Tips for Flying to Rome

I had a lot of questions preparing for our trip to Rome. Now I have answers to share in case they may be helpful to you.

COVID-19 & Travel to Italy

Every country is different. Every country uses its own phrases to say the same thing.

We took the Rapid Antigen Test within 48 hours of arrival. We could have also taken the PCR molecular test within 72 hours of arrival. Print out the documentation. You will need it.

Your vaccination card will serve as your Green Pass in Italy. You will need to show it frequently while traveling and throughout your stay. We've been required to show it at a skatepark and to rent bikes as well as at the Colosseum and other museums. In the latter cases, we also need to show identification along with the Green Pass.

Italians generally wear masks indoors and out. 

Oh, and paper masks only on Alitalia.

This was our experience as of September 15, 2021.

Passenger Locator Documentation

We filled out a Passenger Locator Forms in triplicate. 

First, we filled out the EU Digital Passenger Locator Form as required and printed it. United Airlines at Dulles International Airport asked to see the documentation before they would issue a boarding pass. No one else asked for it, nor did we have to turn it in.

Then we then filled out a paper Passenger Locator Form for France before landing at Charles De Gaulle Airport.

Finally, we filled out a third Passenger Locator Form for Italy before landing at Fiumicino. 

Keep your Dplf easily accessible. Even if you never have to turn it in, the information will come in handy.

Money for Arrival

I wanted to exchange some money before we left for Italy. I learned there are a handful of banks that will change money, including BB&T, Bank of America (if you have an account), Wells Fargo, and more. However, none that I know of will change currency on the spot. You need to place an order in advance and allow sufficient time for delivery, usually several days.

It is always possible to change money at the airport. Their exchange rate will be roughly similar to their rate of exchange for food. You will pay more for less. On the other hand, you won't starve. 

There are options, however. Fiumicino Airport has plenty of ATMs, and you can change money before you leave the airport. 

Getting Cash There

Remember that when you change money with an ATM you will have the fee imposed by your home bank (in my case, 1%) and the fee imposed by the exchanging bank (3 euros). 

Your withdrawal amount, too, is limited by the amount allowed by your home bank (in my case $1,000) and the amount allowed by a particular ATM (in my case, 500 euros). For large withdrawals, it means a bank fee times two.

One last thing, I hit a snag withdrawing cash from an ATM here in Rome. I'd informed my bank of my upcoming travel, and I'd been assured I'd be able to use my card at any ATM to withdraw cash. 

However, two banks in Rome would not accept my card. My home bank suggested the error could be a simple maintenance issue, the bank didn't accept VISA, or that it was a credit union. None of those fit my scenario, but my home bank offered to wire money via Western Union if the problem persisted.

I found a solution by going to a nearby major train station. I found an ATM that would accept my card -- and a Western Union, too.

Three Little Life Lessons all in one place.

• Pack your adapter plug in your carry-on bag along with your pills.
• United Airlines serves food on international flights. Well, to be more specific, they served us food on our flight. Pack long-lasting food for your plane snacks; we're still snacking off ours.
• Boeing 787 has dimmable windows. No more shades. They dimmed them shortly after take-off to gently suggest sleep after dinner. Both cool and weird.