AIR: There are regular air services to all major cities. These are run by Alitalia (AZ) and by other airlines also which service over thirty airports. For detailed information contact the airlines direct or ENIT, the Italian State Tourist Office.

SEA: Italy’s principal ports are Ancona, Bari, Brindisi, Cagliari, Catania, Civitavecchia, Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Messina, Naples, Palermo, Pescara, Trieste and Venice. There are a number of car and passenger ferries that operate throughout the year and which connect all Italian ports.  

Ferries: The islands of Capri, Elba, Giglio, Sardinia, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands are served by regular boat and Hydrofoil services.. There are also some links along the coast.

RAIL: Italy has a very good rail system, with about 16000 km of running track, fifty per cent of which runs on electricity. The Italian State Railways (FS) (website: www.fs-on-line.com) runs this net-work. The fares are reasonable and depend on the distance traveled. Consult your travel agency as the Railways offer many attractive discounts. Foreigners can now use the Trenitalia Pass which takes the place of all the old Passes such as the Italy Flexicard, Railcard and Kilometric ticket. This allows you 4 to 10 days of unlimited travel within a 2-month period. You can use any train in Italy, although a small supplement is payable on Eurostar Italia services. The pass also entitles the holder to a discount on some Italy-Greece ferry routes. Both first and second class passes are available. Children aged from 4 to 11 pay half the adult fare, and there is a reduced-rate Youth Pass for travelers aged under 26.
For further information, contact Trenitalia (website: www.trenitalia.com) or Railchoice (tel: (020) 8659 7300; fax: (020) 8659 7466; e-mail: sales@railchoice.co.uk; website: www.railchoice.co.uk); or Freedom Rail (tel: (0870) 757 9898; fax: (01253) 595151; e-mail: sales@freedomrail.com; website: www.freedomrail.com).

ROAD: The various cities and towns of Italy are connected by over 300,000 km (185,000 miles) of roads. This includes 6000 km (3700 miles) of the AUTOSTRADA or motorway. Tolls that vary according top distance must be paid. Salerno–Reggio Calabria, Palermo–Catania and Palermo–Mazara Del Vallo stretches are toll-free. The secondary roads need no tolls and are really very good. Road signs are international. Many petrol stations are closed 1200-1500. Visitors are advised to check locally about exact opening times. More information on the Italian motorway network is available from the Società Autostrade (website: www.autostrade.it).

Traffic regulations: Italy like the rest of Europehas its traffic driving on the right. Speed limits are 50kph (30mph) in urban areas, 90/110kph (55/65mph) on country roads, 130kph (80mph) on motorways. Un-dipped headlights are prohibited in towns and cities, but are compulsory when passing through tunnels. All vehicles must carry a red warning triangle, available at border posts. If you are fined the fine amount will have to be paid on the spot. Where ever you are in Italy, if you have a breakdown, just dial 116. Inform the operator where you are, your plate number and type of car and the nearest Automobile Club of Italy (ACI) office will be informed for immediate assistance.

Customs regulations: Tourists must carry their logbook, which must either be in their name as owner or must have the owner’s written permission to drive the vehicle. The necessity of customs documents for the temporary importation of motor vehicles, aircraft and pleasure-boats’ has been removed.

Bus: Luxury coaches operate between towns and cities. In the more remote areas there are local bus services that connect with the rail services.

Taxi: Services are available in and between all cities.

Car hire: International and Italian firms offer self-driven hire service in most cities. The rates and conditions vary. With some companies you can book this service from your own country, through the company agent or the air services. Cars can only be booked locally, and small firms are usually cheaper. It is possible to contact these agencies either at the air port or at the Information Counter of your hotel. Avis has offices in Rome at 38 Via Sardegna (tel: (06) 4282 4728; fax: (06) 4201 0282) or 1231 Via Tiburtina (tel: (06) 413 0812; fax: (06) 413 1414 or 413 1778). Hertz are located at Ciampino Airport (tel: (06) 7934 0616; fax: (06) 7934 0095). Many special-rate fly/drive deals are available for Italy.

Documentation: The International Green Card or any other Insurance is compulsory for your means of transport.  A UK driving license and EU pink format licenses are valid in Italy but green-coloured licenses must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. Motorcycles no longer require customs documents, but refer to the customs regulations above. A driving licence or a motorcycle driving licence is required for motorcycles over 49cc. Passengers are required by law to wear seat belts.

URBAN: Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Genoa and Venice and all the other big towns and cities have very good public transport systems. Rome has two underground lines – Metropolitana A from Via Ottaviano via Termini station to Via Anagnina and also connecting with the new Ottaviano-San Pietro link; and Metropolitana B, which runs between Termini Station, via Exhibition City (EUR) (Via Laurentina) and then onwards to Rebibbia. Both day and monthly passes are available. Five new stations were added to Line A  recently and Line B got an addition of ten new stations during the early nineties.  The new stations on Line A were on the Ottaviano-San Pietro connection. Milan also has a three-line underground system, with tickets usable on both underground and bus.

Tram: There is a 28km (17-mile) network consisting of eight routes in Rome; Milan, Naples and Turin also have tram services

Bus: The services are efficient and available in all the main cities and towns. Connections from the bus services to the Underground and the Tram systems are easy and convenient. Flat-fare tickets and weekly passes can be bought in advance from roadside or station machines or from tobacconists (tabacchi). Information is available from the ATAC booth in front of the Termini station. Trolleybuses also run in a number of other towns. In larger cities, fares are generally pre-purchased from machines or tobacconists. Bus tickets can be bought at a standard rate, in packets of five and its multiples, and these just have to be stamped on a stamping machine once you are on the bus.

Taxi: Easily available in all towns and cities, the Government-regulated taxis being either white or yellow. Avoid taxis without meters. In Rome, taxi’s are more expensive, with extra charges for night service, luggage and taxis called by telephone. All charges are listed on a rate card displayed in the cab with an English translation. Taxis can only be hailed at strategically located stands or booked by telephone. A 10 per cent tip is expected by taxi drivers and this is sometimes added to the fare for foreigners.
City tours: It would be a good idea for first time visitors to the country to use this service. It is provided by most of the Travel agencies that have operations here. This will enable you to plan your itinerary and also get a first general impression of the main sights. Information is available from the local tourist office. Horse-drawn carriages are available in Rome. Charges are high. Venice: Privately hired boats and gondolas are available, as well as a public ferry service.