist attractions.
Book your tickets and tours in advance
I won’t lie to you—Italy is a tourist magnet, so you must come prepared for the crowds. Not only the streets, squares, and restaurants will be packed when you go to Milano or Rome, but also the museums.
Thus, when you want to make the most of your Italian escape, try to book your tickets in advance. You don’t want to spend hours waiting in line to get a ticket, only to wait in line again to enter the museum.
Where do I recommend doing that?
- Musei Vaticani in Rome
- Colosseum in Rome
- Uffizi Gallery in Florence
- The Brunelleschi Dome in Florence
- Doge’s Palace in Venice
- St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice
Where should you go during your first visit?
Choosing where to go in Italy for your first visit depends on your interests and preferences. The county has a storied past, exquisite art, and natural beauty, offering a variety of experiences.
Here are a few popular destinations that are often recommended for first-time visitors:
- Rome:
- The capital city is a treasure trove of history with iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon.
- Explore Vatican City, home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.
- Florence:
- Known for its Renaissance art and architecture, Florence is home to masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery.
- Wander through the charming streets and visit the Florence Cathedral and Ponte Vecchio.
- Venice:
- Experience the unique charm of Venice with its winding canals, historic architecture, and romantic ambiance.
- Take a gondola ride, visit St. Mark’s Basilica, and explore the Doge’s Palace.
- Amalfi Coast:
- Enjoy the breathtaking coastal scenery, picturesque towns like Positano and Amalfi, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
- Take a boat tour along the coast for stunning views.
- Cinque Terre:
- This collection of five colorful seaside villages on the Italian Riviera is known for its hiking trails, charming streets, and cliffside views.
- Each village has its own unique character and beauty.
- Tuscany:
- Explore the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany, including rolling hills, vineyards, and charming medieval towns like Siena and San Gimignano.
- Taste renowned Tuscan wines and enjoy the local cuisine.
- Pompeii and Naples:
- Discover the archaeological site of Pompeii, a city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
- Naples offers a vibrant street life, historic sites, and delicious Neapolitan pizza.
Italy travel resources
- Have less time to spend in Italy but still want to live it up? Spend one day in Genoa on your way to the Cinque Terre. Or stop for 2 days in Rome on your way to some other amazing destination.
- Check out the ultimate Italy 10-day itinerary and plan your trip with these 2 options.
- Are 2 days in Venice enough? I’ve been there several times already, and I think I have just the answer you are looking for.
- See a lot more with these fabulous day trips from Genoa.
- Spend an incredible 7 days in Italy itinerary and see all the destinations you’ve ever dreamt of.
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