It’s common in Italy for there to be some transportation issues, but there are apps to make your day-to-day and longer travels stress-free. From scooters to taxis to buses and trains, it’s much like the commercial by Apple that says, “There’s an app for that!” 

FREE NOW, also known as mytaxi, is ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars. It’s also been voted the best taxi app in Europe. Similar to Uber and Lyft, it allows you to pick which type of car you’d like, such as a Lite (fitting 4 people) or a Taxi XL for a higher price (fitting 6). The app also offers car sharing, e-scooters, and rollers (like Vespas). You’re also able to pre-order rides – perfect for an early trip to the airport. The downside, many reviews say, is the price estimate is often lower than the final price ends up being. 

appTaxi performs much better than the 2.2 out of 5 star rating it has. The app is specifically for Italy and when you order your taxi, you can track it unlike another widely used app called itTaxi. Price estimates are very accurate and there never seems to be a long waiting time, especially in popular tourist destinations like Milan and Rome. 

Trainline has a near perfect score from its reviews! This is a very diverse app for rail and bus tickets with lots of options for companies, locations, times, etc. It’s even the leading train and bus app in Europe! Luckily, the app notifies users when their transportation is running late. Once you find your preferred companies for your local or most-used train and bus, you can find specific apps for those, like TrenItalia, Italo, and ATAF. But Trainline is the best app to begin with before you’re sure of these. 

If your phone dies or you don’t have service, and need a taxi, don’t worry! After a few days in Italy, you’ll notice that taxis park by the airports, train stations, and piazzas. Sometimes they’re by monuments as long as cars are allowed nearby. Another backup option is walking into a hotel and asking the front desk to call one for you. 

To avoid getting lost walking to a destination, especially if you lose phone service and are new to the area, you can download an offline map of your city with Google Maps (prior to wifi or service). All you have to do is download the app, enter your city’s name, scroll to the right (past directions, saved, etc.) and click download. The app lets you zoom in to select which areas you want covered, and within a few seconds you’re all set. It’s an easy way to avoid using too much data if you don’t have an unlimited plan. 

There are so many beautiful places to see in Italy and in your very own city. These apps will help get you there quickly so you have more time to explore and enjoy all the area has to offer.