Italy (IT)

Italy is a parliamentary republic of 20 regions stretching from the Alpine peaks of the Dolomites to the sun-baked coasts of Sicily and Sardinia, celebrated worldwide for its unparalleled Renaissance art and architecture, UNESCO-laden historic cities from Rome to Florence and Venice, world-defining cuisine and wines, passionate football culture, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle that has drawn expats, artists, and retirees for centuries.

Capital: Rome

Region: Europe

Language: Italian

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Moderate (index 65)

Emergency: 112

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Italy.

Public Transport Overview

Italy has extensive public transport in major cities and between cities. Urban transport is managed by city-level operators: ATM (Milan), ATAC (Rome), GTT (Turin), ANM (Naples), TPER (Bologna). Intercity travel is dominated by Trenitalia (FS Group, state-owned) and Italo (NTV, private). High-speed AV (Alta Velocità) trains connect Milan, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno at up to 300 km/h. Regional and interregional trains serve smaller towns. A Trenitalia or Italo app account is essential — book early for AV trains to get €9.90–€29 economy fares rather than full-fare.

Main operators:

Trenitalia (FS Group) — national rail, including Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca AV services and Regionale trainsItalo (NTV) — private high-speed rail: Rome–Milan, Rome–Naples, Milan–Turin, Venice corridorsATM Milano — metro (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), tram, bus, suburban rail (S lines)ATAC Roma — metro (A, B, B1, C), tram, bus, urban rail; much-maligned but improvingGTT Torino — metro (Line 1), tram, busANM Napoli — metro (Line 1, Line 6), funicular railways, bus; EAV suburban railACTV Venezia — vaporetto (water bus), motoscafi (water taxis) on Venice LagoonFlixbus, FlixTrain — budget intercity bus and occasional rail servicesTrenitalia Eurocity / EC — international trains to France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Slovenia

🎫 Transit Passes

Milan Monthly Pass (ATM abbonamento mensile) €39/month (urban zones 1–3, 2026)

Unlimited metro, tram, bus within Milan and inner ring. Add-ons for suburban zones.

💡 Photo card (tessera) required — apply at ATM Point. Under-14 and over-65 discounted rates. Annual abbonamento (€370/year) saves significantly.

Rome Monthly Pass (ATAC abbonamento mensile) €35/month or €365/year (2026)

Unlimited metro, bus, tram within Rome. Does not include Trenitalia regional (RL) trains without add-on.

💡 Buy at ATAC ticket offices, tobacconists (tabaccherie), or app MyCicero. Weekly: €18. 72h tourist ticket: €18.

Trenitalia Cartafreccia Free loyalty card

Points system for AV and intercity journeys. Points redeemable for upgrades and free tickets.

💡 Register at trenitalia.com. Essential for frequent travellers — accumulate Green/Gold/Platinum tier for lounge access and discounts.

Italo Più Free + paid tiers

Discount access, seat upgrades, points redemption on Italo high-speed network

💡 Italo often cheaper than Trenitalia on Rome–Milan and Rome–Naples — compare before booking.

Interrail / Eurail Italy Pass From €179 for 3 travel days within 1 month

Unlimited Trenitalia travel; requires reservation supplement on Frecciarossa/Frecciargento (€10)

💡 Poor value for residents; useful for tourists. Interrail valid for EU residents; Eurail for non-EU.

Taxi & Rideshare

Official taxis are white (most cities) or yellow (Milan). Fixed tariffs set by the comune — always demand the taximeter (tassametro) be running or agree a fixed fare before departure. Rome: initial rate €3.50 (daytime), supplements for luggage (€1), airport (€48 fixed FCO), night and Sunday surcharges. Avoid unlicensed drivers ("taxi abusivi") at airports — always use official ranks or apps. Apps: itTaxi (national aggregator), Uber Black and UberX now operate in Milan and Rome.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

BlaBlaCar is popular for intercity rideshares (Rome–Naples, Milan–Turin, Milan–Florence). Uber operates in Milan (UberX, UberBlack) and Rome (UberBlack only, 2026). Lyft does not operate in Italy. Car-sharing: Enjoy and ShareNow (Fiat 500, Smart) in Milan, Rome and Turin — book via app, petrol included, park anywhere in the zone.

Cycling

Cycling infrastructure varies enormously. Milan has excellent cycling lanes and a mature Bikemi (public bike share, €36/year) and BikeMi Electric scheme. Bologna, Turin and Florence are increasingly bike-friendly. Rome has poor cycling infrastructure — only for the brave. Venice: cycling is banned on most islands (use a bicycle for Lido or Pellestrina). Bolt, Lime and Bird e-scooters operate in Rome, Milan, Turin and Florence — check local parking rules carefully to avoid fines.

Intercity Trains

The AV (Alta Velocità) network is the backbone of intercity travel. Key journey times: Milan–Rome: 2h55–3h20 (Frecciarossa, up to 10 daily departures). Milan–Naples: 4h20. Rome–Naples: 1h10 (very frequent). Rome–Florence: 1h35. Milan–Venice: 2h25. Milan–Turin: 55 minutes. Bologna is the central hub. Book 30–90 days ahead for the cheapest fares (Super Economy from €9.90 on Italo, €19.90 on Trenitalia). Night trains: Intercity Notte serves Palermo, Syracuse, Reggio Calabria from Rome and Milan — slow but atmospheric.

Driving

Driving is essential outside major cities and for rural and mountainous areas. Italy drives on the right. Motorways (autostrade) have tolls — pay by cash, Telepass transponder (€1.50/month + per-km rates), or Visa/Mastercard at toll booths. Speed limits: 130 km/h motorway (110 km/h in rain), 90 km/h secondary roads, 50 km/h urban. ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) zones in historic city centres (Rome, Florence, Bologna, Venice Mestre) — entering without a permit triggers automatic €80–165 fines, mailed to your registered address. Check ZTL status with apps like iZTL or JoyRide before driving in city centres. RC Auto (third-party motor insurance) mandatory.

Airports

Major international airports: Fiumicino (FCO, Leonardo da Vinci) — Rome's main hub, 30km southwest, Leonardo Express train to Roma Termini in 32 min (€14); Ciampino (CIA) — secondary Rome airport for low-cost airlines. Malpensa (MXP) — Milan's main hub, 50km north, Malpensa Express train 52 min to Cadorna or Centrale (€13). Linate (LIN) — Milan city airport, 7km east, metro M4 line (€1.50). Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) — major Ryanair hub, 45km east of Milan, bus connections. Venezia Marco Polo (VCE) — water taxi, bus (Alilaguna, €15) to Venice. Naples Capodichino (NAP) — ALIBUS to Piazza Garibaldi (€5).