17 Things to Know before Visiting Rome, Italy
Rome is a beautiful city that offers lots of amazing museums and activities to keep you busy. I spent hours researching where to stay and places to see, but there are certain things that you only discover while you’re physically there. Here are 17 things I learned on my trip to Rome as a solo traveler.
1. Neighborhood
Research your neighborhood options before booking and try to find a place based on what you want to see and do. For me, Piazza Navona is an excellent neighborhood to stay in Rome. It’s a 5-minute walk to the Pantheon and a 10-minute walk to the Trevi Fountain. You won’t have trouble locating a bus stop nearby. I have stayed in the Prati area, and though it is close to the Vatican City, it is further from other major attractions.
The Neptune Fountain at Piazza Navona in Rome
2. Leonardo Express
Because I was traveling on a budget, I used public transportations to get around. The Leonardo Express takes you from the airport to Rome Termini Station, Italy’s main train station in the city center. It is operated by Trenitalia, Italy’s main rail service. You can buy tickets at their ticket booths at the train station. One way costs about fourteen euros. At Rome Termini station, the train normally arrives at platform 23 and 24 but always check the display board to confirm the platform number and departure time.
3. Fast-Speed Trains
For fast-speed trains, your options are Trenitalia and Italo. I had a good experience purchasing tickets at Italo’s website. Reserving a seat was easy. Their employees were very friendly, and the trains were clean. They normally have a staffed booth near the platform entrance. They don’t post the platform number until about 10 minutes before departure. Try to buy your ticket as soon as possible. If you buy it a day or two before, you will end up paying a lot more.
4. Regional Train
On my last day in Rome, I stayed in the Vatican City area. Fortunately, my Airbnb place was about a 6-minute walk to the closest metro train station. I remember walking to the metro station before 6 am. It was very dark, and I got spooked a bit when I passed by two men on the sidewalk. The train station was quiet and empty, but when I got to the platform, there were about 5 tourists waiting.
I wish I had stayed closer to Termini main station though as taking the metro to Termini was an extra step and cumbersome especially when you are hauling a luggage with you. I thought about taking Uber to Termini, but considering the train station was so close, I decided to walk to the station, take the metro to Roma Termini Station, and then catch the Leonardo Express to the airport.
5. Getting Around
The buses in Rome are not too bad, but it tends to get very crowded. You will need to buy tickets at a tobacco store or newsstand. The bus stop will have a sign displaying the bus numbers and routes. Make sure the bus you are looking to board goes in the right direction; I personally made a few mistakes there. Google map comes in very handy. CityMapper is a great alternative for navigating Rome. Remember to give yourself plenty of time to get from point A to point B.
6. Museums
Buying museum tickets in advance will save you a lot of valuable time. Each museum website is different and sometimes the instructions or your options are not clear. For some people, it makes sense to purchase a combo ticket. For example, I bought my Vatican Museum ticket with entry plus tour guide, and it was worth it. If you decide to buy a museum pass, make sure to read the conditions carefully as some private museums are not included .
Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy
7. Trevi Fountain
Get there early they said. Well, the earliest I was able to get there was 8:30 am and by then, it was already full of people and it was impossible to get a clean shot of the fountain. I thought of getting there before 7 in the morning the next day, but that never happened as I had trouble getting up early due to being terribly jet lagged. If you want a clean shot of the fountain, you just have to get there super early.
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
8. WiFi
We are spoiled here in the US, where free WiFi is easily accessible at restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and department stores. Most eateries (including coffee shops) do not offer free WiFi. Make sure to ask if they offer free WiFi before you’re seated. Oftentimes, restaurants in touristy areas have a staff standing outside whose job is to persuade tourists to come in and dine at their restaurant. If you ask them whether they offer free WiFi before saying yes, they may be more inclined to give you access to their WiFi.
9. Power Outlets
One coffee shop I frequented during my stay covered their power outlets so it was not possible to charge my phone. Some places will charge your phone for you behind the counter. Because of that, it is a good habit to carry your phone charger and adapter with you when traveling especially if you plan on being out and about all day. I am a heavy phone user when traveling as I rely on Google Maps for navigation. Without it, I would not get anywhere to save my soul. Even better, bring along a portable power bank.
10. Water
Alright, this is an important one in my opinion. Unlike restaurants in France, restaurants in Italy don’t provide une carafe d'eau (free tap water). Be prepared to pay anywhere from 2 to 5 euros for a bottle of still water when you dine at a restaurant. Although tap water is safe to drink in Rome, it is almost impossible to get free drinking water at restaurants. The only place I was able to get unlimited glasses of water was a coffee shop called L’Emporio Alla Pace in the Piazza Navona neighborhood. This is a mom and pop coffee shop.
11. Coffee
Most coffee places usually require you to order and pay first and then show your receipt at the bar. The barista will take our receipt (sometimes slightly tear it) and then prepare your order. At a few places, you order and pay when you are finished. You can find the best and cheapest cappuccino in Rome at L’Emporio Alla Pace which is located in the lively Piazza Navona neighborhood.
12. Restaurants
Restaurant hosts can be very persuasive and charming so learn to say “Grazie. Maybe later” and walk away. Places like that are most likely a tourist trap where food is pricey and quality mediocre. When it comes to choosing where to dine, I typically ask my Airbnb hosts and locals for suggestions or check Google reviews.
13. Water Fountains
In the Piazza Navona neighborhood, there are plenty of water fountains from which the water is perfectly safe to drink. These water fountains are called Nasoni. Carrying your own water bottle and refilling at these fountains will save you a lot of money and save the environment.
14. Hair Dryer
Though I brought a dual voltage hair dryer with me, the dryer heated up fast. Had I not turned it off right away, I probably would have burn the fuse. If you must have a hair dryer (I am one of those people), ask your Airbnb host or the hotel if one can be provided during your stay.
15. Pharmacy
Not all Italian pharmacies offer an extensive range of french skin care products. Some do carry brands such as La Roche Posey and Avene. They do sell Italian sunscreens, which I heard are excellent.
16. Summer
Summer in Italy brings unbeareble heat and annoying mosquitoes. Equip yourself with a hat, sunscreen, and if possible bug repellent. A pharmacy recommended an antihistamine topical ointment called ReactiFargan, which worked wonders with itching and redness, and kept me sane throughout my entire trip.
17. Restrooms
In Italy, I find that free public restrooms are rare. There are some paid public toilets, but they are usually cash-only so it is good to keep some cash with you when going out and about. Popular attractions and museums generally have excellent facilities that you can take advantage of. Another way to access the restroom is by dining at a restaurant or making a purchase at a cafe.
Planning a trip is not a simple task. Whether you are on your first or return trip to Rome, I hope these tips will make your travel planning a little easier and less stressful. If you have any other helpful tips, please feel free to share in the comments section. For more travel tips and stories, feel free to visit my Nice of a Budget post.
Grazie!