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TRANSPORTATION

For information on traveling within Catania, please visit this webpage. 

For air travel, Catania's Fontanarossa airport is 7km southwest of the city centre. AMT Alibus 457 runs to the airport from the train station (€4, 30 minutes, every 20 minutes). The ticket can be bought inside the airport or on the bus. A taxi for four people plus luggage costs about €28.

VISA INFORMATION

For detailed visa requirements, please visit this webpage.

  • US citizens do not need a tourist or business visa to enter Italy for a period of 90 days.

For non-US citizens:

Applicants must submit the following documents (1 original plus 1 copy) :

  • Passport or travel document accepted by the Schengen countries valid for a period of 3 months beyond the applicant's last day of stay abroad. The passport must have a blank page on which the visa will be affixed. In your passport, your complete birthdate must be mentioned: day, month and year.
  • Proof of permanent residence in the United States: U.S. Alien Registration Card or valid U.S. longterm U.S. visa. U.S. visas B1/B2 visas are not acceptable for this purpose.
  • Students must have a valid I-20 Form and exchange visitors a valid I-66 Form.
  • One recent passport size photograph (2x2 inches in size,full face,front view, color).
  • One application form completely and clearly filled out, to be signed by the applicant in the presence of a Consular Officer.
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover the expenses of your planned stay: most recent bank statement(s) of saving, checking, or travelers checks in an amount of approximately $100 per day for the total number of days of your stay.

Employment verification:

  • Letter from employer, on letterhead, stating position, salary and that the vacation/leave has been approved. The letter must be signed and dated.
  • If self-employed: valid business license, certificate of incorporation, and latest tax return concerning business.
  • Flight reservation from travel agent.
  • The round trip ticket, plus one copy, MUST BE PRESENTED when picking up or mailing out the passport. If it applies, present eurail tickets, car rental reservations, internal flight reservations.

Lodging:

  • If staying at hotels, present letter from travel agent or from hotel itself stating the reservation dates and confirmation number. (The name of applicant/s must be mentioned on the reservation.)
  • If you are traveling with an organized tour, present a letter from your travel agent stating that you are a member of the group, and a copy of the tour itinerary.
  • Proof of health insurance with medical and emergency coverage valid for the entire trip abroad. provide a letter from your U.S. health insurance company stating coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization costs and repatriation for medical reasons for your trip abroad (mention dates).
  • For insurance purchased only for your trip, provide letter or certificate from insurance company stating coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization costs and repatriation for medical reasons. coverage for medical expenses must not be less than Euro 30.000,00.
  • Required documents are submitted in two (2) sets - one original and one copy - since immigration authorities abroad can ask you to show the documents that were submitted to obtain the visa.

CURRENCY

Italy uses the Euro. Currency Converter is located here.

CELL PHONE USAGE

In Italy your mobile carrier will use the services of TIM, Vodafone or Wind, all of which have service centers in major cities. You may find it practical to purchase a cell phone account (using pre-paid cards) in Italy for use while you are here.

While you won't find a lot of free WiFi access in public areas, your smart phone or PDA should automatically connect to a local 3G or EDGE network. Please call your provider before traveling to make sure you are covered.

VOLTAGE INFORMATION: 

Electricity in Italy, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but the sockets themselves are different.

For more information on adapters, visit this webpage.

WEATHER