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Rome Useful Information

When to Go

The best time to visit Rome depends on what you want to do and your budget. 

 
Weather
  • Spring: (March–May) Flowers bloom, and temperatures are moderate 
  • Fall: (September–November) Pleasant weather, with temperatures dropping in late September
  • Summer: (July–August) Peak season, with extremely hot temperatures 
  • Winter: (November–February) Cool and crisp, with fewer visitors and cheaper flights and accommodations 

Helpful Websites

  • Italia.it: The official Italian tourism website, which offers services to help plan your stay in Italy 

Getting Here

Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino – FCO. Officially called Rome-Fiumicino “Leonardo da Vinci” Airport, Rome’s main airport is commonly known as Rome-Fiumicino, after the small town it’s located in. It’s also Italy’s busiest airport, just ahead of Milan Malpensa Airport for destination, flight, and passenger numbers.

Getting Around

The best way to get around Rome is by walking, as many major attractions are located close together in the historic center, making it the most convenient and scenic option; for longer distances, use the metro system to reach key points and then explore on foot from there. 

 
  Key points about getting around Rome:
 
  • Walking: Ideal for most sightseeing within the historic center, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere and discover hidden gems. 
  • Metro: Use the underground metro lines to quickly travel between larger areas of the city, especially when distances become too far to walk. 
  • Bus: While not as efficient as the metro, buses are a good option for reaching areas not well served by the metro. 
  • Tram: Primarily useful for reaching the Trastevere neighborhood. 
  • Avoid driving: Traffic in Rome can be very congested, and many areas are pedestrian-only, making driving impractical. 

Money

Rome’s currency is the euro (€).  Italy is pretty well known to be a cash-based society, even in comparison to close European neighbors. The biggest reason for this is that Italy is dominated by small villages and towns, and many of the most tourist-friendly places have economies built around independently owned shops, eateries, street vendors and more. 

Like the rest of the modern world, the usage & acceptance of Credit & Debit Cards and “Alternative” Payment Apps is increasing rapidly. While many places might accept your card, just be prepared–have cash on you, or a way to get cash, at all times.  Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are the big two. If a place/store takes credit card payments it is virtually guaranteed these two are accepted.  American Express and Discover cards are rarely accepted – usually only in major hotel chains.

Safety

Rome is generally safe for tourists, but you should exercise common sense and be aware of your surroundings. 

 
Safety tips
  • Be aware of petty theft and scams in busy areas like Termini Station and near popular attractions
  • Keep your cash concealed at the Colosseum
  • Keep your smartphone safe at the Spanish Steps
  • Keep your passport safe in your pockets on Piazza Navona
  • Take care when crossing roads, as drivers may not always stop 
Crime
  • Violent crime is rare in Rome, and it ranks lower than many U.S. cities
  • Petty crime is common, especially in busy areas
  • The Serpentone, a 1 km residential project to the southwest of the center, is a dangerous area 
Traffic 
  • Traffic can be busy, fast, and chaotic, especially in larger cities
  • You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 meters of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it

Tipping

In Rome, tipping is not mandatory and is considered optional, with most locals only leaving a small tip for exceptional service, usually around 1-2 euros per person, or rounding up the bill to the nearest euro; always check your bill as many restaurants include a “servizio incluso” (service charge) which means tipping is not expected. 
 
   Key points about tipping in Rome:
    • Not mandatory: Unlike in the US, tipping is not a necessary part of dining in Rome.
    • Check for service charge: Look for “servizio incluso” on your bill, which indicates a service charge is already included and no additional tip is needed.
    • Small tip for good service: If you want to tip, leave a small amount like a couple of euros for good service.
    • Round up the bill: A common practice is to round up the bill to the nearest euro as a tip.
    • Higher-end restaurants: In upscale restaurants, a slightly larger tip may be appropriate, but still not exceeding 10%.