Is it safe to take a taxi in Italy?
Is it safe to take a taxi in Italy? While Italy is a very safe country, there are pickpockets frequently on public transportation. You should always keep a close eye on your bag when you are taking public transportation. Taxi drivers are usually a good option - make sure to only take an official taxi (they are marked as official taxis).
How do I protect myself from pickpockets in Italy?
How can I protect myself from pickpockets? Hotel safes are a good place to store passports and other valuables during a trip abroad. Tourists should limit the number of items they carry while out shopping, walking or sightseeing. If carrying a bag is necessary, use one that zips shut or closes securely.
How to spot pickpockets in Italy?
These distraction tactics are varied but should be easy to spot: fake altercations to create chaos, spilling a drink or ice cream on you, sudden bumping or tripping, holding a sign or piece of paper while asking for assistance or even holding a pizza box up to your face.
Do taxi drivers in Italy speak English?
Most taxi drivers will speak enough English to get by, but if you want to brush up on your Italian, here are a few useful phrases: Devo andare all'aeroporto di Fiumicino: I have to go to Fiumicino Airport. Swap out the last bit according to your destination; e.g. devo andare alla stazione centrale.
Are taxis in Italy expensive?
If the taxi rates are compared to those in Madrid, they are slightly higher and the minimum fare is also higher. However, if compared to Florence and Amsterdam, the prices in Rome are slightly lower. Based on the official taxi rates, an average journey in the centre of Rome should cost between 6 and 8 euros.
Do I need to carry my passport in Italy?
U.S. citizens who arrive at an Italian Port of Entry without a valid travel document – including passports that have been previously reported lost or stolen – will be denied admittance into Italy and returned to their point of origin. This regulation is strictly enforced in Italy.
Do you need cash for taxis in Italy?
The bigger cities in Italy (Rome, Naples, Milan, and Turin) use a taxi app called FreeNow. It works similarly to any other rideshare app. You can enter your pick up and drop off location and can track the driver the whole way. Additionally, you can pay on the app or with cash at the end of your journey.
What is the best way to travel around Italy?
The best way to travel around Italy, if you mainly want to visit the cities like Rome, Florence and Venice, is by train. Italy has an extensive network of both fast speed inter-city trains and regional services that connect the smaller cities and towns.
Is it better to carry cash or card in Italy?
In Italy, cash is still preferred in most restaurants, cafes and other establishments, although credit and debit cards are becoming more widely used throughout Italy and are an increasingly convenient way to pay for things. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, although American Express is not.
Does Uber work in Italy?
Yes, you can Uber in Italy, but it's not the same. It's available in Rome and Milan. However, only Uber Black is available, meaning higher prices and nicer vehicles. If you don't mind the slight price increase, then Uber is perfectly safe to use in Italy.
Can you drink tap water in Italy?
The short answer is yes. Drinking water from the tap in Italy is considered safe. Tap water in the major cities and towns around Italy is safe for consumption, and there are thousands of old-style water fountains dotted around cities, like Rome, where you can fill up water bottles.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Italy?
Cab drivers in Italy never expect a tip, so if you give one to them, they may be surprised. If you're using a car service like Uber or Free Now (formerly myTaxi), tipping is also not required. But if any driver goes out of his or her way to assist you, it's OK to give a small tip.
Do you tip in Italy?
If you ask locals “Do you tip in Italy?”, they'll explain that while they sometimes leave a small tip, it's generally not necessary. In Italy, gratuity (or una mancia, pronounced oo-nah MAN-chah) is considered a bonus for exceptional service. And it's not often that you'll find a tip jar at a register.