(Last updated: 7 Nov 2012)
Travel
Airports
All major Italian cities have airports offering frequent connections to Rome, Milan and other European cities. Linate Airport is just 15–20 minutes by car from the centre of Milan while Malpensa Airport is about one hour away. Fiumicino Airport is about one hour by car from the centre of Rome. Make sure taxis have the emblem of the local council on their side door, otherwise they may not be authorised. Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. Approximate one-way fares are as follows:
- taxi from Milan to Linate – A$25
- taxi from Milan to Malpensa - A$150
- taxi from Rome to Fiumicino – A$60
- bus from Malpensa to Milan Central Station – A$13
- train from Malpensa to Cadorna Northern Railway Station (Malpensa Express) – A$18
- train from Rome to Fiumicino – A$10
Ground transport
Trains are the cheapest way to travel around Italy. There are excellent high-speed connections between the major cities on Eurostar, InterCity and EuroCity, which are generally punctual. Local commuter trains may be less punctual. Before you get on a train you must stamp your ticket on a dedicated yellow machine to validate it. The machines are normally located throughout the railway station and some are also situated along the platforms. If you don’t validate your ticket you will be liable for a small fine.
In most large cities public transport is convenient and rapid. Bus, tram and subway tickets are on sale at newspaper stands or stations. Train tickets are sold at railway stations or travel agencies. For longer north-south distances, there are several excellent domestic airlines offering reasonable fares. Taxis (often white, and bearing the emblem of the local town council on the side) are relatively expensive and charge extra at night and when travelling outside city limits. Car rentals are quite expensive (starting at A$80 per day), and credit cards are required.
Dining
The most popular cultural and artistic cities in Italy are Rome, Florence and Venice. Italy offers an abundance of options for eating out, everything from fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, Spizzico, and Autogrill to international restaurants and smaller, often family-operated trattorias. Prices do not include service. There is usually a cover charge, and since restaurants are virtually always licensed, there is no BYO. Menus are always displayed outside, so check prices. Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory.