The 9 most common tourist traps in Rome

August 11, 2015 eweekendbreaks 0 travel guide,

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Roma. One of Europe’s most beautiful cities, home to ancient ruins like the colosseum and Roman Forum, can also be one of the most magical places to visit with family, friends or loved ones. But like any major tourist city, if you aren’t careful, you’ll wind up spending more money than you budgeted for.

The cobbled city streets are rife with stunning views, but also with a number of tourist traps. These nine I’ve listed below are some of the biggest traps in Rome, but also some of the easiest to avoid. So venture off the beaten path to see a whole new side of Italy’s capital.

Falling victim to street vendors

All over Rome, particularly at places like the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, you’ll run across locals trying to “give” you things — beautiful roses, small figurines, and colorful thread bracelets they make on your wrist. They’ll talk fast and put things into your hands before you can say no, but none of them are actually free. So be aware of your surroundings and don’t take anything you don’t want to pay for.

Eating out near major attractions

The restaurants near most of the major attractions tend to have higher prices and even special “tourist menus”, as they’re mostly frequented by out-of-towners rather than locals. Wander down a side street or two, and you’ll stumble upon warmly lit restaurants with some of the best food you’ve ever tasted. And with considerably lower prices to go with it.

Taking an unmarked taxi

There are a large portion of illegal and unmarked taxis in the city, and these charge even more exorbitant prices than the legal ones. Most taxis are white, clearly marked with a sign on top and often on the door, and have a meter inside. If you get into a taxi that doesn’t have a meter, make sure you negotiate a fare beforehand to avoid being ripped off.

Using single fare public transportation tickets

Public transport tickets are good for one metro trip or a single bus ride up to a certain amount of time. So if you’ll be in the city for a while and using public transportation, you’ll get stuck either buying a handful of the tickets at a time or having to stop to buy a new ticket at the start of each trip. Buying a 3-day, 7-day or 30-day pass is more economical and can also save you time each day.

Changing money at major transportation hubs

Many of the money changing stations you find in train stations and airports can charge a commission in excess of 10% to exchange your money for local currency. While those are often the most convenient options, they’re also the most expensive. Shop around some before you leave to find the best commission rate, and you’ll save yourself a lot of money.

Costumed gladiators

Like the street vendors, there are also a number of performers hanging out near tourist attractions, often dressed up like gladiators. They’re always willing to pose for a photo with tourists, but it isn’t going to be free. So unless you want an overly expensive picture to take home, I’d stick to smiling and waving as you walk by.

Buying items from a souvenir shop

Sure, souvenir shops have all those cute statues of the Colosseum and shot glasses that lean like the Tower of Pisa, but they also have crazy high prices for things that aren’t the best quality. Explore some of the local shops and markets around the city for more authentic and personal gifts to take home to friends and family.

Wandering into local shops can lead to some great memories too, like when the aging shop owner opens a bottle of his favorite wine and shares it with you and your family to welcome you to Italy.

Not using a local SIM card

Whether in Rome or any other city around the world, not getting a local SIM card for your cell phone is the quickest way to throw away hundreds of dollars on an international roaming plan. Once you unlock your phone and buy a local SIM, you can keep in touch and post to social media all day without paying those crazy fees.

Not taking advantage of free days at museums and attractions

You can catch a large number of museums and paid attractions for free at certain times. On the first Sunday of the month, you can see all the state museums, along with the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatino, for free, and the Vatican museums are free on the last Sunday of each month.

A little extra planning before your trip can help you get the most out of your vacation, while also making sure you don’t spend any more money than you have to. Rome is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Europe, and you can also keep your trip affordable if you avoid these tourist traps. So rent a vespa, go out for gelato and a cappuccino and explore all this historical city has to offer.