Rome Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Practical tips for Rome

• Restaurants near major sights are tourist traps — walk two streets away for better food.

• Sunday afternoon buses run less frequently; plan return trips.

• Cover shoulders and knees for St Peter's and Vatican Museums.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 112.

• Pickpockets target crowded buses (especially the 64 to the Vatican) and Termini station.

• Ignore rose-sellers, friendship-bracelet touts and 'petition' scams at major sights.

• Only use marked white taxis from official ranks.

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 90 days. Italy is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ETIAS pre-authorisation applies once launched.

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in Rome. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.