Airports

Rome's Fiumicino Airport is simple to navigate, considering its size, but it offers few amenities and little to do during an extended layover.

Internet access: Internet access at the airport is limited. As of March 2006, none of the VIP lounges offered wireless Internet access, and only some have computers available in tiny business centers. The best of a weak lot is the Alitalia lounge in Terminal C. Telecom Italia has been experimenting with wireless areas in different spots around the airport. It's an ongoing project, with hotspots marked with red "Wi-Fi" signs and the company's logo.

Waiting around: Again, there isn't much to offer in this area. Frescobaldi is an adequate wine bar serving Tuscan wines by the glass near gate B10 in the European terminal. In Terminal C, the shopping area has been evolving for the better part of a decade and is slowly improving.

Security and customs: The airport is divided into three terminals: Domestic flights mostly go through Terminal A (the only exception is flights to Milan's Malpensa Airport, since they are usually part of longer onward journeys); flights to most of the European Union are in Terminal B (except flights to the U.K.); and intercontinental flights, flights to Malpensa and flights to the U.K. are in Terminal C. One insider tip: If the lines are long in Terminal C, but not B, pass through security control in Terminal B and then take an immediate left toward Terminal C. The two small passport control stations there are almost never busy.

Taxis

Taxis are the best way for the uninitiated to get around town. For cabs flagged down on the street, the fare starts at €2.36 and rises at the rate of €1.03 per kilometer. Calling a cab is slightly more expensive: The meter starts running when the taxi is dispatched. There are times—such as rush hours or during severe weather—when finding a cab can be difficult. If multiple trips are on your agenda, consider hiring a car for the day. The most economical option is one of the main taxi companies, such as Cooperativa Samarcanda (06 55 51), which provides drivers at €25–40 per hour, depending on the duration of service. But there is no guarantee the driver will speak more than basic English. Limousine providers, such as the Rome Limousine (06 33 83 221), guarantee English-speaking drivers and Mercedes Benz cars starting at 55 per hour, with a three-hour minimum.

Mass Transit

Compared to other large European cities, Rome's mass transit system is limited and confusing. Because builders kept running into ancient structures buried under the city streets, development of the metro system was halted with just two lines traversing the city's historical center. This transferred the transport burden to a bus system, which, except for a half dozen or so routes that cater to tourists, can be difficult to understand. --Eric J. Lyman

Trains

Driving/Parking

Tipping

Wi-Fi

How to act like a local

Documentation (work visas, passports, etc)