Top 24 Rome Travel Tips | The Best Hacks on Budget Travel, Sight-Seeing, & More
Rome is one of the most beautiful, complex, and historically significant cities in the world. No matter if you are visiting the Eternal City for the first time or tenth, these travel tips and hacks will be helpful for you.
24 Essential Rome Travel Tips & Hacks
1. Visit Museums for Free Once Every Month
Budget Tip
- On the first Sunday of each month, all state-owned museums, galleries, archeological sites, parks, and gardens in Rome are free. Take advantage of the opportunity.
- However, because this is the biggest day for visiting these attractions, arrive early or go to a lesser-known destination for free.
2. Take Rest on Mondays
Etiquette Tip
- After a busy weekend at a tourist hub like Rome, residents of the city feel that they need some rest. Many museums and attractions in Rome are therefore closed on Mondays.
- Use this day to head out of the city for a day trip or visit the gardens and parks of Rome. Avoid the Vatican Museums on Mondays as it attracts most of the tourist crowd in Rome.
3. Purchase Bus Tickets in Advance
Travel Tip
- You cannot buy bus tickets on the bus, so stock up ahead of time. Tickets are €1.50 each, or you can save money by purchasing a 24-hour, 48-hour, or weeklong pass.
- You can buy bus tickets from any tabaccheria in the city, which are small convenience stores marked with a large T.
4. Refuse Bread at Restaurants if you Don’t Want it
Food Tip
- Most people are under the impression that like in some other countries, bread is complimentary with a meal in Rome. That is not the case.
- Since bread is chargeable, if you don’t want it, let the waiters know as soon as you sit down. Else, you will be charged for it.
5. Tips are not Mandatory
Etiquette Tip
- In most Rome restaurants, a service charge is added to your bill to cover the costs of the waiting staff's services.
- Even so, if you were exceptionally delighted with the services provided at a restaurant or if your bill did not include a service charge, you may leave a 10% tip.
6. Try the Street Food
Food Tip
- Eat like a Roman when you're in Rome. Although Rome has many fine dining establishments, nothing like a curbside hawker for soul food.
- Look for sites where Romans congregate. This indicates that the hawker serves delicious food without sacrificing quality.
7. Don't Depend on the WiFi
General Tip
- Rome is known to be equipped with WiFi. However, you will be disappointed if you are heading to the city pinning your hopes on these open WiFi networks.
- Get a data plan on your local sim if you have some essential operation that needs to be performed online as you are almost guaranteed to run into connectivity issues.
8. Bring a Universal Adapter
Packing Tip
- The majority of appliances in the United Kingdom utilize a type C plug. Make sure your phones and other equipment have a universal adaptor.
- Purchase one from your origin location to avoid spending more in Rome for the identical thing.
9. Take a Day Trip from Rome
Sightseeing Tip
- If you're staying in Rome for more than 3-5 days, take a day trip to the adjacent town of Naples. It's only 2 hours and 45 minutes from Rome, and you can include Pompeii in your itinerary.
- There are numerous planned excursions that will take you around and return you to the city in less than 24 hours; all you have to do is sign up for one that fits your budget.
10. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Dressing Tip
- Because Rome is a city with well-maintained walks, it is quite pleasurable to walk in Rome. There is no better way to get to know a city than to take a stroll around the blocks.
- When strolling about Rome, wearing comfortable shoes is essential to avoid foot problems the next day.
11. Get the House Wine
Food Tip
- If you go out to an eatery that has a house wine, don’t forget to order it. House wines are generally cheap and quite delicious as well.
- You can order house wines by a quarter of a liter (about 8.5 fl oz) and have a taste of real Roman white or red wine.
12. Add at Least One Offbeat Attraction
Sightseeing Tip
- Rome is dotted with attractions that aren’t often spoken about. Try to take a day out and visit some of the offbeat attractions in Rome.
- For instance, Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is one of the top museums in Rome, and it's only a 15-minute walk from the Colosseum with a fraction of the people.
13. Adhere to the Dress Code
Dressing Tip
- When you visit the religious attractions of Rome, you must be clad in clothes covering your knees and shoulders. You may be refused entry if you are not dressed right.
- If you fear being cold, bring a scarf with you. You will also find hawkers selling scarves outside most of Rome’s attractions.
14. Don’t take Taxis from the Airport
Transport Tip
- While the city of Rome has established a predetermined cost for airport transfers, many taxi drivers have a reputation for overcharging tourists. Drivers who charge more are breaking the law.
- Take the airport shuttles or a shared vehicle service if you don't want to spend a lot of money at the start of your trip. Shuttles should cost around €6, and the shared vehicle should cost between €16 and €20.
15. Use Skip the Line Tickets
Sightseeing Tip
- Rome is always packed with tourists, especially in the areas where the most popular attractions are. Buy skip-the-line tickets if you want to save time.
- Discounted skip-the-line tickets are a great way of witnessing the beauty of Rome while also saving some money.
16. Explore the City with a Local
Sightseeing Tip
- The greatest way to see Rome is without a doubt with a local. Find a local and explore the streets with them to get a better understanding of the city.
- Remember to visit the greatest pubs in Rome with a local during a football game to witness the people's boisterous excitement.
17. Don’t Buy Single Use Bottled Water
Budget Tip
- Carry a refillable bottle with you as you go and fill up as needed from the Rome taps. Drinking tap water in the city is safe.
- Single-use plastic water bottles are not only expensive, but they are also harmful to the environment.
18. Bring the Right Credit Card
Money Tip
- In Rome, credit cards are accepted in some large establishments. To transact in Rome, however, bring a card with a chip and a 4-digit PIN.
- Check to see if your card allows free international transactions. If not, look for one that includes this feature to save a lot of money.
19. Visit Rome in the Shoulder Season
Best Time to Visit Tip
- Because Rome is such a popular tourist destination, avoiding the high tourist season will be crucial to your trip experience.
- In Rome, the shoulder season includes April, May, October, and November, which are also the months when the flora of the city is at its most appealing.
20. Always Carry Cash in Rome
Money Tip
- Even though Rome is quite tech-savvy, the city’s shops and marketplaces are still largely cash-based.
- Instead of heading to the ATM often, bring cash from your source destination to save the surcharges and fees.
21. Order Coffee at the Bar
Budget Tip
- Going for a table at one of Rome’s cafes is quite a luxury as you get charged a service fee if you order your food or beverage there.
- Instead, go to the bar, order your beverage and have it there without lingering over it. You will end up saving a fortune by the end of the trip.
22. Be Mindful of your Belongings
Safety Tip
- Rome is almost always brimming with tourists at the most popular places like the Colosseum and St. Peter’s Basilica. These places are therefore the breeding ground for pickpockets.
- Be very careful about your wallet and bags that have your documents. Carry a secure backpack that provides enough protection from pickpockets.
23. Expect Late Dinners
Etiquette Tip
- Most restaurants in Rome do not begin their dinner service until around 9 PM. Since Rome has a lively nightlife, this late meal culture works out great for the party animals.
- You can go for an aperitivo as most locals do at around 7 PM if you get hungry. There is an open buffet and drinks at many restaurants at this time of the day
24. Book Tickets in Advance
Sightseeing Tip
- Whatever they tell you, the tourist attractions in Rome are never fully empty. If you want to guarantee entrance to the greatest Rome attractions, purchase your tickets in advance and online.
- If you intend to visit the city during or around peak season, you should reserve your tickets as soon as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rome Travel Tips
What are the best Rome travel tips about transport?
The best travel tips for transport in Rome are, always using the public transport system whenever possible, using the shuttle for airport transfers, and walking to places that are a short distance away instead of taking a taxi.
What are Rome travel tips to know about sightseeing?
The best travel tips for sightseeing in Rome are visiting the free attractions, leaving early if you want to go to one of the popular attractions, and taking a day trip from Rome.
What are Rome travel tips to know about accommodation?
The best travel tips for accommodation in Rome are picking the right locality to make sightseeing easier and picking the closest airport with respect to the location of your hotel.
What are Rome travel tips to know about budget travel?
The best tips for budget travel in Rome are booking your flight and attraction tickets well in advance, having street food from popular vendors, and drinking tap water.
What should I avoid in Rome?
Avoid ordering cappuccinos after 12 noon, visiting the city during the peak tourism season, and going shopping on weekends.
How should I prepare for a trip to Rome?
Check if you have the right credit card, purchase a universal adapter for your electronic appliances, and book tickets for the major attractions before leaving for Rome.
Do and don'ts in Rome?
In Rome, you should obey the traffic rules, carry a scarf for the evenings in case the weather turns cooler, and wear comfortable shoes for walking. Conversely, avoid going for dinners before 8:30 PM, visiting the city during the peak tourism season, and going shopping on weekends.
How do I travel to Rome for the first time?
When traveling to Rome for the first time, always fly to the closest airport to your hotel.
Is it rude to tip in Rome?
Rome’s eateries generally levy a service charge on the bill. Even so, if you feel inclined to tip, you may.
How many days should you spend in Rome?
Depending on the time of the year, a comprehensive trip to Rome will take 5 to 7 days.
Where should I stay on my first trip to Rome?
Try to stay as centrally as possible on your first trip to Rome. Tridente, Monti, and San Lorenzo are all great neighborhoods to stay in on your first trip.
Is Rome expensive?
Yes, Rome is a bit expensive to visit. The average daily cost for a person in Rome is €131. The weekly budget for a couple in Rome is about €1900.
Is Rome a dirty city?
No, Rome is a fairly clean city despite a high tourist volume. The authorities are quite proactive in maintaining the hygiene standards in Rome.