How to Reach Italy

By Train

Italy is well-connected with European rail options. It can be considered as the best option even compared to airlines as there is no need for prior check-in of baggage, no 2 hours prior arrival, and experience the same royal service treatment. Train rails connect almost every city in Europe and travel at the speed of 300 km/hr. Train travel is also cheaper compared to air travel, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery through your window

By Car

Renting a car to travel to Italy is a famous way of transport due to the attractive countryside view. It will be a great trip if you are accompanied by a big group of friends with similar musical tastes. The hubs to rent a car are situated in and around airports in Italy so that it is easy to access for tourists.
Europcar and DoYouItaly are two of the well-known companies to rent a car. You can book the cars based on the number of people you are being accompanied and ease of driving. The booking process is available online with hassle hassle-free payment gateway. Ensure you have all the appropriate documents – valid international driving license, international driving permit, appropriate insurance coverage, and vehicle registration document, or rental document.

By Sea

Traveling to Italy via waterways is the most beautiful journey. Considering Italy’s approximate coastline is 40,000 miles there are multiple ferries available to reach the destination. Travelling by boats and ferries involves going through cities like Tirrenia, Caremar, Siremar, and of course Venice – an entire city situated on water. You can also travel from the mainland to nearby attractions/islands through private yachts! You need not book the yachts prior as they are easily available except during summer which is the peak tourist season.

• Italy is a member of the Schengen area which permits individuals from its member countries to travel without a visa for shorter periods for tourism, business visits, or family trips.
• If you are traveling from a country that does not fall under the visa-exempt list, you need to apply for a Schengen visa before the travel.
• To apply for a visa one needs to produce several documents involve a passport-size photo, travel insurance, financial stability, travel itinerary, proof of stay, and sometimes additional documents such as a letter of invitation or employment.
• If you are planning to stay back in Italy for more than 90 days you need to apply for a National Visa i.e., a type D visa. The formalities for a visa might vary based on geographical area and period of stay. Thus consult the embassy in your country before finalizing the trip.

Visa waiver program

• For an individual to visit Italy with a Visa waiver program they need to have certain travel requirements. They are as follows:
  1. All travelers need to complete the ETIAS application before the visit
  2. A passport valid at least for 3 months from the expected date of departure from Italy
  3. Demonstrate sufficient financial balance to support your stay in the country
  4. To not appear in the non-admission list in the EU
  5. Internation medical insurance
  6. Round trip ticket
  7. A debit card or credit card
  8. A valid email address

Passport requirements

• It is mandated to have the last 2 pages (back-to-back) of the passport to be blank for entry stamps.
• Six months validity is required, minimum 3 months validity beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area.

• Rome Fiumicino (FCO): Italy’s largest and first airport whereas the 11th airport in Europe. It is densely populated with all international, national, and local transportation hubs. You can get easy access to rental cars, frequent trains to the core of the city, and buses. Since it is a huge airport, you can spend time at various shops or waiting lounges till your departure. Though it is the oldest airport in Italy, it was recently expanded for the tourist’s comfort.
• Milan Malpensa (MXP): It is the second-largest airport in Italy. The airport has 2 terminals that are connected by frequent shuttle buses for the passengers. The airport is situated on the northwestern side of Milan hosting international flights for 2 other cities along with Milan. The airport has various in-built stores for shopping, it also has other facilities such as a money exchange, a playground for individuals traveling with children, and a medical center for emergencies.
• Venice Marco Polo (VCE): It is the 4th busiest airport and is the so-called ‘silent airport’ because the airport sticks to providing all the details on screen rather than announcing it. It is 5 km away from Venice, thus a better airport to land if you are planning to start your trip from Venice. As we know, the city is situated on the coastline, you can find various boat rides from Venice to other areas of the city.

Train Station

• Things to Remember:

• Rome Termini: It is Rome’s biggest and Europe’s largest train station. There are 29 platforms connecting cities in Italy and other parts of Rome. The entrance of the train station is lined with restaurants, shops, travel agent offices, ticket offices, and currency exchange booths. The tourist information desk is situated on platform 24 for anyone to clarify their queries.
• A prominent location, the Pantheon is always bustling with tourists and hence it might be a good idea to visit in early morning or in late evening to get ahead of the crowd.
• Milan Centrale: A key station for northern Italy, it was built in the 1930s and is the second-largest station in Italy. Technically it was rebuilt in 1930 from its smaller version and the design of the station depicts the facade of then-Prime Minister Mussolini’s fascist regime. The trains arrive at the stations taking passengers to cities like Zurich, Paris, and other nearby cities. One can have easy access to rental cars, trams, and city buses from this train station.
• Florence Santa Maria Novella: It is a central station in Florence abbreviated as Firenze SMN. Since it is located right in the center of the city it is well connected to major attraction places in the city. It has 19 platforms and the entrance consists of shops, restaurants, a money exchange desk, a bank, a post office, and much more.

Ports

• Port of Genoa: It is one of the largest ports in Italy situated in the heart of Genoa and minutes away from the historical center, UNESCO World Heritage Site. The port offers special facilities for large yachts including the captain and crew. They provide a basketball ground, a chill-out zone fully equipped with a gym, a yoga center, and much more for a pleasurable stay of the crew.
• Port of Venice: It is a major stop for cruise ships and ferries from the Adriatic Sea and a port serving the northwestern area of Italy. The port consists of two main areas 1. The Porto Marghera, where port logistics, commercial, and industrial work takes place. 2. The Venice area where passenger activities for cruise ships, hydrofoils, and yachts are conducted.
• Port of Naples: It is a port founded by the Greeks and expanded by the Romans, one of the key ports for ferries and cruises in southern Italy. The port is situated in the central part of the country thus one has to cross the port multiple when traveling over different places in the city. The port is decorated with rich historical meaning, we are greeted by the majestic view of Vomero hill as we enter the port.

Transportation

• Public Transport: Public transport in Italy is easily accessible. There are multiple options for public transport like buses, trams, metro trains, cabs, and rideshares. The bus routes and tram routes have extensive connectivity between the cities. However, you need to be acquainted with bus and tram schedules to plan your trip. Ensure to take tickets and confirm the routes before boarding the bus or tram to avoid fines. One need not make reservations before time for regional trains however for intercity or express trains prior booking is needed. These tickets can be booked in the station kiosk or via the mobile app.
• Taxis and Rideshares: Cars with white color and TAXI written on the roof are categorized as cabs in Italy. They are another option for transport in the city apart from trams, buses and trains. They are easily available outside train stations, near bus stops, and metro stations. However, rideshares like Uber are lesser in frequency. Uber rides are available in developed cities such as Milan and Rome and are rare in rural areas.

Cultural Etiquette

Understanding the local Italian culture and etiquette will make your trip more meaningful and enjoyable. Below are some of the pointers about Italian culture to learn:

• – Greetings: Italians are known for their warm friendly nature and respectful culture. Greeting someone buongiorno(good morning) or Buonasera(good evening) with a warm smile and eye contact is a great conversation starter. Other ways of greeting people are handshakes (formal) and kisses on the cheeks for social settings.
• – Dining: Meal times in Italy can be later than in other countries, with lunch often starting around 1 pm to 3 pm and dinner often beginning around 8 PM. Restaurants open for dinner by 7 pm but the crowd is seen at 8.30 pm. Italians prefer to have a pre-drink and light snack around 6 pm which is called ‘aperitivo’, it is a social ritual and great to experience the Italian culture. When dining out it is a courtesy to greet the host and wait to be seated by them. Tipping in restaurants is not obligatory but it is considered respectful to do so.