Transportation

From Rome Fiumicino, the Leonardo Express train runs non-stop to Roma Termini in about 30 minutes; buses and fixed-fare taxis also serve the city. Milan and other airports have similar train/bus/taxi links.

Big cities have metros, trams and buses. Rome's network is run by ATAC (metro lines A/B/C plus buses and trams); Milan, Naples and Turin also have metros. Validate tickets before or on boarding to avoid fines.

There is no single national transit card. Each city has its own tickets and passes (single, daily or multi-day). In many cities you can also tap a contactless bank card or phone directly at the reader.

Use official licensed taxis (white cars with a rooftop TAXI sign and meter); book by app or at a rank rather than accepting street touts. Uber operates only in limited cities and mainly as a premium (Uber Black) service.

Renting a car suits the countryside, coast and small towns. Italy drives on the right. Non-EU licence holders usually need an International Driving Permit with their home licence. Watch for ZTL limited-traffic zones in city centres.

High-speed trains link major cities fast: Trenitalia (Frecciarossa/Frecciargento) and the private operator Italo. Rome–Milan takes about 3 hours. Book ahead for the best fares; long-distance coaches (e.g. FlixBus) are a budget option.

Domestic flights connect the mainland with Sicily, Sardinia and distant cities (ITA Airways and low-cost carriers). For most mainland city pairs, high-speed trains are faster once you count airport time.

Always validate paper tickets, keep a close eye on bags on crowded metros, and check for transport strikes (sciopero) before travelling. Italy drives on the right; book high-speed trains ahead and arrive early for peak-season departures.