For many, visiting Italy is a dream trip worth saving up for. There are certainly plenty of glamorous resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and exclusive experiences you might want to splurge on, but a trip to Italy doesn't necessarily require breaking the bank. In fact, according to Numberthe cost of living is on average 19.8% lower in Italy than in the United States
I have lived in Rome for almost five years and have already visited Italy several times. So I came up with a few strategies for traveling across the country without spending too much. Here's how to plan a trip to Italy on a budget.
Plan your trip
Want to visit Italy in summer? So does everyone else – and increased demand is driving up prices for flights, hotels and even tours. If you want to save money, plan your trip for the low season (November to March), when you'll find better rates and fewer crowds. Just keep in mind that while cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan are year-round destinations, coastal destinations like Amalfi Coast almost closed in winter.
It's a good idea to start planning your trip to Italy about three to six months in advance, or even longer if you're planning a trip in peak season and want to be sure you have plenty of options. According to Attilia Avino, who runs with her sister Mariella Avino Palacemember of the Leading Hotels of the World on the Amalfi Coast, is already receiving reservations for 2025.
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How to Save Money on Flights
We can't deny it flights are more expensive now than in the past – and flights to Italy are no exception. According to Price line, the average cost of a round-trip flight to Rome in May 2024 is $1,183, while in May 2023 it was $977. This represents an increase of 21 percent in the space of one year.
“The two months with by far the greatest number of cheap flights to Italy are January and February,” Scott Keyes, founder and flight leader of Aller.comsaid Travel + Leisure. “Aside from winter travel, the shoulder season (March to May and September to November) is known for its cheap deals in Italy,” he said.
When looking for ways to save money on flights to Italy, it's important to be flexible. Try using the “anywhere” feature on Google Flights to compare flight costs to different cities in Italy. If, for example, you want to visit Rome but find that the cheapest flight is to Florence, you could save hundreds of dollars by flying to Florence and then taking the train to Rome.
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How to find an affordable hotel
According to Priceline, the average price of a hotel room in Rome increased from $180 in spring 2023 to $301 in May 2024 (a whopping 67% increase), but there are still deals to be found. Accommodations in Italy run the gamut, from historic grand dames with white glove service to spartan guesthouses or hostels with shared dorms. And in many Italian cities, monasteries operate guesthouses that offer affordable rooms but may impose a curfew. Sites like Reservation.com will give you plenty of options that will likely fit your budget.
If you want to stay in the countryside, consider booking a room in a agritourism. The word comes from “agricultural” for agriculture andtourism” for tourism, staying there is therefore essentially a form of agricultural tourism. Some have working farms that supply fresh fruits and vegetables and produce cheese or charcuterie, which they serve in their restaurants or sell at local markets. Best of all, they're often more affordable than hotels or resorts.
Airbnb is an obvious choice, but it's not always more affordable than staying in a hotel, especially in desirable areas of big cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. It's a good idea to compare prices of Airbnbs with budget hotels or hostels when deciding where to stay. And be aware that accommodation in areas outside the historic center will generally cost less than those located near the main monuments.
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Transportation in Italy
Italy has an extensive network of trains and buses that transport people across the country, and most cities have public transportation (subways, buses, and/or trams) to get around. The key to saving money when traveling between cities is to figure out which train you should book and book it at the right time.
High-speed trains like the Frecciarossa travel at speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. From Rome you can be in Naples in 70 minutes, Florence in 90 minutes, Milan in three hours and Venice in four hours. Tickets for high-speed trains must be booked in advance, because the longer you wait to book, the more the price will increase. There are also intercity trains and regional trains, which are cheaper but take longer than high-speed trains. If you want to visit smaller towns like Parma or Tropea, you may need to switch from a high-speed train to a slower intercity or regional train. To use Trenitalia.com Or Italiarail.com to search and book the best train routes.
To get around cities like Rome, Milan and Bologna, the metro is often the cheapest and quickest way. In Rome, for example, a single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 100 minutes on the metro, buses and trams. (The price is expected to increase to €2 in July.) For €7, you can buy a 24-hour pass that gives you unlimited rides. Tickets can be purchased at ticket counters in some metro stations, at vending machines in all metro stations or in a store tabaccaio (look for a sign with the letter T) or in some newsstands. You can use Google Maps to plan your route or download the app Moovitwhich updates information on metro, bus and tram lines and notifies you of service changes and strikes.
In Venice, the vaporetto is the name of the public water buses that ply the Grand Canal and transport passengers to the outer islands – and they are significantly cheaper than taking a water taxi. If you just want to cross the Grand Canal, look for it traghetto gondola. These gondolas operate in places where there is no bridge nearby – such as between St. Mark's Square and Punta della Dogana – and cost €2 for the ride.
Eating on a budget
Eating out in Italy can make a dent in your wallet, but it doesn't have to be. There are many different ones types of restaurants in Italy, ranging from casual takeaway outlets to fine-dining restaurants with elaborate tasting menus. According to Numberthe average cost of a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant in Italy is €60, while the average cost of a meal at a budget restaurant is €15.
When I want to sit down for a casual meal of local specialties at affordable prices, I reserve a table at a trattoria or one osteria. Eating at a pizzeria is also a good option, usually more affordable than eating out. Table service pizzerias are usually only open for dinner, but sometimes I like to go there taglio pizza (by the slice) for a quick lunch. Jump in a friggitoria (a place specializing in fried foods) is also a good option for eating on the go. And most bars offer a selection of pastries and sandwiches.
To save a little money, join the locals to eat and drink their espresso standing at the bar counter instead of sitting and getting served at the table. In my experience, an espresso taken standing up at a bar usually costs around €1.20, while a cappuccino and cornetto can cost €3 or €4.
Free and low-cost activities
Visiting museums, archaeological sites and other cultural attractions in Italy is generally quite affordable. Tickets sometimes only cost a few euros or at most around 25 euros. For popular attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums and Galleria Borghese in Rome, the Uffizi Galleries and Pitti Palace in Florence, and the Doge's Palace and Galleria dell'Accademia in Venice, it's best to book in advance your tickets in advance. At the Colosseum, for example, tickets can sell out, forcing you to pay a lot more money to take a guided tour. If you want to save money, book a basic admission ticket in advance and listen to one of the Free Rick Steve Audio Tours.
Public museums throughout Italy are free on the first Sunday of each month and on certain public holidays, such as Liberation Day (Liberation Day) on April 25, but in some cases you will still need to book your tickets online in advance.
There are also plenty of things to do in Italy that are completely free all year round. Entrance to most churches is free – and some of the most incredible Renaissance and Baroque artwork you'll see in Italy can be found inside. I've discovered that Italian churches can also be a cool, quiet place to rest my feet if I'm walking around for hours. Public parks such as the Villa Borghese in Rome are also free. And of course, walking around and simply admiring the beautiful squares, fountains and monuments doesn't cost a cent.
More Money Saving Tips
If you visit Italy in summer, you'll probably want to soak up the sun on the beach, but prices at beach clubs vary wildly from €15 to over €100 for a sunbed and umbrella, not including food . and drinks. Although prices tend to be higher in tourist areas like Capri, Positano, the Italian Riviera and the Costa Smeralda, you don't need to pay a fortune to enjoy the beach. Instead, look for free public beaches (called Spiaggia Libera) — just make sure to bring your own towel.
You might also consider visiting secondary cities, such as Parma, Modena, Siena, Perugia, Orvieto, Tropea and Lecce, where accommodation, experiences and even meals are often cheaper than in larger cities.
