Tourist scams in Rome and how to avoid them

Rome is a beautiful city, but just as with any other mayor metropolis it does have a series of things to watch out for. This is a series of stories we’ve gathered from unfortunate tourists.

Taxi fares from and to the airport

Upon exiting Fiumicino or Ciampino airport you’ll be greeted by lines upon lines of taxicabs. Always make sure the taxi you’re getting in is licensed and has a meter, as Rome is notorious for its unlicensed taxis asking for exorbitant fees. If you do get in a taxi without a meter, always negotiate your price before entering.

Costumed gladiators

Your visit to the colosseum will leave you in awe, without a doubt. Many tourists like to capture this memory by having their picture taken with one of many costumed gladiators walking around outside. Before doing this, note that a customary fee is expected to paid afterwards of € 5 and higher.  Don’t take a picture with one of these gladiators unless you’re willing to pay this hefty fee. 

Pick-pockets

Just like any major tourist destination, Rome has it’s share of pickpockets and thieves. Stay alert when entering, riding or exiting the metro or when visiting popular tourist attractions, as pickpockets operate in these areas. You won’t notice them untill it’s too late, they could be standing right next to you for all you know.

It’s true as far as petty theft is concerned: don’t be fooled by age or gender. That cute little girl you see dancing around the café terrace definitely isn’t that cute any more once she has taken off with your purse. A good-looking businessman might also just be a pickpocket. Don’t get paranoid, but stay cautious.

Stay especially vigilant hen travelling bus number 64. It’s a very popular line and – we have to admit –  a very easy way to travel across the city center as it has lots of popular sights near its route. Line 64 is notorious for pickpockets however – so keep your belongings close.

Generally speaking it’s best to avoid the Termini area at night. Tourists are known to have been approached by small groups of pushy men, who will try to distract you by asking for cigarettes or a lighter while another one is looking inside your rucksack, trying to snatch anything of value. But don’t let this keep you from visiting the Piazza della Reppubblica and its magnificent fountain and beautiful architecture at night at least once.

Purchasing water from snack vendors

We have to admit that this isn’t really a scam, nobody will try and force you to buy water from a snack vendor. It’s just such a stupid thing to do. Rome is littered with nassoni – public drinking fountains – enabling you to stock up on ice-cold, drinkable water for free. You’ll see snack vendors at most popular tourist hangouts, but don’t be fooled by their outrageous prices for water bottles when you can get good, clean water for free all across town.

Helpful lads at Termini train station

When boarding the Leonardo Express, the train connecting Termini station with Fiumicino airport, a passenger in the doorway of the cabin might offer to help you load your luggage into the train. While this seems like a very kind gesture at first, that very same passenger will ask you for money afterwards when you’ve taken your seat.

Police officers looking for counterfeit money

Some tourists have been approached by fake police officers, warning them about counterfeit money. The police offers asked if they could look at the tourist’s money to search for fake notes. Obviously, this is just a scam to steal your money.

If you encounter this, don’t hand over your wallet or purse! Instead, tell them you want to go to a uniformed police officer or carabinieri together. There should be plenty police officers around in the city centre.

In a common variation of this trick, an accomplice dressed as a tourist might approach you first with a simple question in Italian or for some small talk. When the police officers suddenly appears, he is happy to coöperate – this is a trick to fool you into doing the same. An alternative scenario is that the police officers claim you’ve been talking to a drug dealer and will try to convince you to hand over your wallet to keep from being arrested.

Bracelets with a hefty price tag

Several popular tourist sights are crowded with people selling friendship bracelets. They will often take your wrist and start tying a friendship bracelet around your wrist. When they’re done, and the bracelet is now firmly attached to your arm, they’ll mention the price – which can be anything from € 5 to € 20.

Should you really want a friendship bracelet, barter before they start tying it to your wrist. If you don’t want a bracelet, don’t stick out your hands and even if they do get hold of your wrist, refuse immediately.

If you’ve travelled to other large cities in Europe before, chances are you might have seen this scam before. It’s pretty a common sight in Paris as well, for example, at the Sacre Coeur or the Louvre.

Final words

Rome isn’t any more dangerous than any other city. In fact, it can be very safe and warm, very welcoming – and most of the time, it is! Scammers do exist, however, and while we wouldn’t want to scare you we will ask you to trust us when we say you should always be alert. We have been contacted by readers who enjoyed Rome for days without any trouble, thinking these warnings are overrated, but then had multiple encounters with pickpockets on the very last day of their trip. These things are real, they do happen and they could happen to you as well. Just stay safe, but don’t forget to enjoy to enjoy your trip while doing so