Our blog posts about travel in Italy

Some helpful tips for traveling in Italy

When is the best time to visit Italy?

The weather can vary by region, but generally, late spring and early autumn offer the best temperatures - 59°F to 77°F.

On our most recent trip, which took place in May, the weather was very nice in Milan and Venice, but quite warm in Rome.

While summer draws the most visitors, the weather can be very hot and dry, especially in the south.

Do I need to carry cash in Italy?

Hotels, restaurants, and shops widely accept credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are best).

You might need cash for small purchases, public toilets, and some taxis or buses in smaller towns.

We’d suggest withdrawing cash from an ATM at a major bank building. Avoid free-standing ATMs, especially near tourist attractions.

Which international airport should I fly into?

The two busiest airports are Rome Fiumicino (FCO), which is ideal for central and southern Italy, and Milan Malpensa (MXP), perfect for northern regions.

Other major international hubs include Venice (VCE), Naples (NAP), and Bologna (BLQ).

On a past visit, we flew into Milan and out of Rome. This made travel easy since we didn’t have to backtrack.

Do I need to rent a car, or should I take the train?

High Speed Train - We have used high-speed trains for travel between major cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan. Italy’s high-speed train network is easy and efficient. We wrote a full blog post: How to travel by high-speed train in Italy

Rent a Car - While I would highly advise not driving in major cities, I have driven a rental car through Tuscany, and it was easy and highly memorable. Car rental companies have been cracking down on damage to rental cars, so I’d suggest purchasing the rental company’s insurance.

Basic Greetings & Politeness

• "Buongiorno" (bwon-JOR-no) – Good morning / Good day.

• "Buonasera" (bwon-ah-SAY-rah) – Good evening. Use this from late afternoon onwards.

• "Grazie" (GRAHT-zee-eh) – Thank you. Note: the "e" at the end is pronounced!

• "Prego" (PRAY-go) – You’re welcome. Waiters and shopkeepers may use it: "How can I help you?" or "After you."

Dining & Shopping

• "Il conto, per favore" (eel KOHN-toh, pair fah-VOH-ray) – The bill, please.

• "Un caffè, per favore" (oon kah-FEH, pair fah-VOH-ray) – A coffee, please.

• "Quanto costa?" (KWAHN-toh KOH-stah) – How much does it cost?

Navigation & Help

• "Dov'è...?" (doh-VEH) – Where is...? (e.g., "Dov'è la stazione?" — Where is the station?).

• "Parla inglese?" (PAR-lah een-GLAY-zay) – Do you speak English?

• "Mi scusi" (mee SKOO-zee) – Excuse me.