Traveling to Italy

Travel Italy

An ancient civilization and a modern metropolis collide, forming a fascinating country that should be high on every traveler’s bucket list. Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about Italy.

Enjoy acres of history

Often considered the birthplace of the Western world, Italy is home to an impressive array of ancient architecture, Roman ruins and centuries of history. Take your pick from the likes of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Aqueducts, the Roman amphitheater in Verona, and the archaeological site of the city of Pompeii. Everywhere you turn, there’s history to be found

Explore some of the world's best cities

Beautifully diverse, there’s no end of fascinating cities and regions to explore across Italy. From the history of Rome to the food of Bologna, the fashion of Milan to the canals of Venice, there’s something in Italy for everyone to fall in love with. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of the Amalfi Coast or the stunning vineyards of Tuscany, the architecture of Florence and of course, the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Dine on delicious food

Of course, Italy is known the world over for its mouthwatering food. With so much more to offer than simply pizza and pasta (although you’ll find world class options here), the food of Italy differs from region to region, with the quality never dipping. From the seafood of the south to the endless array of meats, cheese, wines and risottos across the country, you’ll never go hungry in Italy.

Money

The currency of Italy is the euro, which is subdivided into 100 cents. As of December 2015, $1 is worth around €0.91, and €1 is worth around $1.10.

One US dollar is currently worth euros.

Here’s a roundup of what you can expect to spend in Italy, although it will vary from city to city. Prices are in US dollars:

Inexpensive meal for one – $16	Bottle of water – $1.10	0.5 litre beer – $4.25
Mid-range restaurant meal for one – $26	Cappuccino – $1.40	Local bus ticket – $1.60

Need to convert your dollars to euros? Order them here.

If you don’t want to carry cash on you, you’ll be able to use our Travelex Money Card wherever you see the Mastercard logo.

Order your euros Find out about Travelex Money Card

Traveling around Italy

By train

Across Italy, trains are plentiful and cheap. What’s more, they’re a great way to do a little bit of sightseeing with some of the most scenic routes in the world. For long distances, you’ll need the Diretto (D) and Interregionale (IR) trains, where it may be worth booking in advance during busy periods. For shorter journeys, you’ll use the Regionale (R) services, which seem like they stop everywhere! For route and timetables, check out TrenItalia.

By bus

City buses across Italy are pleasingly cheap and usually only cost a flat fare of €1. You’ll need to buy your ticket from either a newsagents, tobacconists, or from anywhere displaying a sticker saying “tickets” or “biglietti”. You’ll also need to validate your ticket in the machine at the front or back of the bus once you’re on board. A useful site to check out is the Bus Station.

By moped and scooter

A classic image of the country, riding a moped or scooter around the streets of an Italian city is simply a must-do. You’re sure to find hundreds of companies across Italy with plenty of competitive prices.

Travelex in Italy

Before you head off on your trip to Italy, order your euros online from us. You’ll be able to choose between having your order delivered safely to your home or picking your travel money up from one of our stores near you.

And if you need to pick up some more euros whilst you’re in Italy, simply head to one of our Italian Travelex stores to secure the same great rates – check out our store locator for more details.

Order your euros