Rome

By air

Rome Ciampino (CIA)

CIA to Rome: an airport shuttle bus to Termini is the cheap path, but it does not wait for a late flight; after the last shuttle it is a fixed-fare white taxi.

Rome Fiumicino (FCO)

FCO to Rome: the Leonardo Express train to Termini is about 32 minutes; after the last train it is a white taxi at a fixed fare inside the city walls — the risk is a long immigration queue, not the ride.

Passes

No pass for a short stay. Rome's 24/48/72-hour tickets pay back only with several rides a day; check current prices.

Late at night

Metro lines A and B close around 23:30 on most nights (later some weekends; check); night buses and taxis cover the rest.

Pizzeria Da Baffetto

Thin, wood-fired Roman pizza near Piazza Navona; expect a queue at 20:00–21:30, so go early or late.

Historic centre (Pantheon and Navona)

The most central base for walking to the Pantheon, Navona and Trevi; cobbles and crowds at night, and cars cannot reach many doors, so pack light.

Monti and the Colosseum

First-timers: Monti is a village-like district a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum, with restaurants at the door and the Cavour metro close; take a hotel with a lift, a 24-hour desk and a taxi door.

Etiquette

• Greeting: Say buongiorno (until mid-afternoon) or buonasera on entering shops and bars; avoid: Walking in and pointing without a greeting
• Cheek kisses: Two kisses, right cheek first, among friends; follow their lead; avoid: Kissing strangers or in business settings
• Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders and knees in churches; avoid: Beachwear, bare chests and flip-flops away from the beach
• Queues: At delis and pharmacies take a number (numerino); avoid: Assuming the crowd at a bar counter is chaos — pay at the till first where asked
• Restaurants: Wait to be seated and ask for the bill; avoid: Splitting a bill item by item with a large group
• Conversation: Food, football and family are safe openers; avoid: Mafia jokes and north–south stereotypes
• Dinner at a home: Bring pastries, wine or flowers (not chrysanthemums, which are for funerals); avoid: Refusing seconds too firmly

Red lines

• St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums: shoulders and knees covered; no hats inside.
• Do not sit on the Spanish Steps or wade in fountains: on-the-spot fines apply.
• Colosseum and Forum: stay on marked paths; do not climb or touch the stones.

Scams and watch-outs

• Rose, bracelet and 'free' gift sellers at the Colosseum and Spanish Steps who then ask for money: say no and keep your hands closed.
• 'Gladiator' photo actors who demand a fee after the picture: agree the price first or decline.
• Tourist restaurants near the big sights with a fixed 'tourist menu' and add-ons: check the printed prices and the coperto.
• Unofficial taxis at Termini and the airports: use the white-taxi rank, the fixed-fare sign, or an app.