ON THE GO
Traveling by plane
Alitalia (AZ) and other airlines fly to all major cities in the country.
On the way by car / bus
The Italian road network has a length of over 300,000 km with more than 6,000 km of motorway.
Need one for the use of most highways toll to be paid. The toll payment method is not the same on all Italian motorway routes. The toll is paid at the toll stations either in cash, with the Viacard magnetic value card, with bank cards or with credit cards. The Viacard is available from ACE (www.ace.de/shop/italien.html). The Viacardcannot be used at four toll stations on the A 18 in Sicily between Messina and Catania. For the motorways A36, A59 and A60 you pay the toll in the Free Flow System, which requires prior registration with the motorway company Autostrada Pedemontana Lombarda (www.pedemontana.com).
Tolls can also be paid with the Telepass transponder (www.telepass.it). However, this requires a contract with the motorway company, which is why this payment method is only suitable for long-term visitors.
Numerous petrol stations close between noon and 3 p.m., you should inquire about the regional opening times beforehand. Unleaded petrol is available at almost every petrol station. Information on the Italian road network is also available from Società Autostrade (Internet: www.autostrade.it).
The ADAC international emergency call station in Milan offers ADAC-Members and holders of an ADAC foreign health and accident insurance, assistance with hotels, rental cars, vehicle or patient repatriation. The emergency call station is manned around the clock (Tel: (02) 66 15 91. Internet: www.adac.de). Long-distance buses
: Long-distance buses run between towns and cities. The regional bus line networks are very good, also in Sardinia and Sicily. In more remote areas, trains and buses provide sufficient connections – you should always inquire about the timetables, however, as some buses only run early in the morning and in the evening and operations are sometimes severely restricted on Sundays.
Rental car:Can be rented in almost all cities and resorts from Italian and international rental companies. Prices and conditions are different. The local rental car companies usually offer cheaper prices. Many car rental agencies have counters at the airport or information desks in hotels. Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Maggiore can be found in Rome.
Documents: For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate is the proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to use the International Green Insurance Cardtake with you in order to benefit from full insurance coverage in the event of any damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance cover applies. The green card can also make it easier to record accidents. Vehicle papers must be carried; If the vehicle is not owned by the driver, he must be in possession of a power of attorney.
National driver’s license or EU driver’s license (recommended because it has happened in the past that the national driver’s license was not recognized) and national registration sufficient. Motorcycles can be imported temporarily without special customs formalities. A driver’s license or motorcycle license is required for motorcycles over 49 cc. Young moped drivers up to the age of 18 need a driver’s license for light motorcycles.
Traveling in the city
All cities and major cities (Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Genoa and Venice) have good public transport systems.
Metro (Metropolitana): There are two metro lines in Rome. The underground trains run Sun-Fri 5.30 a.m.-11.30 p.m. and Saturdays 5.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. The Metropolitana A line runs from Battistini via Stazione Termini to Anagnina, the Metropolitana B line runs via Stazione Termini between Rebibbia and the exhibition center (EUR, Via Laurentina). Milan and Turin (Internet: http://www.metrotorino.it/) also have a metro.
Tram: There are eight tram lines in Rome, the line network covers 28 km. Milan, Naples and Turin also have a tram network.
Bus:Bus routes operate in all cities and major cities. The extensive bus network in Rome is complemented by metro and trams.
Tickets are valid for all public transport and enable passengers to change trains as often as they want within 75 minutes. Daily or weekly tickets can be bought from ticket machines on the roadside, at bus stops, train stations, in tobacco shops, kiosks, cafes, hotels or travel agencies. The BTI (Integrated Tourist Ticket) is available for tourists and is valid for three days on buses, underground trains, trams, regional trains and Trenitalia regional trains. Information is available from the ATAC information office (Internet: www.atac.roma.it) available opposite the Termini train station. Trolleybuses
also run in some cities. In the larger cities, tickets are usually bought from machines or in shops before starting the journey. In the bus, a machine validates the tickets. Collective tickets (booklets with five tickets) can also be purchased in advance. Most cities have a single tariff. Taxi:
In Rome, taxis are expensive and there is a surcharge for night travel, luggage and ordering over the phone. The tariffs are shown on a list with an English translation. Taxis can be stopped at certain collection points or ordered by phone. It is better not to use taxis without a meter. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but the bill should be rounded up.
City tours: On a city tour you get an impression of the many sights. In Rome, you can also ride a horse-drawn carriage through the city. In Venice, visitors can cruise the city’s canals in rented boats or gondolas – public ferries are cheaper, however.
Park:You can park for free on white curbs, paid parking on blue stripes and parking on black and yellow stripes is prohibited. Yellow parking areas are reserved for buses, taxis, etc. In some cities there are designated green parking areas. Parking is prohibited there on working days from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On the go by train
The Italian railway company Ferrovie dello Stato – Trenitalia (FS) (Internet: www.trenitalia.com) has an extensive rail network. The fares are cheap and in the regional area are based on kilometer zones. Trenitalia
high-speed trains run on the following routes: Naples-Rome, Milan-Rome, Turin-Rome, Venice-Rome, Milan-Naples and Bologna-Florence.
In addition to the state railway, there are several regional railway companies whose trains mainly run on short and narrow-gauge lines. There are regular connections to mainland Italy from Palermo and Catania / Siracusa in Sicily. In Sardinia, several trains run daily between Cagliari, Porto Torres and Olbia. Information on train connections with Trenitalia is available from the German agency Aviareps (Tel. (089) 236 62 10, (089) 55 25 33 61 – Sales, (01805) 01 35 33 – Reservations. Internet: www.aviareps.com).
Motorail Trains:
There are motorail trains operated by the Italian Railways. Further details from the tourist office (see addresses) or the ADACand other automobile clubs.
Fare reductions and special tickets:
The InterRail one-country pass is available for travel in almost 30 European countries and is valid for 3, 4, 6, 8 days within 1 month in one country. Children aged 4-11 travel at half the adult price. Further information, including from the website (see above).
Note on rail travel
Laws for taking dogs with you: Dogs up to 6 kg can still be carried free of charge in a special box (70 x 30 x 50 cm). Larger dogs may only be taken on the IC and express trains in the last 2nd class wagon – with your own ticket. On regional trains you also need your own ticket and must be carried in the entrance area or aisle of the last car (not from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.). Guide dogs are exempt from this rule. Dangerous dog breeds (e.g. Pitbull, Doberman) are generally prohibited from driving. More information at www.ferroviedellostato.it.
On the way by ship
According to payhelpcenter, Italy’s most important port cities are Genoa, Venice, La Spezia, Naples, Messina, Bari, Pescara, Ancona, Trieste, Palermo, Catania, Livorno, Brindisi and Savona. Numerous car and passenger ferries connect the port cities all year round.
The following shipping companies serve the Italian regions and islands:
– Sardinia: including Tirrenia, Moby Lines, Linee Lauro Medmar, Corsica & Sardinia Ferries, Grandi Navi Veloci (Internet: www.gnv.it/de), Enermar ;
– Sicily: including Grandi Navi Veloci, Moby Lines, Grimaldi, Ustica Lines, Aliscafi SNAV,Caronte, TTT Lines (Internet: www.tttlines.it), Tirrenia ;
– Isola di Capri: among others Aliscafi SNAV, Caremar (Internet: www.caremar.it), Alilauro, NLG, Marittime Partenopee line ;
– Isola di Ischia: including Alilauro, Caremar, Aliscafi SNAV ;
– Sorrento: Alilauro (Internet: www.aliauro.it), Aliscafi SNAV, EuroNautic, Caremar, Marittime Partenopee line,Linee Lauro / Medmar ;
– Aeolian / Aeolian Islands: including Siremar, Aliscafi SNAV, Ustica Lines, Nav. Generale Italiana, Caronte ;
– Italy – Corsica: including Linee Lauro / Medmar, Corsica & Sardinia Ferries, Moby Lines ;
– Isola d’Elba: including Toremar, Moby Lines (Internet: www.mobylines.de);
– Isola del Giglio: Toremar (Internet: www.toremar.it), Maregiglio ;
– Tremiti Islands: including Tirrenia (Internet: www.tirrenia.it);
– Isola Capraia / Gorgona / Pianosa: Toremar ;
– Pantelleria: including Siremar, Ustica Lines ;
– Pontine Islands: Linee Lauro / Medmar, AG.MAR.CAP.F.Jannaccone, Vetor, Aliscafi SNAV, Alilauro ;
– Ustica: Siremar, Ustica Lines (Internet: www.usticalines.it);
– Lampedusa: Siremar, Ustica Lines ;
– Egadi: Siremar, Ustica Lines.
Regulations
– All vehicles must carry a red warning triangle.
– It is mandatory for drivers to wear fluorescent safety vests when they leave their vehicle outside of built-up areas and are on the road, e.g. in the event of a breakdown or an accident.
– The low beam must be switched on at all times during the day.
– Trams have right of way.
– Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰.
– Parking is prohibited on curbs marked in black, yellow and yellow.
– Seat belts must be worn.
– Telephoning while driving is only permitted with a hands-free system. (Telephoning without a hands-free system is punishable by withdrawing your driver’s license for two to three months. This applies to both Italian and foreign drivers.)
– Private towing is prohibited on Italian motorways. The breakdown service can be reached on 116, indicating the location, car number and car type.
– Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear a helmet that complies with the European DIN standard. If you are found without a standardized helmet, the motorcycle will be confiscated for 30 days and a fine will be payable.
– From November 1st to March 31st, the inner area of the cities of Bozen, Meran, Brixen and Bruneck and in the inner area of the surrounding communities Laives, Pfatten, Eppan, Branzoll, Algund, Tscherms, Lana, Burgstall, Marling, Tyrol, Vahrn and St Lorenzen a winter driving ban for vehicles in the Euro 0, Euro 1 classes and all two-stroke motorcycles (with or without catalytic converters).
Top speeds:
in built-up areas: 50 km / h,
on country roads: 90 km / h,
on expressways: 110 km / h,
on motorways: 130 km / h (110 km / h in the rain),
on three-lane motorways: 150 km / h in the marked sections (only in favorable weather conditions).
Penalties of all kinds must be paid immediately. The penalties for speeding are very high.