In Italy the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Italy, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 – 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa).

Open pharmacies display a green neon cross out front, making them easy to recognize, even from a distance. The number and opening hours of Italian Pharmacies are regulated by law. Pharmacies operate on a “rota”, or rolling system designed to ensure an open pharmacy (or one which can be opened in a medical emergency) in each general area at night, holidays and Sundays. Each farmacia displays a card with its own opening hours, emergency telephone number, and where to go outside of those opening hours for emergency services.

Rome has two international airports – Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA). Deciding which one to fly into is pretty much determined by where you’re coming from and what your budget is. Fiumicino is the main Rome international airport used by big airlines such as Alitalia, British Airways, and American Airlines. If you’re coming from another continent, you’ll probably fly into Fiumicino. Ciampino is a very small secondary airport that caters to budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. If you’re coming from elsewhere in Europe and don’t like spending a fortune on flights, this is the Rome International Airport to fly into.

Rome is well connected to the major Italian cities by regional and high-speed trains. Roma Termini is the main station of the capital, providing regional, national and international connections. Trains to Rome from Naples take approximately 1h, from Florence 1h 30m, while the journey from Venice takes less than 4h. Direct services are provided by Trenitalia, through the famous Frecciarossa and Frecciargento, and by Italo, thanks to their new high-speed trains, allowing people to travel in the city in a fast, easy and comfortable way. Besides Termini, Rome’s other main stations are Roma Tiburtina and Roma Ostiense. From all three stations, it’s possible to reach the two main airports (Fiumicino and Ciampino) as well as the Civitavecchia harbour.

Buying tickets for buses and trams in Rome is a little different from most cities in Europe.

Buying tickets for the metro is very straightforward; the ticket machines are at each station, and you have to pass through a gate to enter, which immediately validates the ticket. There’s also a contactless system in place, meaning you can just tap your card when you enter and exit to pay. For the buses and trams, however, it’s important to buy your ticket in advance from one of the places mentioned previously – you don’t want to be caught out rushing to catch a bus only to realize you forgot to buy a ticket.

Besides finding a place to purchase your ticket (and later validating it), you’ll find that the ticket system in Rome is actually quite straightforward. You can buy a ticket that allows you to use the bus, metro, trams, and some urban trains, rather than having to buy a separate ticket for each.

Italy is a member of the European Union (EU) and part of the Schengen Convention; therefore, the same conditions apply in Italy as in other EU member state. Below you’ll find information on the necessary documentation to travel to Rome and other parts of Italy: American citizens do not require a visa to enter Italy if they plan to stay under 90 days. However, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date. Australian citizens planning on staying in Italy or any other EU member country for less than 90 days do not require a visa. As citizens of the European Union and European Economic Area, you will not need a visa to enter the country. Citizens of countries not previously mentioned will need to get a Schengen (short-stay) visa to enter Italy or any other EU country. For more information, we recommend visiting the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy: Ministero degli Affari Esteri