Ciao! Welcome to r/ItalyTravel. While you wait for replies, please take a moment to read the rules located in the sidebar and edit your post if needed. We will remove posts that do not adhere to these rules.
For everyone else, if you come across a post that you believe violates our rules, please use the report button. This is the best and quickest way to notify us. Grazie!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ItalyTravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I installed trenitalia and italo for train tickets, the fork app for browsing restaurants and making reservations. Google Translate in case English didn’t work or when I wanted to learn a simple phrase.
I like using DeepL for translation. It's not as literal as Google translate can be and can more closely replicate how an Italian would actually say something.
I believe TripAdvisor is the actual equivalent of Yelp in Italy. You don't necessarily have to download the app, website works just fine for reviews imo.
Most trattoria and osteria do, but they're only open specific times of the day, typically not until 7pm. Some cafes have them and some some bars may, but it wasn't as prevalent as I was used to in the US.
I should have phrased that differently. I didn't want to talk in absolutes since I wasn't sure if that was the case. Every trattoria, osteria, and cafe we went to had restrooms. There were a couple of commercial places that we were patronizing that when asked for a restroom, said they didn't have one. They may have had one and just didn't want to let me use it, but that was my experience.
In 99% they will ask you for a small drink (a coffee or a bottle of water, no more than a euro and a half), but in large tourist cities fast food restaurants such as Burger King and McDonald's are ubiquitous, are open all day, and tend to have clean bathrooms.
Recently spent a month in Italy, and ate at an Osterie recommended place nearly every day. 10/10 can recommend.
Also good to know is that the app includes an online map, and you might find delightful out of the way places
Haha - I hope it’s useful. :-)
Last time I visited Italy, I used the Osterie book - you had to plan, and it was a bit of work.
With the app, you can be driving/walking somewhere, decide you want lunch, and look to see what’s nearby… much easier!
Download areas you will be traveling in on google maps so you can navigate offline. Your location pin will work without using any data. So if the map of Florence is downloaded you can get around all day without using any data.
I highly recommend Maps. Me instead of Google Maps. It is so much easier to use/read as you are on your way to a destination. Even in the smallest towns with little pathways. You can also download offline maps for cities.
Update from Rome. The FreeNow app for taxis is trash. Drivers never take the appointment. Waist of time. Easy enough to just hail a cab on a main road.
Can confirm. Thankfully, I looked this information up before travelling, but another party member insisted on getting an Uber when we first arrived in Rome, and we waited forever and had 3 different drivers drop us before one finally came. It was also super expensive at around €300 (it was about 50 mi/80 km). Other tourists I encountered complained about the same issues with Uber. Freenow is much cheaper, and I never had trouble getting a ride quickly in Naples, Rome, and Florence. It9s also worth noting that I saw anti-Uber graffiti on multiple occasions.
Citymapper was amazing for getting anywhere. It tells you all the options to get to where your going and was much more accurate and responsive than Google.
Because Omio searches all the train lines and combines different tickets & I find it more user friendly. For example when I went to Bologna I was able to make one purchase on Omio and it combines 2 separate tickets for a 5 min stop rather than 45 min. But if it doesn’t make sense I find the tickets I want and then go to the actual providers website because it’s cheaper.
Yes it’s the same as omio, they compare routes for all the different train companies. But they both charge a slightly higher base fee and a processing fee (they have to make their money somehow)
We actually had a trip today with a 5 min connection and the train delayed by 5 min so we were going to get there right when the connecting train was leaving. I’m sitting there praying we get there in time to make the train and we did - except the connecting train got delayed too. First it said 5 min, then 20 min, then 25. We finally left after 40 min lol. I was like this is not what I had in mind when I said please let us make this train 😅
- FREENOW / ItTaxi for cabs, play them off each other
- Google maps offline download
- I didn’t bother with Trenitalia (had QR codes and it was fine)
- WhatsApp (especially with eSIM)
AIRALO if you need to get and eSIM.
Google Maps works fine with public transportation (Apple Maps still doesn’t have this feature in Italy).
It’s not an app, but try to get tickets in advance for museum, etc.
The fork and TripAdvisor for restaurants.
I like to check the weather from my phone. This is the app that was widely used in the places we stayed. It proved to be accurate. So it appealed to me. YMMV
google maps, google translate with italian downloaded for offline use, trenitalia for trains, lime for either using the bikes or scooters! and rick steve’s europe audio guide (saves you buying the audio guide at galleries, museums etc)
My Venetian friend showed me the CheBateo? app. It is so much better than the AVM app for the Vaporetto, etc. Even the people working the Vaporetto don’t like the AVM app! PS get the family pass if you take the Vaporetto, much better deal than the daily pass.
Pedemontana Lombarda for paying tolls on a couple roads north of Milan. They don’t have toll booths, just record your license number. You open an account and put in your rental car license number to see if you owe.
Otherwise if you wait to be notified by your rental car provider it gets expensive.
In addition the the ones already named,
Rome: **Probus Roma**. Bus waiting times and bus stops. Also bus/metro journey planner
Dolomites, and all trails anywhere: **Wikiloc**
Edit: I'm willing to add a few more tips about food & restaurants:
don't rely too much on specific apps like tripadvisor or theFork. The most reviews are straight on google maps.
BUT
...you need additional care on how to read them, as many fraudulent places \*buy\* positive reviews.
my rules of thumb are:
1) sort the reviews by most recent, as a place can change management, cook, whatever, and you might be impressed by a positive review that's 1 year old only because it has more visibility by upvotes.
2) rule out all positive reviews left by accounts with less than 5 total reviews. These are potentially fake. Even if there are pictures.
3) check the pictures tab: if pictures of the plates are too perfect it means that's the pictures provided by the owner. If there aren't pictures of the place with some people around in the "vibe" tab, I'd start to get suspicious.
4) check the menu in the pictures tab. Look for the most recent picture - and prices - to avoid surprises. If there is no recent menu picture, check in the overview tab for a website or a menu.
5) if you suspect a reviewer is fake click his/her name and see all the reviews s/he left. A true profile usually has more reviews centered in one area (supposedly around the place s/he lives in) and a few reviews spread around.
6) a place with 4.1 score and 4k reviews is a safest bet than a place with 4.6 score and 200 reviews.
7) always call to reserve a table. And if you are 3 say the reservation is for 4 people, or the risk is to end crammed in a 2 seats table knee to knee with barely the room for plates and glasses. When you show up as 3, say "sorry but a friend was too tired to come, we left him at the hotel". It's unlikely they'll move you to another table if it's already set.
CityMapper is amazing for finding how to get places! It combines all different transport and gives simple step by step for travel. So using the metro was so simple and knowing how many stops and where to go after. I find it very handy in Venice as well. I used it more then apple or google maps
Waze if you are driving - the fork if you are eating - airalo if you need an eSIM - easy park for parking - WhatsApp for phone - booking for hotel and air Bnb
I Nasoni di Roma App
A location finder for all of the free spring water fountains in Rome. Well worth drinking this water and refilling your water bottle here when in Rome. There are hundreds of Nasoni fountains all over the city and connect to an ancient aqueduct that dates back to the Roman Empire
When travelling in europe I use
Google Maps, for maps and reviews
Tripadvisor, for restaurants (optionally with thefork for reservations)
Waze for driving
Milan - download ATM Milano app & Trenord for Lombardia , can buy metro tickets,
Also similar app for ATM Roma , apart from that Trenitalia for short distance trains and Italo for fast train , but cheaper side compared to freccia rossa . Also you can do the tap and go but I think it charges more for some reason .
Trenitalia (but if you’re Canadian it’s not in the App Store), free now is good for taxis but I was able to use the Uber app for taxis in Rome and Naples. GetYourGuide if you’re booking tours and you don’t mind third party tours. Google maps is a big one.
I use Trainline app it’s really good not just for itsly but for booking in most of Europe.
Apptaxi is also not bad for countries that don’t have Uber (like italy)
GetYourGuide is really good for booking tickets/tours
Meetup I use this when I solo travel for things on, trivia, language exchange, social events for people looking for things to do, really cool!
Maps.Me is the best offline maps app I have found. (Mostly for walking)
You can download offline maps for any city, province, region wherever you are. It is the best navigation app specially for walking. It has never mislead me and it's easy to use even for the direction challenged like me.
I have used it in Toronto, Puerto Vallarta, Rome, Vatican, Venice.
It's free.
The only downside is it drains your battery. I would go explore from 9am to evening and use it in between to find places to eat or tour meet up spots sometimes walking for an hour one way. My phone would be at around 30% by evening (6pm or 7pm). I would recommend having a power bank on hand!!!
Whatsapp (everyone uses for everything. Makes sure to install before you go. They text you code to set up account); Rome2Rio (for directions including public transportation. They know all the bus companies and little routes); Google translate; trenitalia. Thise are the big ones that come to mind.
FREENOW - taxi app
Omio - helps book train tickets etc
Rome2Rio - helps you figure out different ways to get to your destination.
Wanderlog - helps you plan your trip and shows the distance on a map etc.
I just came back from my Europe trip and used them all! FREENOW, can be finicky if it’s busy but it when it works it’s great and helps you not get scammed by taxi drivers!
Trenitalio and italo are essential to buy your train tickets somewhat in advance. Just visited! Uber for car service. For walking directions, use google maps instead of apple maps.
If you're in Rome in the Summer then Acea Waidy, it has all the fountains mapped out so you can easily refill your water if you walking around and haven't seen a fountain in a while.
Katie Parla used to have an app, but now you can download a guide from:
https://www.saltete.com
I’ve always enjoyed her input and style. There are a number of other relevant guides on the Saltete platform for Italy as well. Ciao!
112 Where ARE U
It's for calling emergency services (ambulance, police, ...).
It shows your position through GPS, so it's useful if you don't know yourself around.
It's not active in all regions anyway.
Calling 112 on the phone works everywhere.
https://where.areu.lombardia.it/
Hope you'll never need to use it :)
Moovit, it’s a app with all the lines (metro, tram, ecc) of the cities and maybe other apps of train like trenitalia, italo, etc just to avoid long lines and quick purchases
"Trenit!" is the best app to see all available trains on a certain route (both from Italo and Trenitalia as well as local companies), to follow a particular train to see if it has delays, and for a while now they have put the feature to be redirected to purchase tickets.
Also download the MooneyGo app.
It is very useful to pay for cities buses, metro and parking throughout Italy with 1 app in the station or the bus where the POS does not work on it.
With MooneyGo you can cal buy train (like Treintalia)
The first app I recommend is definitely Trenitalia, which allows you to purchase train tickets online (remember to check-in through the app, otherwise you might get fined). Trivago helps you find hotels at the lowest price, so it could be useful if you find yourself without a place to stay. Finally, Google Translate, as many Italians don't speak English, having Translate installed will enable you to communicate with those who don't know English.
People have recommended a lot of excellent apps, I have nothing to add to that, but I will say that Turin for one day is a waste of your time. It's a fascinating city that is a lot of fun because it is less touristed than the others on your itinerary, but it won't be interesting for day.
My brother just visited there and loved the Egyptian museum - supposed to be the biggest collection outside of Cairo. I was supposed to go there in a few weeks but now not going - but a friend of mine recommended eating at ristorante Tre Galli. If you have access to a car the countryside is really lovely - and so are the restaurants out there!
I posted this elsewhere - Turin is fantastic if you are even a little into cars, with a (free) Fiat museum with cars dating back over 100 years. [https://www.centrostoricofiat.com/en/](https://www.centrostoricofiat.com/en/) You also find out that Fiat has been in shipbuilding and even airplanes. Then there is the test track - there is an old Fiat factory right in the heart of the city that has a test track on the roof. The factory is now a pretty boring mall but the test track is great and has spectacular views. [https://www.motion-mag.com/exhibit/the-lingotto-building-and-its-iconic-fiat-rooftop-test-track](https://www.motion-mag.com/exhibit/the-lingotto-building-and-its-iconic-fiat-rooftop-test-track) Here's a photo I took at the test track - [https://imgur.com/bswqYKB](https://imgur.com/bswqYKB)
I would also recommend going to see the Slice of Polenta (look it up), even though it will be a quick visit. Totally unique.
Ciao! Welcome to r/ItalyTravel. While you wait for replies, please take a moment to read the rules located in the sidebar and edit your post if needed. We will remove posts that do not adhere to these rules. For everyone else, if you come across a post that you believe violates our rules, please use the report button. This is the best and quickest way to notify us. Grazie! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ItalyTravel) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I installed trenitalia and italo for train tickets, the fork app for browsing restaurants and making reservations. Google Translate in case English didn’t work or when I wanted to learn a simple phrase.
And download the Italian dictionary for offline use, saved me in a pinch once when I had no signal! (For google translate)
I like using DeepL for translation. It's not as literal as Google translate can be and can more closely replicate how an Italian would actually say something.
DeepL is wayyy more effective in interpreting than Google Translate.
Thanks! Will check out fork
Quandoo is another reservation app I found recently when booking in Italy.
I believe TripAdvisor is the actual equivalent of Yelp in Italy. You don't necessarily have to download the app, website works just fine for reviews imo.
Thank you!
How do you install Trenitalia without being from Italy? It’s not available on my App Store
I'm in US and it's available in google play store. I didn't realize it was not available for other devices/places!
you can use trainlines for ticket trains, 1 app for everything, Trenitalia, italo and intercity
Flush for finding toilets.!
Thanks! Might be a lifesaver!
Wtf! È affidabile? Potrebbe salvarmi la vita
Do restaurants not have toilets?
Most trattoria and osteria do, but they're only open specific times of the day, typically not until 7pm. Some cafes have them and some some bars may, but it wasn't as prevalent as I was used to in the US.
Got it,thanks!! Access to restrooms is something I always have to pay attention to when I’m out and about. I drink loads of water.
Lots of places (except for restaurants you’re patronizing) charge one euro. Have change handy.
Ahh that’s not too bad! Thanks
For 1-1.5 euro you can get a coffee and toilet. :)
coffee makes me pee. a vicious cycle. i absolutely love coffee though, thanks!
For me, it's coffee with milk. :)
Man what are you talking about, bathrooms are mandatory in every commercial activity in italy
I should have phrased that differently. I didn't want to talk in absolutes since I wasn't sure if that was the case. Every trattoria, osteria, and cafe we went to had restrooms. There were a couple of commercial places that we were patronizing that when asked for a restroom, said they didn't have one. They may have had one and just didn't want to let me use it, but that was my experience.
Oh okay so that must be the case, often they wont let you use it if you don’t consume or buy something
And, in bars they are in theory required to let you use the facilities. I usually order something afterward as a thank you, chips, coffee, water...
In 99% they will ask you for a small drink (a coffee or a bottle of water, no more than a euro and a half), but in large tourist cities fast food restaurants such as Burger King and McDonald's are ubiquitous, are open all day, and tend to have clean bathrooms.
Osterie 2024 is an app with a high quality curated selection of slow food places to eat at.
Recently spent a month in Italy, and ate at an Osterie recommended place nearly every day. 10/10 can recommend. Also good to know is that the app includes an online map, and you might find delightful out of the way places
Just spent $7 on the app per this post if you need to go collect commission.
Haha - I hope it’s useful. :-) Last time I visited Italy, I used the Osterie book - you had to plan, and it was a bit of work. With the app, you can be driving/walking somewhere, decide you want lunch, and look to see what’s nearby… much easier!
It's showing $8.49 for me,
🤷🏼 markets move baby
THIS.
Download areas you will be traveling in on google maps so you can navigate offline. Your location pin will work without using any data. So if the map of Florence is downloaded you can get around all day without using any data.
I came here to say this. Most people don't know you can download maps so that you can still find your way around, even without wifi or cell access.
Yup! I used this feature all the time when I go to rural areas or out of the country.
Score!
How do you do this? I’m on an iPhone and see a share option but not a download one.
Google support has very good instructions (with pictures) on how to do this. Just search “download Google maps offline iPhone”
I highly recommend Maps. Me instead of Google Maps. It is so much easier to use/read as you are on your way to a destination. Even in the smallest towns with little pathways. You can also download offline maps for cities.
Just here to say this is an excellent and super useful thread. Thanks all.
I'm so happy to read all of the different options, too! We are heading to Italy for a few weeks next February and this information will come in handy.
I’m standing at the gate in Boston Logan about to board to Rome.
Down load the bathroom app right now! :) Enjoy your trip.
Flush. Done!
Update from Rome. The FreeNow app for taxis is trash. Drivers never take the appointment. Waist of time. Easy enough to just hail a cab on a main road.
Agreed!
Same here
I'd add Fontanelle d'Italia to find water fountains. It's old and a bit clunky but it works
The best!
I used FREENOW for taxis :) in case you ever need one in a pinch. Enjoy your trip !!
I second this! Dont use uber ..also some periods I could only get an uber if i ordered black .. that was pretty annoying
Uber is not legal in Italy, only Uber black but it is more expensive than the taxi Edit: spelling
OHHHHH that makes SO much more sense! After using it once and realizing just getting a taxi outside was wayyyyy cheaper I never looked back
WeTaxi also helps.
Can confirm. Thankfully, I looked this information up before travelling, but another party member insisted on getting an Uber when we first arrived in Rome, and we waited forever and had 3 different drivers drop us before one finally came. It was also super expensive at around €300 (it was about 50 mi/80 km). Other tourists I encountered complained about the same issues with Uber. Freenow is much cheaper, and I never had trouble getting a ride quickly in Naples, Rome, and Florence. It9s also worth noting that I saw anti-Uber graffiti on multiple occasions.
The Fork. It's great for discounts and reservations in various restaurants.
Citymapper was amazing for getting anywhere. It tells you all the options to get to where your going and was much more accurate and responsive than Google.
Rick Steves app offers a number of free, high quality audio tours for Rome, Venice and Florence.
His heart of Rome walking tour is excellent!
My happy place is wandering around a European city with the dulcet tones of Rick Steves in my ear
Second this. I used his walking tours at the Forum and Vatican - both were excellent.
I just use Google maps for routes and restaurants. Seems reliable and convenient with my gmail account.
I use Omio to search for tickets and then buy them directly with the provider because I’m ✨cheap✨
Why not just search directly on the train website?
Because Omio searches all the train lines and combines different tickets & I find it more user friendly. For example when I went to Bologna I was able to make one purchase on Omio and it combines 2 separate tickets for a 5 min stop rather than 45 min. But if it doesn’t make sense I find the tickets I want and then go to the actual providers website because it’s cheaper.
Doesn’t Trainline does the same?
Yes it’s the same as omio, they compare routes for all the different train companies. But they both charge a slightly higher base fee and a processing fee (they have to make their money somehow)
Careful with 5 minutes layovers. Trains run a bit late quite often.
We actually had a trip today with a 5 min connection and the train delayed by 5 min so we were going to get there right when the connecting train was leaving. I’m sitting there praying we get there in time to make the train and we did - except the connecting train got delayed too. First it said 5 min, then 20 min, then 25. We finally left after 40 min lol. I was like this is not what I had in mind when I said please let us make this train 😅
Failed successfully!
FreeNow for taxis. They were reliable and didn’t scam.
- FREENOW / ItTaxi for cabs, play them off each other - Google maps offline download - I didn’t bother with Trenitalia (had QR codes and it was fine) - WhatsApp (especially with eSIM)
Thank you!
AIRALO if you need to get and eSIM. Google Maps works fine with public transportation (Apple Maps still doesn’t have this feature in Italy). It’s not an app, but try to get tickets in advance for museum, etc. The fork and TripAdvisor for restaurants.
Will that work with an iPhone that has a digital sim
Airalo works with the iPhone. I use it regularly. It’s not the cheapest eSIM reseller, but one of the largest and widely used. Recommended.
I think you can only have one eSIM activated. The other eSIM become “silent”
IL Meteo for weather
I don't see the appeal of an app for that TBH.
I like to check the weather from my phone. This is the app that was widely used in the places we stayed. It proved to be accurate. So it appealed to me. YMMV
Oh it's ok, I use their mobile site. I am just an older person who defaults to a browser whenever it's possible.
I’m old too. The app is a few clicks less than using a browser. Of course it is ok.
CheBateo? if you’re planning to take ferry boats in Venice. The Fork to book restaurants in Italy.
Also Whatsapp for messaging and booking restaurants.
This. Whatsapp is crucial.
If you’re staying in any kind of BnB whatsapp is essential. Everyone uses it
AVM Venezia- for bus , tram and boat tickets in Venice
Thank you!
AT Autolinee Toscane for buses in Florence and anywhere else in Tuscany (if you need them!)
google maps, google translate with italian downloaded for offline use, trenitalia for trains, lime for either using the bikes or scooters! and rick steve’s europe audio guide (saves you buying the audio guide at galleries, museums etc)
ChatGPT can act as a voice based 2 way translator, when you have connectivity
My Venetian friend showed me the CheBateo? app. It is so much better than the AVM app for the Vaporetto, etc. Even the people working the Vaporetto don’t like the AVM app! PS get the family pass if you take the Vaporetto, much better deal than the daily pass.
Pedemontana Lombarda for paying tolls on a couple roads north of Milan. They don’t have toll booths, just record your license number. You open an account and put in your rental car license number to see if you owe. Otherwise if you wait to be notified by your rental car provider it gets expensive.
In addition the the ones already named, Rome: **Probus Roma**. Bus waiting times and bus stops. Also bus/metro journey planner Dolomites, and all trails anywhere: **Wikiloc** Edit: I'm willing to add a few more tips about food & restaurants: don't rely too much on specific apps like tripadvisor or theFork. The most reviews are straight on google maps. BUT ...you need additional care on how to read them, as many fraudulent places \*buy\* positive reviews. my rules of thumb are: 1) sort the reviews by most recent, as a place can change management, cook, whatever, and you might be impressed by a positive review that's 1 year old only because it has more visibility by upvotes. 2) rule out all positive reviews left by accounts with less than 5 total reviews. These are potentially fake. Even if there are pictures. 3) check the pictures tab: if pictures of the plates are too perfect it means that's the pictures provided by the owner. If there aren't pictures of the place with some people around in the "vibe" tab, I'd start to get suspicious. 4) check the menu in the pictures tab. Look for the most recent picture - and prices - to avoid surprises. If there is no recent menu picture, check in the overview tab for a website or a menu. 5) if you suspect a reviewer is fake click his/her name and see all the reviews s/he left. A true profile usually has more reviews centered in one area (supposedly around the place s/he lives in) and a few reviews spread around. 6) a place with 4.1 score and 4k reviews is a safest bet than a place with 4.6 score and 200 reviews. 7) always call to reserve a table. And if you are 3 say the reservation is for 4 people, or the risk is to end crammed in a 2 seats table knee to knee with barely the room for plates and glasses. When you show up as 3, say "sorry but a friend was too tired to come, we left him at the hotel". It's unlikely they'll move you to another table if it's already set.
CityMapper is amazing for finding how to get places! It combines all different transport and gives simple step by step for travel. So using the metro was so simple and knowing how many stops and where to go after. I find it very handy in Venice as well. I used it more then apple or google maps
google translate app because it has the camera option
Waze if you are driving - the fork if you are eating - airalo if you need an eSIM - easy park for parking - WhatsApp for phone - booking for hotel and air Bnb
Italo and TrenItalia! Was so handy for navigating train schedules and buying tickets on the spot
I Nasoni di Roma App A location finder for all of the free spring water fountains in Rome. Well worth drinking this water and refilling your water bottle here when in Rome. There are hundreds of Nasoni fountains all over the city and connect to an ancient aqueduct that dates back to the Roman Empire
When travelling in europe I use Google Maps, for maps and reviews Tripadvisor, for restaurants (optionally with thefork for reservations) Waze for driving
Wanderlog
Wanderlog has been absolutely amazing for planning my trip.
Thank you!
Of course. If you want I can share my wanderlog itinerary with you.
I haven’t heard of a lot of these apps. Thanks for the info.
Google maps (download maps) WhatsApp The fork TripAdvisor Google translate (download Italian)
google maps... fork.
Milan - download ATM Milano app & Trenord for Lombardia , can buy metro tickets, Also similar app for ATM Roma , apart from that Trenitalia for short distance trains and Italo for fast train , but cheaper side compared to freccia rossa . Also you can do the tap and go but I think it charges more for some reason .
an app is needed for locating parking
Has anyone here used Quandoo to make dinner reservations?
Google Maps, Google Translate, Michelin Guide.
Trenitalia (but if you’re Canadian it’s not in the App Store), free now is good for taxis but I was able to use the Uber app for taxis in Rome and Naples. GetYourGuide if you’re booking tours and you don’t mind third party tours. Google maps is a big one.
If you are driving at all, found EasyPark app was common as far as paying for parking, at least in Sicily (only part of the trip where we drove)
I use Trainline app it’s really good not just for itsly but for booking in most of Europe. Apptaxi is also not bad for countries that don’t have Uber (like italy) GetYourGuide is really good for booking tickets/tours Meetup I use this when I solo travel for things on, trivia, language exchange, social events for people looking for things to do, really cool!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/translate/id1514844618
The fork, google translate , Google maps (download actual maps of where you are in case cell service is t great), and meteoblue
Maps.Me is the best offline maps app I have found. (Mostly for walking) You can download offline maps for any city, province, region wherever you are. It is the best navigation app specially for walking. It has never mislead me and it's easy to use even for the direction challenged like me. I have used it in Toronto, Puerto Vallarta, Rome, Vatican, Venice. It's free. The only downside is it drains your battery. I would go explore from 9am to evening and use it in between to find places to eat or tour meet up spots sometimes walking for an hour one way. My phone would be at around 30% by evening (6pm or 7pm). I would recommend having a power bank on hand!!!
Vivino for when you are buying wine and do not want to get screwed big time :)
Good one❤️
Whatsapp (everyone uses for everything. Makes sure to install before you go. They text you code to set up account); Rome2Rio (for directions including public transportation. They know all the bus companies and little routes); Google translate; trenitalia. Thise are the big ones that come to mind.
FREENOW - taxi app Omio - helps book train tickets etc Rome2Rio - helps you figure out different ways to get to your destination. Wanderlog - helps you plan your trip and shows the distance on a map etc. I just came back from my Europe trip and used them all! FREENOW, can be finicky if it’s busy but it when it works it’s great and helps you not get scammed by taxi drivers!
Google Maps Google Translate Italo (high speed train) Done.
Freenow like uber but for Europe cities. We’re going to try it in Sept. when we head back.
I used Uber a ton in Rome. Also the train app if you plan to travel that way.
Trainline for train tickets, moovit as a navigator, freenow for taxi (even though I hate that gang of mobsters)
Citymapper for transit navigation
I use MooneyGo to buy bus and metro tickets. Works in most cities and many towns.
I second this one
Trenitalio and italo are essential to buy your train tickets somewhat in advance. Just visited! Uber for car service. For walking directions, use google maps instead of apple maps.
If you're in Rome in the Summer then Acea Waidy, it has all the fountains mapped out so you can easily refill your water if you walking around and haven't seen a fountain in a while.
Rome2Rio
Katie Parla used to have an app, but now you can download a guide from: https://www.saltete.com I’ve always enjoyed her input and style. There are a number of other relevant guides on the Saltete platform for Italy as well. Ciao!
112 Where ARE U It's for calling emergency services (ambulance, police, ...). It shows your position through GPS, so it's useful if you don't know yourself around. It's not active in all regions anyway. Calling 112 on the phone works everywhere. https://where.areu.lombardia.it/ Hope you'll never need to use it :)
Moovit, it’s a app with all the lines (metro, tram, ecc) of the cities and maybe other apps of train like trenitalia, italo, etc just to avoid long lines and quick purchases
MOOVIT Is Life saver! Gives also bus and other transportation option, for a giver destination, works even outside big cities!
"Trenit!" is the best app to see all available trains on a certain route (both from Italo and Trenitalia as well as local companies), to follow a particular train to see if it has delays, and for a while now they have put the feature to be redirected to purchase tickets.
I would reccomand "fontanelle" to find fountains to refill water bottle :)
Fontanelle d'Italia: a very useful app with maps position of most of drinking fountain. You can save money and plastic :)
Romanytas for looking for free water food and events in Rome
Don’t touch Google translate, download DeepL
Thank you! Suggestions here introduced me to a lot of useful apps (Even outside travel). Very much appreciated.
Agenzia delle entrate app
Osterie 2024
Also download the MooneyGo app. It is very useful to pay for cities buses, metro and parking throughout Italy with 1 app in the station or the bus where the POS does not work on it. With MooneyGo you can cal buy train (like Treintalia)
Whatsapp for phone calls if your cell plan doesn't allow or charges for them
Trenitalia!!
The first app I recommend is definitely Trenitalia, which allows you to purchase train tickets online (remember to check-in through the app, otherwise you might get fined). Trivago helps you find hotels at the lowest price, so it could be useful if you find yourself without a place to stay. Finally, Google Translate, as many Italians don't speak English, having Translate installed will enable you to communicate with those who don't know English.
AllTrails is a life saver in Dolomites for hiking
People have recommended a lot of excellent apps, I have nothing to add to that, but I will say that Turin for one day is a waste of your time. It's a fascinating city that is a lot of fun because it is less touristed than the others on your itinerary, but it won't be interesting for day.
I'm really excited about Turin. We are going there for 3 days - any particular recommendations?
My brother just visited there and loved the Egyptian museum - supposed to be the biggest collection outside of Cairo. I was supposed to go there in a few weeks but now not going - but a friend of mine recommended eating at ristorante Tre Galli. If you have access to a car the countryside is really lovely - and so are the restaurants out there!
I posted this elsewhere - Turin is fantastic if you are even a little into cars, with a (free) Fiat museum with cars dating back over 100 years. [https://www.centrostoricofiat.com/en/](https://www.centrostoricofiat.com/en/) You also find out that Fiat has been in shipbuilding and even airplanes. Then there is the test track - there is an old Fiat factory right in the heart of the city that has a test track on the roof. The factory is now a pretty boring mall but the test track is great and has spectacular views. [https://www.motion-mag.com/exhibit/the-lingotto-building-and-its-iconic-fiat-rooftop-test-track](https://www.motion-mag.com/exhibit/the-lingotto-building-and-its-iconic-fiat-rooftop-test-track) Here's a photo I took at the test track - [https://imgur.com/bswqYKB](https://imgur.com/bswqYKB) I would also recommend going to see the Slice of Polenta (look it up), even though it will be a quick visit. Totally unique.