Travel within Italy
We encourage you to take advantage of the vacation periods not only to explore your site, but to get to know other Italian regions as well.
Hitchhiking and ride sharing as modes of transportation are strongly discouraged. The practice is regarded by security officials to be extremely unsafe. Buses and trains provide a low-cost, safe alternative.
We also strongly discourage couchsurfing for the same reasons. Couchsurfing may seem like an interesting way to get insight into a new culture, but you would be lodging with strangers.
When leaving the city overnight or longer, you must notify the staff of your itinerary and/or addresses and phone numbers where you can be reached. A link to a travel itinerary form (Side Trip Registration) can be found in the Middlebury study abroad portal so that students can provide details of their trips. This information will be kept confidential and used only in case of emergencies or urgent messages from parents. As a matter of courtesy and common sense, students living with hosts should similarly inform them when they plan to be away.
Bus
Traveling by bus is a popular mode of transportation for those who want to travel at a low cost. There are several companies that travel to many destinations both in Italy and all over Europe. Although traveling by bus usually takes longer, it is a good alternative for budget travelers.
To better plan your trips, to know the best means of transport for your destination, or the cheapest ticket prices, we suggest you use these sites:
Train
The most popular mode of transportation in Italy and in many other countries in Europe is the train. Check www.trenitalia.com or www.italotreno.it for timetables and rates.
Bicycle
Many train stations offer bicycle rental. An attractive travel option is often to travel by train to a nearby or distant destination and then explore the countryside by bike on your own. Bicycle excursions are often offered by student travel agencies or by student organizations. In some cities it is common to use a bike as your primary means of transportation.
ETIAS Registration
The European Union is instituting a policy requiring US (and many other) citizens who may currently travel to Europe without a visa to register their travel and pay a fee (all on-line) prior to departure. This new policy, known as ETIAS, has been delayed a few times, but their hope is to have it running in mid-late 2026. Please pay attention to this if you’re expecting visitors, as they will need to register, and you may also need to register if traveling to countries not covered by your visa.
