Essential info
Insider TipUK passport holders visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond travel.
Getting there
Direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh to Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, Pisa. Ryanair/easyJet from 20 GBP return. BA/ITA 80-200 GBP.
Money
The pound buys roughly 1.15-1.20 EUR. Italy is cheaper than London for food and drink. Contactless widespread. Revolut/Wise cards avoid FX fees.
What British travellers love
- The food really is that much better than in the UK
- Budget flights make weekends easy
- The weather beats British weather year-round
- Wine for 4 EUR that costs 12 GBP back home
- Trains run on time more than expected
- Outdoor piazza culture is infectious
What catches you off-guard
- Customer service is less apologetic than British style
- Queuing culture barely exists
- Coffee is standing and fast - no Costa lounging
- Full English breakfast does not exist here
- AC is less common than expected
- The afternoon shutdown is real in small towns
Food tips
Forget UK Italian restaurants. Carbonara has NO cream. Bolognese is ragu on tagliatelle, not spaghetti. Garlic bread is not a thing. The food is simpler, better, and cheaper.
Useful phrases
What will surprise you
How cheap wine is. A good restaurant bottle costs what a single glass costs at a London wine bar. The food-to-price ratio will change you.
Bottom line
Italy welcomes British travellers warmly. Embrace the Italian pace, eat everything, and you will leave planning your return trip.