Pre-Departure Info

Even though Italy has a socialized healthcare system, participants of SRISA must have health insurance coverage for the duration of their program.

It is important to check with your medical provider and insurance company to understand what expenses they cover in Europe. We recommend students purchase short-term travel insurance to supplement their current medical plan. Travel insurance covers these four basic areas:

1. Medical/health problems
2. Property loss
3. Trip cancellation/interruption
4. Emergency evacuation

Companies that have had positive feedback from students and local health providers include:

• HTH Worldwide
• GeoBlue
• AXA
• CISI

We have heard negative comments about ISOS from our partner healthcare providers in Florence. With mental health becoming a larger consideration for more and more people, we advise that you ensure the policy you choose covers mental health support while abroad as well.

Local Italian Health Insurance

Students studying for semester programs are required to have health insurance coverage in Italy for the application of their Permit of Stay. Students should check their current health insurance plan to see if it includes travel abroad. If it doesn’t, they may purchase travel insurance such as those described above (recommended) or local Italian Health Insurance (valid all around the Schengen Area). One such local plan is through Paffer. This plan covers students should they need to take a trip to the Italian emergency room (pronto soccorso) and may be used for minor issues as well as real emergencies, but usually not for private practices.

Medications and Doctors Visits

Students requiring special medications should carry them in their original pharmacy containers with the written prescription. Do not have medicine shipped to Italy, as it will be promptly stopped in customs. If students can’t bring enough medication to last their entire stay, they should have the written prescription to take to a doctor in Florence to process a local Italian prescription for additional medication. We recommend taking care of this immediately upon arrival.

There are 24-hour pharmacies in each section of the city and a nearby tourist clinic with English-speaking physicians. The normal charge is about 50-75 Euros per visit.

Each student is responsible for booking their travel to Florence. There are many options for purchasing your tickets, both online and through a travel agent.

We recommend flying directly into Florence airport for the convenience factor. International flights arriving in major cities such as Rome and Milan, Bologna, and Pisa are alternatives but will have other travel (train and bus) and hotel costs attached, so students should calculate these into the total travel cost.

Below are a few suggestions for students to explore for booking travel.

A few suggestions:

• www.skyscanner.com
• www.studentuniverse.com
• www.flycheap.com
• www.expedia.com
• www.lastminute.com

Airlines that offer student discounts:

Emirates
Turkish Airlines
Lufthansa
KLM
Air France

Being prepared and having a few options to get cash, make payments, and make purchases can help students have an enjoyable study abroad experience.

What currency does Italy take?

The countries of the European Union have the Euro as their currency. The Euro fluctuates depending on the international market. For the most up-to-date exchange rates use www.xe.com.

Changing currency in Italy

We do not recommend changing currency while in Florence. However, if you do, it is always best to go to a bank. Although there are change offices in Florence, they charge a commission with high exchange rates. This rule also applies to hotels, airports, and train station exchange offices.

Using credit cards in Italy

Credit cards are accepted all over Italy. Credit cards can also provide cash advances through ATMs. There will be a transaction fee (around $10 for the advance and 2-4% extra for foreign transactions). Having the option available can be a great relief in an emergency. To make cash advances with your credit card, contact your card company to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

How to use your ATM (BANCOMAT) & debit cards in Italy

Before leaving home, check with your bank to verify that you have an international PIN code and that your card is compatible with Europe’s systems. You can also put debit and credit cards on your phone’s wallet.

A few things to note:

Most bank machines have a cash limit ($300, sometimes less). 

Transactions at ATNs (Bankomats) will carry a surcharge.

Most points of service have contactless payment.

Check which international banks your bank partners with to help ease some of the costs.

Deciding what to pack and prepare for studying abroad can be daunting. Follow SRISA’s handy pre-departure checklist for all the essentials you’ll need for your time abroad.

• Bring comfortable clothes, shoes, and workout clothes if you plan on going to a gym or jogging. Count on doing a lot of walking.
• Pack sustainably: bring products that reduce packaging and waste.
• Bring electronic devices necessary for your classes. Check your syllabi to see what the professors require. And remember portablenchargers and adapters.
• Pack light and pack smart. Can you walk down the street and up at least two flights of stairs with your luggage? If not, you may want to consider lightening your load.
• Bring a backpack or bag that can fit under an airline seat for weekend travel. Cheaper airlines require minimal items you can carry on without paying baggage fees.
• Carry little to no valuables and designate a place to conceal them. Your passport, cash, and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you carry them, put them in several places rather than all in one wallet or pouch. Avoid handbags and outside pockets that are easy targets for thieves. Use inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest.
• If you wear glasses, pack an extra pair. Bring them and any medicines you need in your carry-on luggage. Medicines may not be sent into Italy, so bring enough for your travels.
• To avoid problems when passing through customs, keep medicines in their original, labeled containers. Bring copies of your prescriptions and the generic names for the drugs. If a medication is unusual or contains narcotics, you may wish to carry a letter from your doctor attesting to your need for taking the drug. If you have any doubt about the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country first.
• Install WhatsApp on your phone, tablet, and laptop. Calling online with WhatsApp is free and one of the best ways to keep in touch with friends and family back home. Plus, we use this to keep you updated on important news and information.
• Consider bringing a voltage converter if necessary. You can purchase one while in Italy if you want to save space.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, important documents, and the school’s contact information with family or friends in case they need to contact you in the event of an emergency.

Helpful tips for traveling

And, for the final roundup of how to prepare, pack, and carry important documents and information, follow our recommendations below.

Copies, Copies, Copies!

• Make at least 3 copies of your passport. Give one to your parents/guardian/spouse and keep 2 copies on you while abroad. Keep copies secure and separate.
• Make at least 2 copies of the front and back of credit and debit cards and your travel itinerary. Give one copy to your parents/guardian/spouse and keep one copy with you while abroad.
• If you haven’t already done so, e-mail a copy of your itinerary to housing@santareparata.org.

Money, Money, Money!

• Make sure your credit and debit cards are accepted in Italy. If your card has a Visa or Plus logo, you’re fine. But always check with your financial institution!
• Get your credit card and debit card overseas numbers in case of an emergency.
• Contact your company before leaving to let them know you will be overseas, or you may risk having a hold placed on your account.

Identify Yourself

• Carry your passport and photo I.D. in a secure place and easily accessible by you. You will have to present them at various points in your trip.
• I.D.s must have a photo, proof of age, and maybe even student status (this is not necessary, but a good idea for obtaining discounts).
• Carry a written prescription for each medication from your doctor and keep it in the original container. If possible, get enough of your prescription for the duration of your stay before you depart.
• Carry proof of insurance with you. Again, make sure to carry it in a secure place.

It’s in the Bag!

• Keep your purse, backpack, or bag with you at all times. Never leave your belongings unattended! Tuck bags firmly under your arm or wear them across your chest. Wear backpacks in crowded places on the front.
• Carry SRISA’s address and phone number with you wherever you go. Remember to leave this contact information with your parents/spouse/guardian. Please refer to the Pre-Departure Handbook for Emergency Contact Information.
• You might consider purchasing a guidebook about Florence and Italy at your local bookstore and research your destination to learn about the culture, travel, and more for a better experience.

During orientation, we will give out an extensive Student Handbook outlining places to shop, eat, and buy groceries, plus more great information that will be handy for your time in Florence.

The Florence Airport or Train Station to SRISA

When you arrive in Florence from the airport or the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station, take a taxi (conveniently waiting outside the door) to the school to pick up the keys to your apartment. The taxi ride from the airport is a fixed €28 to €32 depending on the time of day plus €1.20 for each bag. For light travelers, take the tram wich costs €1.70 and walk to SRISA San Gallo Campus.

To go to the school, ask the taxi driver to go to Via San Gallo 53/red (red numbers) Phone: 055-462-7374. After checking in and getting your keys, a staff member will accompany you to your apartment.

IMPORTANT!! Check-in Times: The office at SRISA is open from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday. If you arrive over the weekend or after business hours you must make your own arrangements to stay in a hotel. It is extremely important that you notify us of your flight number, arrival time, and date. If you do not have the information when you apply please notify us as soon as possible by email to: housing@santareparata.org. Before booking your ticket, remember to consult your housing information for specific check-in and check-out times.

Arriving in Rome

Flights into Rome arrive at the Da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino. From the airport there is a train that runs every 20 minutes to the Rome central train station called ROMA TERMINI. There may be a couple of stops along the way, at Roma Trastevere but stay on the train until the final stop at ROMA TERMINI. The ride will take about 35 minutes.

Once at the Roma Termini station, transfer to a train for Florence SMN station. Tickets for Florence can be purchased at either the airport or Roma Termini stations. 

Arriving in Milan

Malpensa is the international airport for trans-Atlantic flights arriving in Milan. The procedure for arrival in Milan is similar to the one for Rome. Take the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale station then transfer to a train for Florence SMN station.

If you plan, you can buy tickets online on Trenitalia or Italo. There is also the Flixbus which takes longer but is budget-friendly.

Students should consult the Pre-Departure Handbook for more detailed information.

Arrival in Italian cities other than Florence, Milan and Rome

If students arrive in another Italian city (particularly for those traveling before school begins), the procedure is essentially like the one for Rome and Milan.

Buying train tickets in Italy

PLEASE NOTE: Italian train information, hours, and pricing can be found on Trenitalia or Italo.

• Tickets can be purchased online (see links above) or in the stations at the ticket machines or information booths (most of the train clerks at the station speak English).
• Buy a ticket to FIRENZE SMN (Santa Maria Novella) station, the main station in Florence.
• Locate the track (binario) the train departs from and at what time. This information is on the ‘PARTENZE’ timetable board located near the tracks. IMPORTANT: be sure to match the train numbers of the timetable and your ticket.
• If you are taking a regional train without seat assignments, VALIDATE the ticket by stamping it at one of the validation machines in the station, or if you purchased it online, check-in before the departure. REMEMBER to do this! There are large fines to pay the conductor if you do not validate your ticket before boarding the train.
• For the fast trains, like Italo or Frecca Rosa, you should have received an electronic ticket with a QR code and assigned seats. No need to validate, the conductor will scan your ticket during the journey.

When you arrive at Firenze SMN, take a taxi to the school as described above or walk if traveling light.

Other helpful transportation information in Italy

Storing Bags while at the Station

Many, but not all, train stations have places to store luggage — Deposito Baggagli. These are safe and easy to use, with the obvious exception of valuables such as cameras and purses, which should be kept with you.

Taxis – General information

The easiest places to find a taxi are at airports, train stations, or other major public spaces, where there are official taxi stands/stops.

The general Italian system is to call for a Taxi and dispatchers usually speak English. You will declare your location, and they will locate a taxi for you. They will then give you the name of the cab (ex: Milano 33), followed by the estimated time of arrival: usually 3-5 minutes.

Buses/Trams in Italy – General Information

There are buses and trams operated by Autolinee Toscana in Florence that are urban and exurbana (they go to different towns in Tuscany). You can download the app or use contactless payment for your tickets.

There is also the  Flixbus from Rome and Milan, and Sky Bus Lines Coronna from Pisa, which take longer but are budget-friendly.