Essential Rome Travel Tips: Things to Know Before You Go

Rome is different than any other city I’ve ever visited, an amazing mix of ancient sights engulfed by modern society. While it can feel magical, it can also feel a bit overwhelming if you’re not prepared.

After multiple trips to Rome, we’ve learned that a little planning will go a long way in making your trip smoother, more enjoyable, and far less stressful.

In this guide, we are sharing things to know before visiting Rome, based on our personal experiences. From how to skip the line at the Colosseum to avoiding tourist traps, understanding Italian dining customs, and navigating public transportation, these Rome travel tips will help you travel smarter, not harder.

Whether this is your first time in Rome, or you are on a return trip, these practical tips will help you make the most of your trip to Italy’s Eternal City.

Pro Tip: Remember that there are new entry requirements for Europe in 2025!

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Why You Should Trust Our Rome Travel Advice

We have been fortunate enough to visit Rome several times as part of our travel across Italy and Europe. That means that we have explored the city as first time visitors and again as repeat travelers, which has helped us to see Rome from different perspectives- the excitement of a first time visit and the deeper appreciate that come with familiarity.

During our travels, we have navigated Rome’s busy streets, used its train system, waited in (and avoided) long lines, and experienced both the highlights and the hidden corners of the city. I assure you that these travel tips come from our real-life experience, not just research.

If you want to learn more about our travels and why we share advice the way we do, check out our Why Trust Us page.

Planning Your Trip to Rome (Before You Go)

Tip 1- Best Time to Visit Rome

The best time to visit Rome is definitely in shoulder season (April-June and September-October). Visiting during this time means smaller crowds, and better prices. We visited in the summer one year, and it was hot and crowded. Our second trip was in the fall and it was much more enjoyable.

Tip 2- Book Tickets in Advance

With millions of tourists a year flocking to the Eternal City, Rome can get a bit crowded, especially at the major attractions.

It is estimated that over 4 million tourists visit the Vatican Museum and the Colosseum each year. On our first visit to Rome, the line to the Vatican stretched as far as you could see and we heard the wait was over three hours long. Needless to say, we skipped that since we didn’t pre-book.

To save yourself precious time waiting in line and to ensure that you get to visit the attractions your heart is set on, buy your tickets in advance.

Skip the lines and the crowds at the Vatican Museum with this tour.  You will enjoy early access to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s, and the Sistine Chapel.

Tip 3- Know Where to Stay in Rome

While Rome has a good public transportation system and is fairly easy to navigate, you don’t want to spend precious vacation hours getting from attraction to attraction. Be sure choose an area that is close to the attractions that you are most interested in. 

For a romantic stay, choose the Centro Storico (historic center area).  Here you will find your dream Rome. Winding cobblestone streets and alleys surrounded by great piazzas and historic churches.

Tip 4- Set Up an Itinerary Before Going

Ok, before you close this blog post because you’re mad that I told you to set up an itinerary, hear me out.

I’m not saying to plan every minute of every day.  I’m just saying to set up a general itinerary of the places you want to see and determine when they are open and what the dress code is.

If you need some help, check out our 2 day Rome itinerary.

For instance, Ostia Antica is closed on Monday and you need reservations to attend the Borghese Gallery.

Doing your research in advance and setting up a general itinerary will ensure you get to see all of the top places that you are dreaming of!

Our post, 25 Awesome Things to do in Rome will help you with your itinerary!

Getting Around Rome (Transportation Tips)

Tip 5- Arrange Your Rome Airport Transfers

The airport is far from the city center, so arrange your transportation in advance.  You have several options when considering transportation.

Of course, you can take a taxi, but I wouldn’t advise it as this is going to be pretty expensive.

There are several rideshare options that you can prebook as well.

I would personally recommend taking public transportation.  We took the Leonardo Express train, which runs every 15 minutes and arrived in the city center in about 30 minutes. This was such a easy way to make our way from the airport to the city center.

Tip 6- Purchase and Validate Public Transportation Pass Before Boarding

Rome’s public transportation system is cheap and efficient.  Sure, you will run into the occasional strike, but really this is only a minor inconvenience.

After doing a day on the Hop-on, hop-off bus to orient ourselves with the city, Marty and I took public transportation or walked the rest of the time.

All public transportation uses the same ticket, and you can buy single-ride tickets (good for one Metro ride-including underground transfers and unlimited bus rides for a 100-minute period), or you can purchase one-day, three-day, one week, or one month passes.

Purchase your tickets or passes at major Metro stations, or and tobacco shops. Before boarding, validate your ticket by sticking it in the Metro turnstile or in the machine when you board the bus.

Just watch everyone else and do what they do!  The machines will return your ticket with a time stamp on the back showing when the ticket expires.

Tip 7- Walking Is Often Fastest

Rome is really a city best explored on foot. Whenever possible, we walked to our destination. This allowed us to see more of the city and familiarize ourselves with our surrounding easier.

Tip 8-Don’t Let People on the Metro Help You With Your Bags

I know this sounds terrible, but it’s true.

Don’t let people on the Metro help you with your bags.  They are either going to hold your bags hostage and insist that you tip them, or they are going to steal your stuff.

We personally witnessed this when getting on the Metro one day. Some guy offered to help a lady with her suitcase and then argued with her and her husband until they finally agreed to tip him.  Sad but true!

Avoiding Crowds and Tourist Traps

Tip 9- Visit Major Sites Early or Late

I will never forget the first time we visited Rome. I was so excited to see the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin into it. When we arrived at the fountain in the middle of the day, that excitement quickly dwindled; there were so many people surrounding the fountain that I couldn’t get anywhere near it.

We got up early the next morning (like at sunrise) and made our way to the Trevi again, and this time, there were only a handful of people at the fountain.

We learned a lot from this experience, and have used this piece of advice ever since. If we want to see a popular place or attraction without all the crowds, we visit early in the morning or late in the evening.

Tip 10- Beware of Overpriced Restaurants Near Landmarks

Beware of the overpriced restaurants near major landmarks in Rome (and lots of other big cities). Locals usually never eat at these restaurants because they are overprice, and don’t offer the best experience. Instead, ask locals where they eat, or where they would take a family member visiting from out of town.

That’s exactly what we did and they lead us to a little trattoria away from the tourist squares that served up delicious, authentic Italian cuisine that was half the price. Man, I can still taste that pasta!

Italian Culture and Etiquette You Should Know

Tip 11- Dress Code Matters

When visiting churches in Rome, you should always be appropriately dressed.

Modest dress is expected when going into a place of worship.  So keep your plans for the day in mind when dressing.

If it’s summer and hot out, then you might want to carry a long scarf that can be used to cover your knees or shoulders when you are ready to go into a church.

Not knowing this made us miss our time in the Vatican on our first trip to Rome. Learn from our mistakes and be appropriately dressed for your day.

Tip 12- Tipping Is Not Mandator

I know that this is a difficult concept to grasp if you’re from America, but it’s true!

The servers in Italy get paid a competitive wage and therefore tipping is not mandatory. If you receive great service and just want to give something extra, then, by all means, you can leave a tip.

The amount varies according to the circumstances, but generally adding a euro or two per person is generous

Food & Dining Tips in Rome

Tip 13- Order Like a Local

Eating while in Rome is definitely one of the highlights of your trip.

Knowing how to order can definitely save you some money on your food bill. Here are some tips to follow:

• Seafood and steak are usually sold by weight, unless the menu says fillet (filetto)
• Some dishes are meant to be shared by two people, so the menu will show “X2”, but the price listed is often per person!
• If a waiter asks you if you want an appetizer “for the table” they are asking if you want one per person, not if you want to share it.
• Don’t order a cappuccino after 11:00 am
• So part of the reason that tipping is not mandatory is that you are already paying for table service.  Before you sit down, look at the menu to see what extra charges will be applied to your bill. There is often a coperto (cover charge) or a servizio (service charge) displayed on the menu.
• You have to ask for your bill at the end of the meal
• Drink the house wine. It is delicious!

Be sure to ask questions and make sure you are completely clear on what you are wanting to ensure you aren’t slammed with a bunch of unwanted charges at the end of your meal.

Money, Safety, and Practical Tips

Tip 14- Carry Cash

Cash is king in Rome, so always have some with you.  Many places do not take debit or credit cards, so you always need some cash on hand.

This is another area that doing some research ahead of time will pay off.

Go online and find out your bank’s affiliates in Italy and then find their bank or ATM machines.

This will save you money on foreign transaction fees!

We were super lucky that our bank had branches all over the place.  We found our first one right after getting off of the plane!

Tip 15- You Have to Pay to Pee

Always keep a few euros of that cash handy in order to pay for the restroom.

Yes, you have to pay to use the restroom.  This is actually really common in a lot of big cities, so I wasn’t completely shocked.

Of course, there are free restrooms at museums and most restaurants if you are a paying customer.

There is also a free restroom at the McDonald’s located near the Spanish Steps.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Rome

Rome is a city that rewards thoughtful travelers, and we are so luck to have experienced it several times. With a little preparation, you’ll avoid common travel mistakes and have more time to dive into the uniqueness of this fabulous city. We hope these Rome travel tips help you to confident in planning your trip to Rome!

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