Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

All Topics about Bologna All Cities in Italy

1. Tourist Taxi Scams

Avoid unlicensed taxis at Bologna airport or train station. They often charge higher rates.

Official Taxis: Only take taxis from the officially designated ranks or book in advance.
Fixed Rates: Ask for a price quote before starting the journey to avoid unexpected charges.
Complaint Procedure: Know how to make complaints if you face issues with taxi services.

Avoid unofficial guides around major attractions. They might charge high fees or lead you to overpriced shops.

Official Guides: Book tours through reputable agencies or seek assistance from the Bologna Tourist Office.
City Maps: Carry a city map or use digital maps to navigate independently.
Emergency Contact: Keep the contact information of your accommodation and embassy for emergency situations.

Avoid street vendors selling luxury goods at cheap prices around the Piazza Maggiore.

Authorized Shops: Purchase goods from authorized retailers in shopping centers or malls.
Brand Authenticity: Check for authenticity tags, packaging, and holograms on products.
Price Comparison: Compare prices with reputable online stores or local shops to ensure reasonable pricing.

Some restaurants in Bologna may charge for cover fees or offer lower quality food.

Reputable Restaurants: Research popular and well-reviewed restaurants before dining out.
Menu Prices: Clarify prices for the cover fee, drinks, and dishes at the beginning of your meal.
Credit Card Fees: Ask if there will be additional charges for using a credit card before paying.

Some sellers at the weekly Mercato delle Erbe may overprice or sell counterfeit items.

Knowledgeable Sellers: Negotiate prices with experienced local vendors for fair deals.
Haggling Techniques: Learn the art of haggling to get better prices on items.
Quality Assurance: Check the quality and condition of items before purchasing them.

Some street performers around Piazza Maggiore may request money for a poor performance.

Donation Boxes: Look for donation boxes instead of giving money directly to performers.
Tipping Etiquette: Research tipping etiquette in Bologna and only give tips when performance is worthy.
Police Presence: If unsure about a street performer, ask the local police for advice or information.

Some phone stores in Bologna may sell faulty SIM cards or charge excessive fees.

Reputable Shops: Purchase SIM cards from reputable mobile network providers' shops.
Price Comparison: Compare prices of SIM cards among different providers for the best deal.
Contract Details: Thoroughly read and understand the contract terms before signing.

Some landlords may try to overcharge tourists for short-term rentals.

Online Reviews: Read online reviews of accommodation options before booking.
Price Comparison: Compare prices among different accommodation providers for the best deal.
Location Assessment: Assess the location of the accommodation to avoid overpriced areas.

Some shoe shiners around major attractions may not provide quality service for the price charged.

Reputable Shiners: Look for reputable, established shoe shine stands.
Service Quality: Check the quality of previous work done by the shiner before accepting their services.
Price Agreement: Ask for a price quote before starting the service and agree on a fair price.

Some unofficial parking attendants may ask for money in exchange for 'watching' your car.

Official Parking Lots: Park your vehicle only in official parking lots.
Parking Fees: Understand the parking fee structure and pay at designated payment machines or meters.
Contact Information: Keep the phone number of local authorities to report any issues with unofficial attendants.

Some luggage storage facilities at Bologna train station may charge excessive fees.

Reputable Facilities: Research reputable luggage storage providers before leaving your belongings.
Price Comparison: Compare prices among different luggage storage facilities for the best deal.
Contract Details: Thoroughly read and understand the contract terms before leaving your belongings.

Some buskers may demand money for poor performances or harass tourists.

Donation Boxes: Look for donation boxes instead of giving money directly to performers.
Tipping Etiquette: Research tipping etiquette in Bologna and only give tips when performance is worthy.
Police Presence: If unsure about a busker, ask the local police for advice or information.

Some street artists may offer to paint or draw portraits and demand excessive prices.

Reputable Artists: Find reputable local artists through recommendations or online reviews.
Portrait Quality: Check the quality of previous work done by the artist before accepting their services.
Price Agreement: Ask for a price quote before starting the service and agree on a fair price.

Some bicycle rental shops may provide faulty bikes or charge excessive fees.

Reputable Shops: Rent a bike from reputable, well-established rental shops.
Bike Condition: Inspect the condition of the bike before renting to ensure it is in good working order.
Price Comparison: Compare prices among different rental shops for the best deal.

Some free Wi-Fi spots in Bologna may have malware or charge hidden fees.

Secure Connections: Only connect to secure, password-protected Wi-Fi networks.
Antivirus Software: Install antivirus software on your device before traveling.
Cautious Internet Use: Avoid entering sensitive information or logging into financial accounts while using public Wi-Fi.