italy trip cost estimator

How Much Does a Trip to Italy Cost? 2024 Budget Worksheet

I have traveled to Italy seven times in recent years and I have also planned about two dozen vacations to Italy for other families. Over the course of years, I have developed a really good sense of the prices of hotel rooms, tours, and transportation in Italy. So when someone asks me how much “does a trip to Italy cost”, I can rattle these numbers off pretty quickly.

Since budgeting is such a HUGE part of planning a trip, I thought I would lay it out for you and break down the average Italy trip budget to make it easy for you to plan — I’ve even included a helpful budget worksheet to get you started. Italy is a popular travel destination and while not as cheap as Ireland or Portugal , it isn’t as expensive as London or Paris . (See this post if you need help creating a family travel budget !)

How Much Does a Trip to Italy Cost?

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Before we jump into figuring out how much a trip to Italy costs, let’s first dive into a few budgeting and travel tips to keep in mind when planning a trip to Italy:

• Summer is not only the most expensive time to visit, but given recent European heat waves in late June and July, it will be HOT so make sure you are looking at accommodations that offer air conditioning;
• Honeymoon destinations like the Amalfi Coast ( Positano , Capri , Ravello , etc.) or the Cinque Terre are going to be especially busy in the summer and family-friendly accommodations are hard to find;
• If traveling in the high season, plan on booking accommodations at least six months in advance for the best selection;
• Villas/houses in the Tuscan countryside tend to rent for one-week minimum in the summer and rentals go from Saturday to Saturday so you need to plan your itinerary accordingly. You can always stay in hotels or smaller agriturismos that don’t have a minimum night stay requirement, but those will cost a bit more;
• If you want to stay in the Italian countryside on a budget, look for places in Umbria (near smaller cities such as Orvieto or Assisi ), Emilia Romagna (near Bologna , Parma , or Verona ), or Piedmont in the North, instead of Tuscany to get a similar feel at a cheaper price point;
• Main Italian cities like Rome , Florence , Venice , and Milan are more expensive to stay in versus the countryside so consider limiting your time in cities and doing day trips to save money (see my tips for driving in Italy ). Of these, Venice is especially expensive.

Not sure how to plan a trip to Italy? Get a detailed 10-day Italy Itinerary with 40 pages of day-by-day schedules, instructions, and maps.

Italy Budget Assumptions

For this example budget, I have based these expenses on a family of four. This sample family consists of two adults and two children between the ages of 6-11 and lives near a major airport hub in the USA. When planning your own trip budget, make adjustments as needed to suit your specific travel companions and travel style.

I’m going to assume that this family is traveling in the summer months since that is when most families visit Italy. This example family isn’t strictly budget travelers, but they are comfortable with three to four-star accommodations. Of course, traveling in the shoulder season would save money, but most families don’t have the flexibility or the budget for luxury hotels.

I’m also going to base this on a 12-day trip, with four nights in Rome and one week in Tuscany , which is a great first trip to Italy with kids this age. If you plan on visiting Venice, the Amalfi Coast, the Dolomites, Lake Como, or the Cinque Terre, expect to spend even more on accommodations and food.

The budget for a trip to Italy is made up of the following elements:

• Hotel/Accommodations

Transportation

• Souvenirs/Miscellaneous

I’ve seen Italy trip budgets out there that talk about traveling to Italy for $50-75 a day, per person, but I don’t think that is what a typical family vacation is going to look like. For my family, and others that I have worked with, we want our accommodations to be a little bit more comfortable, private, and centrally located. Families don’t always have the option of doing things on a shoestring budget (nor do they want to!).

Plus, the trip is much more enjoyable and memorable if you can splurge on things like a gondola ride or a private, kid-friendly guide that can engage children in sights like the Colosseum or Vatican Museums, vs. just paying for an entrance ticket.

So while this budget may sound a lot higher than others that you will find online, I also think it is much more realistic. Like everything when it comes to family travel, I’ve tried to strike a balance between budget and enjoyment.

Before we get into the details, the bottom line is that a 12 day trip to Italy for a family of four in the summer months will cost about $17,340, or $361 per person, per day.

Airfare to Italy

Airfare in the summer can get pricey with direct flights averaging somewhere around $1700 per person on ITA Airways (the Italian replacement for Alitalia.) If you wait too long to book your airfare, it can easily get up there in price. To find the cheapest airfare, I would recommend purchasing tickets six months before your departure date (Cyber Monday after Thanksgiving is a good time to purchase airfare) and signing up for a service like Going that sends you alerts when destinations you are watching go on sale.

Generally, you will find better deals if you travel in and out to Rome on a round-trip ticket and if you can travel midweek versus the weekend. To save money, consider booking on a budget airline and connecting in Europe as you can usually find those for under $1000.

Of course, what we always try to do is save up our travel points that we earn on our credit card and use those to wipe out the cost of at least one or two of the airfares. If you want to find the best way to accumulate points and miles through credit card spending and sign up bonuses, I’d suggest downloading the  Travel Freely app  to track your credit cards and learn how to earn points.

Total airfare cost: $6,800 ($1700 per person)

Accommodations

Accommodations can be pricey, especially in Rome and other major cities in Italy. Keep in mind that very few hotels can accommodate a family of four in one hotel room. This can often mean you will need two rooms or a pricey suite. I’ve found that it is usually cheaper to get two smaller rooms than to get a large enough suite to accommodate a family.

In Rome, a four-star hotel will run you about $650 per night, per room if you want to stay in the historic city center. If you are traveling in the summer, you will probably also want a Rome hotel with a pool to cool off in the afternoon. Five-star hotels will run over $1500 per night and the super luxe can easily be $2000+ per room.

However, if you want to prioritize budget over luxury, there are economical mid-range hotel options that DON’T require you to stay far from the city center or in a shady part of town. Simple boutique hotels like the family-run Daphne Inn in Rome have a family room that will sleep four for under $400 per night, and it includes breakfast!

Of course, you can also do what we did and go the vrbo apartment rental route. We found a three-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a view of the Colosseum for $150-350 per night.

Find more places to stay in Rome:

Some other hotels that offer a family room or suite at an affordable price include:

• Hotel Albergo del Senato near the Pantheon
• Hotel Santa Maria in charming Trastevere
• Hotel Ponte Sisto in the historic center

Total Rome accommodations: $1,800 ($450 x 4 nights)

The price of accommodations can range wildly in Tuscany too. There are five-star resorts like Belmond’s Castello di Casole where you will spend well over $3000 per night. There are also plenty of budget-oriented, self-catering options like agriturismos or villa rentals .

With an agriturismo, you will have a self-catering apartment on a working farm. Generally, there is a shared pool and they may even offer things like breakfast or an on-site cooking class. Kids usually love this type of accommodation because it is authentic and there is room to play and sometimes farm animals roaming around. Not every property has a pool so if this is important to you, be sure to read the descriptions carefully.

Just keep in mind that agriturismos and many vacation rentals in Tuscany require a seven-night, Saturday-to-Saturday night stay. So if you fly into Italy on a Saturday morning, you would drive right from the airport into Tuscany and then finish your vacation in Rome.

A popular and very conveniently located agriturismo is Al Gelso Bianco . The furnishings are simple but the warm welcome from this family-run farm does everything to make you comfortable. Here an apartment for four can go as low as $1500-3500 for a week in high season.

When selecting an agriturismo, be sure to look into if room air conditioners or fans are available, as those are not typically found in these traditional farmhouses. Also, learn what dining options are available. Does the stay include breakfast or is it entirely self-catered? If there is dinner available, does it need to be organized in advance? This is often the case because the meals are cooked by the owners and ingredients need to be purchased that day. Not many agriturismos offer a full-service restaurant, but some that focus more on the hotel portion of the property may have limited services.

Find places to stay in Tuscany:

Total Tuscany accommodations: $2,500

If you are spending a week in Tuscany, you are going to need a car. I recommend using Auto Europe to find the best rates across vendors. You should also book early as prices fluctuate and will continue to rise the closer you get to departure. Ideally, book by the end of January, especially if you want an automatic as the inventory is quite limited since most Europeans drive a manual transmission.

Just keep in mind that you are going to pay a premium for an automatic transmission and you may want to size up to make sure there is room for your luggage as European cars have small trunks. In my experience, an automatic station wagon that will nicely fit a family of four without being too big to manage the Tuscan hills, will cost about $600-$1500 for a weeklong rental depending on if you drop it off at the same airport or at another one. It may be tempting to rent a van or SUV, but you may regret it later when driving through small Tuscan towns or on narrow roads. Instead, encourage everyone to pack light and bring smaller luggage.

Since you don’t want to drive in Rome, I would recommend arriving on Saturday morning, picking up your rental at the FCO airport, and driving to your accommodations in Tuscany. Then, on the following Saturday, drop your rental back off at the Rome airport and then catch a cab or arrange a car service into the city (I use Welcome Pickups ) and then back out on your departure. A car service to/from the airport will run approximately $65-80 and a cab is closer to $50 but it may be more cramped for your family.

You can also take a train from the airport to the Termini station in Rome, but I wouldn’t really recommend staying in that neighborhood so you will probably need to get a cab from there anyway. You could also take a regional train from Rome to Florence and get a rental car there. Train travel in Italy is pretty easy (just make sure you validate your train ticket before you board!) but when you are staying in the countryside, you are going to need a car.

When pumping gas in Italy, make sure you know if the car is diesel or unleaded. I’ve seen some disasters after people put regular gas into a diesel car! See my other tips for driving in Italy .

Total transportation: $1000

Tours and Activities

If you are traveling with kids, I highly recommend private tours. Whenever you take a group tour, you never know who is going to be part of your group and how that may disrupt your experience. There are so many family-friendly options, including some really fun and unique ways to explore Rome with kids. Private tours will usually run around $450 for a family of four.

If you want to save money, you can book a small group tour. Companies like LivTours offer small groups of no more than six people and Walks of Italy’s small groups are less than 12.

In Rome, I would highly recommend tours for the following attractions:

• An intro to Rome walking tour with gelato
• Colosseum tour for kids
• Vatican Museum / Sistine Chapel or a Vatican private tour for kids

If the budget allows, I would add tours for the following:

• Catacombs and Roman underground
• Food tour with Devour Tours (for older kids/teens)

Luckily, when you are in Tuscany it is easy to spend the week taking day trips to visit towns like Lucca, Pisa, Siena , San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Montalcino , and Pienza . However, you may want to think about a family-friendly wine or food/cheese tour with a company like Tuscan Organic Tours or a bike tour with On the Road in Chianti .

However, at a minimum, you will want to take a day trip into Florence and take a tour of the city highlights or get skip-the-line tickets to the Accademia and/or Uffizi, as well as pre-book timed entry tickets to climb the Duomo .

Total tours: $2,000 (4 x $450 + tickets)

The price of food can vary, but if you stay away from the highly touristic areas (this means walking a block or two away from any main attraction), there are plenty of affordable and delicious options. Keep in mind that a trattoria or an osteria is less formal and less expensive than a ristorante. You can also usually purchase pizza or panini and take them to go for picnics or inexpensive, casual meals.

Also, if you order your coffee and pastry at a bar and eat inside, it will be much cheaper than ordering table service and sitting outside on a piazza. That said, sometimes it is worth the price, especially when eating Tartufo and people-watching in Piazza Navona.

We tend to overspend on food, but that said, I would still plan on budgeting at least $170 for the family a day on food if you are happy with pizza and pasta. Foodies looking for fine dining experiences should budget a bit more. The good news about staying at an agriturismo is that you will likely have access to a kitchen and can prepare some meals at your lodging. This is always a great money saver and allows you to then splurge on those days when you are visiting cities or towns.

Total food: $2040

Souvenirs & Miscellaneous Expenses

While we would rather spend our travel budget on experiences versus things, there are some items that make perfect souvenirs from an Italy trip. These include wooden toys, leather goods, purses/bags, painted ceramics, blown glass, lace and linens, wine, and olive oil.

You will also want to set aside some budget for the little things including tips for your tour guides, parking (remember to bring coins in Tuscany!), gas, and taxis. I generally use a rule of thumb of $50 per day.

Total Miscellaneous: $500

Travel Insurance

I would recommend protecting your trip with travel insurance. Pricing varies depending on your level of coverage, ages, trip costs, and more. However, I would use $600-1,000 as a rough estimate (kids under 17 are usually free.)

If you follow this modest budget, your total trip to Italy cost would come to a grand total of…

Average total Family trip to Italy cost: $17,340

The bottom line is that a 12-day trip to Italy costs about $1,445 per day for a family of four . Keep in mind that there are ways to do this for less including using points for airfare or connecting with a budget airline, staying in vacation rentals, taking small group tours or self-guided exploration, cooking your own meals, and limiting your extra spending.

Of course, if you have champagne tastes, you can easily triple this cost with luxury accommodations, private transportation, and fine dining. We try to land somewhere in the middle between budget and super-luxe and that is what this budget is based on.

Download your Italy Budget Worksheet

Keep track of your expenses as you plan your trip with this downloadable Italy trip planning budget worksheet. Download the PDF worksheet .

VISITING ITALY? YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN…

• Get tips for  driving in Italy
• Get itineraries for  Rome ,  Florence ,  Venice ,  Bologna ,  Parma , and  Milan
• See tips and things to do in  Ravello ,  Cinque Terre ,  Siena,   Assisi

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 29, 2023

9 thoughts on “How Much Does a Trip to Italy Cost? 2024 Budget Worksheet”

It breaks my heart that some people might see this and decide Italy is too expensive for a family trip, and then go to Disney instead and spend $6000 for a week. Airfare to Europe from the USA has never been cheaper, Airbnb/Homeaway is definitely the way to go with a family (and you can do much better than $250/nt) plus with a kitchen you save on eating out (added bonus is you feel like a local!). Car is unnecessary if you are going to mainly be in cities (and if you want, you can do a daytrip from Florence to Lucca, Pisa, or Siena by train, and get the view without the nausea-inducing twists and turns of the road, or else rent a car in Florence for JUST a day or two). Kids under 18 are free in all state museums in Italy (and often discounts in other places). Yes, it’s worth it in some museums to spring for the reserved tickets so you can skip the line (Uffizi in Florence and Vatican museums), but you do NOT need a tour for each and every place you visit. Get off the beaten path, head south (much cheaper–except for Capri and Positano, the two places Americans flock to!), and get creative. Less is more when it comes to traveling with kids. It can be less stressful, and certainly more economical, to base yourself in one or two places, and not travel around getting a different hotel every night. Finally, don’t try to see everything–you just can’t! But you can always go back! I have traveled to Italy, along with my four kids, several times, and we have never paid nearly as much as the prices quoted in this article. Stick to a few (less touristed) places, do some research beforehand, enlist the kids’ help in planning, be flexible, and you don’t need to spend more than you would on a Disneyworld vacation!

I love this!! Thank you so much 🙂 I am planning a trip for 2023 when I turn 30 and my twin sisters turn 18. I was so overwhelmed thinking of how to financially plan for the trip but this article was PERFECT! I decided to start my savings goals for 10k. I broke it down for 3 years – 365 days/year X 3 years = 1,095 days. Then, 10,000/1,095 = $9.132/day. I rounded it up to $10/day to be safe 🙂 SO SO SO EXCITED to start this savings journey. I used to app Albert (absolutely love this app), to automatically save $70/week for me. Thank you again for the article!!

That’s such a great way to think about it. There are few places in the world I love more than Italy so I’m sure it will be worth it.

So helpful as we plan our family vacation next summer to Tuscany.Even though we had already started the number crunching, the inclusion of your estimates and additional tips are great. Thanks so much !

I’m so glad to hear that it helped!

“Total airfare cost: $4,000 (assuming you use a budget airline)”

You are kidding right? Where you from? I got ticket from sweden to rome with ryanair 190€ there and back for 4 people. And hotels approx 100€/night are expensive. I got ours 50€/night. You got some other italy or what? These prices are insane 😀

Unfortunately $1000 per person from the US to Italy in the summer is pretty standard with a connection, prices are even higher if you fly direct. Off season offers better rates but I envy your options.

Thank you so much for writing this article. I was looking for something to give me guidance as we want to take our family of 4 to Italy for my daughters high school graduation present because she has dreamed of going to Italy since she was 5. This is truly perfect to help me. Thank you

I’m so glad it was helpful to you! Italy is an amazing destination. I’m actually headed back next week. Be sure to check the blog for other articles for tour reviews, restaurant recommendations, itinerary ideas, etc.

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How Much Does A Trip to Italy Cost in 2024: Detailed Budget Breakdown

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

Italy , Travel Planning

Updated On: April 5, 2024

Italy is one of our favorite destinations in Europe. After visiting the country multiple times over the years we always get the same questions – is Italy expensive? How much does the average trip to Italy cost? Italy is a brilliant destination to travel to, whether you are a solo traveler or a family looking for a special holiday. But it is safe to say that the actual costs of visiting Italy vary depending on your travel style.

Table of Contents

How Much Does It Cost to Visit Italy?

In this guide, we’ll break down the average trip to Italy cost and show you how, where possible, you make it more cost-effective.

Italy is often associated with luxury – stunning villas, fine dining, archaeology, and the arts. But that doesn’t mean you can’t tailor your trip to Italy to suit different budgets. Is Italy expensive? After all our trips to the different regions of Italy we are going to fill you in on how much a trip to Italy costs.

When we have visited Italy, we always rent a car. We love having the freedom to go off the beaten path and to stop whenever we like. You can check car rental comparisons here.

Airfare is the first bridge you’ll likely come to when booking a trip to Italy. The good news is that Italy has regular flights to all its major cities, so finding a round-trip ticket is neither problematic nor massively expensive if you visit from a nearby destination. The average budget traveler can find the best deals and cheap flights to Italy. This is simply because flight demand isn’t high – there are so many options when flying to Italy. The country has a staggering 77 airports and hosts dozens of airlines. One thing is for sure: you will always find flights to Italian cities, and the average price is low, so it won’t be one of your main trip costs.

Of course, airfare prices do vary depending on your departure date and destination. As a general rule, flights to Italy from Europe are the cheapest. Flights from the US to Italy are slightly more expensive due to budget-spiking transatlantic crossings and fewer charters. However, that doesn’t mean you are doomed for cheap flights.

The cheapest times of year to fly to Italy are out of season and in shoulder seasons. The shoulder seasons are March to May and September to October. The official ‘off-season’ is over winter, from November to February. You can also save money on flights by booking in advance, using VPNs to adjust your network, and using airline loyalty programs. There’s always a way to maximize budgeting opportunities. Another essential thing to consider for those flying from the US is value for money.

Can you take advantage of cheaper European flights by taking a longer holiday period? This way, you might spend more flying to Italy, but once there, you could add a few extra destinations cheaply. For instance, taking flights for as little as $15 to Germany, Greece, or Turkey.

• Return Flight Cost from Europe: $60 to 200
• Return Flight Cost from US: $400 to 7000

Accommodation in Italy Costs

Your next significant cost after airfare is accommodation. Accommodation is a double-edged sword when calculating your trip to Italy cost. In fact, looking at the price tag of a luxury Italy trip is likely what has got you questioning, ‘Is Italy expensive?’. The reality is that Italy does luxury, and it does it well. Like the south of France, Italy has a reputation for Riviera beauty and luxury hotels that attract A-list celebrities.

You can indeed find hotel rooms that cost tens of thousands a night. Of course, the flip side is also true; you can comfortably backpack it in a hostel dormitory for as little as $40 a night. There are a few factors to consider, so let’s take a closer look so you know what sways it so much.

Choosing Accommodation in Italy

The biggest decider in Italian accommodation is whether you want budget, mid-range, or luxury accommodation. With budget accommodation, you can choose dormitory-style accommodation, or B&B-style stays.

Most hotels offer a mid-range experience, with moderate prices and occasional luxuries like swimming pools that can hone your Italy itinerary and experience. Luxury hotels come in two categories: average luxury and celebrity-style luxury. You can pick up five-star hotel stays for €250 per night, but equally, some five-star hotels charge upwards of €1,000 per night – the real decider is location, hotel brand, and your hotel room choice. For the most part, most travelers pick the middle road with mid-range hotels, which average around €100 a night.

What to Consider When Booking a Trip to Italy

When considering what goes into accommodation pricing, consider location and time of year. Summer is the peak season, so you should avoid summer in Italy if you prioritize saving money. If you want a more affordable hotel room, look at shoulder season travel, where you find the same room up to 50% cheaper.

Location also plays a massive role in your trip budget. For instance, an entire apartment in an Italian city center versus a secluded VRBO property or hotel in the Tuscan countryside can vary greatly in price. If you can get out of touristy areas, like Rome city center or Venice, accommodation prices naturally fall.

Vacation rentals are also a great idea to save money, especially if you are flexible on location – rolling hills don’t always come at a sky-high price. If you are willing to stay remotely and in vacation rentals, it can save money on your Italy trip.

• Budget Hotels: $40-80 per night
• Mid-Range Hotels: $100 per night
• Luxury Hotels: $250 per night
• Vacation Rentals: $50 upwards per night

Transportation Cost

Transportation in Italy can be a make or break when calculating an Italy travel budget. The country is brilliantly connected by public transportation, with a train travel trend carried by low ticket prices and high-speed connections. If you want to save money, train travel is the way forward as long as you book in advance.

Booking up to a month in advance can give you access to fantastic train travel deals – great for budget travelers. Just be sure you purchase tickets for train travel, as Italy has notorious laws on fining fare hoppers. Trust us: skipping fares in Italy is not the way to go for budget travel.

Italy also has ferry and bus services, which are used far less frequently than the train travel routes. The ferries are most popular in areas like Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast, where many coastal towns are less accessible by road. You can typically book tickets in advance for ferries or take local, smaller shuttle boats on the day. Buses are simply less popular for comfort reasons.

We love renting cars when traveling in Italy. Check car rental prices here. We have found some great deals that work out to be cheaper than train travel if booked at the right time.

While the bus may be the holy grail for the budget traveler in most countries, in Italy, train travel usually rivals bus prices if you book in advance. And for the same cost, it makes sense that you’d want a faster and more comfortable journey. Buses are the budget option for last-minute public transport journeys – usually $2 per ticket for inner-city travel or around $35 for long-distance buses.

Finally, one of the most popular ways to get around Italy is by car rental. Car rentals   can  be really effective. If you are travelling in a group, for instance, as a family or group of friends. This can quickly rack up public transport costs and make spending an upfront fee (usually between $10 and $30 a day) more effective on a car rental plus any additional fuel costs.

If you plan on taking many day trips or staying remotely, a rental car can be a lifesaver. Remember any additional parking costs you might incur at your accommodation, and know that Italy has many toll roads.

If you stay in a city center where you can find most things within walking distance, you won’t need a car rental. You can always book private transfers from the airport if you travel at unsociable hours or head to the metro station or train station for a day trip.

• Transport Budget: $30 per day with a car rental

You can’t visit Italy without a solid food budget, and that’s from no fault of its own. Italy has one of the world’s most famous – and arguably delicious – cuisines. We’ve already got  an entire guide  dedicated to the top dishes you should try when you holiday in Italy. If you are in the stages of forming your Italy itinerary, just know food will undoubtedly make up a significant proportion of it. So, with all that said, what does a trip to Italy cost when discussing a food budget?

The average restaurant meal in a major city center is around $70 per person; this is more like $20-30 per person outside of popular areas. Takeaway dishes cost around $10-15. It is important to remember that the coperto (aka the extra cost for sitting down) is added onto most bills in centrally located restaurants and calculated per person.

It is customary to tip around 10%. However, the Italian tipping culture is much more relaxed than the tipping culture in the US. When questioning ‘Is Italy expensive?’, you need to consider whether, and if so, when and where you will eat out. We’d suggest dining out at least once just for the Italian food experience. However, a compromise for a week in Italy might be two sit-down meals, a food tour, and then takeaway or street food for lunch and cooking other meals at your accommodation.

Food is the number one reason people choose Italy, so try to set aside a generous budget. Think of it as cultural immersion or an investment in activities. Everyone deserves to experience fine dining on the Amalfi Coast with air conditioning and stunning ocean views – just set aside around $100 to comfortably budget. And if you can, find accommodation with kitchen facilities to cook your own meals and save money.

• Food Budget: $20 a day without sit-down restaurants or $100 a day with sit-down restaurants

Tours and Activities

Finally, what about tours and activities? It goes without saying that part of what makes Italy so fabulous is its array of things to do.

There are Roman ruins to tour, sunset cruises, and museum tours – and that’s not to mention the abovementioned food tours. Your trip to Italy cost will be massively dictated by your entertainment choices, but it shouldn’t be any other way. Adding to your Italy trip cost with lifelong memories is worthwhile. Just keep in mind your tour and activity expectations when planning a budget: will you tour the Amalfi Coast on your trip to Italy, or are you backpacking in Rome?

One thing to know about Italy is that it does luxury and ‘exclusive experiences’ really well. You need to evaluate what is on your to-do list. Is a gondola ride in Venice catching your eye, or are you looking at budget day trip destinations and museum entry fees? There’s no denying that a gondola ride is one of the  best things to do in Venice , but if you want to splurge on special experiences, you will have to budget more.

We’d recommend narrowing down your ‘exclusive experiences’ to a select few if you want to keep to a reasonable budget. You can then bulk up your itinerary with low-cost and free tours and activities. For instance, the Vatican Museums, Colosseum, or a boat trip. You can also plan tourist attractions like stopping to see the Trevi Fountain, which costs nothing.

Independent Travel or Group Tour in Italy

When it comes to your itinerary in Italy, you have the option to book guided experiences and the option to travel solo. Traveling solo can cut your upfront costs, while guided experiences provide peace of mind. For instance, a day trip from Milan to Lake Como costs as little as $4 by public transportation ,  yet around $100 for a  guided tour.

You could cut costs by taking the day trip or save stress and time by spending extra money on a guided day trip. As a side note, if you visit attractions rather than destinations, many attractions in Italy have options for self-guided audio tours when you actually enter. We’d recommend downloading audio tours if you are visiting solo as you’ll will gain a much better appreciation of the monuments you are visiting/

When considering guided tours, an important consideration is whether they are private. A group tour versus private tours vary massively in cost. So, if you’d like to save money but still have a guided experience, we’d suggest shopping for group tours. Keep in mind a single supplement for solo traveler visitors, though, which applies for both group and private excursions – frustrating, we know. You should always check specific policies per tour company.

• Tours and Activities Budget: $300 per week

Overall Trip Cost

With all that in mind, what is the total trip to Italy cost? What exactly should you budget? You see tons of average price statistics floating around and various Italy vacation packages, so it is essential to have a concrete number reflecting the ‘real’ cost of a holiday in Italy.

We’ve broken down the ‘big’ Italy budget into all the factors (airfare, food, tours, etc.), so let’s quickly review them before we give you our final figures.

Regarding flights, budget around $1000 return from Europe in shoulder seasons and $1500 from the US. You can find flights priced above and below these rates, but as a general rule, these are the average prices to expect.

Accommodations

Accommodation prices in Italy is pretty simple: the more stars, the more expensive the hotel. And the more central the location, the higher the fees. Budget approximately $60 per night for a central budget hotel, $100 for a mid range, and $250 for a luxury. Vacation rentals are anything upwards of $50 per night.

For the vast majority of people who go for mid-range hotels, $700 – $1000 is a reasonable rate to budget and expect for a week’s accommodation in Italy.

Transportation

Transportation is tough to calculate because it massively depends on where you are staying. If you are staying in the city center, you should budget as little as $40 for a whole week on public transportation. You can walk to all the main tourist attractions, which costs nothing. Even if you go on a day trip or catch a local bus or tram, public transport should cost as little as $2-30. A $40 weekly transportation budget should allow you to take a day trip, use public transport for airport transfers, and get around occasionally by inner-city transport to take a break from walking.

If you hire a car, this price will increase. If you hire a car, budget around $30 daily for rental car fees, petrol, and parking. In a week, this totes up to $210.

For food, it does depend on your travel style. You can easily spend $20 a day on food if you just purchase takeaway or street food style meals for lunch and cook your own meals for breakfast and dinner. Whereas, if you want to eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you should budget $100 daily. To get the best of both worlds, we’d suggest a weekly budget of $300 or $400 if you want to try fancy cocktails and aperitifs. This should allow two days of dining out and five days of cooking meals and getting takeaway lunches.

For tours and activities, you should budget approximately $300 per week. This budget considers one guided tour of up to $100, one luxury experience of around $80, plus up to six standard $20 entry rates for tourist attractions. With $300, it is safe to say that you are comfortably within budget to enjoy a couple of significant bucket list experiences and get an excellent insight into the tourist attraction scene. You’ll be able to have at least two tourist attractions a day.

• Per-Day Budget: $240 if you fly from Europe and rent a car, and $295 if you fly from the US and rent a car
• Total Italy Trip Cost: $1660 if you fly from Europe and rent a car, and $2060 if you fly from the US and rent a car

Money Saving Tips

It is all well and good knowing the average trip to Italy cost. But what about learning how to reduce the average cost of an Italy trip? An average price is just that – an average. That doesn’t mean that you can’t reduce it further and make some serious reductions. Even a tiny compromise, like taking public transport, not private transfers, can significantly reduce the cost of visiting Italy.

This section will reveal the top tips and tricks for lowering Italy’s budget. Here’s how to save money on your trip to Italy.

1. Avoid Sit Down Restaurants or Cook at Home

A huge factor in your trip to Italy cost is sit-down restaurants. This might seem oddly specific, but it is a famously price-boosting thing in Italy. You instantly get charged more when you sit down at a city center restaurant. There’s even a name for this: the coperto. The coperto is a flat rate cover charge that is calculated on a per-person basis. But this is where it gets even more expensive – it is the same whether you order a drink and bread or a four-course meal. This means that if you want to sit down, you’ll have to pay an extra cost, even if you dined on a budget.

Not all restaurants and cafes have a coperto. However, a safe rule of thumb is that if you are in a ‘competitive’ area, like the center of Rome or Venice, you should expect an additional charge for sitting down. The coperto acts as insurance for the restaurant or café business, meaning no matter how much you spend, they will be compensated for not having an empty table for a different guest. It would help if you always aimed to buy takeaway food or street food in these busy areas. Or if you are desperate to dine sitting down, then head out of the city center and into quieter suburbs.

Similarly, you can save money by cooking at your accommodation. Self-catered accommodation with your only kitchen is a real travel hack for cutting costs and avoiding things like the coperto.

2. Travel in Shoulder Seasons

You don’t need us to tell you that traveling at different times of year bags you different prices. The peak season is notoriously bad for budget, no matter where you go. Peak season just means the time when the destination is deemed ‘most impressive’ by mass tourism. This is summer for Italy since it is primarily a beach holiday and al fresco dining destination. June to August is the peak season for Italy, when you will be competing amongst other tourists for everything from tickets to accommodation, and local vendors and business owners hike up the prices to meet the rise in demand.

If you want to play your Italy budgeting tactically, you could book to visit in winter. Contrary to popular belief, the country gets cold, especially in northern Italy. You can expect an average temperature of between – 5 degrees Celsius and 15 degrees Celsius, with southern Italy warmer than the north and its mountainous regions. This idea is excellent if you don’t care about beach days and want to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s in Italy. It is also the perfect time to visit museums and galleries, which are much more enjoyable without overheating.

However, you don’t need to go as extreme on budgeting as that if you still want beach days and warm weather of low to mid-twenties. The best way to budget while sticking as close to peak season is with shoulder seasons. March to May and September until October are the optimum seasons to experience Italy well and cheaply. These months have cheaper accommodations and tours, pleasant temperatures, and fewer crowds.

3. Take Local Transportation

Visiting Italy can get expensive if you constantly spend on private transfers and even a car rental- especially concerning petrol, toll roads, and parking fees. One really effective way to save money is with local transportation. Italy has a fabulous train system, with a train station in all major cities and most significant towns. In fact, tickets can be as little as $9 for a regional journey. Booking train tickets in advance can be a brilliant way to take day trips or an alternative to road-tripping or flying between cities.

Italy also has a fantastic ferry system and buses. You will be able to navigate the country by public transport. On the other hand, private transfers and taxis can get expensive. For instance, when booked in advance, a train ticket from Milan to Rome costs as little as $35. Milan to Rome by rental car costs a minimum of $104 for fuel. A private transfer from Milan to Rome costs as much as $190 one way.

Ironically, public transport is also often much quicker. Milan to Rome takes just over 3 hours by train, yet 5.5 hours by car. Snag the better deal and get there faster. Taking local transportation is one of the best ways to cut costs when visiting Italy.

4. Avoid Major Cities and Tourist Hotspots – Off the Beaten Path

This one might sting, but if you  really  want to save money on your Italy trip, avoid major cities and tourist hotspots. These cities and hotspots are like vampires for your Italy budget. Everything from food to accommodation and even water bottles get hiked up in price in these places.

If you aren’t too fussy about where you stay, think outside the box and get creative. Head off the tourist track, and you’ll find much more reasonable rates. And you’ll be pioneering more authentic and sustainable travel – a moral boost and a budgeting tip.

There is a small ‘but’ to this top tip. You can always stay outside of a major city. This way, you can take advantage of local transport and cheap rail prices for day trips into the city. You can benefit from the city’s tourist attractions without spending extra on accommodation and food.

5. Know Your Discounts

Lastly, you should know your discounts when trying to lower your trip to Italy. Simple things like a student ID or pensioner card can prove you are eligible for discounts. You should always carry some form of ID if you qualify for discounts, and similarly, do your research before entering an attraction or venue where you think you could be eligible. You could even learn a basic phrase in Italian that you can use to respectfully enquire about discounts. One example of an attraction you can save on with a student ID is the Vatican museums, which knock off approximately 7 euros ($7.42) if you display a student card. Every little helps, right?

Researching discounts and rates before you go is also a healthy practice when sticking to a budget and a great rule to live by if you are a budget traveler. Many museums have free days or cheaper times, while bars and restaurants might have happy hours. And you can adjust your visit to attractions and venues to get better deals. It is a win-win.

Trip to Italy Cost: FAQs

So, now you have an overview of a general trip to Italy cost, what do you think: is Italy expensive? As you can see, the average cost of a trip to Italy does vary depending on factors like travel style, when you travel, and where you go in Italy. Lots of small choices can massively impact your overall Italy budget.

Are you ready for some FAQs? These answers will give you the snapshot information you need to transform your trip for the better. Consider this section the cherry on top of your Italy budget planning.

How much is a trip to Italy for 7 days?

If you fly from Europe and rent a car, it costs approximately $1660 to travel to Italy for 7 days. If you fly from the US and rent a car, it costs around $2060.

Is Italy very expensive to visit?

Italy can be expensive if you opt for luxury hotels, private tours, fine dining, and popular peak-season areas. This is entirely down to travel style, though, and you can easily do Italy on a budget if you cook your own food, backpack, and take public transport. Small compromises and budgeting decisions go a long way in Italy.

What is the cheapest month to go to Italy?

The cheapest months to visit Italy are over winter, with November as the absolute cheapest. Most people visit Italy in the summer and use March to May and September to October as the slightly more affordable, yet still warm, shoulder season. If you visit between November and February, you can find the absolute cheapest prices to visit Italy.

How much does it cost to go to Italy for a weekend?

Visiting Italy for the weekend costs around $550 if you fly from Europe and $950 from the US. This budget factors in public transport costs, a budget of $100 for tourist attractions, flights, and mid-range accommodation in a city center location.

To Conclude

Now you have as accurate as possible an idea of what your trip to Italy will cost, you can answer the question for yourself: is Italy expensive? You can use some of our top tips to save money when visiting Italy. You don’t have to visit Italy for a luxury trip, although if you do, you will undoubtedly go to the right place. Italy is incredible – no matter your budget. With the right attitude, you can find some fantastic accommodation choices, tours, food, and flight deals. Read next: Is Greece Expensive to Visit

There are so many amazing  things to do  – including sailing on Lake Como, visiting remains of Roman cities and amphitheaters where gladiators fought, and just kicking back with cocktails on stunning beaches that a trip to Italy is a must for any travel lover. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Italy today.

Looking for more inspiration? Just check out these  facts about Italy to make you smile.  Or get some inspiration on  hiking in the beautiful Cinque Terre  region, which should already be on your bucket list.

Plan Your Next Trip To Italy With These Resources

• Best Things to Do in Piedmont, Italy
• 15 Most Beautiful Cities in Italy for Travelers
• 16 Best Things to Do in Lake Como, Italy
• 14 Remarkable Towns in Tuscany, Italy
• 28 Best Things To Do in Milan
• 23 Best Things To Do In Sicily, Italy in 2024
• The Ultimate One Day in Rome Itinerary: How To Maximize Your Visit

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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1 thought on “How Much Does A Trip to Italy Cost in 2024: Detailed Budget Breakdown”

Thanks guys for sharing this some many useful tips and cost of ITALY also superb attractions, sceneries too guys.

Italy: Travel Budget Calculator

Plan your Italian getaway with our Travel Budget Calculator! Find costs for Rome, Tuscany, and more. Ideal for families & solo travelers. Click for details.

How much does it cost to Travel Italy!?

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! Passion can be seen from the Avenues to the Automobiles and of course the food!

From the ancient landmarks of Rome to the vineyards in Tuscany, the romance of Florence and beautiful beaches of Sorrento Italy has it all!

Popular Destinations:

Rome is the Cosmopolitan capital of Italy with over 3000 years of  Roman history , from the  Ancient Roman Colosseum  and  Trevi Fountain , to the artistic  Sistine Chapel  in Vatican city. Rome is a historic capital like no other.

Milan  is the northern metropolis of Italy. It is the international capital of  fashion and modern design .

Here you will also find the countries financial hub and national stock exchange. Along with many  high end shop and restaurants

. The  Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral  and the  Santa Maria delle Grazie  convent, house the famous Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “ The Last Supper, ”

milan-Duomo

3. Florence:

Florence is the capital of Italys Tuscany region. Here you will find  masterpieces of Renaissance art and captivating architecture . One of Florences most iconic attractions is the  Duomo , a cathedral with a incredible terracotta-tiled dome.

The  Galleria dell'Accademia  displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture.

While the Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”

Naples  is a vibrant city in  Southern Italy . Its a great place to spring board yourself to many iconic landmarks from  Active Volcano Mount Vesuvius  to the  Ancient Roman Town of Pompeii  ("The lost city").  Naples also has centuries of historic art & architecture, from the  Duomo di San Gennaro cathedral  to the luxurious  Royal Palace.

Naples italy

5. Positano(Amalfi Coast):

-  The  Ultimate place for Romance  and coastal beauty. Just a short ride from Naples you will find  Sorrento  and  Positano  a picturesque village nestled deep within the mountains. Many hotels hear offer breathing sea view scenery from the balconies.

During the evening head down to the local restaurants and watch live performances. In the morning, take a day trip to the incredible island of Capri. Be aware though as Positano is so small with such a high demand it can be expensive.

amalfi-coast-positano

6.  Sicily  -

Just of the coast of Italy you will find the paradise of Sicily.

In general Sicily is less expensive than the rest of Italy, for more info see:  Sicily: Travel Budget Calculator-How much does it cost to travel?

sicily-travel budget calculator

Is Italy Expensive?

How much it costs to travel Italy, depends upon your budget but generally in the most tourist areas I found it to be more expensive than  Spain , Prague,  Portugal  Greece and eastern Europe but less expensive than  UK (London),  Scandinavia ,  Switzerland

To help you budget your next adventure to Italy.

Dive into our interactive Travel Budget Calculator below

User Guide:  Simply select your “Travel Style”,  ” Number of Persons” and Number of Days Traveling.

Top Tip:  “Group” travel budget gives the  total budget for 4 people!  To find out how much that is each simply divide by 4.

Family Budgets:

Families would be best using the Group selector, or those with small children should select “Couple” if the children are young enough to share a room.

We have compiled the data in the table above from our vast travel experience & other reliable sources.  source

Be sure to visit the  kid friendly museums of florence  & use these  tips for pompei with kids.

Here you will also find  31 great travel tips for italy   on walk to eat.

What currency is used in Italy?

Italy  uses Euros as its currency.

1 USD = 0.90 Euro

Italy Travel Costs (Budget):

I. budget backpacker travel costs:, ii. mid range travel costs:, iii. luxury vacation travel costs:, where to stay in  rome .

For a complete list of our recommend hotels in Berlin,   follow the link  HERE

colosseum-rome on a budget

Insider Tip:

• Invest in a quality Travel Camera!

Capturing the Memories of your adventure is essential!

You will be able to show your friends, family and even grand kids all the wonderful photos captured.

For more info see, our recommend  Travel Photography Gear

Make sure you are equip with some great Photography Gear!

A high quality Tent & backpack can also be great investments to help you cut costs and have more of an adventure while traveling!

Important! Are you Insured??

Be aware that you will need separate travel insurance if you are traveling to Italy!

If you get ill or have an accident it will be a very costly experience!

All travellers to Italy should have a robust travel insurance to avoid paying out thousands of dollars.

I always recommend  World Nomads , I’ve used these for years,

they are the best and most reliable insurance, they also provides an unlimited medical budget!

Getting hit with a large hospital bill after getting sick or injured, could really add to your worries! Get some Travel Insurance

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS

For more info see:  Why you NEED Travel Insurance?

Other  Travel Essentials    (Things You can’t travel without!)

• Recommended  Backpacks
• Recommended  Camping Gear
• Recommended  Hiking Boots.

To learn about our secret Hotel Hacks check out:  How to find the Best Hotel Deals??

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How much does a trip to Italy Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to Italy?

• How much does a one-week trip to Italy cost?
• How much does a two-week trip to Italy cost?
• How much does a one-month trip to Italy cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to Italy

For a trip to Italy, you should plan for daily costs anywhere between $71 to $449. If there's two of you traveling, your daily expenses could range from $141 to $899. These price ranges are based on the average daily spending of $178 (€167) per person which comes from the travel expenses of other visitors. These costs include food, accommodation, sightseeing activities, and getting around locally. Keep in mind, though, these figures can vary somewhat based on your individual travel style, level of luxury, and chosen activities. Destinations across the country, such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, might might vary somewhat from the overall average price, but they usually stick close to this range. Read on for a breakdown of travel typical expenses as well as a comparison of tour prices versus Independent travel.

If you're planning an Independent trip to Italy, budget travelers should plan to spend around $71 (€66) per day for their trip. This average includes hostels and budget hotels, affordable meal options, local transportation, and activities. If you're on a mid-range budget, plan for around $178 (€167) a day which covers the cost of typical hotels, normal restaurants, and a variety of popular attractions. Luxury travelers should allow for $449 (€419) a day, which would cover higher-end hotels, nicer restaurants, and more private tour options. All of these price ranges are based on our extensive travel cost data for Italy from other travelers, along with hotel and tour data from travel companies.

How much does a one week trip to Italy cost?

On average, visitors to Italy spend between $494 and $3,146 for their week-long adventure, with the average being $1,249. This covers sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a duration of one week, you'll have the opportunity to explore one, two, or even three locations within Italy, depending on the level of depth you desire for your visit. Some of the most popular places to consider exploring are Rome , Florence , and Venice . It's important to note that these figures are averages and can vary based on personal preferences and choices. Ultimately, the goal is to create a memorable and enjoyable experience tailored to your specific interests.

How much does a two week trip to Italy cost?

With two weeks, you should budget between $989 and $6,293 for your trip to Italy. The average price for a two week trip is $2,498. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as Palermo, Piazza Armerina, and Caltagirone.

How much does a one month trip to Italy cost?

When embarking on a month-long trip to Italy, expenses can range from $2,119 to $13,485, with an average cost falling around $5,354. For those fortunate enough to have a full month, considering a vacation rental with a kitchen for at least a portion of your stay can help save money with meals. Backpackers often opt for hostels due to their affordability and the added benefit of a social vibe.

Hostel Prices in Italy

With more than 240 hostels in Italy, the average price is $29 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Italy not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Italy here .

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Italy.

• $36 for a dorm bed at YellowSquare Rome in Rome more details
• $43 for a dorm bed at Ostello Bello Grande in Milan more details
• $19 for a dorm bed at PLUS Florence in Florence more details

Hotel Prices in Italy

You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Italy. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Italy .

Maison Tritone

Eco urban b&b.

Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in Italy?

Organized tours and independent travel are essentially the two main ways to plan a trip to Italy. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, with travel experts handling all the logistical details and the added benefit of an expert guide imparting valuable insights. This option is favored by those who appreciate the convenience and ease provided by tours that often include transportation and expert guides.

On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages, allowing for greater freedom and flexibility in customizing itineraries and exploring at one's own pace. This option appeals to individuals who value spontaneity and control, enabling them to immerse themselves in local culture on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on personal preferences and travel style, considering factors such as convenience, guidance, and flexibility.

Comparing Trip Costs in Italy

When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.

Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons

Organized tours.

• An expert guide familiar with the culture
• Convenient transportation
• Fellow travelers to socialize with
• Well researched activities
• Efficient and thought out itinerary
• The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
• Limited options
• Usually not customizable
• The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
• Usually more expensive than independent travel
• There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community

Independent Travel

• Completely customizable
• Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
• Freedom to move at your own pace
• Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
• More affordable
• Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
• Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
• Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
• Popular sights may sell out well in advance
• If something goes wrong, you're on your own

Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Italy?

Organized tours typically average around $310 per day and provide the convenience of an all-inclusive package with one comprehensive payment. On the other hand, independent trips usually average around $178 (€167) per day and involve individual payments for accommodations, local transportation, meals, and sightseeing. Both organized tours and independent trips have their own unique challenges and benefits, so it's crucial to thoroughly understand the aspects of each to make a fair comparison. For a detailed analysis of tour prices in Italy, check out our comprehensive guide on tour prices in Italy here .

Here are a few sample tours in Italy:

• Apulia & Lecce, Self-Drive ($985) 8 days, 12 destinations more details
• Italian Indulgence ($4,319) 13 days, 21 destinations more details
• Ultimate Italy (Standard, 22 Days) ($6,059) 22 days, 20 destinations more details
• Sicily Grand Tour Walking & Hiking ($6,270) 13 days, 20 destinations more details
• Cinque Terre & Tuscany Walking & Hiking Tour ($4,787) 8 days, 15 destinations more details

More for Italy

If you're planning a trip to Italy, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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🧮 Italy Travel Budget Calculator

Italy travel budget calculator.

This calculator estimates your travel budget based on the number of days you plan to stay, your accommodation and meal preferences, and the number of cities you plan to visit. For accommodation and meals, 'Budget' is estimated at $50 and $20 per day respectively, 'Mid-Range' at $100 and $40, and 'Luxury' at $200 and $80. Inter-city travel is estimated at $100 per city.

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Is Italy Expensive? An Italy Trip Cost Guide for 2024

Last Updated on December 12, 2023

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Italy is a country that inspires thousands of people across the globe to travel here each year. But is Italy expensive to visit? And how much will an Italy trip cost?

Renowned the world over for its fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, amazing cuisine, and hospitable people, it is also essential to be aware of average prices in Italy before you travel.

You’ll likely find Italy to be less expensive than many other European countries. On average, you can expect a trip to Italy to cost roughly €70-305 per person per day (around $75-328 USD).

However, these prices will be heavily influenced by how you choose to spend your money across accommodation, transportation, food, activities, and entertainment and what region of the country you are visiting.

Table of Contents

Accommodation Prices

The first thing you need to consider in your Italy travel budget is the cost of accommodation as this is likely going be the biggest portion of your overall trip cost.

Because the whole country is so popular amongst travellers, there are several different accommodation options to choose from pretty much anywhere you wish to go. These range from backpacker hostels to rural B&Bs to boutique hotels to large international hotel chains.

The most budget-friendly option for accommodation would be to get a dorm bed at a hostel. There is usually at least one hostel in most major Italian cities, however, the prices actually don’t really differ all that much depending on where you are.

On the whole, you can expect the price of a bed in a hostel to start somewhere around €25-30 for the cheapest option. If you are in Venice or Rome, this might mean a bed in a 15+ person dorm, but in smaller cities, you can expect to pay the same for a dorm with a smaller capacity.

Another fantastic budget option, especially for those travelling as a couple or with a friend, is to opt for a private room on Airbnb.

Along with being a great way to see how locals live in the city you’re visiting, Airbnb tends to be significantly less expensive than a traditional hotel. A private room can also work out to be less expensive per person than a bed in a hostel dorm if you’re not travelling solo.

Though you can generally expect prices to be higher in bigger cities that have a higher cost of living, like Venice , Florence, or Rome, on average a price for a private room on Airbnb costs about €50-60 per night. If you split this between two people, this can be an extremely cost-effective accommodation option in Italy.

If you’re interested in renting an entire, one-bedroom apartment in a major urban area then expect prices to start at around €60-90 per night. Once again, expect to pay more in Rome and keep in mind that prices can be higher in Milan , Florence and Venice.

Seasonality has a lot to do with prices, as well. For instance, the Amalfi Coast is going to have a lot higher accommodation costs in the summer months.

If neither hostels nor Airbnb appeals to you as accommodation options, you can find some decent budget and mid-range hotels that won’t take a huge proportion out of your total Italy trip cost.

A good thing to keep in mind is that it is almost always less expensive to stay in a locally run establishment than a well-known chain. Expect a mid-range hotel room to start at around €70-100 per night.

Keep in mind that this can vary drastically depending on where you are in the country and the season, as well. For instance, if you’re travelling on the Amalfi Coast, you can safely assume that these prices could double.

If you’re looking for a higher-end or luxury stay in Italy, expect, on average, prices to start at around €300-350 and to go up from there. Prices will be more expensive in places like Venice, Lake Como , the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre than they will be in lesser-visited areas.

Overall, if you’re smart about your choices, accommodation in Italy doesn’t have to break the bank.

Transportation Prices

The second biggest thing that needs to be considered in your total trip cost are the transportation prices in Italy.

Unless you’re planning on only visiting one place and walking absolutely everywhere (make sure to pack good shoes if so!) while you’re in Italy, then you’re going to be spending at least some money on both local and intercity transport.

In the big cities like Rome or Naples , there are multiple public transport options — buses, trams, and metro — and you will probably end up taking a few of them, as places and sites are spread out from one another.

If you want to cover a lot of ground while visiting this city and plan on using the public transport network frequently (ie, more than once or twice per day) then it can oftentimes work out to be more cost-effective to buy a daily travel card rather than purchasing individual, single-journey tickets.

In other, smaller cities such as Modena , public transport is often just limited to the bus. If the city is walkable, which is most cities besides the bigger ones, then it is rarely necessary to buy more than one or two bus tickets that will get you to and from the train station. Expect single tickets to be around €2, though it can definitely vary from locality to locality.

The other thing you need to consider when it comes to transport in Italy are longer journeys, ie. intercity trains and buses. These can range in price significantly depending on the distance you plan on travelling and the type of train you are travelling on.

If you know of your general Italy itinerary beforehand, then take the time to research the travel options available to you as there can be many different ways to get from point A to point B.

To give you a general idea, the high-speed intercity trains tend to cost a bit more than the regional, commuter trains.

While taking one of the high-speed options can be great if you’re travelling long distances, it’s not needed if you’re only travelling a short distance in the same or neighbouring region. A high-speed train is about three times the price of a regional train and the journey time will not be much longer.

Depending on how long you’ve planned for your Italy itinerary, it may work out to be a better bet to take the high-speed train and pay a bit more so as to properly maximise your time in your destinations. If you have a number of weeks that you’re planning to spend in Italy, longer train journeys may not matter as much.

Another tip that can help you save a fair amount on your total trip to Italy cost is to book your longer train journeys in advance. It is much less expensive to do this rather than to purchase tickets on the day.

While we’re always advocates of not over-planning and letting the wind take you where it will, it can sometimes save you a good amount of money to have a few things planned ahead of time. We suggest booking on Omio to find deals on train tickets in Italy.

If you’re planning on taking a number of trains during your time in Italy, then a train pass can be good value. If you’re from outside of Europe, you can view Eurail Italy Passes here . Alternatively, if you’re from the EU, you can view Interrail Italy Passes here .

If you want to get a bit off the beaten path in Italy and explore on your own terms, renting a car is an excellent option. Prices for a hire car can vary, but you’re looking at a price starting at about €25-30 per day for a basic car without any additional insurance. Note that prices are often lower for a manual transmission.

If you do rent a car, you need to also factor in the cost of petrol and likely parking into your daily costs. The average fuel price in Italy is about €1.80 per litre in December of 2023. Prices for parking can vary depending on where you are and which kind of place you are parking in. Toll road pricing can also vary and it depends on the road and the distance you’re travelling.

If you want to find great deals for renting a car, we recommend using  Rentalcars.com . This is particularly important if travelling to places with limited public transport options such as Lake Garda or Lake Como or if you’re spending time exploring Sicily the Puglia region.

On average, plan to spend about €10-30 per person per day on transportation taking all of the above-mentioned things into account.

Food Prices

So let’s talk about the cost of one of the main things that attract thousands to visit Italy: food. Food in Italy is delicious, diverse and, surprisingly, doesn’t have to be that expensive. Sure, it is possible to splash out a small fortune on a high-end meal but in my experience, this is more of an exception rather than the rule.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to only eat kebabs or cook your own meals in order to eat on a budget while in Italy. Sure, if you’re really trying to pinch pennies and make your budget stretch as far as possible, then it can be beneficial to cook some of your meals from time to time. However, eating out at a decent restaurant actually isn’t all that expensive.

The biggest tip that I can give when it comes to saving money while dining out in Italy is to always avoid tourist-centric restaurants. This means not eating at places a stone’s throw from big attractions and sites, and avoiding places that have a photo-laden menu published outside with every type of food under the sun.

Learn about the foods that are typical for the region of Italy that you are travelling in and if a restaurant doesn’t have many of them on the menu, it generally means that locals don’t eat there.

If you walk just a few streets over from the main tourist centre, you will probably find about a 10-15% decrease in the prices on menus. This is because these restaurants are meant for locals who don’t typically hang out around the Colosseum every day. Eat in these places — you will not only save money but the food will almost always be better.

Food in Italy can be affordable and you can eat exceptionally well on only a small budget, but like elsewhere, prices can vary by region. For instance, it’s much cheaper to eat out in Sicily than it is dine at an equivalent restaurant in Venice.

Keeping that in mind, plan for a main meal at a restaurant to average around €15. And if you’re eating out with another person, each getting a main dish, sharing an appetiser and splitting a half-litre of house wine, expect this to average about €30-40 for the entire bill, depending on where you are.

All in all, plan to budget around €20-40 per person per day on food. On the low end, this allows one restaurant meal out and on the upper end, a couple of meals out each day at a mid-range establishment.

Activity Prices

Now that we’ve covered the basic costs of the most necessary things on your Italy vacation, let’s talk about how much daily activities are going to set you back. Well, like most anything else, this really depends on what it is you plan to do.

If you’re travelling to Italy in order to take advantage of all of the fantastic history, art and culture there is in this country, then you’re most likely going to be visiting a lot of museums.

Museum entry prices can vary depending on if they are state-run or privately funded. But it’s generally safe to assume that a museum visit will set you back somewhere around €5-15.

When it comes to entry into any museum or historical site, be aware if you qualify for any discounts as well. Almost everywhere in Italy offer significant (up to 50%) discounts if you have a valid student ID and you also won’t have to pay as much if you are under the age of 26 or over the age of 65. Do your research beforehand to see if you qualify for these.

Also, if you plan to visit several historical sites and museums in any given city, it can often work out to be more cost-effective to purchase the city’s tourism card rather than pay the full price of every individual site you want to visit. Take the time to work out the sums before you go to see if it’s worth it for you.

If you’re curious about going on any food tours or wine tastings, it’s normally always cheaper to look for individual places to visit independently rather than paying for an organised tour.

Also, it can be a better bang for your buck to seek out smaller, locally-run businesses rather than bigger corporations. For instance, we went on a balsamic vinegar tour in Modena that was completely free. We just contacted the acetaia  directly.

However, if you’d like to go on something like an organised food tour of Palermo or even a day tour to Capri from Naples, you’re going to have to pay a bit more for this. Expect tours to land around €40-100 per person depending on where it is and what is offered.

If you are on an extreme budget, then you actually don’t need to spend anything on daily activities. Italian cities just beg to be wandered through and explored and this doesn’t cost a dime!

All in all, however, expect to spend an average of about €10-30 per person per day to account for museum entry or the occasional tour.

Entertainment Prices

The last thing you need to consider in your total Italy trip cost is the price of entertainment. How much money you spend on this really depends on your habits.

If you’re looking to grab a coffee at a classic Italian cafe, you’re not going to have to pay a lot for the privilege. On average, something like a macchiato or a cappuccino will be under €2. It’s worth keeping in mind that it’s often cheaper to drink your coffee standing at the bar rather than being served at a table, though this practice does vary by region.

While there are certainly places to party into the wee hours of the night in almost every Italian city, it can be expensive to drink a lot and it also isn’t what Italians typically do every day. If you do, however, enjoy the occasional cocktail or glass of wine in the evening, you are in luck.

Italians have an excellent happy hour culture, called  aperitivo . During the few hours before one would typically go out for dinner, usually between around 6 PM-8 PM, cafes and bars will typically offer discounted wine and cocktails that come with either snacks or access to a buffet of charcuterie, cheese, bread, olives, etc.

You can normally get a drink along with a few snacks (the amount really depends on the establishment) for a good price – usually between €5-12 depending on where you are.

These kinds of things are especially prevalent in cities that have a large student population, like Bologna, but can be found throughout the country and we’ve experienced this culture everywhere from Bergamo to Palermo. This can be a great way to save money while still enjoying the drinking culture of Italy.

All in all, however, you can expect the average cost of a pint of local draft beer in Italy to land somewhere around €4-5 depending on where you are. A glass of wine will start around the same. If you’re after a basic cocktail like an Aperol spritz or a gin and tonic, expect to pay around €5-10 for this. Again, it really depends on the region or city you’re in and who the bar is catering to.

Italy Trip Cost Estimator

With the above aspects taken into consideration, this is the average daily amount you should expect to spend per person on your trip to Italy.

This is assuming that you stay in budget to mid-range accommodation, travel long distances every three or four days, cook some meals or take advantage of included breakfasts, don’t eat at high-end restaurants every night and are splitting costs like accommodation and potential car hire between two people.

Accommodation:  €25-175 / night

Transportation:  €10-40 / day

Food:  €20-40 / day

Activities:  €10-30 / day

Entertainment:  €5-20 / day

All in all, you can expect your average total cost of a trip to Italy to set you back roughly €70-305 per person per day. Obviously, this can also be cut down or increased depending on your travel habits and preferences. It also doesn’t include any pre-trip expenses such as a prepaid SIM for Italy.

Finally, make sure that you factor in the cost of a travel insurance policy. World Nomads   offers flexible and simple travel insurance policies with coverage for more than 150 activities that you can buy or extend while on the road.

Travelling to Italy doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. While the country does have a reputation for being expensive, if you are smart about where and how you spend, it is completely possible to have a fun and fulfilling trip to Italy while on a budget.

Are you planning a trip to Italy? Have any questions about the prices? Let us know in the comments!

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The Perfect Day Trip to Orvieto from Rome

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Thank you again for your informative information…. My wife & I did travel to Italy this pass May 2023 for 3-wks to Florence, Venice, Bellagio & Milan, loved the different cities & sights & had a wonderful time…We are traveling back to Italy this May for 2-wks…Flying into Naples, having a driver pick us up & drive to Amalfi for 1-wk. & while there explore Positano, Sorrento & Capri, then taking a flight from Naples to Genoa, having a driver pick us up & drive to Portofino for 1-wk. & explore the 5-towns of Cinque Terre as well….Love Italy…Wishing you a happy, healthy & safe traveling 2024…

Thanks for sharing your insights, Elliot! Happy New Year 🙂

My wife and I are beginnig to plan our 50th wedding anniverary in 2025. We plan to travel to Italy for this experience. Paris was our 25th. This was very helpful start for us. Thanks

Happy you found this helpful!

Hi, a girlfriend and I are going to Rome for 2 weeks in April. I have travelled Europe using Airbnb and driving in a very low key but fun way. My husband has had Parkinson for 15 years and can longer do long hall flights and I only have minders for him for 3 weeks. So I chose Rome, have never been there. Booked a room for us on Airbnb and have a map and lots of ideas and good walking shoes. Will report back on our return.

Very helpful! Thanks Maggie. I’m travelling to Italy in late August till the end of October 2023 and was wondering if it’s worthwhile getting the Eurail Pass. I’ll check out the train prices online to see what the best option is. Your articles are very helpfull for a first time, solo traveller to Italy… thank you.

My sister and I and our two adult daughters are planning a trip to Italy in June. This was very helpful information. Thank you!

My son and I are going on a school trip in summer 2024. Basic travel and services are included, minus tips and it includes 2 meals per day. Can you help recommend a budget for us and what the best way to travel with our money might be? Thanks!

very helpful thanks I will be going October 2022 and I had so much questions and you really helped me

Very informative! I will be cruising to the Mediterranean this summer and this is very good information!

Happy this could help! Hope you have a great trip 🙂

Wonderful read. So very helpful thank you.

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• Budget Travel

How to Plan a Trip to Italy on a Budget, According to a Local

A dream vacation to "il bel paese" doesn’t have to break the bank.

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

Planning Your Trip

How to save money on flights, how to find an affordable hotel, transportation in italy, eating on a budget, free and low-cost activities, more money-saving tips.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

For many, visiting Italy is a dream trip — one that’s worth saving up for. There are certainly plenty of glamorous resorts, Michelin-starred restaurants, and exclusive experiences that you might want to splurge on, but a trip to Italy doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, according to Numbeo , the cost of living is, on average, 19.8 percent lower in Italy than in the U.S.

I’ve been living in Rome for nearly five years and visited Italy many times before that, so I’ve found some strategies for traveling around the country without overspending. Here's how to plan a trip to Italy on a budget.

Want to visit Italy in the summer? So does everyone else — and increased demand drives up the prices on flights, hotels, and even tours. If you want to save some money, plan your trip for the low season (November through 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 the Amalfi Coast all but shut down in the 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 the high season and want to be sure you’ll have plenty of options. According to Attilia Avino, who together with her sister Mariella runs Palazzo Avino , a member of the Leading Hotels of the World on the Amalfi Coast, they’re already getting bookings for 2025.

Daniel Gorostieta/Travel + Leisure

There’s no denying that flights are more expensive now than they were in the past — and flights to Italy are no exception. According to Priceline , the average cost of a round-trip flight to Rome in May 2024 is $1,183, while in May 2023 it was $977. That’s an increase of 21 percent in the span of a year.

“The two months with by far the highest number of cheap flights to Italy are January and February,” Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight officer of Going.com , told Travel + Leisure . “Aside from winter travel, shoulder season (March through May and September through November) is known for cheap Italy deals,” 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.

Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure

According to Priceline, the average price of a hotel room in Rome rose from $180 in spring 2023 to $301 in May 2024 (that’s a whopping 67 percent 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 bed-and-breakfasts or hostels with shared dorms. And in many Italian cities, monasteries run guest houses that offer affordable rooms but might have a curfew. Sites like Booking.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 at an agriturismo . The word comes from " agri" for agriculture and " turismo" for tourism, so staying at one is essentially a form of agricultural tourism. Some have working farms that provide fresh fruit and vegetables and produce cheese or charcuterie, which they serve at their restaurant or sell at local markets. Better yet, they’re often more affordable than hotels or resorts.

Airbnb is an obvious choice, but it isn’t always more affordable than staying at a hotel, especially in in-demand neighborhoods in major cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. It’s a good idea to compare the prices of Airbnbs with budget hotels or hostels when deciding where to stay. And consider that accommodations in neighborhoods outside the historic center will usually cost less than staying near the major monuments.

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

Italy has an extensive network of trains and buses that transport people around the country, and most cities have public transit (metros, buses, and/or trams) to move around within them. The key to saving money when traveling between cities is figuring out which train you need to book and booking it at the right time.

High-speed trains like the Frecciarossa travel at speeds 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 on the high-speed trains should be booked in advance because the longer you wait to book, the higher the price will rise. There are also intercity trains and regional trains, which cost less but take longer than high-speed trains. If you want to visit small cities such as Parma or Tropea, you might need to transfer from a high-speed train to a slower intercity or regional train. Use Trenitalia.com or Italiarail.com to search for and book the best train routes.

To get around cities like Rome, Milan, and Bologna, the metro is often the cheapest and fastest way to go. In Rome, for example, a single ticket costs €1.50 and is valid on the metro, buses, and trams for 100 minutes. (The price is set to rise to €2 in July.) For €7, you can buy a 24-hour pass that grants you unlimited rides. Tickets can be purchased at ticket booths in some metro stations, at the automatic machines in all metro stations, or at a tabaccaio (look for a sign with the letter T) or at some newsstands. You can use Google Maps to plan your route or download the app Moovit , which has updated information about metro, bus, and tram lines and will warn you about service changes and strikes.

In Venice, the vaporetto is the name for the public water buses that ply the Grand Canal and ferry 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 the gondola traghetto . These gondolas operate in points where there isn’t a bridge nearby — like between Piazza San Marco and Punta della Dogana — and cost €2 to ride.

Eating out in Italy can put a dent in your wallet, but it doesn’t have to. There are many different types of restaurants in Italy , ranging from casual take-out spots to fine dining restaurants with elaborate tasting menus. According to Numbeo , the 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 an inexpensive restaurant is €15.

When I want to sit down for a casual meal of local specialties with affordable prices, I book a table at a trattoria or an osteria . Eating at a pizzeria is also a good option that’s usually more affordable than eating at a restaurant. Sit-down pizzerias are usually only open for dinner, but sometimes I like to get pizza al taglio (by the slice) for a quick lunch. Popping into a friggitoria (a place that specializes in fried food) is also a good option for a quick bite. And most bars have a selection of pastries and sandwiches.

To save a bit of money, join the locals eating and drinking their espresso standing up at the bar counter instead of sitting down and getting table service. In my experience, an espresso taken standing at a bar usually costs around €1.20, while a cappuccino and cornetto might cost €3 or €4.

Visiting museums, archeological sites, and other cultural attractions in Italy is generally quite affordable. Tickets sometimes cost just a few euros or at most about €25. 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 tickets in advance. At the Colosseum, for example, tickets might sell out, forcing you to fork over a lot more money to join a guided tour. If you want to save money, book a basic entry ticket in advance and listen to one of Rick Steve’s free audio tours .

State-run museums throughout Italy are free on the first Sunday of every month and on some holidays, like the Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day) on April 25, but in some cases,  you’ll still need to book tickets online in advance.

There are also lots of things to do in Italy that are totally free all year. Most churches are free to enter — and some of the most incredible Renaissance and Baroque art you’ll see in Italy is inside them. I have found that Italy’s churches can also be a cool, quiet place to rest my feet if I’ve been walking around for hours. Public parks such as Villa Borghese in Rome are also free. And of course, strolling around and simply admiring the beautiful piazzas, fountains, and monuments doesn’t cost a cent.

If you’re visiting Italy in the summer, you’ll probably want to soak up the sun on the beach, but prices at the beach clubs range wildly from about €15 to upwards of €100 for a sunbed and umbrella — not including food and drinks. While prices tend to be higher in touristy areas like Capri, Positano, the Italian Riviera, and the Costa Smeralda, you don’t have to fork over a fortune to enjoy the beach. Instead seek out free public beaches (called spiaggia libera ) — just make sure to bring your own towel.

You might also want to consider visiting secondary cities, such as Parma, Modena, Siena, Perugia, Orvieto, Tropea, and Lecce, where accommodations, experiences, and even meals are often less expensive than in major cities.

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Cost of a Trip to Italy & the Cheapest Time to Visit Italy

The average price of a 7-day trip to Italy is $1,170 for a solo traveler, $1,859 for a couple, and $2,034 for a family of 4 . Italy hotels range from $50 to $232 per night with an average of $80, while most vacation rentals will cost $150 to $420 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Italy (from all airports) are between $673 and $1,036 per person for economy flights and $2,113 to $3,253 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $37 to $76 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Italy

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to Italy and stay in a Italy hotel:

• January 1st to April 1st
• September 10th to December 16th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Italy is usually late January and early February .

Average Italy Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Italy for a week is $1,011-$2,061 ($144-$294 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $37 to $76 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $374 to $971 for economy

Lodging : $63 to $80 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $76 to $93 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Italy for a week is $1,644-$3,570 ($235-$510 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $74 to $153 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $748 to $1,941 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Italy for a week is $3,229-$6,977 ($461-$997 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $149 to $305 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,496 to $3,882 for economy

Lodging : $126 to $160 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $115 to $140 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Italy

How cheap can you make a vacation to Italy? The cheapest trip to Italy is about $109 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $16 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $43.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Italy for a week is $765-$1,734 ($109-$248 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $19 to $37 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $43 to $50 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $54 to $84 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Italy for a week is $1,265-$2,963 ($181-$423 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $37 to $74 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Italy for a week is $2,494-$5,675 ($356-$811 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $74 to $149 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $86 to $100 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $80 to $125 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very possible to travel to Italy cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Italy Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Italy.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Italy for a week is $2,107-$8,540 ($301-$1,220 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $75 to $153 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $934 to $2,417 for first class

Lodging : $108 to $232 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $421 to $842 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Italy for a week is $3,560-$12,021 ($509-$1,717 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $149 to $305 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,869 to $4,834 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Italy for a week is $7,126-$21,517 ($1,018-$3,074 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $299 to $611 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,737 to $9,668 for first class

Lodging : $216 to $464 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $632 to $1,262 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Italy Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Italy is slightly lower than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Italy due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Italy Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Italy hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Italy.

Flight Costs to Italy

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,036 average in mid December to a low of $673 in late January and early February. Median flight price is $688. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Italy our data includes thousands of originating airports, and hundreds of airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Italy, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $363, so you can easily save about 54% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Italy can easily cost $279 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $19 per person. Private tours can cost $558 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

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• San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy

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Italy Trip Costs: Budget Estimates in All Aspects (2024)

The cost of traveling in Italy is relatively affordable compared with many other European destinations.

This article will give you more details on Italy travel costs, covering international airfares, transportation within Italy, meals, hotels, attractions, activities, and more.

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How much is an italy tour.

• Costs for International Flights
• Costs for Accommodation
• Costs for Transportation
• Costs for Meals
• Costs for Attractions
• Most expensive time in Italy: June to August
• Cheapest time in Italy: November to March
• Prices during the off-season are about 30% to 50% lower than in the peak season.

Our cost assumptions are mainly based on a family with one or two children, or a couple wanting comfortable accommodation, unique experiences, and private transfers.

A private tour could be a good choice for balancing your expenses with the quality of the trip. Our professional travel consultant would manage the logistics and travel arrangements to enable you to focus on enjoying the trip itself.

Plus, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you would discover interesting details and anecdotes about the places you explore. In particular, there are many historical buildings and museums in Italy, and with a professional and lively explanation, you would have a deeper understanding of Italian culture and customs.

In general, such a private Italy tour would cost about 400 – 500 USD per day per person. A 1-week Italy tour would cost about 11,000–14,000 USD for a family of four (kids under 10 could travel with a 30–50% discount) or 6,000–7,000 USD for a couple. (This doesn't include the costs of international flights.)

It would include the costs for a private car service, private guide service, train/flight tickets within Italy, 4-star hotels, tickets for attractions, and full-day itineraries.

You can get a price reference on our 7-Day Rome, Florence, and Venice Tour . 

The estimated price we have given is only for reference. If you want a more specific budget, please contact us . Our travel advisor would give you more details based on your itinerary, travel time, and group size.

Costs for International Flights to Italy

If you are flying direct from America to Rome, you may need about 600–700 USD for an economy seat in the off-season. The high season (June to August) would double the costs, costing about 1,200–1,400 USD.

If you choose a connecting flight instead of a direct flight, the price could be cut in half. (Airfare prices vary considerably. The information provided here serves as a reference only. For more accurate cost estimates, we recommend checking the official website of the airline.)

If you are flying from London to Rome, the airfare costs about 40–50 euros. There would be more flight options.

When planning travel during peak seasons, we recommend booking your trip to Italy at least 3 months in advance to secure more flight options and better prices.

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Costs for Accommodation in Italy

Generally speaking, a 4-star hotel offers a comfortable accommodation experience with a good location. A fine 4-star hotel may cost about 200 USD per night. Many 5-star hotels start from 400 USD per night. Some luxury hotels could even reach over 1,000 USD per night, with private gardens and unique collections displayed.

For the needs of family accommodation, you could choose to book double rooms with extra beds or to book family rooms. As travel agents, we partner with many hotels to provide competitive pricing. Additionally, we have carefully selected high-quality hotels to suit your requirements, whether you prefer adult-only or family-friendly options.

In Tuscany, the region with Florence as capital, you could experience a manor or castle resort. They are usually in the quiet countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

If you want a leisurely and peaceful vacation, you could spend a day or two there. They offer many activities to experience rural life in Italy, such as going cycling or truffle picking.

Hotel prices fluctuate with the change in tourism seasons. During the off-peak season, a hotel that costs $200 per night might escalate to $400 per night in the peak season. Booking in advance allows for better prices. It's generally recommended to make reservations 3 months in advance.

Costs for Transportation within Italy

Trains are the main type of transportation connecting major cities. The price of a train ticket for a 1½-hour ride from Rome to Florence is typically between 25 and 70 USD (regular to premium seat price). The prices of train tickets are not fixed. The earlier you book, the better the prices.

For families traveling with ample luggage, opting for a private transfer between cities is advisable. That way, you could alleviate the hassle of managing both your luggage and your children simultaneously.

Sightseeing in most cities is done via walking tours. However, if you plan to visit countryside or seaside towns, you may need to use a car service.

Costs for Meals in Italy

In Italy, a basic meal, such as pizza or pasta, typically ranges from 5 to 15 USD per person. For a finer dinner experience, expect to spend about 30 to 60 USD per person. Restaurants boasting one Michelin star generally fall within the range of 50 to 130 USD per person.

Costs for Attractions and Activities in Italy

Tickets for major attractions and museums in Italy range from 12 to 25 USD. Some experiences, such as cooking classes or food tours, could cost more compared to simply visiting attractions.

The first Sunday of every month offers free entry to museums and archaeological parks in Italy, including famous attractions, such as the Colosseum and Uffizi Gallery. Huge crowds may be expected at these sites on free visiting days.

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How Much is a Trip to Italy? A 2024 Italy Travel Budget Breakdown

Posted on Last updated: January 13, 2024

Wondering how much does a trip to Italy cost? You’ve come to the right place!

If you’ve only just started planning your Italy trip, you’re probably wondering how much you should budget for it. In this article I have outlined everything you need to take into account, including average prices.

I’ll tell you straight away, there is no fixed price that you can expect to spend for a trip to Italy. 

It can vary massively depending on where you’re travelling from, where in Italy you want to go, for how long, what activities you want to do, and many other factors.

Instead of giving you a set Italy trip cost, in this article I help you understand what all these factors at play are, how they will affect your Italy travel budget, and an average price range you can expect.

So what are you waiting for, let’s dive in and discover exactly how much a trip to Italy costs!

• 1 Italy trip costs overview 
• 2 Average trip to Italy cost 
• 3.1 Cost of flights to Italy
• 3.2 The cost of accommodation in Italy
• 3.3 Price for tours & activities in Italy
• 3.4 Cost of transport within Italy
• 3.5 Cost of eating in Italy
• 4.1 Duration of trip
• 4.2 Group size
• 4.3 Peak season vs off season
• 4.4 Where in Italy you’re going

The picturesque streets and views of Bellagio in Lake Como, Italy

Italy trip costs overview  

How much does it cost to go to Italy is a great question!

For starters, there are a few things to factor into your Italy trip budget. Depending on where you’re travelling from, the cost of flights will probably be the biggest expense, followed by the price of the accommodation.  

On top of that, you’ll need to budget for any meals you eat out at local restaurants, any transport you take when in Italy and money you spend on things like tours and entertainment.  

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of other add-ons like Italy travel insurance , and a little added extra for unforeseen costs – plus souvenirs and snacks, obviously!  

Besides what you’ll actually be spending money on, you also need to factor things that can affect these prices, like the time of year you travel, your group size and trip length.

In this article we break down each of these elements, so as to help you tick off your Italy bucket list , without breaking the bank!

The beautiful Trevi fountain in Rome

Average trip to Italy cost  

So just how much does a trip to Italy cost? The answer varies depending on a lot of factors.

The cost of flights is down to where in the world you’re flying from. On average, you can expect to pay around €100 for a return flight to Italy from within Europe.

This can go up to around €1,000, or more, for travellers coming from the US or Australia.

Accommodation can cost anywhere between €50 and €150 per night, depending on the time of year and type of place you’re booking.

Food will cost you between €25-80 a day. For travel on the ground, you should budget between €10-50 per day depending on how many excursions and trips you’re going to do.  

Exploring the rooftop of the Duomo cathedral in Milan, Italy

So a sample 2 weeks in Italy budget, coming from somewhere in Europe, could look something like this:

Flights: €100

Accommodation: €100 per night, so €1,400 for two weeks

Food: Average of €50 per day, so €700 for two weeks

Activities: €500 (assuming a variety of activities and guided tours throughout the two weeks)

Transport: €500 (mixture of trains, car rentals and taxis throughout Italy)

Total:  Around €3,200

This can obviously vary massively depending on lots of different factors. We’ll now dive into the detailed breakdown of this Italy trip cost estimate, and the variables that can affect it.

Sunset over the perched colourful houses of Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre, Italy

Italy trip cost: Detailed breakdown

Cost of flights to italy.

It’s hard for me to say exactly how much you might end up spending on flights, as it massively varies depending on where you come from.

Airfare doesn’t always have to be a big chunk of the vacation to Italy cost you end up spending.

European short-haul flights to Italy can be booked for less than €100. A return ticket from London to Rome for example, costs on average around €119 (for some great deals look for last minute flights).

But you don’t necessarily have to fly. Travellers visiting Italy from within Europe also have the choice of taking the train (one of my favourite ways to travel within Europe ).

The harbour and colourful houses of Porto Venere

Booked in advance, the train from Paris to Rome can cost as little as €60.  

Travellers flying from the USA will probably have to budget more than €500 for their trip. The average cost of a return flight from New York to Rome is $729 (€694).

Those flying from countries like Australia and New Zealand will have to pay over €1,000. The average return flight from Sydney to Rome is $2,430 AUD (€1,560).  

Basically flights could be the biggest expense in your Italy trip budget, but they could also be cheap, depending on where you’re flying from.

Chilling by the Colosseum in Rome

The cost of accommodation in Italy

The amount you should budget for accommodation in Italy massively depends on where in the country you’re travelling to.

The price of accommodation in Venice  or Milan during the peak travel season will cost a lot more than a hotel in Bologna or Trentino , for example.

The more touristy and famous a place is, the more expensive it tends to be. For example, if you’re planning an Amalfi Coast itinerary and want to stay in Positano or Capri , get ready for it to be expensive.

Not only that, but the time of year, and even the day of the week, will really impact the price for a night in a hotel. 

Hostels in popular tourist destinations are one of the most budget friendly accommodation options (even Rome  and Sardinia have them!).

You can get a bed for the night for around €20 at a hostel, but these can go higher than €50 during high season. For mid-range or budget hotels in Italy, the price for a night ranges from around €80-170.

Admiring the colourful houses of Vernazza, one of the five towns along the Sentiero Azzurro in Cinque Terre, Italy

The beautiful alpine lake of Carezza, in Italy, at sunset

The amount you pay will change depending on the location of the hotel (i.e. the better the location, the more you pay), plus the region or city that it’s in.  

The price for luxury hotels in Italy can be super expensive; with prices ranging upwards of €500. But, for this you will be staying in some fabulous historic properties with high-end service.

Need help choosing where to stay in Italy? Check out my guides below!

Where to Stay in Milan: Tips from a Local!

Best Towns to Stay in Cinque Terre for Every Traveller!

Where to Stay in Venice: Best Areas for Every Budget!

Where to stay in Amalfi Coast: Best Towns for Every Budget!

7 Best Areas to Stay in Rome! Or check out my guides on the best Rome Airbnbs , hotels near the Pantheon or hotels near the Colosseum !

Best Towns & Areas to Stay in Lake Como!

Where to Stay in Florence!

Our gondola ride took us close to Rialto Bridge

Sunset over Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

Price for tours & activities in Italy

Don’t overlook the cost of tours and activities when figuring out just how much a trip to Italy costs. You might want to spend your time simply relaxing at your accommodation, or sunning yourself at the beach .  

If that’s the case, then the price of activities is going to be minimal.

But if you’re the kind of traveller that likes to get out and explore a destination, then you will have to factor in the cost of things like the entrance to museums and walking tours.  

The price of activities in Italy doesn’t have to break the bank. A lot of Italian cities have free walking tours, churches usually don’t charge for entrance and museums usually have a low price tag.

If you’re into hiking, this is usually free unless you join a guided tour. For example hiking the Path of the Gods in Amalfi Coast is free!

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Some low price tag activities fun Rome by night tours , which range €50-100, or seeing Da Vinci’s Last Supper, a must-see on any Milan itinerary , for around €40.

But there will be some activities that you may want to splurge on.

I’m talking about doing a private gondola tour in Venice , which can cost around €100, or embarking on a catamaran tour in Sardinia  or boat tour in Positano , which costs around €150-200, or spending the day on a private boat tour at Lake Como , which can cost upwards of €250.

Basically the price for your Italy tours will vary depending on where in Italy you’re going, what activities there are to do there, whether you join a group tour or want to do private tours, and how much you want to spend.

You could spend anywhere from zero to hundreds of euros.

View over the Roman Forum and the Colosseum from the Campidoglio

Admiring the colourful houses of Manarola, one of the five towns along the Sentiero Azzurro in Cinque Terre, Italy

Cost of transport within Italy

Travellers who want to go on a proper Italy road trip will need to consider the price of transport when working out the total cost of a trip to Italy.

For example, the price of renting a car in Italy for 2 weeks will depend on the time of year you’re travelling.

Car rental costs will be higher during peak season. Just to give you an idea of the prices, on average it costs €36 ($38) per day for car hire in Italy. That means you should budget at least €500 for 2 weeks’ car rental in Italy.  

Train fares can be way more affordable and are also a very fast way to travel around Italy.

A one-way ticket from Rome to Florence can be as low as €7.90 one-way – if booked in advance. Trains from Pisa to Milan can go as low as €12.90 for tickets (again, booked well in advance).

The price of trains can creep up however if you book nearer the date of travel, making some journeys cost around €50.

Sunset in Venice, Italy, a popular Mediterranean cruise destination

The view over the Sassi of Matera from Belvedere Luigi Gurrigghio

Overall, trains might not necessarily be cheaper, but you should also factor in whether you really need a car for your Italy itinerary.

If you’re only visiting the major cities, like Rome , Matera or Florence, you won’t want a car in the city centre.

It will just be more of a problem than an asset, due to things like tolls, fuel, traffic, and nightmare parking. So you’re better spending a bit more on train tickets, and then not having to worry about handling your car.

All the largest cities in Italy have pretty good public transportation that you can rely on without spending too much money. Local transportation is an easy way to get around any city, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

If you’re short on time and want to see a lot of places, you could opt to take flights within Italy.

The price of flying from one city to another can be surprisingly low, with cheap flights generally costing between €30-100 one-way.

Cala Corsara on the island of Spargi in Sardinia in August (a bit too many boats!)

Cost of eating in Italy

One more thing not to overlook in your 2 weeks in Italy budget is the amount you’ll spend on food. This will massively depend on where in Italy you are travelling to, and the type of places you are eating at.

The good news is the food in Italy is as good as its reputation, and you can get some amazingly delicious meals at down-to-earth, budget-friendly restaurants.

And for those who want to splash the cash, you can also enjoy fine-dining experiences that offer good value for money!

I would say on average to budget between €5-20 for breakfast, €15-30 for lunch, €30-90 for dinner, and around €15 for aperitivo.

Obviously, you can make things much cheaper by buying breakfast from bakeries, having pizza on the go or street food for lunch or cooking for yourself at Airbnbs, or even getting accommodation with breakfast included in the price.

Eating spaghetti carbonara in Rome

The awesome pizza of Spontini

Cost to travel to Italy: Things to consider 

Duration of trip.

Answering the question of just how much does it costs to travel to Italy will depend on how long you intend to stay in the country. The longer the trip, the more money you’re going to spend.

If you just want a quick Italian get-away, perhaps you fancy a long weekend in Rome , then you’ll only have to pay for around three nights of accommodation, meals for three or four days, and entertainment for that time.

A longer vacation of a week or two will cost more than double than a short trip; although, in the long run, you’ll get more value for money from the price you spent on the flight to Italy in the first place.  

Enjoying the view over Ragusa in Sicily

Another consideration that will impact your Italy trip budget is the size of the group you’re travelling with.

Solo travellers will often end up paying more money, as you won’t have anyone to split the cost of things like hotel rooms, meals, taxis and car rentals.

That being said, you could find a great deal on a hostel or Airbnb, and still have a super budget solo trip. Hostels often have an itinerary of free events like walking tours to join in with, too.

Couples and groups of friends have the benefit of being able to split the big expenses like accommodation costs or car rentals.

Working out just how much is a trip to Italy for 2 will vary mostly based on the location, but it will usually work out cheaper than travelling solo.  

Exploring the side streets, canals and bridges of Venice, Italy

Peak season vs off season

The time of year you travel will really impact how much your trip to Italy costs. There’s a huge difference in prices between Italy in summer and the low winter season.  

In August everything triples in price, since it’s a holiday period also for Italians, and the rest of Europe are also on holiday during the summer months.

Accommodation books up and beaches and big-name tourist attractions are full of people. If you can travel during the off season (there are lots of great places to visit in winter in Italy , too) you can save quite a lot!

If you visit Italy at Christmas time , you could be charmed by Christmas in Milan , or the snowy peaks of the Alps of some of Italy’s best ski resorts , or maybe even head to southern Italy for some winter sun!

Exploring the Golfo di Orosei and Cala Luna by kayak in Sardinia, Italy

Where in Italy you’re going

Italy is a big country and not all cities and vacation spots are the same. Your Italy trip cost will vary greatly based solely on the location in the country you’re travelling to.

Some destinations can be a whole lot more expensive than others. A week in Sardinia will be a lot more expensive than a week in Sicily , for example, and famous spots like Cinque Terre are also notoriously expensive.

For travellers on a budget who just want to get a taste of what Italy has to offer, it’s a good idea to be flexible with where in the country you’re travelling to – and the time of year you’re taking your trip.

If you have your heart set on a specific itinerary, then there’s not too much you can do (unless you can move your trip to low season), but just take it into account, and maybe factor in day trips instead of spending the night in expensive destinations.

For example, instead of spending three days in Lake Como (another notoriously expensive spot) you could opt for a Lake Como day trip from Milan instead.

Similarly to doing a day trip to Cinque Terre instead of sleeping there. That way you still see the famous sight you set out to see, but without breaking the bank or extending your trip too much.

Exploring the Pantheon in Rome

Final thoughts on how much does it cost to go to Italy

There you have it! The most complete answer to the question; “how much is a trip to Italy?” 

As you can see, there isn’t a simple answer or a single figure. How much you spend for a trip to Italy will be affected by so many different factors, I can’t give you a number to plan for.

What I can give you, is this detailed breakdown of all the expected costs and variables that will affect them, so that you can work out your own Italy trip budget, based on your itinerary and travel style.

Ultimately, as one of my favourite Italy travel quotes says, money spent on travel is never wasted.

A trip to Italy might be pricey, but the experiences you’ll live; seeing the view over the rooftops of Rome , the perfect reflection at Lago di Carezza , the beautiful Tuscan countryside, or the Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail , are experiences you’ll carry with you forever.

One thing that is good in terms of trip budget, is that you don’t need to add any specific gear to your Italy packing list , as you can do so with everyday clothes that you use also at home.

I hope you found this article useful in planning your Italy trip cost! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below!

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Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Italy Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

Italy is one of Europe’s most iconic and popular destinations. Home to incredible food, fabulous wine, tons of ancient ruins, undying romance, and picturesque landscapes, it should come as no surprise that this is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.

I’ve been visiting since 2006 and I never tire of it.

The vineyards in Tuscany, history in Florence , ancient streets of Rome , gorgeous views and hills Cinque Terre , romantic canals in Venice — I love it all.

Italy is best experienced slowly so pace yourself. Soak in the atmosphere and way of life as you explore. Italians move slowly and enjoy la dolce vita and so should you! Relax, take in the scenery, enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of wine. The slower you go, the better you’ll be able to appreciate the charms and nuance of this iconic southern European gem.

This travel guide to Italy can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Italy

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in italy.

1. Explore Venice

While crowded, Venice is an astounding place to visit. I love the city’s iconic architecture and picturesque canals. Don’t miss the Piazza San Marco, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Basilica San Marco, and the city’s countless museums. Moreover, be sure to head to the old Jewish Ghetto for hip bars and cheap drinks (the English word ghetto comes from this area of Venice). Venice is also home to several world-class festivals. In late winter, the epic Carnival takes place here and, in August, the prestigious Venice Film Festival takes over the nearby island of Lido. If you have time, be sure to explore the neighboring islands on a day tour. They are charming in their own right.

2. Wander Rome

Rome has so much to see and do that you’ll need to make several trips to even scratch the surface. Besides obvious highlights like the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine Hill, and Trevi Fountain, make sure you explore the Trastevere neighborhood. It’s my favorite area in Rome and feels almost like a village inside a big city. Trastevere offers delicious food, funky bars, and ancient winding streets. I love the family pizzerias and cafes here for people-watching and the gelato. Vatican City, the smallest independent city-state in the world, is nestled within the heart of Rome and is home to the Pope, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and many fantastic museums. You can fill an endless amount of time here so don’t try to rush your visit!

3. Tour Pompeii

Located a 20-40-minute train ride from Naples , Pompeii is an ancient city that was destroyed by a volcano, preserving it in a blanket of ash still frozen in time. Walk around the Roman city as it stood the day that Mount Vesuvius exploded in 79 CE, moving in and out of homes, villas, baths, and businesses where pots and vases still lay. What really struck me was entering the houses and seeing that the fountains and most of the beautiful frescoes are still intact. Admission is 16 EUR while a guided tour with a professional archeologist is 50 EUR. It’s a huge site and will take a full day to visit in depth.

4. Hike the Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre consists of five colorful coastal villages on the west coast of Italy, backed by steep vineyards and mountains. These small towns are by no means undiscovered by tourists but still absolutely beautiful and teeming with great shops and cafes. Each village has its own unique charm and personality so be sure to visit all of them. I absolutely love the fun hikes in the stunning hills high above the sea between the villages that range in difficulty. The Cinque Terre express train makes it super easy to pop around to the different villages if you don’t want to hike between the towns. Trail #7 is my favorite.

5. Relax on the Amalfi Coast

Other things to see and do in italy, 1. party at the venice carnival.

Carnival is ten days of masquerade madness every February leading up to Mardi Gras. The tradition goes back centuries, starting in the 12th century and reaching the height of popularity in the 18th century. Today, it’s one of the biggest festivals in Italy, with millions of people attending every year. The iconic and diverse masks are a central part of the festivities and every year there is a contest for the most beautiful mask. If you want to splash out, you can even attend a traditional masquerade ball! Just be sure to book your accommodation early as the city fills up months in advance.

2. Explore Milan

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy. Spend some time taking in the glamor but don’t spend more than a day or two here unless you’re looking to splash out. While you’re here, don’t miss the beautiful Milan Cathedral, which boasts 3,500 statues, 135 spires, and five bronze doors. Sforzesco Castle, a 15th-century castle that houses Michelangelo’s last sculpture, is also worth a visit. There’s also Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper , located inside Santa Maria delle Grazie church (which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as well as Leonardo’s Horse, one of the largest equine statues in the world. To get away from the crowds, spend some time relaxing in Parco Sempione, Milan’s most famous city park. It’s a vast oasis of green space and perfect for a picnic when the weather is nice.

3. See the Leaning Tower in Pisa

The entire city of Pisa is focused on taking photos of this famed tower. Started in 1173 and finished in 1399, it’s the bell tower of Pisa’s cathedral, located next door. Although it was meant to be perfectly vertical, the tower started leaning during construction due to the weight of the building on an unstable foundation. Admission to the top is 20 EUR or 27 EUR for a ticket that includes all the monuments in the complex. DiscoveryPisa runs a guided tour of all three sites for 30 EUR if you want a more in-depth experience.

4. Visit Siena

Everyone who visits Siena walks away loving it. Located in Tuscany, it’s one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Italy and boasts a labyrinth of lanes gathered around the arena of Piazza del Campo. Spend a few days admiring this charming city and exploring one of Italy’s most popular and famous regions. The main draw to the city is the stunning Siena Cathedral, which was constructed with white and black marble and is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country (the interior is massive and ornately decorated and lined by huge columns). Be sure to also visit the Torre del Mangia, a narrow 14th-century tower that offers stunning views of the area, as well as the 14th-century Fonte Gaia fountain, which is decorated by centuries-old marble panels.

5. Wander Naples

Naples , made famous as the birthplace of pizza, is a gritty city home to a wealth of historical treasures. There’s the medieval Naples Cathedral, the 18th-century Villa Comunale Park, and nearby Naples , Pompeii , one of the most amazing and important sites to visit in the country. The Archaeological Museum of Naples is also worth a visit, and if you enjoy hiking you can climb up the iconic Mount Vesuvius. Naples is the gateway to the south so you’re very likely to come here if you’re crisscrossing the country. Its location near Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento makes it the perfect starting point for exploring the region. Best of all, it’s a foodie city like no other; I ate my weight in pizza during my visit!

6. Explore Florence

There’s no real need to explain why one should visit Florence — the city speaks for itself. Everything people say about it is true: great food, amazing museums, ancient buildings, small streets, awesome gelato. The city has it all. Be sure to visit The Uffizi, which holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art (including the The Birth of Venus and La Primavera by Botticelli, Bacchus by Caravaggio, and Doni Tondo by Michelangelo). The famous David statue is also in Florence, housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia. It’s one of the most impressive sculptures in the world and at 5.17 meters (17 feet) tall, it’s a lot bigger and more detailed than you think it would be! While here, make sure you take a few wine tours throughout the region to get a feel for the verdant countryside.

7. Drive around “the Heel”

Few travelers ever visit the southern heel of the Italian “boot.” But, if you have time, it’s worth the trip. This is where most of the fruits and vegetables in Italy come from so a trip down here will give you the best glimpse into rustic Italian life far from the maddening crowds of Rome and Italy’s other tourist hotspots. Don’t miss the picturesque Polignano a Mare, with its rugged cliffs and white-washed houses. Gallipoli, with its labyrinth of narrow lanes and historic port, is also worth visiting. There are tons of amazing beaches in this part of the country too, including Marina di Pescoluse (Salento), Cala Porto (Polignano a Mare), and Torre Guaceto (Brindisi).

8. Eat your way around Sicily

There’s Italian culture and then there’s Sicily. Sicily has its own unique cooking style, traditions, and customs. It’s unlike the rest of Italy. Be sure to spend some time in Taormina and Palermo (the capital of Sicily). The UNESCO Valley of the Temples is also in Sicily, a national park home to incredible Greek ruins that are over 2,000 years old. Don’t miss the stunning Mount Etna , an active volcano that you can ski on it in the winter or take a tour of the top in the summer.

9. Stroll through Sorrento

Sorrento is a small city in southwestern Italy surrounded by a dreamy landscape of rolling hills, deep valleys, and the Lattari Mountains. There’s not a lot to do in the town itself but Sorrento makes an ideal starting point for numerous excursions to nearby cities and islands around the famous Amalfi Coast, like Capri and Ischia. I especially love driving along the winding coastal roads overlooking the sea. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby Blue Grotto .

10. Attend Settimana Santa (Holy Week)

This is the last week of Lent, known as Holy Week. During this time, there are several processions throughout Italy, drawing crowds of thousands. Throughout the week, there are various gatherings in Puglia, Abruzzo, and Sicily but the major event occurs on Easter Sunday and is led by the Pope himself. It’s an amazing time to visit, but expect huge crowds and for accommodation to sell out months in advance.

11. Visit Alberobello

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is an interesting and picturesque little town just south of Bari (a port city on the Adriatic Sea) known for its unusual white cone-shaped houses (they’re super peculiar). It’s well worth a visit between the months of November and April (to avoid the flocks of tourists) as there are a couple of museums to peruse, in addition to some great restaurants, bars, and markets.

12. Tour the Vatican Museums

Founded in the early 16th century, it is a complex of museums spanning over 12 acres. There are so many priceless highlights, including Michelangelo’s works in the Sistine Chapel. You could easily spend hours here. Consider getting a guide to make the museum come to life. Admission is 17 EUR and skip-the-line guided tours with Get Your Guide cost 50 EUR. For a more unique experience, check out the

13. See Chiesa di Sant’Efisio

When you find yourself in Cagliari on Sardinia, wander over to the Stampace quarter to see this church. Dedicated to the patron Saint Ephisius, this is the most important church in the city. The original building dates to the 13th century, though it was rebuilt and expanded in the 16th century and then again in the 18th century, this time in the Baroque style. Admission is free.

14. Take a cooking class

Italy is a dream destination for foodies and the best way to learn about this amazing cuisine is to take a cooking class . You’ll get to visit a local market, learn about the history of some of the country’s best dishes, and then learn how to make them yourself so you can impress friends and family back home. You can find cooking classes all over the country. They are very common. Prices vary depending on what city you take a class in, but most cost at least 70 EUR and last a few hours.

15. Take a walking tour

Walks of Italy offers incredible, detailed tours all around the country. They are my favorite tour company in the country. And they are relatively inexpensive and you definitely get your money’s worth. If you are big into history, culture, or architecture these tours are for you. You’ll walk away with a much richer understanding of the country. Don’t miss them.

For information on specific cities in Italy, check out these city guides:

• Cinque Terre Travel Guide
• Florence Travel Guide
• Milan Travel Guide
• Naples Travel Guide
• Pisa Travel Guide
• Rome Travel Guide
• Sorrento Travel Guide
• Venice Travel Guide

Italy Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms average 27-40 EUR per night for rooms with 6-8 beds. Private rooms are usually between 55-100 EUR per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities and include breakfast. During the summer months, expect prices to double. In Rome and Florence, prices throughout the year are about 20% higher than anywhere else.

For those traveling with a tent, campgrounds are available around the country, usually costing between 15-30 EUR per night for a basic plot for two people.

A night in a two-star budget hotel ranges between 70-125 EUR per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, AC, and occasionally free breakfast. Prices are on the higher end in cities like Rome and Venice and also double during the summer.

On Airbnb, private rooms start around 45-90 EUR, while entire apartments usually start around 100-150 EUR. Expect prices on the higher end in hotspots like Rome and Venice. Prices can also double (or triple) when not booked in advance. Additionally, expect even higher prices in the busy summer months.

Food – Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, though every region in Italy offers its own distinct flavor. Tomatoes, pasta, olives, and olive oil form the backbone of most dishes, with meat, fish and various cheeses rounding out the menu. Gelato and pizza, of course, are also super popular. Some traditional dishes include bigoli in salsa (pasta in anchovy sauce), risotto al nero di seppia (risotto with cuttlefish ink), gnocchi alla Sorrentina (potato gnocchi), cassoeula (a meat and cabbage stew), and tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo (pasta with mushrooms and truffles).

A casual restaurant meal of pizza or pasta usually costs 10-20 EUR. In tourist hot spots, add 5-10 EUR to that.

Quick eats like pizza by the slice, paninis, and light snacks cost between 3-8 EUR. Snacks like croissants are less than 2 EUR.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 8-10 EUR for a combo meal while Chinese, Thai, or Indian food is 10-12 EUR for a main dish. Dessert is usually around 4-8 EUR for something like tiramisu.

Your average restaurant meal costs around 30 EUR with a drink. Most main dishes cost around 15-20 EUR while a pizza is around 10-15 EUR. For higher-end meals, expect to spend about 70 EUR for a three-course meal with a drink.

Beer costs around 4-5 EUR while a glass of wine costs 4-8 EUR. For non-alcoholic drinks, a latte or cappuccino is around 1.50 EUR and bottled water is 1 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own groceries, expect to spend 50-65 EUR per week. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Italy Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Italy, my suggested budget is 60 EUR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel, cooking all your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transportation to get around, and sticking to mostly free activities like hiking, free walking tours, and the beaches. If you plan on drinking a lot, add at least 15 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 140 EUR per day, you can stay in an Airbnb or budget hotel, eat out for a couple of meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional taxi, and do more paid activities like touring the Colosseum or exploring Pompeii.

On an upscale budget of 255 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, rent a car, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This isn’t a real luxury budget but it’s a budget that affords you the ability to do anything you want. If you want real luxury, you’ll need to read a different blog for that!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). I just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Italy Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

It’s very easy to break the bank in Italy, owing to all the historic sites, expensive accommodation, and delicious but pricey restaurants. After all, Italy is one of the most expensive Eurozone countries. You’re going to be spending a lot on a visit here. However, there are still lots of ways to reduce your expenses. Here are some tips to help you save money in Italy:

• Skip the bread – Many restaurants offer you bread when you sit down — but they don’t mention that it’s not free. If you’re on a budget, decline the bread and save a few Euros each dining experience.
• Picnic – Head to the store or one of the many markets in the country and grab food for a picnic. It’s cheaper than eating out and you can lounge in one of the many parks to watch the day go by. Food markets are a good place to try things, get fresh cheese and cold cuts, pasta, and snacks like ‘arancini,’ a super-filling rice ball stuffed with meat or cheese.
• Drink the tap water – When out at a restaurant, ask for tap water or you will automatically get expensive bottled water included on your bill. Since the tap water is safe to drink, bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Buy wine at the store – You can buy a great bottle of wine for 6-10 EUR at the store. It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar. Take it outdoors and sit around and enjoy the day/evening or skip expensive nightlife and go out for a long dinner and just drink it at the hostel. Just make sure you have a travel corkscrew on you if you’re going to sit outside somewhere!
• Take the bus – Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the country for cheap. It isn’t glamorous, but with tickets starting at 6 EUR you really can’t complain! (And it’s cheaper than the train.) Taking the bus in town inside big cities instead of taking taxis everywhere or renting a car will save you lots of money.
• Take a free walking tour – Most cities in Italy offer free walking tours that cover all the main highlights. It’s the best budget-friendly way to explore and also a great way to meet other travelers if you’re alone. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is expensive in Italy, even in the hostels. Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals who have extra beds or couches for free. It’s the best way to save money and meet people. Just be sure to send your requests early (especially in the summer). Also, it’s a good idea to research the area you’re staying in first so you’re not so far away from the city center (or city!) that you need to spend a lot of time/money getting into town to see the sites.
• Get a city tourist card – Many tourism offices offer tourist cards that provide free or discounted entry to the main attractions. Some even include restaurant discounts and free transportation. If you plan on sightseeing a lot, these cards can cut your costs drastically. Check the local tourism board in each city for info when you arrive.
• Rideshare – If you’re flexible in your schedule, use the ridesharing service BlaBlaCar to catch rides with locals between cities. I used this service and not only did I save money, I got to meet interesting people and learn more about life in Italy. This is a good option to book a few days in advance. Just make sure to pick someone who has good ratings because newer drivers can have a tendency to be unreliable or cancel at the last minute.

Where to Stay in Italy

There’s a lot of hostels and hotels in Italy to choose from. To help you save money on accommodation, here’s a list of my recommended hostels and budget hotels in Italy:

• Loly Boutique Hotel (Rome)
• The Beehive (Rome)
• Hotel Montecarlo (Venice)
• Generator (Venice)
• Hostel of the Sun (Naples)
• Ulisse Deluxe (Sorrento)
• Hotel Bologna (Pisa)
• Hostel Pisa Tower (Pisa)

How to Get Around Italy

Public transportation – Public transportation is available in all the major cities in Italy (many of which have comprehensive metro systems). Tickets usually cost between 1-2 EUR for a single journey. Some cities also have day passes that offer unlimited travel. In Rome, you can purchase a one-day pass for unlimited travel for 7 EUR. A one-week pass costs 24 EUR, for example. While public transportation is generally reliable, traffic can be a nightmare — especially in Rome.

Train – The best way to get around Italy is via their extensive train network. Prices are affordable too, with most trips costing just 10-30 EUR. Rome to Florence takes just 90 minutes (on the fast train) with tickets starting at 20 EUR. Rome to Venice takes around 4 hours with tickets starting around 30 EUR. Rome to Naples is just over one hour and costs around 20 EUR.

Italo and Trenitalia are the two main rail systems. Tickets on Trenitalia are often a standard price, while Italo’s ticket prices fluctuate more widely. It’s worth it to check both.

To find routes and prices for trains around Italy (and Europe), use Trainline .

Bus – The bus is slower than the train but cheaper, with prices on FlixBus starting as low as 6 EUR. This isn’t the most convenient or fastest way to travel, but the buses are comfortable and good for short and medium journeys. Most buses come with outlets and free Wi-Fi too.

The 4-hour trip from Rome to Florence costs around 7-15 EUR, while a longer trip like Venice to Naples takes 10-15 hours and costs just 20-32 EUR.

Flying – If you’re pressed for time and are looking to jump from one city to the next, a budget airline might be the way to go. Prices can be incredibly low — just 20-100 EUR round trip on airlines like Ryanair.

That said, when you factor in the time spent at airports, you’re likely not going to save much time. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to check your baggage on these cheap flights and you usually need to print your boarding pass out too (or pay a fee).

Ferry – If you want to visit some of Italy’s amazing islands, you’ll have to book a ferry. Ferries are frequent and you don’t need to book too far in advance, but during peak season it’s a good idea to book at least a few weeks ahead. You can use FerryHopper to find routes and prices. The popular one-hour ferry from Naples to Capri starts from 25 EUR.

Car rental – Car rentals are generally quite affordable here, usually starting around 25-35 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Just make sure you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) as it’s required before you rent a car. Also, keep in mind that Italian drivers can be on the aggressive side so drive cautiously. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Italy

There’s no wrong time to visit Italy. Historically, the peak season has been July and August, but post-COVID cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are busy pretty much year round. Temperatures can soar as high as 36°C (98°F) during the summer, and popular cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence experience a huge influx of visitors. I’d try to avoid visiting in the summer if you can as it’s just too crowded, too hot, and prices increase during this time as well.

Personally, I think the best time to visit Italy is during the shoulder season (March-May and September-October). It’s still warm but the crowds have thinned and prices are lower. This is a particularly great time to hang out in the Mediterranean. Expect daily highs around 22°C (72°F).

Winter is from November to February. It gets cold, and tourist crowds thin out considerably. Temperatures vary quite a bit from north to south, with it sometimes dropping to 2°C (36°F) in Milan and 4°C (39°F) in Rome. On the other hand, November to December is fantastic — you’ll find Christmas markets and festivals galore!

How to Stay Safe in Italy

Italy is a safe country to travel as violent crime against tourists is very rare. However, scams and pickpocketing are common, especially around high-traffic tourist sites in places like Rome and Venice. Always keep your valuables secure and out of sight on public transportation and when out and about. The biggest things to watch out for are pickpockets on public transportation and in crowds. Don’t leave your bag open or put your mobile phone in loose jacket pockets on the tram or subway.

Be wary of people selling discounted tickets on the street. Chances are they are fake so always buy tickets from reputable sellers only. If you take a taxi somewhere, make sure the driver uses the meter so you don’t get ripped off.

If you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about other common travel scams to avoid here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe in Italy, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Catcalling is not uncommon in Italy. Also, on public transport be mindful of groping on public transport. For specific tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs on the country as they will have better advice for you.

If you rent a car, make sure you drive carefully and also have extra insurance. The roads in much of the country are very winding and narrow and drivers here are on the aggressive side.

Natural disasters here are uncommon, but since there are several active volcanoes in the country they can occur. Venice is also prone to flooding, so always be mindful of the weather while you’re here and heed any warnings or advisories.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Italy Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Walks of Italy – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Italy.
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Italy Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Italy and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

Where to Stay in Milan: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Milan

The Best Walking Tours in Florence

The 8 Best Hotels in Rome

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• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

What Does a Trip to Italy Cost (On Any Budget)?

Italy is one of our favorite countries to travel in and write about, and one of the most common questions we get about it is also one of the hardest to answer: how much does a trip to Italy cost?

The short answer is anywhere from basically nothing to the GDP of a small country… but that doesn’t provide a lot of useful context, right?

The estimates we’ve put together here stem from nearly a cumulative year spent traveling in Italy over the last several years.

We usually travel as a couple but have also visited the country on multi-generational family trips and with friends.

We’ve traveled to 11 of Italy’s 20 regions, spent a month each “living” in 3 cities (Florence, Bologna, Rome), and don’t expect our travels there to slow down anytime soon.

We’ve traveled at most price points in the country, and while each trip is unique, we think this guide will give you a solid basis of how much a trip to Italy will cost for you.

Table of Contents

How We Structured These Italy Budget Tips

Budget trip to italy cost: $50-70/day, mid-range trip to italy cost: $70-100/day, luxury trip to italy cost: the limit does not exist., getting to italy on a budget, how to save money on your trip to italy.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

All of these estimates for the cost of a trip to Italy are given in USD, assume that you are traveling for 3 weeks or less, and assume that you are spending at least half your time in tourist hotspots like Rome and Venice .

They are also an estimate for one person.

If you’re traveling with other people and are able to split the costs of things like accommodations, you will likely be able to lower these numbers further.

A budget trip to Italy does require some sacrifices on comfort, but not as many as you might think: Italy can be surprisingly affordable.

This is a rough sketch of what a budget trip to Italy will cost and feel like.

Keep in mind that this is a budget trip in the sense of a traveler who is visiting Italy as a standalone destination or as part of a defined trip.

Shoestring backpackers who would like to cut costs by camping, hitchhiking, avoiding all paid attractions, etc, will, of course, be able to get by on less, but that is not how we would recommend seeing Italy!

Accommodation

At this budget, you’ll likely stay in hostel dorms or private rooms on Airbnb (as opposed to renting a whole apartment).

You’ll be able to stay in well-reviewed properties but may have to sacrifice a bit on location and stay further from the center of cities.

Transportation

Bus companies like Flixbus and perhaps the occasional budget airline flight will be your most common methods of transportation between destinations.

Regional train tickets may fit into your budget occasionally, but you’ll typically need to avoid the expensive high-speed rail lines and therefore it will take longer to reach each destination.

If you’re traveling to Italy on a budget, you’ll want to shop for your own groceries at least half the time.

Luckily, this isn’t a chore in Italy: freshly made pasta, bread, pesto, and more are all reasonably affordable.

Local bottles of wine in grocery stores start around 4-6 Euros each.

You can supplement your food with affordable options like takeaway pasta, pizza, and sandwiches, and splurge on the occasional lunch special to enjoy restaurant meals in Italy.

Tours & Attractions

A budget traveler in Italy will likely need to skip some pricey tourist attractions (and either resign themselves to waking up early to avoid long lines or simply wait in them–guided tours that allow you to skip lines will likely be over budget).

However, you can work some attractions into your budget.

Notable highlights that you may want to see like the Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Statue of David, Uffizi Gallery, Pompeii, etc, tend to cost between 10-20 Euros for a basic ticket, but that will include significant time sacrifices by waiting in sometimes multi-hour lines.

Climbing towers for various viewpoints usually cost less than 10 Euros in Italy.

Some luxuries, like riding in a gondola in Venice (around 80 Euros/gondola), will likely need to be skipped.

We generally consider the bulk of our travels in Italy to be mid-range.

At this price point, you’ll be able to visit most attractions you would like to see, splurge on a guided visit or two (perhaps in the Vatican Museums), add a food tour or cooking class, and eat more restaurant meals.

However, you’ll still need to keep an eye on your Italy budget daily to avoid accidentally overspending.

At a mid-range price point, budget hotels near the center of cities or slightly more upscale hotels outside the center of cities are options.

You can also opt to rent an entire apartment on Airbnb in most destinations.

If you’d like, you can mostly avoid bus travel in Italy on a midrange budget, though high-speed rail travel will likely still be out of the question unless you book far in advance.

Regional trains and budget air travel will be your best bet for getting around Italy, and public transportation will still be optimal in cities.

If you’d like to visit part of Italy via road trip, a midrange budget will allow you to rent a car for a small part of your trip, though you may need to cut a different tour or experience elsewhere.

However, we recommend avoiding renting a car while in a city (nothing ruins an Italian travel budget quite like receiving a ticket in the mail months after returning home) and limiting the time you have it to the bare minimum.

Remember that if you rent a car in Italy, you’ll need to have an International Driving Permit to do so!

Midrange travelers can eat out more than budget travelers in Italy, but it will still be best to cook some meals if possible (perhaps 30%), and to eat the biggest meal of the day at lunch when many restaurants offer daily lunch specials.

If you’re a foodie, this budget may also allow room for a food tour or cooking class while in Italy.

Prioritization is the name of the game when it comes to balancing the cost of traveling in Italy with a midrange budget.

You’ll be able to add some guided tours to your explorations, and will be able to visit just about any attraction that you want (but perhaps not all of them).

If you have your heart set on a particular luxury experience–say, a gondola ride in Venice or a day spent sailing around Capri –you’ll likely need to cut expenses elsewhere to make it work on this budget.

Luxury accommodation in Italy can be truly magnificent.

Think upscale hotels (sometimes housed in historic palaces!) located right on the Arno River in Florence, overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome, and along the Grand Canal in Venice.

At this price point, you can also consider renting out country villas in places like Tuscany, though bear in mind that many properties have a minimum rental period of one week.

Without budget restrictions, high-speed train travel will likely be the preferred method of traveling around the country: it’s very efficient, very fast, and much less cumbersome than dealing with flying.

You’ll also have the freedom to rent a car as often as you like, however, we still recommend only renting one for the time spent outside cities.

Dealing with limited parking, many restricted driving areas, and hefty ticket prices (that you often won’t receive or know about until weeks after the fact) makes renting a car while staying in Italian cities more trouble than it’s worth.

Private transfers are generally unnecessary in Italy, however, if it fits into what you want your luxury trip to Italy to cost, they can be considered at this price point.

Italy is dotted with Michelin Star restaurants and luxury dining experiences, and a luxury budget will allow for these meals at least some nights.

If upscale dining is important to you, bear in mind that you’ll want to make reservations as far in advance as possible at the most popular spots.

Taking a trip to Italy without concerns about cost allows for some truly epic experiences.

Think about early-morning tours of the Vatican Museums before it opens for the day, visiting various monuments after-hours, taking a private gondola ride in Venice, setting off on private wine tours through Tuscany with your own driver, and chartering private boats along the coast!

How much a trip to Italy costs before arriving on the ground varies dramatically depending on where you are coming from, of course–but where you arrive can significantly change how much your trip to Italy costs.

If you’re coming from Europe, be sure to check budget airline flights to and from Rome, Pisa, Bologna, Milan, and Venice in the north/central regions, and Bari and Palermo in the south–these destinations tend to have quite a few low-cost flights available.

Regardless of where you are coming from, be sure to compare the cost (including the cost of on-the-ground travel and time consumed by logistics during your trip to Italy) of a roundtrip ticket as opposed to two one-way tickets that will allow you to avoid backtracking–say, flying into Rome and out of Venice.

Consider sticking to a smaller geographic region.

Most first-time visitors to Italy will want to visit Rome, Florence, Venice, and a piece of the coast if they have time–and there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a fabulous itinerary that we recommend ourselves.

However, if you are concerned about the cost of a trip to Italy, consider sticking to a smaller region.

Rome, Naples /Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast require very little in-country travel and make for a stunning trip.

A Tuscany-focused trip , perhaps with a side trip to Cinque Terre in Liguria, offers a unique option as well. If your heart is set on Venice, perhaps head to Verona or Milan after that, instead of further south.

Plan your route in advance.

As tempting as it is to let spontaneity guide you from city to city, if you want to keep the cost of a trip to Italy down, planning ahead is definitely the way to go.

Plane tickets and high-speed rail tickets can rise in price as the departure date gets closer, and booking lodging ahead of time will often allow you to find competitive deals in better locations than a last-minute booking.

The exception to booking lodging in advance, though, is if you’re traveling in the offseason.

If you’re visiting at a point that you’re reasonably confident most hotels won’t be sold out (but also won’t be closed–I wouldn’t try this in Riomaggiore in February), you can sometimes get fabulous last minute deals on hotels by booking 2-3 days in advance.

That is a gamble, however–the safest bet is to plan ahead, especially if you’re traveling Italy on a budget.

Don’t forget about buses and planes.

Both Flixbus and Ryanair have a solid presence in Italy and are great alternate transportation options to consider when train travel looks too expensive.

The further south you go, the cheaper Italy is.

Bottom line: your cash will stretch much further in Puglia, Sicily , or Campania than in Lombardy, Veneto, or Trento-Alto Adige.

If you want to plan a low-cost trip to Italy and don’t mind missing the most famous sights in favor of lesser-known but still incredible ones, consider sticking to the lower half of the boot–the further south the better.

Decide which tourist attractions are unmissable ahead of time, and budget for those.

If you book a trip to Italy knowing that your visit will feel incomplete without, say, a chance to see the Sistine Chapel or a cooking class in Tuscany, go ahead and add that to your budget in advance.

That way, you will visit knowing exactly how much that experience will cost during your trip to Italy, and exactly how much scrimping you’ll need to do in other areas to make it happen.

Wake up early.

Italy’s most popular sights and attractions can have prohibitively long lines that will make all but the most patient humans go screaming for the skip-the-line scalpers (even knowing that the people selling guided visits and immediate access in-person charge far more than online deals you can purchase in advance).

If you want to avoid either giving in to the temptation of spending extra or simply wasting hours of your trip to Italy waiting in line, there’s a simple workaround: wake up early, and be in line before the attractions even open.

Budget carefully for food.

Food is such a big part of the experience of a trip to Italy, cost of your trip aside.

Whether you’re traveling on the tightest budget or the most luxurious one, experiencing Italian cuisine is likely high on your list of priorities.

We recommend tracking your daily spending carefully on food–individual purchases, say for a scoop of gelato or an espresso at the bar, can feel quite small but add up fast, particularly if your spending is limited.

If you have access to a kitchen, absolutely take advantage of it.

Heading to a market and purchasing fresh pasta, pesto, cheese, bread, and wine and then cooking at home will cost a fraction of what the same meal would in a restaurant, and is a fabulous experience to have regardless of your Italy budget.

Research restaurants in advance.

When you do eat in restaurants, do so carefully.

You may think that every restaurant in Italy would be fabulous, but that is definitely not the case. 

There are a lot of duds out there, especially near tourist attractions (shocker).

Dining out in Italy can be enormously improved by simply doing some basic restaurant research ahead of time–this can be as easy as typing “good Italian restaurants near me” into Google and seeing what comes up that is well-reviewed and within your price range.

It’s not full-proof, sure, but it raises your odds considerably from simply picking somewhere you happen to walk by.

Go somewhere you’ve never heard of.

Italy is absolutely chock full of insanely beautiful places that offer gorgeous architecture, delicious food, compelling history, and stunning nature… and yet, most of them don’t get seen, because we all have a tendency to visit the same places over and over again.

Sure, some of that is inevitable–there’s only one Rome, there’s only one Venice–but while Capri is gorgeous, very few non-Italian tourists make it out to Sardinia. While Lake Como is magnificent, Italy is full of beautiful lakes .

If you’d like to cut down your trip to Italy cost, consider taking off to a point on the map that makes geographic sense with your itinerary, but you’re not already familiar with.

You might be surprised at what you find (and how few other visitors that you have to share the view with).

Make lunch your big meal of the day, and beware of bread.

Many Italian restaurants run specials at lunch, offering a 2-3 course meal, often with wine, for a set price.

If you want to regularly eat out in Italy, this is the way to do it!

The same restaurants charge much more for dinner portions, but we’ve never been anything but stuffed after lunch in Italy.

Also: beware of the bread placed on your table.

In some parts of Italy (we’ve heard it’s most popular in Lazio, but we’ve run into this in Tuscany too), the bread placed on the table is not included, and if you eat it, you will be charged (usually a Euro or two per person).

This absolutely isn’t the case in all restaurants, though, so be sure to clarify before digging in!

Consider traveling in the offseason.

Particularly if you’re wanting to visit cities in Italy on a budget, Italy makes a great offseason destination.

Winter is mild in much of the country, and the Colosseum looks about the same regardless of whether or not you’re bundled up in a coat to see it.

Fall is our personal favorite time to visit Italy, and we think late October is the perfect sweet spot for avoiding the worst of the crowds and hopefully still having some beautiful weather to enjoy for most days of your trip.

Your trip to Italy cost will definitely be highest during the summer months, especially if you hope to visit the coasts and/or the most popular spots!

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

16 thoughts on “What Does a Trip to Italy Cost (On Any Budget)?”

Hi kate and husband. Will be in Rome March 10-13 Florence 13-16 Venice 16-18 Paris 7-9 Long awaited trip with friend who cared for dying mother! Now is our time. My 3rd to Paris and first to Italy. So excited and thankful for stumbling on your post. Thank you both for all your dedication and time in sharing your love of country. I am 62 and from Wisconsin Mona; 67 and same; currently residing in Mississippi Be well, Maureen

Thank you so much, Maureen! So glad you found our site helpful. Hope that you guys have an amazing trip to Italy and Paris!

Great info here. We are planning a September 2021 trip to Rome Florence Cinque Terra and then Venice in 14 days. Have I set it up wrong given you say getting to CT from Florence is arduously long by train. Then back via train over to Venice. Should I rework the itinerary, the fly in/out of the country is Rome so that is our first stop, 3 days then last night out by airport(traveling from Venice) may fly down from there. Sorry it’s long winded.

It’s arduously long for a day trip, but if you’re spending a night or two, it’s not a big deal to get to Florence to Cinque Terre by train. We have more details on what to expect traveling between the two here: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/florence-to-cinque-terre/

Cinque Terre to Venice by train is a long day but it’s doable, we’ve done it before ourselves.

Hope that helps!

Buonasera Kate,

I’d like to know your feeling if the following Freecerosa route would blow a hole into a $133/day over 3 weeks. I’m shooting for mid range. Fly into Milan/Como 2-3 days Florence 4 days Rome 3 days Amalfi 2 days Palermo/Cefalu 3 days Naples 1 day Rome 4 days Basically I tracing college wandering. I’m B-2 so I can negotiate things

Hi Bryce! It’s hard to tell specifically (especially this year, since everything is so up in the air), but I’d say your route is going to be pretty tough on that budget, especially aiming for mid-range travel.

The daily costs in each place (place to stay, food, attractions) will be fine, especially if you’re willing to skip a couple of expensive things, but the train/bus/plane costs of getting from destination to destination will really eat into your budget.

I’d recommend cutting a few stops, including saving Sicily for another trip for logistical reasons.

Additionally, a few of your stops–Como and Amalfi in particular–are pretty pricey. I’d consider how badly you want to see them vs spending more time in other spots.

My partner and I are wanting to plan a trip to Italy next year. It will be our first time there and would love to go around our birthdays in may but latest August. Sicily is definitely a option and add two or three more places to visit. Any advice for planning would be great. Looking for 2-3 week stay

Hi Merilena! Sounds like a fantastic trip.

We have several posts that might help you plan. I recommend taking a look at our Sicily itinerary: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/10-day-sicily-road-trip-itinerary/

If you want to combine Sicily with a few other places, this post has some ideas: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/7-days-in-italy-in-a-week/

If you’re flying from place to place, a classic spot like Rome, Florence, or Venice could be a fun trip when combined with Sicily.

what company will you recommend for transfers from airport to hotel or hotel to train stations?

There are different companies all over Italy, so it depends. For airport transfers, I’d recommend booking through Get Your Guide, they have several options.

For moving from your hotel to the train station, I’d recommend asking your hotel to call a taxi for you, and confirm the price with them. 🙂

Hi Kate, Jeremy

My partner and I will be going to Italy this month for my birthday and will be arriving in Venice. It’s a 6 day trip and would like advice on how and where to start. My key places are : Rome Possible Florence Milan Amalfi coast for my birthday. Some tours to include more destinations and activities

Please advise some possible great 6-day itineraries that could work and also if renting a car would be best for some destinations.

Thank you, Olivia

I’m not a travel agent, so don’t provide individual itineraries, but I’m always happy to point people in the right direction. 🙂

With only 6 days, I’d recommend cutting down your itinerary to Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with a possible day trip to Florence from Rome if you want to squeeze it in.

If you’re a confident driver, having a car on the Amalfi Coast can help, as there’s no train service there and the buses can be crowded. Alternatively, you could hire a taxi or driver. The driving on the Amalfi Coast is not for the faint of heart!

You won’t need a car in Rome or Florence.

Hope that helps, and Happy Birthday!

Love this post so much! For the luxury Italy trip, what could be an example of how much to expect to spend say for 2 people for a couple weeks or so? I know you said it’s endless but just curious!

That depends a lot on what luxury means to you–it can vary so wildly from person to person. You can stay in a 5-star hotel in Rome for 300 a night during the slow season… or you can rent a penthouse suite in the height of summer or head to an island and rent out a whole palazzo for thousands.

Your biggest expenses (excluding flights) will likely be your hotels, followed by activities (which again–do you define luxury as a private wine-tasting tour for the day or a private boat ride around Capri followed by a night in a palazzo?) and transportation (1st class trains can be defined as a luxury, so can private flights).

If you work out what you expect to spend in those categories, you’ll have a better idea of how to craft your specific budget.

Hi Kate, Using much of your expertise for our upcoming trip to Rome and Florence (7 days in each). Planning on a taxi from airport to hotel. Is this a good idea? I read where you recommended a transfer through GetYourGuide (I think). Traveling April 11-25. Thank you for all of your great information!

Hi Catherine,

It’s definitely not a bad idea! Transfers from the airports to city centers in Italy are one of those things where there’s really no right or wrong answer, just the one that best fits your budget and preference for convenience.

In order of convenience (especially for a first trip to Italy), a private transfer will generally be simplest, followed by a (less expensive) group transfer in something like a van, followed by public transportation. Of course, that order tends to go from most expensive to least expensive too!

The biggest benefit of a taxi or private transfer is that they can generally get you closer to your hotel in one fell swoop than taking the train will.

Keep in mind that Florence’s city center is pretty devoid of cars–if you’re hoping to limit your walking and aren’t sure which is fastest, you might see if your particular hotel has any specific arrival recommendations. Florence is also a small city, though, so you’re more likely to be staying within a reasonable walk of the train station there than in Rome!

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Trip to Italy Cost: How to see Italy on a Practical Budget

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Come stai? Hopefully bene , as I presume you are in the midst of planning the most epic trip to Italy. But perhaps you’re afraid of making your trip a little too epic, and may even be worried about going broke or coming home with a bunch of credit card debt. Fret not, though, because you’re in the right place, as today we are taking a deep dive into what the cost of a trip to Italy really is.

I really nerd out when it comes to breaking down the cost of travel. This is because for too long I thought it would be completely unattainable for myself. However, my thoughts were completely baseless, and once I actually did the research, I realized just how wrong I was. Knowing what I know now, I want to disclose to future travelers what it takes to afford the cost of a dream trip, like Italy.

I’ll say bluntly, it is certainly possible to overspend when traveling to Italy – we certainly had our moments. However, if you plan ahead and craft the ideal itinerary for your unique circumstances, you can easily avoid this.

By the end of this article you will have a pretty good idea of what just about everything will cost – even the most minute details of what you’ll likely spend in Italy. I’m laying it all out here!

This post was originally published in October 2020. It has been updated with inflation-adjusted numbers as of January 2024.

Here is an example of a moderate trip to Italy cost for two people (in USD):

This is what I would consider to be a moderate budget for two people taking a ten day trip to Italy . This budget is certainly not on a shoestring, but it also isn’t luxurious. Obviously, if you spend less than ten days in Italy, or split costs with another group, many areas of this budget will decrease. It also pays to mention that this trip involves multiple cities, which tends to drive up costs.

Below, I am discussing each category in detail, including where you can cut costs and what are worthwhile splurges. After all, if you’ve travelled all the way to Italy from afar, you should be allowed to treat yo’self a little.

Travel Savvy Tip

Don’t look at this budget as a lump sum! That’s the quickest way to get intimidated and think you could never afford it. The truth is, you won’t pay the full amount at once. You’ll buy your flight and lodging right away, and then likely pay nothing for a few months.

Once it gets closer to your trip, you’ll start looking at tours you may want to do, as well as make restaurant reservations. When you get back home from your trip, you’ll pay off any remaining vacay expenses you’ve incurred.

Breaking it into chunks like this is a much more approachable way to afford the cost of a trip to Italy!

Trip to Italy Cost Breakdown:

Transportation.

Trains $250, Bus $10, Uber $25

In most cases, the best way to get around Italy is via public transportation. This is especially true in city centers, like Rome and Florence , where traffic is crazy and there are hoards of pedestrians. The good news is that Italy is very well connected by train, and tickets are largely inexpensive.

Almost all train rides can be booked on the Trenitalia website in advance. I recommend taking advantage of this so you don’t spend valuable sightseeing time waiting in line to purchase tickets.

For full disclosure, here is what we actually spent on train tickets during a recent trip to Italy:

As you can see, we hardly needed public transportation in Rome and Florence, and spent the most navigating between the Cinque Terre villages. The other two expenses shown, $10 for the bus and $25 for an Uber, will vary based on your own movements.

We spent $5 each to catch a shuttle bus in Cinque Terre up to Corniglia, since we didn’t want to climb upwards of 300 steps with all our luggage. Finally, we spent about $25 to Uber between our house and the airport in Cleveland, Ohio .

Typical flights to Italy run anywhere from $700 to $1,500+ a person, depending on many different factors. For example, from where I live near Cleveland, Ohio, we have no direct flights to Europe. Therefore, we always need to connect through another city, which drives up the price.

I will admit, we overpaid for our Italy flights at $1,400 a person. This is because we were traveling for a summer wedding, and I needed to return from our trip in time for my busiest season at work. Therefore, we were unable to be flexible with our dates or travel days.

No worries, though – if you’re savvy enough, you can actually get your flights for cheaper, or even free using credit card points! This is something we’ve certainly taken advantage of over the years. In fact, we bought an entire $700 flight to Ireland with points from our Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Here’s a summary of my tried and true tips to avoid overpaying for flights:

• Be flexible with your travel days. As mentioned above, weekend flights can be crazy expensive. Play around with searching different departure and arrival days, and you’ll be amazed what a difference that can make.
• Travel during the low season (November through February), when there is an overall drop in prices.
• Last but not least, the tip that has helped me the most:  Sign up for a credit card with travel rewards points. We’ve gotten countless free flights thanks to our cards, simply due to points earned on every day purchases. We’ve had great experiences using both the  Capital One Venture  and the  Chase Sapphire Reserve .

For longer stays in Italy, such as this ten day trip, you should try to eat in at your hotel or Airbnb sometimes. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll likely end up being a healthier choice. Over longer trips, it’s good to have a little balance so you’re not feeling completely bloated for most of it. Believe me – I wouldn’t be saying it if I hadn’t done it before!

While we didn’t eat in for every single meal, we did buy a few simple groceries for our Airbnb’s, such as eggs, peaches, cheese, prosciutto, wine, etc. We aimed to eat some of our breakfasts and lunches at our place, while still fitting in plenty of stops at cafes and gelaterias.

Try to book an Airbnb with a Nespresso Machine. Three places we stayed had one, and they actually make high quality coffee. We often took advantage of using the Nespresso instead of ordering out and enjoyed sipping it on our terrace.

Food & Drink

With Italy being known for delicious homemade pasta, fresh seafood, decadent gelato, and other such tasty treats, it would be wrong NOT to dine out in Italy. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you budget a realistic amount of money for this.

Thankfully, eating out in Italy can be pretty affordable, especially if you stick to pasta and house wine. This is honestly a pretty easy choice to make, since both items are such high quality even at low prices. Aaron and I tended to split a caraffa of house wine, which typically ranged from 8 to 10 euros for a half liter.

My budget of $900 is more or less the average total of what we spent, with some lower days and some spurge days.

I’ll confess, we paid a bit more for our Airbnb’s than this budget, as we were originally traveling with my in-laws. Their budget was considerably higher than ours, so we paid a bit more for certain luxuries, like scenic terraces, than we normally would. Plus, Aaron and I were months away from celebrating our five year wedding anniversary and didn’t mind the occasional splurge.

However, you can definitely find very affordable lodging in Italy, especially if you take advantage of cheap flats on Airbnb . Generally, the closer you stay to main tourist areas, the more expensive prices will be. Therefore, your money will go further if you embrace “living like a local” and get a little further from the beaten path. Just be sure to thoroughly read reviews about the area before you book.

To keep your lodging prices in Italy as low as possible, be sure to start booking as early as you can. Italy is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, so the best places will get snatched up quickly.

These trendy Airbnb’s that will keep you within the $1,800 budget set above:

• Rome: This apartment is walkable to most major sights in Rome.
• Cinque Terre: This charming apartment in my personal favorite village, Corniglia, offers dreamy views over the village and Ligurian Sea.
• Florence: This chic apartment features romantic views over the terracotta rooftops of Florence.

Activities in Italy will make up another nice chunk of your budget. After all, seeing bucket list places, like the Colosseum and Vatican, is probably one of the biggest reasons you’re visiting Italy.

To stay within your budget, it’s best to offset pricier sights with some free things to do in Italy (listed below). Prioritize paid activities based on what’s most important to you and what time will realistically allow.

Another thing to consider is whether a sight-seeing pass for a particular city would be a good idea for you. Passes, such as the Roma Pass , will offer discounts on public transportation and a couple sights. I will say – the passes seem to be most useful if you plan to use public transportation A LOT. We used a pass in Rome, but didn’t find it as useful in Florence where we spent less time and mostly walked.

Below is an inflation-adjusted estimate of what we actually spent on activities during our Italy trip:

• Vatican Tour: $207.17 ($103 per person guided tour that let us see the magnificent Sistine Chapel before the crowds)
• Borghese Gallery : $48.16 (€15 entrance fee + €2 reservation fee per person. Could potentially be covered by Roma Pass, less the €2 fee. We only opted for the 48-hour pass, so this day wasn’t covered.)
• Colosseum Online Reservation Fee: $4.51 (entry fee covered by Roma Pass, but the €2 per person online reservation fee is still required).
• Roma Pass: $70.06 (€32 per person for the 48-hour pass.)
• Pantheon: $10.95 (€5 entrance fee per person)
• Beach Chairs at Monterosso al Mare: $41.60 (€38 for two chairs and an umbrella at Bagno Eden).
• Cinque Terre Hiking Passes: $32.84 (€7.50 per person for a 1-day card. We bought it two days in a row).
• Florence Food Tour: $230 ($115 per person to taste eight foods and four wines during an evening exploring Florence)
• Accademia Gallery : $43.78 (€20 per person entrance fee)

Book Your Italy Walking Tour Here

13 Free Things to do in Italy

Keep your Italy trip cost down by finding free things to do. Some of Italy’s best sights have no cost, so add as many of these into your itinerary as possible:

• Trevi Fountain in Rome (not including coin toss)
• Pantheon in Rome – Unfortunately, beginning in July 2023 the Pantheon now charges a €5 entrance fee per person.
• Spanish Steps in Rome
• Viewing Rome’s Colosseum from the outside
• Taking a scenic walk through town
• Various squares (ie. Piazza Navona in Rome or Piazza della Signoria in Florence)
• Most hikes in Cinque Terre
• The breathtaking views in Cinque Terre
• Swimming at certain beaches in Cinque Terre
• Viewing the Duomo from outside in Florence
• Strolling over Ponte Vecchio in Florence
• Watching the sunrise or sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence
• Taking a Rick Steves recorded walking tour on his Audio Europe app .

Pet Boarding

Do you have a fur baby like us? If so, then you probably know all too well about the cost of pet boarding, unless you’re lucky enough to have a pet that travels well. Even better if you know someone who can watch Scruffy while you’re gone.

Unfortunately, neither of those things apply to us, so we have to board our puppy. Prices for this where I live in Northeast Ohio tend to run about $40 a night, but vary wildly in quality and services included.

We choose to drive our puppy about 45 minutes away from our house to a rural vet center with boarding because our doggy likes it there. He gets his own little “suite” with an outdoor space he can run around in! It is such a hassle to drive that far, but totally worth it to have peace of mind while we’re traveling.

Other Misc Expenses

• Airport Expenses: Includes any snacks, magazines, etc. you may purchase while waiting around the airport. It’s usually cheaper to bring your own granola bars, etc.
• Shopping: There is plenty of good shopping to do all over Italy. Just don’t go too crazy here if you are trying to stay on a budget.
• Tourist Tax: Depending on the city, there is a nightly tourist tax for hotels and vacation rentals in Italy. Here is Airbnb’s summary of the various rates.

No matter how you slice it (be it pizza, prosciutto, whatever), a trip to Italy is always worth it, be it luxurious or budget. However, once thing’s for sure – you certainly don’t need to overspend in the least in order to have a spectacular Italian getaway.

Related Posts

Love this post! I can’t believe i found you then realized half way through we are in the same state / area! 😉 can you post the links to me regarding your Airbnb suggestions? It won’t show me the direct ones you suggest when i click over. Thanks in advance and i love your page!! Keep doing it, it inspires me!

Thanks so much Jenny! Really appreciate you saying that. FYI – I updated all the Airbnb links 🙂

Hi, I’m planning a long trip by myself to Italy for my 60th birthday. No guides, just my own itinerary with air bob’s. Having been there yourself, do you think I’ll be safe over there walking alone & staying in places alone? I’m super excited, but everyone thinks I’m crazy wanting to do this alone. Your opinion and any tips you have will be greatly appreciated. Sandy

Hi Sandy! As someone who is currently traveling alone in the Netherlands, I think it’s awesome that you are treating yourself to an Italy trip for your 60th! I’m not sure where all you plan to go in Italy, but in my travels that I mentioned above and also during a recent trip to Puglia, there were never any moments where I felt unsafe. Just take any normal precautions that you would normally take when going out alone at home. Also, when booking Airbnb’s, read the reviews closely as they can sometimes be a little off the beaten path. I like to find reviews where people verified the area was walkable to sights and public transportation. Hope that helps!

Just found your post on Pinterest and while reading I was very excited that you listed your airbnbs because we are planning a trip and March going to cinque Terre and Florence as well. Well turns out I just booked the same airbnb in Florence today! What are the chances. It just validated that it was the right choice!

Awesome! You have good taste 😉

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Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 💰 My 2024 Italy Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown

Italy, a country famous for Renaissance masterpieces and gelato, can be visited with a  budget of $75 to $150 a day.

My trip to Italy cost a total of $2,651 . In this post, I share:

• 💰 Expected travel costs
• 💡 Budgeting tips
• 💵 How much cash to bring
• ✈️ My trip’s costs by category
• 📍 My trip’s costs by destination
• ✌️ A trip to Italy cost for two people

Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Italy .

• Is Italy Expensive?
• How Much Is a Trip?
• About My Trip
• Cost Breakdown
• Daily Budget: $131
• Flight: $564
• Accommodation: $868
• Transportation: $265
• Entertainment: $392
• Florence: $608
• Venice: $255
• Cinque Terre: $420
• Milan: $285
• Lake Como: $62
• Modena & Parma: $209
• Withdrawing Cash
• How Much Cash To Bring
• Cash-Only Places
• Tipping Etiquette

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

Is Italy Expensive To Travel To?

Italy is a semi-affordable destination to visit in Europe. Travel costs, such as housing, food, and attractions, vary significantly between regions. While major cities can be pricey, Italy also offers fresh food for cheap, reasonable train ticket prices, and a wide range of accommodations for different budgets.

Compared to other popular European destinations, Italy is less budget-friendly than Portugal, Germany, and Spain, but it’s generally more affordable than the UK, Iceland, and Switzerland.

💰 Trip Daily Budget for Countries in Europe

For comparison, I visited these countries in Europe within a year of visiting Italy, and here’s how much I spent per day at each one:

See all my daily budget for each destination I’ve visited .

How Much Is a Trip to Italy?

This section covers estimated trip costs depending on your travel style. I share my actual travel expenses further below.

🎒 Budget Traveler – Italy Trip Cost

A budget traveler can expect to spend approximately $75 per day or $525 for one week of travel in Italy, excluding flights. Two budget travelers visiting Italy can expect to spend about $120 daily.

Here’s what a budget traveler’s cost breakdown can look like:

Traveling Italy on a Budget

To travel to Italy on a budget, here are some things you’ll need to do:

• 🏠 Accommodation – Forgo staying in a private room and instead stay at dorm-style hostels for about $35 per night in cities like Rome and Florence . Aim to find housing in less central areas.
• 🚆 Transportation – Take the budget bus, FlixBus, which can be $10 to $15 cheaper than public transportation. However, the bus takes much longer and is more inconvenient than Italy’s trains.
• 🍝 Food – Buy food at a grocery store and eat simple meals (like pizza), which will save you more than $100 a week compared to dining out for every meal in Italy.
• Buy the most basic ticket at attractions and be prepared to wait in long lines. For example, the Colosseum’s basic ticket requires waiting in the security line and doesn’t allow access to all parts of the amphitheater.
• Skip expensive attractions like riding a gondola in Venice (which starts at $87 for a 30-minute ride if you don’t split it with anyone else) or taking an all-day wine tour (which usually starts at $40 for a half-day tour).
• Take advantage of free walking tours in major cities to see top attractions from the outside.
• ☀️ Travel Season  – Travel to Italy during the low season, which coincides with the winter months (November to February). There will be fewer tourists, and accommodation prices can drop by more than 25% during this time, so you’ll get the best deals then.

💰 Mid-Range Budget Traveler – Italy Trip Cost

A mid-range budget traveler like myself can expect to spend approximately $150 per day or $1,050 for one week of travel in Italy, excluding flights. Two mid-range budget travelers visiting Italy can expect to spend about $270 per day.

I break down my trip expenses by travel category below.

About My Italy Trip

To give context to the expenses below, here’s what you need to know about my trip:

• Rome + Vatican City : 2 days
• Milan : 2 day
• Florence : 5 days
• Venice : 2 days
• Cinque Terre : 2 days
• Lake Como : 1 day
• Modena : 1 day
• Parma : 1 day
• ☀️ High season – I went to Italy in May, which is considered the start of the high season.

Italy’s peak season runs from May to September when the weather is pleasant.

• ✌️  Group travel – I traveled with one to two other friends at all times, so we were able to split some costs, such as housing. My travel reflects what a trip to Italy would look like for two people.
• 💰 Mid-range budget – I consider myself a mid-range budget traveler, and these expenses reflect that. I don’t aim to travel on a budget, but I’m thoughtful about how and where I spend.
• 🍀 Self-funded – My trips are self-funded, so I paid for everything listed below. None of my excursions or experiences are sponsored.
• 💵 US dollars – All costs listed in this post are per person and in US dollars, converted from Italy’s local currency, the euro.

The exchange rate was $1 USD = €0.92 at the time of writing.

Total Cost for an Italy Trip: $2,651

My two-week trip to Italy cost a total of $2,651, including flights. I traveled with at least one other person at all times, so my budget was slightly lower than if I had traveled solo.

See the highlights of my trip in this  Italy itinerary .

💰 Cost Breakdown for Italy

Here’s a quick overview of my expenses by travel category:

🗓️ Daily Budget in Italy: $131

My Italy trip cost $131 per day , excluding my round-trip flights from and to the United States.

A mid-range budget traveler can expect to spend $150 per day in Italy. This generally means staying at mid-range hotels for about $90 a night, eating at primarily $ to $$ restaurants, taking Italy’s convenient trains, and booking group tours for some of the top attractions.

✈️ Flight Cost to Italy: $564

My round-trip flight from the East Coast of the United States to Milan Malpensa Airport was $564 .

A direct, round-trip flight between the US and Italy that costs under $400 is considered cheap; international flights typically cost over $500.

🏠 Accommodation Costs in Italy: $868

My average cost of accommodation in Italy was $54 per day . I was able to split accommodations with one to two other people at all times.

Here are the accommodations I stayed at and how much I paid for each:

Budgeting Tips for Accommodations in Italy

Here are my budgeting tips and things to note regarding accommodations in Italy:

• Try to split accommodations with someone – Italy has expensive accommodations. Housing is where I saved the most by always traveling with another person.
• Low and high seasons have nontrivial price differences – A mid-range hotel room in tourist areas in Italy starts at around $70 per night, and you’ll likely have to pay closer to $100 per night during the high season.
• Stay in non-central areas – For cheaper accommodations in popular cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence, you’ll need to stay farther away from the city center. For example, staying in Venice’s less popular Cannaregio district will be significantly cheaper than staying in the San Polo or San Marco districts.
• Italy has no shortage of luxury hotels – Italy offers many high-end hotels with stunning views over the ocean, lake, or canal. Expect to pay more than $2,000 for a night at one of these luxury hotels.

🍝 Food Cost in Italy: $556

My average cost of food in Italy was $35 per day.

Food costs in Italy vary widely; you can eat on a budget or extravagantly. A mid-range budget traveler can expect to spend about  $40 per day  on food in Italy. This includes getting coffee, eating a snack, and eating at $ to $$ restaurants.

Cheapest Meals in Italy

Here are the most affordable meals I ate during my trip:

Most Expensive Meals in Italy

Here are the most expensive meals I ate during my trip:

Be warned that you can end up with expensive, mediocre pasta in tourist restaurants if you don’t do a bit of restaurant research and make reservations. A way to enjoy quality food in Italy is to go on highly-rated food tours , especially in big, overwhelming cities like Rome.

🚆 Transportation Cost in Italy: $265

My average cost of transportation in Italy was $17 per day. I averaged $19 per train ride while traveling between cities.

Here are the transportation methods I took and how much I paid for each:

Budgeting Tips for Trains in Italy

Here are my budgeting tips and things to note regarding trains in Italy:

• The best way to get around Italy is by train travel – Italy has a well-maintained train system primarily operated by Trenitalia that will conveniently get you to many places around the country.
• Train tickets are reasonably priced – An average ticket will cost between $10 and $40, depending on the distance traveled and whether you’re taking a high-speed train.
• High-speed trains serve major cities throughout Italy and run on their own train tracks. I took several of these trains and typically paid between $30 and $50.
• Regional trains are much slower but can reach almost any part of the country. A ticket on a regional train starts at $10.

🍷 Entertainment Cost in Italy: $392

My average cost for entertainment in Italy was $25 per day. This total includes a 5% to 10% tip at certain places.

Most of Italy’s major attractions charge a basic entrance fee of $20 to $30 . This cost significantly increases once you pay for a tour guide or skip-the-line tickets.

Here are all the activities and attractions I paid for and how much each cost:

One of the highlights of my trip was hiking around the stunning Cinque Terre .

Cost Breakdown by Destination in Italy

Below are my trip expense breakdowns for Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Milan, Lake Como, Modena, and Parma . Many of these major locations are often featured in first-timers’ travel itineraries.

🎨 Rome Trip’s Total Cost: $428

During my two-day trip to Rome, averaged  $214 in daily travel expenses.

I stayed at a mid-range budget hotel and split it with a friend. I also paid for a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City and the Colosseum , which significantly increased my appreciation for both.

Rome is the most visited city in Italy. It’s home to some of the country’s most famous attractions, like the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Vatican Museums, so expect to spend over $20 on entrance fees here. Other top attractions, like Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, are free.

🍦 Florence Trip’s Total Cost: $608

During my five-day trip to Florence, averaged  $122 in daily travel expenses.

I stayed at an Airbnb and a mid-range budget hotel in the center of Florence and split the cost with another person. I also booked a Tuscany wine-tasting tour , a small-group pasta-making class , and basic entrance tickets to the Uffizi Gallery and the Boboli Gardens.

Check out great things to do in Florence .

Florence is a very walkable city, so you likely won’t spend much on transportation. It’s known for day tours and trips outside the city, so you might spend a lot on entertainment when visiting.

🛶 Venice Trip’s Total Cost: $255

During my two-day trip to Venice, I averaged  $127 in daily travel expenses.

I stayed at an Airbnb where I shared the living space with the host and paid for a gondola ride. Venice is one of the most touristy places you’ll visit in Italy, so expect costs to be high.

See how to spend a day in Venice .

Venice’s iconic gondola rides start at €90 (roughly $98) for a 30-minute ride if you’re not splitting with others (the government regulates the price, so you won’t be able to negotiate). You need to pay in cash, so bring some euros with you.

⛰️ Cinque Terre Trip’s Total Cost: $420

During my two-day trip to Cinque Terre, I averaged $120 in daily travel expenses.

I visited Cinque Terre mainly to hike through the stunning villages , which doesn’t cost much. Having traveled to several tourist cities in Italy, I found the food to be the most expensive in Cinque Terre.

Cinque Terre is a budget-friendly version of Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. The average price of accommodation, restaurants, and attractions is slightly lower in Cinque Terre as Amalfi Coast is considered a luxury destination.

👗 Milan Trip’s Total Cost: $285

During my two-day trip to Milan, I averaged  $143 in daily travel expenses.

I stayed at a hostel-style Airbnb, paid to enter Milan’s Duomo, and did a few free activities, such as exploring the Navigli district.

In Milan, expect to spend a lot on accommodation and shopping if you’re interested in buying clothes from the world’s fashion capital.

🌷 Lake Como Trip’s Total Cost: $62

I did a day trip to Lake Como from Milan. Despite the rainy weather, it was a beautiful day trip easily accessible via Italy’s trains.

Read more on how to do a day trip to Lake Como .

When traveling to Lake Como, you’ll need to account for the roughly $5 one-way ferry rides between each town and the $14 round-trip train tickets to and from Milan.

🍝 Modena & Parma Trip’s Total Cost: $209

During my two-day trip to Modena and Parma, averaged  $105 in daily travel expenses.

I stayed in Modena and did a day trip to Parma. Parma is a small town known as the origin site for Parmigiano Reggiano, the upgraded and regulation version of Parmesan, and Prosciutto di Parma.

Modena and Parma are known to have some of the best restaurants in the world , so I traveled there primarily for the food and to experience a slightly less tourist area of Italy. This Parma travel guide compares Bologna, Modena, and Parma.

Do You Need Cash in Italy?

Like many European countries, Italy has a good credit card infrastructure. However, many places still rely on cash transactions, so make sure to  bring some cash.

Below are tips on bringing and using cash in Italy.

💶 1. Withdraw cash in euros.

Italy’s local currency is the euro (€), and the  US dollar is not widely accepted.

Avoid Euronet ATMs when withdrawing cash in Italy. Throughout Europe, Euronet ATMs consistently have high fees and use terrible exchange rates, so unless you’re in desperate need of cash, I would avoid them.

🏧 2. Carry about $15 to $20 worth of cash per day to Italy.

On a typical day, a mid-range budget traveler in Italy will need  at least $15 in cash  to cover food, transportation, and attractions. A daily cash expense breakdown can look like this:

• $5 at cafes
• $5 for tipping and small entrance fees
• $5 for miscellaneous spending

On my Italy trip, I spent a total of $118 (about $7 per day) in cash . Here’s a breakdown of how I used my cash:

*Some accommodations in certain cities, like Cinque Terre, have city tax fees that must be paid in cash.

I keep my cash in my crossbody bag , but if you want extra protection against pickpocketing , carry it in a hidden money belt instead.

💵 3. Certain places in Italy are cash-only.

While credit cards are commonly used in Italy, I still had to use cash several times   during my two-week trip. Here are some of the places that were cash-only in Italy:

• Cafes – Small cafes that mainly serve coffee and pastries are sometimes cash-only.
• Small attractions – Several of Italy’s small attractions with entrance fees that are less than $5 will typically only take cash.
• Gondola rides – You typically hand cash to gondoliers after going on a ride.
• Tours – Tipping is not mandatory, but it’s optional.
• Accommodation city taxes – Some Airbnbs in certain cities, like Cinque Terre, have city tax fees that must be paid in cash.

💰 4. Tipping is not expected in Italy.

Tipping is  often appreciated  in Italy, but it’s optional. Tips are generally only done for exceptional service.

• Bars and cafes – Many locals round up their total cost at bars and cafes, and that will suffice as a tip. Otherwise, tipping is not expected.
• Restaurants – Some people tip a small amount to cover the bread and oil, which are usually served as appetizers at restaurants. Still, a tip is generally not expected if a cover charge is already added to the bill.
• Tours – Tipping tour guides are more common in Italy, and a 5% to 10% tip is standard.

See other essential travel tips for Italy before visiting.

Italy Trip Planner 2024

To make your travel preparation easier, download the trip planner below. It has destination-specific travel information, itinerary, map, and packing list.

My trip planners are built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning. I genuinely love this tool and creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Italy Travel Guides

• 🇮🇹 Planning A Trip to Italy: 11 Practical Things To Know
• 🍝 7-10 Days in Northern Italy: 2 Efficient Itineraries
• 🎭 Venice Day Trip: 8 Great Things To Do + 1-Day Itinerary
• 👨‍🎨 3 Amazing Days in Florence: Itinerary With Hidden Gems
• ⛰️ Hiking Cinque Terre: Firsthand Review & Tips
• 🚣‍♂️ Gondola Ride in Venice: Firsthand Review & Tips
• 🌷 Lake Como Day Trip: Firsthand Review & Tips
• 🧀 Parma Day Trip in Italy: Firsthand Review & Tips

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The Cost of Travel in Italy: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

When a person brings up Italy, some things that immediately spring to mind include delicious pizza, rich historical monuments like the Colosseum, and charming seaside villages like the Cinque Terre. Italy is truly one of the best countries you can visit on the planet.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Italy countless times over my decade as a travel writer, making my way from bustling Milan to romantic Venice to delicious Bologna; even spending time in a teeny-tiny village (permanent population: 2) on the banks of Lake Como.

You could spend months traveling in Italy and still not get to see it all. Every place you visit in Italy, you’ll feel like you’re in a different country; that’s how special it is. Just envision famous archaeological sites like Pompeii, flavourful gnocchi, fascinating coffee culture, and unmatched diversity.

You can visit Italy any time of the year, and it will hold the charm it’s known for. The weather varies from region to region during the winter, but once the summer comes, you’re in for a scorcher, so it’s best to bring your sunscreen. 

Traveling to Italy in the off-season is a great idea. If you have the opportunity, of course. The weather is nice, not too hot, and prices are lower as fewer people are traveling. 

Italy is a foodie’s paradise. Every city you visit has a unique cuisine, and chefs will have their own way of mastering the standard Italian dishes. There’s no way you’ll find arancini balls as good as the ones in Sicily or better cicchetti than in Venice.

Getting around Italy has never been so easy. It has an efficient train system that can take you from Milan to Rome in just three and a half hours, and buses that will take you from big cities, like Naples, to cute towns, like Sorrento, in under two hours. The options are endless.

Italians love their wine. It’s a massive part of their culture. There’s no way you could visit without sampling some of the good stuff for yourself. Tuscany is arguably one of the most famous regions in Italy for its wine. There are endless tours available where you can visit lush vineyards and wineries to see where the magic happens. 

In this post, I’m going to give you a full rundown of the cost of traveling in Italy. While the country isn’t as cheap as others on the continent, it’s not extremely expensive, and you get value for what you pay for. Some cities are more affordable than others, e.g., Naples is a lot cheaper than Venice. 

I like to set aside around 50 euros per day for travel expenses when traveling anywhere in Europe and, to be honest, I didn’t even spend that half of the time in Italy – unless I was splurging on a day trip. You can easily get by on that while still enjoying yourself.

Now, it’s time to look at how much it costs to travel in Italy. Grab yourself a pen and paper and a cup of coffee, and let’s get started.

The Cost of Accommodation in Italy

Accommodation for every budget can be found in Italy, whether you’re looking for a cheap guesthouse for $30 a night in Puglia or a fancy hotel in Turn for €150 a night. Personally, I think you get your money’s worth with accommodation in Italy. 

Guesthouses are more readily available than hotels in Italy. They’re a cheaper alternative, and Italian hosts are very hospitable, and they’ll go above and beyond to ensure you’re enjoying your stay. Most of the time, I stayed in guesthouses and tried to find good deals where breakfast was included, so I could fill myself up before the action packed day ahead of exploring. 

You don’t have to stay in a guesthouse. There’s a wide range of accommodation available in Italy. I’m going to cover all of them, beginning with the cheapest options.

How To Save Money on Accommodation in Italy

Even if you have little money to spend on accommodation, you can still travel to Italy. Here are a couple of ways to find somewhere to stay for free.

Have you ever heard of Couchsurfing ? It’s an incredible platform that connects travelers with locals. All you have to do is search the city you’re visiting and see who would be open to letting you stay with them. 

It’s a great way of learning a whole new culture and gives you an insight into how people live their lives. It doesn’t cost anything at all and allows you to make new friends on your travels.

Are you interested in volunteering? WWOOFING gives you access to a range of global volunteering opportunities in fields such as ecological farming, sustainable projects, and educational and cultural exchanges. There are quite a few exciting options on their website, like an agroforestry traineeship that could give you a lot of experience in a new field.

Another great way of bagging yourself a free stay in Italy is by house sitting . Sign up to the website and check out if anyone in the place you’re visiting needs somebody to look after their home while you’re there. If you’re an animal lover, this is a win-win situation; plus, some of the houses these people own are extravagant, so you could possibly be living it up in a castle for a week — all for free!

Hostels in Italy

Maybe you don’t want to commit to anything and want to travel around Italy at your own pace for a relatively low price. Well, then, hostels are an excellent option for you. 

There are a lot of high-quality hostels in Italy for you to choose from. The hostel scene is quite prominent around the country, so you will have plenty of options. Have a look at the best-rated hostels in Italy.

• The contemporary Babila Hostel & Bistrot in Milan is famed for its quirky designs. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the famous Milan Cathedral. A bed in an 8-person dorm costs €40 a night, and private rooms cost €170 a night. It may be on the expensive side, but it’s one of the fancier hostels in the city.
• One of the coolest hostels you can stay in when visiting Venice is the Anda Venice Hostel. Equipped with quirky furnishings and top-of-the-range amenities, you will love this place. A bed in a 9-person dorm costs €29 a night, and a private room is €108 a night. The city center is just a ten-minute train ride away, and the station is within walking distance, so you’re in a great location.
• Located in Florence’s historic center is Hostel Archi Rossi. The sun terrace is perfect for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing and chatting with other travelers. A bed in a six-person dorm is priced at €30 per night, and if you’d like to stay in a private room, it costs €90.
• The YellowSquare Hostel in Rome has some of the friendliest staff you’ll ever come across, making your stay more enjoyable. It’s a colorful accommodation and has quite a nice vibe to it. A bed in a six-person dorm will cost you €46 per night, and a private room costs €125 per night.
• When you visit Naples, be sure to check out the Tric Trac Hostel. Every visitor gets a complimentary Italian breakfast every morning, which is excellent for the budget. A bed in a 12-person dorm will only cost you €29 per night. There are no private room options available at this hostel, unfortunately.

As you can see, hostels aren’t the cheapest in Italy, but they do provide a lot for their guests. You’ll spend between €29 and €46 on a bed a night when in Italy and between €90 and €170 for a private double room.

The average cost of a bed in a hostel per night in Italy is €29.

Where to Stay When Traveling in Italy

Are you someone who prefers your space? Highly rated guesthouses and hotels are everywhere in Italy. Deals on accommodation are always waiting out there, waiting to be snapped up. One piece of advice I will give you about booking accommodation in Italy is to do it in advance. 

I’m a fan of booking things last minute, but you can’t do that when traveling in Italy because it’s such a popular destination. Everything sells out fast, so get booking as soon as you know when you’re going to go on vacation.

When searching for a place to stay, I always use Booking.com . There’s an endless list of accommodations on their website. Instead of scrolling through the “top picks section”, change the filter to “top reviewed”, where you’ll find options where people enjoyed their stay rather than places that pay Booking.com to be bumped up the ranks.

Keep reading to see my recommendations on places to stay in Italy.

Pop Luxury Experience – (€138 a night for a one-bedroom apartment) – This one-bedroom air-conditioned apartment offers guests a stylish and comfortable place to stay close to the world-famous San Siro Stadium. 

The owners of this property go above and beyond to give you an experience like no other with complimentary drinks, a PlayStation 4 games console, and an iPad for you to play with. 

B&B HORTUS – (€144 a night for a double room with disability access) – Come enjoy a slice of heaven at this B&B featuring an adorable garden and a free breakfast buffet every morning. Hosts Janina and Ewa, are always there to help you with any questions you have about the city and the best places to go for a bite to eat. 

The Venice Santa Lucia Train Station, Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and Frari Basilica are all close by to keep you occupied during your stay. After one night here, you’ll wish you had booked for longer.

Terra Artis Guest House – (€146 a night for a deluxe double room) – No wonder this guest house is so highly rated. Recently refurbished and offering guests a refreshing space to unwind after pacing the streets of Florence. 

San Marco Church is only a 600-meter walk away, and the main center is just 1.2 kilometers away. Each room is beautifully decorated with fabulous furnishings and has a flat-screen TV, a mini bar, a fridge, and a kettle, so you’ll feel right at home. 

Easyrome Guest House – (€129 a night for a double room) – This wonderful guesthouse is right in the heart of Rome. The rooms are immaculate, and it’s a quiet area, so it’s great to catch up on some rest. 

Complimentary wine and water are provided every day by the generous host Enrico. Everything you need is nearby, and if you’d like to take a trip across the city, Castro Pretorio Metro Station is just 350 meters away.

Annunziata Bed and Breakfast – (€120 a night for a double room with a balcony) – It doesn’t get much better in Naples than with this boutique B&B. Picture yourself waking up in the mornings with your morning coffee overlooking the Naples city center, with the rugged mountains in the background from your balcony. 

The free breakfast is very filling, containing lots of mouth-watering Italian delights. Regarding location, the property is right in the middle of the action, with the San Carlo Theatre and Naples National Archeological Museum easily reachable by foot.

The average cost of a mid-range hotel per night is €120.

The Cost Of Transportation In Italy

During my time in Italy, I mostly used trains and buses to get around. The transportation infrastructure in Italy is very efficient and clean, and companies operate multiple journeys on all routes throughout the day, which gives you a lot of flexibility when choosing when and where to go.

Italy is quite a big country, so domestic flights could be a good option if you have a long journey and only a certain amount of time. Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet offer many routes daily between various major Italian cities. For example, you can fly from Milan to Naples for as little as 19 euros one way with Wizz Air. If you were to go by train, it would take 5 hours and 18 minutes and cost 31 euros.

Taking buses between cities in Italy will save you money. There are quite a few companies available, but I mainly used Flixbus. Their prices were the cheapest. I loved their onboard amenities, such as sockets for charging your phone and free Wi-Fi, which came in handy for watching Netflix during long journeys. 

Make sure you compare the prices with Omio, a reliable transport application that sells tickets, which I highly recommend you use. Sometimes bus companies can up the cost of their tickets if they know they will sell out. This especially happens during the summer.

I’ve put together a price list for popular bus routes that you’ll find helpful for your trip:

• Milan to Rome with Flixbus – €11.99
• Milan to Venice with Flixbus – €7.99
• Rome to Florence with Flixbus – €4.99
• Rome to Naples with Flixbus – €2.90
• Rome to Venice with Flixbus – €6.90
• Naples to Sorrento with Flixbus – €4.90

Note: Prices are subject to change during high tourism seasons.

Only two cities in Italy have Uber available, Rome and Milan. When you use Uber in these cities, you’ll only have the option of using Uber Black, Uber Lux, and Uber Van, so it’s quite limited. I used Uber once when I was in Milan to get to the train station for my trip to Venice. 

One person canceled on me, and the second came to collect me. The ride cost about 13 euros for a ten-minute drive. I found it cheaper than taxis, so if you can, use it.

I tried to use a taxi once during my trip. The drivers were quoting me crazy prices when I was in Milan, so I refused to go with them. After that, I asked my hosts to organize transfers for me which worked out cheaper. When flying out of Naples, my hotel in Sorrento arranged a transfer for me. It costs 40 euros for an hour’s drive at 6 am, which I found to be quite reasonable.

When traveling internally within a city, the best way to get around is by using public buses or metros if the city has one. Rome has the best internal transport system with three metro lines, public buses operating every couple of minutes, and hop-on hop-off tourist buses. 

When you’re there, avail yourself of the 72-hour transport ticket, including airport journeys, for 18 euros. Some places you’ll visit in Italy won’t be as developed. If that’s the case, you’ll need to use public buses. It can be difficult at times with the language barrier. 

I recommend you get a SIM card as soon as you arrive and use Google Maps to get you around. The mobile application displays live times for buses, trains, and metros for your route and directs you to each departure point and stops you need to get off at.

Intercity trains are hugely popular in Italy. Wait until you see some of the train stations; they’re almost like airport terminals. Rome’s Termini Station is a classic example. I took trains when I could over buses because they were much faster, and that’s what you need when you’re on a schedule. 

You can book your train tickets online beforehand. I did this through Omio because it gives you company options. Some companies operate high-speed trains, so their tickets will always be a bit more expensive than others. Trenitalia and Italo are the two most popular train companies in the country. 

They’re both comfortable, offer Wi-Fi, have food services onboard, and provide a good bit of legroom. Trenitalia is always a couple of euros cheaper than Italo but compare the prices on their websites to Omio before booking.

See how much you should expect to pay for these popular train journeys:

• Milan to Rome with Trenitalia – €30
• Milan to Venice with Trenitalia – €15
• Rome to Florence with Trenitalia – €13
• Rome to Naples with Trenitalia – €10
• Rome to Venice with Trenitalia – €17

Many people hire a car when they go to Italy on holiday because it gives you access to enchanting towns that don’t have any public transport and are a little less touristy. Car rental prices are reasonable in Italy. If you’re planning on doing a lot of traveling, I would consider it. See below for how much it costs in each major city.

• AcaRent – Milan – 2 days – €59.60
• Viaggiare – Venice – 2 days – €67.98
• Surprice Car Rental – Florence – 2 days – €83.81
• Surprice Car Rental – Rome – 2 days – €52.21
• Ace – Naples – 2 days – €64.25 

Are you thinking of checking out some of the Italian islands? Ferries are readily available to Capri, Sardinia, and Sicily. You have a couple of companies to choose from when taking a ferry in Italy; Caremar and Alilauro offer a significant number of routes each day. I used Caremar to get to Capri and found them to be fast and safe, which is all you want. Each of these operates from various ports around the country, and their prices vary. Let’s consider how much you should pay for some journeys.

• Naples to Sorrento with Alilauro – €16.50
• Sorrento to Capri with Caremar – €21.43
• Genoa to Porto Torres (Sardinia) with Tirrenia – €39.97
• Villa San Giovanni to Messina (Sicily) with Caronte and Tourist – €3.30

The average cost of transport per day in Italy is €11.

The Cost of Food in Italy

What everyone really comes to Italy for is the appetizing food. Honestly, no words can describe how good Italian food is when you actually get the chance to taste it in Italy. Not a single country’s cuisine gets even close to being as good as Italy’s. 

Your first few days, you’ll probably stick to the dishes you know, like pizza, bolognese, etc., but I recommend you get a bit adventurous and sample some plates you’ve never even heard of. Trust me. You won’t be disappointed.

The food in Italy is less expensive than you think. Once you’re not eating outside major tourist attractions like the Colosseum or in St.Mark’s Square, you’ll be fine. Plus, the food in those places isn’t even that good half of the time. There’s always a lovely little restaurant waiting to be discovered down a quaint alleyway in every city you visit.

Below, I have listed all the delicious food I ate on my trip and how much you should roughly pay for each dish.

Breakfast Prices in Italy

Frittata – I ate Frittata wherever I could get it. It’s similar to an omelet, but I preferred them. They’re made with egg, bacon, cheese, and vegetables. You can get your hands on one of these for as little as six euros, and they’re so good. 

Croissant and coffee – No matter where you are in Italy, there will always be somewhere serving croissant and coffee deals. Some establishments will sell them for as little as 2.50. It’s nice when you’re not too hungry and just need a bit of fuel. The coffee culture in Italy is pretty interesting. In the mornings, you’ll see bustling coffee shops with no seats inside and dozens of people crammed into a bar-like setting just drinking coffee and chatting away. 

More typical breakfast prices in Italy: 

• A sandwich from a corner shop – €4 to €5 
• A pastry from a bakery – €1 to €2

Lunch Prices in Italy

Panzerotto – A fried savory dough turnover like a calzone filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce. They’re often sold at bakery stalls for between €1.50 to €3.

Panino – Like a panini, only it’s served with Italian bread. Often you’ll see them sold at coffee shops, and they’ll have a couple of types with different fillings, e.g., ham and cheese or pepperoni and lettuce.

More typical lunch prices in Italy: 

• Fruit from a supermarket – €1 to €2
• Bread and cheese from an alimentari – €2 to €3
• Piadino (an Italian flatbread) – €2 to €4

Dinner Prices in Italy

I could spend all day writing about dinner in Italy, so I’m going to keep this simple and give you prices for the standard dishes.

Pizza – Come on, who doesn’t love pizza? You can find a margarita pizza for 6 to 7 in some places. If you manage to visit Naples, the home of pizza, you can find some for as little as €3.50. The best pizza I had in my life was there at a restaurant called Gino e Toto Sorbillo.

Spaghetti pasta arrabbiata – Do you like spicy pasta? Anyone who does will already know what arrabbiata is. The sauce is made from garlic, peppers, and tomatoes. I was lucky to try this scrummy dish in a small eatery in Venice, away from all the tourist sights, and it only cost €6.

Spaghetti carbonara – A dish that originates from Rome, made with eggs, cheese, pork, black pepper, and spaghetti. Again, like a lot of pasta dishes, you can get them from €6 in some places if you’re lucky.

More typical dinner prices in Italy: 

• Fettuccine alfredo in a fancy restaurant – €15
• Lasagne – €7+
• Risotto alla Milanese – €16 +
• Gnocchi – €6

You could spend a lot of money on Italian food. It depends on where you’re eating. I made it my mission to eat at more local restaurants because that was the advice I was given by friends before I arrived. I’m glad I did because these places gave me some of the best meals I have ever had.

When it comes to alcohol, it can be affordable. A bottle of wine to split with your partner costs around €13 to €14 in a restaurant, and local beer like Peroni and Birra Moretti costs between €3 to €4 a bottle. 

Since you’re in Italy, you must try a shot of Limoncello, an Italian lemon liquor typically served as a digestivo after your meal. A shot will only set you back €2, but sometimes, you’ll be given one for free if you’ve splashed some cash on your meal.

Food Budgets for Different Types of Travelers

Anyone on a tight budget might prefer to source ingredients and cook in their Airbnb. This option is cheaper than buying every meal in a restaurant, but I suggest eating out when you can because food is a big part of the Italian experience. 

If you were to cook all of your meals in an apartment, you could get by on €10 a day. I found supermarkets to be inexpensive. I often purchase some bread and cheese on the go, which costs about €1.50.

If you’re not fond of a glass of wine or beer in the evenings after a long day, you should budget between €18 and €25 a day. You could spend less or more depending on your eating habits.

Some of the luxurious restaurants in Italy are incredible. Imagine indulging in some linguine all’astice while watching the sun down by Lake Como. If you’re a fan of these types of meals and plan on spending a considerable amount on fancy restaurants, expect to spend at least €100 a day on food.

The average cost of food per day in Italy is €18.

The Cost of Activities in Italy 

I saw so many amazing sights in Italy, from the Pantheon in Rome to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. There’s no way I could have seen it all. I would’ve needed months to see and do everything. 

My advice is to map out your must-do attractions and then determine what others you can squeeze in along the way. If you try to cram too much, you’ll end up exhausted and run out of energy halfway through your trip.

See my breakdown with costs below:

Duomo Di Milano – €16.50 per person, including rooftop ticket. The Milan Cathedral is an impressive landmark known for its exquisite architectural designs, stained glass windows with pictures depicting scenes from the bible, and marble staircases. Don’t leave without climbing to the structure’s ceiling, where you can catch a fantastic view of the city.

Take a gondola ride in Venice – €64.50 for a small group of five people. Embark on an enchanting private 45-minute gondola boat trip through Venice’s world-famous canals. Float through the Canal Grande with your own sailor. 

Mine was informative, even with his basic understanding of language; he was able to tell me lots of great facts. Enjoy the views with your significant other, discovering the city’s hidden gems, which can only be found on a gondola.

Check out the Statue of David in Florence – €19.50 for a timed entrance ticket. The 5.17 meter-high Statue of David stands tall in the Accademia Gallery in Florence. You’ll be surprised at how much bigger it is in person than in pictures. 

Besides the statue, the gallery itself is fascinating, displaying Michaelangelo’s best pieces of work like ‘the Prisoners’ and ‘St. Matthew.’ Each ticket has a time slot to ensure the museum doesn’t get too full. So I recommend purchasing your ticket beforehand to avoid disappointment. Buying tickets at the entrance is possible, but I wouldn’t risk it.

Visit the Vatican in Rome – €29 for an early morning tour with a dome climb. Step back in time and experience St. Peter’s Basilica. Wander through St Peter’s Square early in the morning before crowds flood the area. Learn about the Vatican’s history and the influence it has on Italian society still to this day from an experienced tour guide. 

I booked my tickets with Get Your Guide because they have their separate entrance line at the Vatican. This way, you won’t have to line up for hours trying to get in. I visited in July, and the crowds were insane, so I was lucky I bought my ticket with Get Your Guide beforehand.

Walk through one of the seven wonders of the world, The Colosseum – €22 for Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill Entry Tickets. Learn about ancient Rome and admire what’s left of the Roman Empire’s structures. Skip the line ahead of everyone else with your fast-track access. 

Pave the way with the downloadable map you get when you make a booking, so you find all the sights you want to see. The ticket includes access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. 

All of the attractions are in the same area, but you’ll have to leave the exit gate of the Colosseum to access the others. I got confused when I was there, so I just asked a staff member, and they guided me in the right direction.

Explore the Catacombs in Naples – €11 for an entrance ticket. Take a trip underground, where you can find monumental basilicas and ancient frescoes that date back over 1000 years ago. You’ll be shocked to see that all this is hiding beneath the surface. 

Learn about the tragedy of Pompeii – €52.25 for a private tour with an archaeologist . Join a professional archaeologist as they take you through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii. Wander around the preserved city that witnessed a tragic volcanic eruption in 79 AD. 

If you’re a history buff like myself, you’re going to want to go on a private tour to hear all about the stories and nitty gritty bits of information that you wouldn’t learn about alone. It’s an eye-opening experience and well worth paying the extra money. Plus, it’s not every day you get the chance to have a one to one with an archaeologist and ask them any question you like.

Other must-have experiences in Italy: 

• Take a wine tour in Tuscany
• See Lake Garda and Verona on a day trip from Milan
• Hike through the Dolomites
• Visit Sassi Di Matera
• Check out the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The average cost of activities per day in Italy is €20.

There you have it. I have listed all your possible expenses for when you travel to Italy. Now it’s time to show you how much you should expect to spend per day overall.

• Accommodation: €29 a night for a budget traveler + €120 for a mid-range traveler
• Transportation: €11 per day
• Food: €10 per day for a budget traveler + €18 for a mid-range traveler
• Activities: €20 per day

Total expenses for each day – €70 (budget traveler) or €169 (mid-range traveler).

If you travel with somebody, your spending will likely be a bit lower because you can split the costs with them. Italy is an outstanding country that you’re going to love. Try not to do too much and explore fewer places in more depth.

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Cost of Vacation in Italy: Budgeting for Your Dream Trip

Key Takeaways

• The overall cost of vacation in Italy is influenced by accommodation, transportation, and dining choices.
• Planning a budget should include considerations for sightseeing and incidental expenses .
• Italy offers a range of options to suit various budgets , from economical to luxury travel experiences .

A vacation in Italy offers travelers a chance to explore a country with a rich history, iconic art, vibrant culture, and delicious cuisine.

The cost of a trip to Italy can vary significantly based on several factors including the type of accommodation chosen, the mode of transport used for getting around, the dining experiences desired, and the range of sights and activities on the itinerary.

Whether it's savoring a meal in a traditional trattoria, admiring ancient ruins, or enjoying the country's natural landscapes, each choice directly impacts the overall budget.

Evaluating the daily budget is essential when planning a trip to Italy . Costs can range from affordable to luxurious, with options to fit the financial considerations of a variety of travelers.

Accommodations range from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels , while transportation choices include economical public transit or a more expensive rental car.

Expenses for your own meals can also vary greatly, from grabbing a quick pizza to dining at upscale restaurants.

Visitors should also factor in entrance fees for attractions, which can add up, especially for those keen on visiting multiple landmarks and museums.

Accommodation Costs in Italy

The variety of accommodation options in Italy caters to a broad spectrum of travelers, from those on a shoestring budget to those seeking the ultimate in luxury.

Prices fluctuate considerably depending on the location, season, and the level of comfort desired.

Budget Accommodations: Hostels and Budget Hotels

For budget-conscious travelers, hostels and budget hotels offer the most economical lodging options.

Prices for a hostel bed can range from as low as €20 to €50 per night , depending on the city and time of year.

Budget hotels tend to cost slightly more, with average daily costs for a budget hotel room around €50 to €100 .

Mid-range Accommodations: Hotels and B&Bs

Mid-range travelers can find comfortable accommodations in hotels or bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) with prices typically between €100 to €200 per night for a double-occupancy room.

These establishments often provide a more personalized experience and may include amenities such as free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

Luxury Accommodations: 5-star Hotels and Resorts

For a taste of luxury, 5-star hotels and upscale resorts in premiere locations like Rome, Venice, Milan, the Amalfi Coast , and Cinque Terre provide lavish amenities with prices starting from €300 and can soar well above €1000 per night.

These opulent accommodations often boast prime locations, exquisite dining options, and exceptional service.

Seasonal Price Variations

Accommodation prices in Italy can vary greatly with the season.

The high season, generally from June to August , sees the highest prices, especially in tourist hotspots like Florence and near major attractions like the Colosseum.

During the low season, generally, from November to March, travelers can often find lower prices and deals except in December during holiday festivities.

Visiting in the shoulder seasons, such as October , can result in a good balance of lower costs and pleasant weather, making it a good time to book hotels and enjoy the country's offerings.

Tips for Finding the Best Accommodation Deals

To secure the best rates, book in advance, especially if traveling during peak season. For last-minute travel, hotel booking websites often offer discounts on unsold rooms.

Staying slightly outside the main tourist areas can also reduce costs significantly; for example, rather than staying in central Venice , consider nearby locations such as Mestre or even Padua for better deals.

Utilize customer reviews on platforms like Booking to gauge the quality and value of accommodations.

Consider alternative accommodations like Airbnb for a local and potentially more affordable experience.

Using these guidelines, travelers can effectively plan their accommodation budget for a trip to Italy that aligns with their financial parameters and travel style.

Transportation Costs Within Italy

When budgeting for a trip to Italy, a significant portion of the budget will go towards transportation within the country.

Transportation options vary greatly and include public transportation, car rentals, domestic flights, and taxis or rideshare services. Making informed choices can help manage these expenses effectively.

Public Transportation: Buses and Trains

Public transport is widely available across Italy with trains and buses being practical options for getting around.

Major Italian cities like Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan have extensive networks. On average, a round-trip ticket for regional trains may range from €4 to €25, depending on the distance and train type.

The high-speed trains, such as the Frecciarossa, offer faster travel at a higher cost.

For budget travelers, services like Trenitalia and Italo can be economical, especially when booked in advance.

The cost for buses, like those operated by Flixbus or local services, tends to be lower, offering an affordable alternative for sightseeing and for city center transfers.

Car Rentals and Fuel Costs

Renting a car provides flexibility, especially for exploring rural areas or the Amalfi Coast.

Average rental prices can start from €30 to €50 per day, excluding fuel costs.

Fuel prices fluctuate but hover around €1.5 to €1.7 per liter. Remember to factor in parking expenses, which can vary widely by city; for instance, marked roads with a white line usually denote free parking zones.

Domestic Flights

For longer distances, such as traveling from Rome to Sicily , domestic flights can save time.

However, flights can be pricier, with costs depending on the season, booking time, and carrier. It is not uncommon for flight prices to range from €50 to €200.

Low-cost carriers may offer competitive rates, particularly for those who book well in advance.

Taxis and Rideshare Services

Taxis are a convenient option, especially when public transport is not available or when carrying heavy luggage.

Taxi fares start with a base rate of about €3-€5 and increase by distance.

Rideshare applications, such as Uber, are available in major cities and may offer slightly lower fares compared to traditional taxis.

Cost-saving Tips for Transportation

• Book in Advance: Train and flight tickets are often cheaper when purchased ahead of time.
• Use Regional Trains: Opt for slower regional trains for significantly lower fares compared to high-speed services.
• Consider Transportation Passes: City or regional transportation passes can offer unlimited travel within a certain period, leading to savings.
• Shared Transportation: Sharing rides or rental costs with fellow travelers can reduce expenses significantly.

For more tips on how to plan your trip to Italy, including budgeting for transportation, you can visit this guide to arranging your dream vacation: How to Plan a Trip to Italy | Guide to Your Dream Vacation .

Food and Dining Expenses

Italy offers a diverse culinary journey, from budget-friendly options to luxurious dining experiences, all showcasing the rich regional flavors of the country.

Average Cost of Meals: Budget vs. Upscale Dining

Budget travelers in Italy can typically expect to spend around €10 for a simple yet delicious meal, such as pizza or pasta dishes, in casual eateries or from street vendors.

Upscale dining in cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan will see an average price of around €50 per person, where diners can indulge in a three-course meal often accompanied by regional wine.

Cost of Groceries for Self-catering

For those who want to save money and are opting to self-cater via an Airbnb or similar accommodation, basic grocery costs for a day's meals could range from €15 to €20.

This assumes the purchase of ingredients for classic Italian fare such as pasta, fresh vegetables, locally-produced cheeses, and a bottle of wine .

Regional Price Differences

Dining expenses vary by region, with major tourist cities like Venice and Milan typically seeing higher prices.

Bologna and the rolling hills of Tuscany, famed for their culinary contributions, offer mid-range dining options, while Naples , the birthplace of the iconic pizza Margherita , boasts more affordable prices for authentic Italian cuisine .

Tips to Eat Well on a Budget

• Consider the 'pranzo fisso' or fixed-price lunch menus for good value.
• Purchase fresh produce from local markets and prepare meals at your accommodation.
• Avoid tourist traps; seek out where locals eat, often just a few streets away from main attractions.
• Gelato and espresso are affordable treats, allowing travelers to enjoy Italy’s famous desserts and coffee culture without overspending.

In Italy, food is much more than sustenance—it is a window into the culture and a reflection of regional traditions, from the pasta dishes of Rome to the succulent seafood of coastal towns.

Sightseeing and Attractions

When traveling to Italy, exploring the rich tapestry of sightseeing options is essential to experience the culture and history.

From iconic ancient ruins in Rome to the picturesque canals of Venice and the art heritage of Florence, visitors should budget for various attraction costs, including entry fees, guided tours, and city passes .

Entry Fees for Major Tourist Attractions

• Colosseum : Expect to pay around €16 for a standard ticket.
• Vatican Museums : Admission is approximately €17.
• Uffizi Gallery , Florence: Tickets are around €20.

Museum and Gallery Costs

• General Admission : Typically ranges from €5 to €25.
• Special Exhibits : Additional fees may apply for temporary exhibitions.

Guided Tours and Excursion Rates

• Group Tours : Around €25 to €100 depending on the duration and exclusivity.
• Private Tours : Can exceed €150 for a personalized experience.

City Pass Options to Save on Attractions

• Rome Pass : Starts from €32 for 48 hours, includes free entry to two attractions, and discounts thereafter.
• Venice Card : Various options that can include transport and entry to museums and churches.

Free Activities and Sights

• Pantheon , Rome: No entry fee.
• St. Mark's Square , Venice: Free to visit, though basilica entry has a fee.
• Walking Tours : Many cities offer 'free' walking tours ( tipping in Italy  is not mandatory but expected).

Each of these attractions and activities adds unique insight and value to the Italy trip cost, complementing the overall sightseeing experience.

Daily Budget Estimates

When planning a vacation to Italy, it's essential to establish a daily budget that aligns with your travel style, from budget-friendly to luxurious.

Understanding the range of expenses you’re likely to encounter can help you plan a trip that's both enjoyable and financially feasible.

Budget Travel Daily Cost Estimates

For those looking to explore Italy on a shoestring, budget travel costs on average about $70 per day.

This accounts for frugal meal options, such as local eateries or self-catering, which typically cost around €10 .

Additional daily expenses include modest accommodations, public transportation, and free to low-cost activities.

For instance, a visit to how many days you need in Italy can provide insights into planning a cost-effective itinerary that maximizes the travel experience within a limited budget.

Mid-Range Travel Daily Cost Estimates

Travelers seeking a mid-range experience can expect to spend approximately $150 to $240 per day.

This caters to staying in mid-tier hotels or B&Bs, dining at casual restaurants, and occasionally splurging on a nicer meal, with daily meals averaging $49 (€45) .

Using Italy’s convenient train system that boasts a train station in the country's key points of interest, and partaking in group tours for sights like the Colosseum maximizes a mid-range budget.

Shared expenses with travel companions and wisely chosen local experiences, like those outlined in travel resources, can improve the cost-efficiency of your trip.

Luxury Travel Daily Cost Estimates

For luxury travelers , a day in Italy might cost upwards of $300 . This includes opulent accommodations, fine dining, private tours, and exclusive experiences.

High-end hotels average $272 (€250) per night, though luxury alternatives can be significantly more.

Transportation is likely to be private or premium rentals, and the budget must account for top-tier tourist attraction fees.

Additional Expenses

When planning a trip to Italy, travelers should account for additional expenses outside of the typical categories of flights, accommodations, and food.

These can include shopping, entertainment, and unexpected costs, which can vary greatly depending on personal preferences and travel style.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Italy offers a range of shopping experiences from luxury brands to local markets.

Travelers should budget for souvenirs and gifts, with expenses ranging from a few euros for small trinkets to several hundred for high-quality leather goods or designer fashion.

• Postcards, magnets: €1 - €5
• Leather goods (wallets, belts): €30 - €150
• Designer clothes, luxury items: €200+

Entertainment and Nightlife

The entertainment and nightlife in Italy cost will largely depend on a traveler's preferences. A ticket to the opera or a high-end club can cost significantly more than a casual evening at a local bar.

• Opera or theater ticket: €30 - €150
• Club entry fee: €10 - €30
• Cocktail at a bar: €5 - €15

Travel Insurance

Purchasing travel insurance is advisable as it can cover unexpected events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Costs can vary widely, but basic plans can start from around €25 and go up with comprehensive coverage and higher limits.

• Basic coverage: from €25
• Comprehensive coverage: €100+

Unexpected Costs

Travelers should always prepare for unexpected costs , such as emergency purchases, additional transport fares, or tips for services.

It's beneficial to have a contingency budget that is around 10% to 15% of the total trip cost to cover any unforeseen expenses.

• Extra travel fares: €10 - €50
• Emergency purchases (e.g., medication, clothing): €5 - €100
• Tips for services (optional in Italy, appreciated for exceptional service): €1 - €5 per instance

Sample Budgets for Italy Vacations

When planning a trip to Italy, understanding the actual costs of potential expenses can help you allocate your budget effectively. Here you'll find sample budgets tailored for different types of travelers to Italy.

Example Budget for a Solo Traveler

Accommodation : Budget options such as hostels start at approximately $50 per night.

Food : Budgeting around $30 a day for simple meals and groceries.

Activities : Setting aside $20 per day to cover entrance fees for attractions.

Transportation : Using a mix of public transport, estimate around $25 per day.

Total Estimated Daily Budget : $125

Example Budget for a Couple

Accommodation : Double-occupancy hotel rooms average about $270 per night.

Food : Dining out for two may cost about $80 per day.

Activities : Approximately $40 daily for tickets and tours for both.

Transport : Couples can budget $50 daily for car rentals or train passes.

Total Estimated Daily Budget : $320

Example Budget for a Family

Considering a family of four and including child-friendly activities, the cost dynamics change.

Information from the guide to family travel in Italy suggests accounting for family accommodations, group transport, and activities that everyone can enjoy.

Accommodation : Family-oriented stays such as vacation rentals may average $270 per night.

Food : An estimated $120 a day to feed a family, with occasional treats like gelato.

Activities : $80 a day for family tickets to attractions and experiences.

Transportation : Rental vehicles or family train tickets could total around $70 per day.

Total Estimated Daily Budget : $470

How to Adjust the Budget for Different Trip Durations

For shorter trips, prioritize the experiences you most desire; transportation and activities can consume a larger portion of your budget.

For extended stays, consider longer-term rentals or rail passes for savings, and capitalize on free attractions to stretch your budget.

• Short Trip (3-7 days) : Aim to spend more on experiences since time is limited.
• Extended Trip (Over 7 days) : Look for cost-saving opportunities and the possibility of cooking meals at accommodations.

Final Thoughts

The cost of a vacation in Italy can vary significantly based on several factors including transportation, accommodation, dining, sightseeing, and shopping preferences.

On average, a mid-range budget traveler spending about $150 per day can enjoy comfortable accommodations when they visit Italy, savor local cuisine, and experience Italy's rich culture and attractions .

For those considering accommodation and dining options, prices will fluctuate based on location and type.

Staying in mid-range hotels or Airbnb and dining at moderately priced restaurants typically keep daily costs within a reasonable range.

Transportation, often by Italy's convenient trains, is a cost-effective and efficient way to explore the country. Group tours can provide affordable opportunities for experiencing top attractions.

An Italy travel budget requires a balance between one's expectations and financial limits , allowing travelers to tailor their experiences to both personal interests and trip budget constraints on their trip to Italy.

Here is a summary of an estimated trip to Italy cost:

• Per-day cost for a mid-range traveler : $150
• Accommodation : Mid-range hotels or Airbnb
• Dining : $$ restaurants
• Transportation : Public trains, rental cars
• Sightseeing : Group tours, ticketed attractions

For travelers flying from Europe and renting a car, daily expenses can be around $240.

Those coming from the US may see this figure rise to $295. It's important to account for these variables when planning an Italian vacation.

Of course, for a more in-depth look at what your trip to Italy can look like, you can take a peek at our Italy vacation packages. lake

You can also contact our team of experts so they can design a bespoke Italy itinerary that accommodates your desires and budget!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should i budget for a one-week trip to italy.

If you're contemplating how much a trip to Italy costs for one week, travelers should anticipate spending on average between $3,229 and $6,977, which allows for a range of accommodations, dining experiences, and sightseeing activities.

What is the estimated cost for a couple traveling to Italy for a vacation?

Couples should budget for approximately $1,225 per person per day, which includes flights, accommodations, food, transport, and entertainment, though expenses may vary based on choices and lifestyle.

Can you break down the expenses for a family of four visiting Italy?

A family of four can expect to spend about $3,229 to $6,977 for a 1-week vacation, which encompasses food, travel, attractions, lodging, and airfare.

What are the typical costs associated with a 10-day Italian itinerary?

For a 10-day venture, travelers should budget for daily expenses of roughly $240 to $295 per person, with the higher end accounting for intercontinental flights and car rentals.

What are the average daily expenses one should expect when traveling in Italy?

Typical daily expenses can amount to around $1,225 per person, which includes a stay at a mid-range hotel, meals, local transportation, and visiting points of interest.

For a month-long stay, what is the overall financial outlay required for a visit to Italy?

Travelers planning a month-long stay can expect considerable variation in expenses, with daily costs averaging $1,225 per person, which would result in a total upwards of $36,750, factoring in all aspects of the trip.

Travel Cost Calculator

Quick links, trip pricing calculator.

Travelmath provides an online cost calculator to help you determine the cost of driving between cities. You can use this data to figure out a budget for a road trip. The driving calculation is based on the average fuel efficiency of your vehicle, and you can change the gas mileage in mpg or L/100 km to match your exact make and model. Gas prices are automatically estimated based on current fluctuations, and again you can adjust these to fit your local gas station prices. Both U.S. and international units are available to make the calculations easier to use, and the output is given for both one-way and round trip travel routes.

Check the driving distance for your planned route, and see if the total driving time requires an overnight stay. If it's a long trip, you may want to research some hotels along the way . Or compare whether it's better to fly or drive to your destination.

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Politics | Gov. Maura Healey, Mayor Michelle Wu plan to…

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Politics | text message on john o’keefe a cliffhanger in karen read trial, politics | gov. maura healey, mayor michelle wu plan to use public dollars to pay for italy trip, cost estimates for trip not available until its conclusion, spokespeople tell herald.

Healey and Wu were invited by the pope to provide a keynote address at the opening session of a climate-focused conference hosted by the Vatican. The governor has pitched the trip as a way to strengthen the state’s economic and diplomatic ties to Italy, which is Massachusetts’ tenth largest trading partner, according to Healey’s office.

Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand said Healey plans to pay for the trip with money from the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund , a multi-million dollar account used to promote tourism in the state and help regional tourism councils. It is in-part funded by the tax on gross gaming revenues generated by local casinos, according to state law .

The fund is administered by the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership , which was created in 2010 to coordinate marketing efforts on behalf of the state. The partnership has 11 board members and includes the Office of Travel and Tourism and the Office of International Trade, according to the state.

“The (Massachusetts Marketing Partnership) is the central entity for marketing initiatives on behalf of the commonwealth, including efforts to advance travel and tourism, international trade and economic development. We will not have the cost until the conclusion of the trip,” Hand said in a statement to the Herald.

Healey is traveling to Rome, Italy with her climate chief, Melissa Hoffer, and three aides — a director of operations, the director of scheduling and senior executive assistant to the governor, and Hand, according to the statement from her office.

Healey’s trade trip to Ireland last year cost roughly $83,000 , which was largely covered by state funds and some private dollars.

A spokesperson for Wu, Ricardo Patrón, said the City of Boston plans to cover the mayor’s flights to and from Italy and her hotel stays.

“She’s going in her official capacity as mayor. It’s a work trip for her so we are using public dollars,” Patrón told the Herald Wednesday afternoon.

Wu plans to travel with Oliver Sellers-Garcia, the city’s Green New Deal director, and a communications staff member.

A detailed itinerary for Wu is expected to be released later this week, Patrón said.

A schedule sent out earlier this week by Healey showed the pair meeting with Pope Francis on Thursday at 10:40 a.m. Rome time, or about 4:40 a.m. in Boston.

Healey said she is “excited” to pitch Massachusetts’ climate and economic standing on the “global stage” and to make a case for businesses to grow in the Bay State.

“Massachusetts deeply values our close relationship with Italy and the Vatican City State, and we see this trip as an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties and strategize on future opportunities for collaboration,” Healey said in a statement earlier this week.

At the outset of the trip, Healey and Hoffer plan to attend a business roundtable followed by a meeting with Ambassador to the Holy See Joe Donnelly. Healey offers her keynote address Wednesday, when she will also participate in two panel discussions.

After meeting with Pope Francis Thursday, Healey, UMass Boston Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, and researcher Ram Ramanathan will discuss “the sub-regional summits that took place during the course of the summit.”

“The session will end with proposals from all mayors and governors on next steps,” Healey’s schedule said.

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Money blog: How to sell your home without an estate agent - and save thousands

How easy is it to sell your home without an estate agent - and how much could it save you? We spoke to industry experts to find out. Read this and our other Weekend Money content below, and let us know your thoughts. We'll be back with live updates on Monday.

Saturday 18 May 2024 09:05, UK

Weekend Money

• How to sell your home without an estate agent
• Tourist taxes to watch out for in popular holiday destinations
• Childcare vouchers, hard work and new skyscrapers: What readers have said this week
• Three things you need to know from Money this week

Best of the week

• The rise of Michelin starred 'fast food'
• How much do buskers make?
• Basically... What is PIP - and what could government changes mean?
• How to make sure your car passes its MOT
• Money Problem : My workplace wants to pay us by the minute - what can I do?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

By Ollie Cooper , Money team

Estate agent fees are one of the big expenses in selling a house - but rule changes and the rise of private sale websites have made it more common for people to go it alone.

But how easy is it - and what do you need to know? We spoke to industry experts to find out.

Firstly, what do estate agents do for their money?

An estate agent will typically charge in the range of 1%-3.5% of the sale price. 

That means for the average house price (£284,691 from December) you could pay anywhere from £2,846 to £9,964 in commission fees.

"When you use an estate agent, their fee includes taking professional photographs, advertising your home, conducting property viewings, and negotiating a price on your behalf," says Jack Smithson  from the home ownership site  Better.co.uk .

In addition, an estate agent will compile comprehensive details of your house, including room sizes and descriptions of fixtures and fittings. 

"They will also provide a concise write-up about the local area, highlighting amenities, schools, and transportation links," Jack adds. 

And they'll conduct checks on buyers for you (more on this later).

It sounds like a lot, but...

"Selling your home yourself can be a manageable process with a few key steps," Jack says.

Preparation 

You should begin by thoroughly researching house prices in your area, using websites like Rightmove and Zoopla - but seek free valuations from local estate agents to ensure you have a realistic asking price in mind.

Next, you want to take high-quality photos of your house.

Jack advises using tutorials on YouTube to learn new shooting and editing techniques that can take you to the next level.

You then want to write down what makes your home unique.

"While browsing other listings for inspiration, take it a step further by emphasising what you love about living in your home and the surrounding area," Jack suggests.

"Whether it's the refreshing scent of the coastline or the tranquil sounds of village life, incorporating these details can help potential buyers visualise living there," he advises. 

Like using YouTube for photography tips, you can use free tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly if you need help with your writing, Jack says. 

Advertising

This is probably the biggest perk of going through an established estate agent - your home is much more likely to be viewed because they will have an established audience and a market. But it's very possible to do it alone. 

"When it comes to advertising your home, explore a variety of avenues including local newspapers and social media," Jack says.

"Consider using websites like Strike, which allow individuals to list their properties for free on platforms like Rightmove," he suggests.

Viewings 

Once you've secured some viewings, you've got the opportunity to make it a bit more personal than estate agents ever could - a real advantage. 

"Explain the reasons behind your decision to purchase the property, highlight its unique features, and share the aspects of your neighbourhood that make it a desirable place to live," Jack says. 

The small things matter when showing people round - so try to take an objective look around before you bring anyone in.

Do the things you'd do normally - make sure it smells nice and it's clean and tidy.

"Lastly, it's worth knowing that you must legally provide potential buyers with a free Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)."

The sale itself

Perhaps the most daunting aspect is the physical exchange of contracts and money. 

An estate agent would typically oversee the process of the initial offer acceptance to the transfer of keys to the new owner.

However, if you go it alone, you'll need to become the central point of contact - bridging the gap between your solicitor or conveyancer and the buyer and their legal representative.

"Once you've accepted an offer on your property, your first task is to draft what's called a memorandum of sale," Jack says.  

This document is a written confirmation of your acceptance of the offer and details the agreed price along with any specific conditions you've both agreed to.

"It's then recommended to engage the services of a solicitor or conveyancer to ensure all legal obligations are met," Jack says (of course, you'll need to do this even if you have an estate agent).

The cost of hiring one typically ranges from a few hundred to over £1,000, depending on factors such as fixed fees, hourly rates, the complexity of the sale and additional costs like property searches or land registry fees.

"In the absence of an estate agent, you'll be responsible for keeping your buyer informed about the progress of the sale. This involves regular updates on the status of legal procedures and any relevant developments," Jack says, before adding that this can actually be a good thing.

"By taking on these responsibilities independently, you'll have greater control over the sale process. However, it will require you to be exceptionally organised, and you'll need to be very good at communicating too."  

Any risks to be aware of?

Rita Patel, legal director at law firm  Browne Jacobson , tells us the biggest risk for people selling their properties without an estate agent is the lack of a vetting and verification process of the potential buyer.

Estate agents will verify the buyer's identity and check the buyer's proof and source of funds - without this, there's no way to assess the buyer is legitimate and can afford to buy.

"Whilst this process is something lawyers can help with, this is often at an additional cost, and you'll need to start from square one if there is an issue with a potential buyer's identification and/or financial eligibility," Rita says. 

More generally, selling without an agent can extend the time it takes to sell. 

"Zoopla suggests this timeframe is normally around 17-34 weeks, but with no one on hand to consistently promote and drive the property sale at all stages, going solo drags this process out," Rita says. 

"Agents can also help mediate any potential breakdowns in communication between the buyer and seller - reducing the likelihood of having to go back to market and start again."

The advantages

Laura Owen-Brown, a PR manager from Gloucestershire, tells us she is set to sell her house without an estate agent in the near future.

"My disappointment with estate agents stems from their lack of familiarity with the properties they attempted to sell me when I was buying my current house," she says. 

"They couldn't tell me about the details that truly matter, like the optimal times for sunlight in the garden, how much council tax I'd pay, what the roof was made of, the places I could walk my dog off lead or the impact of post-football match traffic on Sundays.

"These types of details can shape the experience of living in a house for years and are just as important as the square footage, EPC rating or how many bedrooms a property has," she adds. 

She says the current "transactional" approach to selling houses feels "impersonal and outdated" to her. 

"Yes, I'll have to handle more admin, but the savings in both money and time will make it worthwhile. Liaising with buyers and solicitors directly without a third party slowing everything down will mean I can be in control and have transparency throughout the process, especially during negotiations," she says.

All in all...

As Laura says, it's very much a case of whether you can stomach the admin and are happy to take the risks on background financial checks. 

If you are aware of all the above and willing to take on the organisational burden, you could save yourself a serious chunk of cash. 

As we've been reporting in the Money blog over the last few months, an increasing number of cities are either imposing or increasing the cost of tourist taxes on visitors. 

Many say they are preventing damages from overtourism, as well as funding local infrastructure and businesses. 

Here are the latest tourist fees for the most popular spots in Europe...

Tourists visiting Venice for the day will have to pay a €5 entry fee to enter the city between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm.

Meanwhile, those staying overnight in Venice are charged a fee between €1 to €5 within the accommodation price for the first five consecutive nights.

People visiting the Spanish city now have to pay €3.25 if they're staying in official accommodation, up from €2.75.

Manchester 

Visitors must pay £1 per room, per night across 73 hotels. 

The scheme, which has raised more than £2m within a year, is for improvements to attract more tourists.

Tourists must pay €2 per person for every night they stay, although this is only applied for a maximum of seven nights.

The Greek government has introduced a Climate Crisis Resilience Fee to charge tourists anywhere from €0.50 to €10 per room, per night.

The amount depends on the hotel category and the time of year.

Visitors to the Croatian city must pay €2.65 per person, per night throughout April to September. 

However, the fee has been temporarily reduced to €1.86 for the rest of this year.

Different amounts are charged depending on the type of accommodation.

The most expensive charge is €14.95 for a stay in palaces, and €0.65 at one or two-star campsites, per person, per night. 

Those staying in a typical four-star hotel are charged around €8.

Those staying in the Hungarian capital are charged an additional 4% each night, which is calculated based on the price of the room.

Tourists in Berlin must pay 5% of the room price, excluding VAT and service fees.

The tourist tax here has increased from €0.82 to €1.97 per day. 

Prices researched by travel insurance site Quotezone.co.uk

The main topics from the Money blog that got you commenting this week were...

Government-funded childcare

• Michel Roux Jr's comments about the future of the restaurant industry 

Nearly 600 new skyscrapers for London

From last Sunday, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old in England have been able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

Those hours can be claimed from September. 

Some readers pointed out the T&Cs... 

This 15 hrs a week is for term time ONLY. So full-time working parents will have to either tell their employer they can't work in school holidays or pro-rata it across the year which is 10 hours a week. Yvonne grandma

Others said it spoke to issues in the wider childcare sector...

Is the government going to give pay rises to nursery staff? They are very low paid staff, and can't get enough staff as it is!! Nurseries may have to close if they don't get staff, so parents won't be able to take up the offer!! What is the government going to do about it? Carol

Chefs or delivery drivers?

Celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr has suggested that restaurants may only open three days per week because young people prefer other jobs - like delivering parcels. 

"Just because I worked 80 hours a week or more doesn't mean the next generation should," he said. 

"Quite the contrary. That is something that we have to address in our industry."

Readers said...

That's because one [job] is on the verge of slave labour and one definitely is slave labour. And the latter I'm referring to is working in a kitchen for a chef.  Realist2024

Spent 35 years working as a chef. Young people nowadays are not willing to do the extra hours (usually unpaid) and work every weekend. Godsends like my generation of chefs did and do.  Bucks

There's been considerable backlash in our comments section after a thinktank said a total of 583 skyscrapers are "queuing up in the pipeline" to be built across central London.

That is more than double the 270 built in the past decade...

"600 new skyscrapers on way for London" while the majority are struggling. When will something serious be done about growing wealth inequality in the UK? A growing economy is useless while the gap between the ultra rich and everyone else increases. Qwerty1

How many unnecessary skyscrapers for London? It's fine, as long as they are not made using steel, glass, concrete or bricks - don't people know there's a climate emergency? Shanghaiwan

Who's paying for it? What about the North? treelectrical

The energy price cap is set to fall by about 7% in July, a respected energy markets researcher has said.

Ahead of next Friday's announcement by Ofgem for the July-September period, Cornwall Insights said: "For a typical dual fuel household, we predict the July price cap to be £1,574 per annum" - a drop from £1,690.

Looking further ahead, it forecasted the cap will rise again slightly in October, before falling in January next year. 

"A predicted 7% drop in energy prices in July is clearly good news, with the price cap looking likely to hit its lowest level in over two years," a spokesperson for Uswitch said. 

Around 100 more prosecutions of sub-postmasters unrelated to the Horizon scandal could be "tainted" , a Sky News investigation has found, as officials worked with now discredited Post Office investigators to secure convictions.

The prosecutions of Post Office staff were led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 2001 and 2006.

It is understood these usually involved the cashing in of stolen order books.

The Post Office itself wrongly prosecuted hundreds of sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015 - based on evidence from the faulty Horizon accounting system.

Read more from our business correspondent Adele Robinson  by clicking  here ...

The UK's mega rich are dwindling in a sign Britain's "billionaire boom has come to an end" , according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

The list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in the guide's history - from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year.

While the combined wealth of the list's 350 wealthiest individuals amounts to more than £795bn - larger than the GDP of Poland - the guide's compiler says time will tell what impact a drop in billionaires could have.

"This year's Sunday Times Rich List suggests Britain's billionaire boom has come to an end," Robert Watts said.

Read on here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

The Body Shop’s administrators are to launch an auction of the chain after concluding that an alternative restructuring of one of Britain’s best-known high street retailers was not viable.

Sky News has learnt that FRP Advisory, which has been overseeing the collapsed business since January, is to begin formally sounding out potential buyers in the coming weeks.

The move raises the prospect of new owners taking control of The Body Shop, which was founded nearly half a century ago.

Read more here ...

The UK's mega rich are dwindling - in a sign Britain's "billionaire boom has come to an end", according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List.

Published today, the list reveals the largest fall in billionaires in the guide's history - from a peak of 177 in 2022 to 165 this year.

"Many of our home-grown entrepreneurs have seen their fortunes fall and some of the global super rich who came here are moving away."

Top of the list is British-Indian businessman Gopi Hinduja and his family, whose wealth of £37.2bn is the largest fortune in the ranking's history.

But other familiar names in the list saw their riches fall, with Sir Richard Branson's total dropping by £2.4bn, which is back to his 2000 level.

Last year's top climber Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who bought a stake in Manchester United this year, fell two positions with a decline of £6.1bn.

Euan Blair, Tony Blair's eldest son, made the list for the first time, as did Sir Lewis Hamilton.

It comes as the UK continues to deal with a cost-of-living crisis, with new figures this week revealing a record 3.1 million food bank parcels were distributed over the course of a year.

The top 10:

• Gopi Hinduja - £37.2bn
• Sir Leonard Blavtanik - £29.2bn
• David and Simon Reuben and family - £24.9bn
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe - £23.5bn
• Sir James Dyson and family - £20.8bn
• Barnaby and Merlin Swire and family - £17.2bn
• Idan Ofer - £14.9bn
• Lakshmi Mittal and family - £14.9bn
• Guy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family - £14.4bn
• John Fredriksen and family - £12.8bn

A group of social media influencers have been charged in relation to promoting an unauthorised investment scheme.

The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) original cast member Lauren Goodger, 37, former Love Island star Biggs Chris, 32, and Celebrity Big Brother winner Scott Timlin, 36, also known as Scotty T, are among seven TV personalities alleged to have been paid to promote the scheme to their combined 4.5 million Instagram followers.

The others charged by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) include former Love Islanders Rebecca Gormley, 26, Jamie Clayton, 32, and Eva Zapico, 25 and TOWIE member Yazmin Oukhellou, 30.

The UK's financial watchdog brought the charges in a crackdown on "finfluencers" who use their online platforms to offer advice and information on various financial topics.

It alleges that between 19 May 2018 and 13 April 2021 Emmanuel Nwanze, 30, and Holly Thompson, 33, used an Instagram account to provide advice on buying and selling investments known as contracts for difference (CFDs) when they were not authorised to do so.

The watchdog said CFDs were high-risk investments used to bet on the price of an asset, in this case the price of foreign currencies.

It previously warned that 80% of customers lost money when investing in CDFs.

Mr Nwanze has been charged with running the scheme. He faces one count of breaching the general prohibition of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

Ms Thompson, Mr Chris, Mr Clayton, Ms Goodger, Ms Gormley, Ms Oukhellou, Mr Timlin and Ms Zapico each face one count of unauthorised communications of financial promotions.

All nine will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 13 June.

The FCA asked anyone who believed they had sustained a loss due to the scheme to contact its consumer contact centre.

A hotel part-owned by Gary Neville and other ex-Manchester United legends has been named one of the best places to work in hospitality. 

Each year, The Caterer releases its top 30 best places for employees in the sector, with the top six featuring some familiar names.

The list is compiled via anonymous employee survey - with no input from managers or owners. 

Hotel Football, the only hotel with a rooftop five-a-side pitch, was among the top six venues selected by employees across the UK. 

The hotel's benefits package was particularly well-praised by those who work there - given that it "prioritises the financial wellbeing of employees during the cost of living challenge".

Management at the hotel, which is situated next to Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, was also praised for enhanced maternity, paternity, parental and adoption leave policies and a strong belief in diversity and inclusion. 

The other five to make up the top six are The Biltmore in Mayfair, Cycas Hospitality (which has 18 locations across the UK), Dalata (which boasts some 1,000 employees), Gleneagles Hotel in Edinburgh and Nobu Hotel in Shoreditch, London. 

The energy price cap is set to fall by about 7% in July, a leading thinktank has said. 

Cornwall Insights said: "For a typical dual fuel household, we predict the July price cap to be £1,574 per annum" - a drop from £1,690.

Looking further ahead, it forecasted the cap to rise again slightly in October, before falling again in January next year. 

Reacting to the news, Uswitch said the predicted drop was "clearly good news". 

"The future still remains uncertain, and with the price cap changing every three months – currently expected to rise in October before falling slightly in January –  it's crucial not to be complacent," Richard Neudegg, director of regulation, said. 

However, "a predicted 7% drop in energy prices in July is clearly good news, with the price cap looking likely to hit its lowest level in over two years", he said. 

He also urged  households who want to lock in rates for price certainty to run a comparison to see what energy tariffs are available to them.

"There are many 12-month fixed tariffs available at rates cheaper than the current price cap, and even some that are 2% below these new predicted July rates," he said. 

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