Travel Budget Planner For Rome

Italy is one of the most expensive countries in Europe to visit, and Rome is one of its more expensive cities. However, you don’t have to be rich to have a great Roman holiday. Even travelers on a budget can experience Rome in style.

Transportation

If you’re coming from the United States, getting to Rome will be the single most expensive part of your trip. Airfare varies depending on your city of departure and the time of year, but expect to spend about $1000 per person roundtrip. Once you land, you’ll need to find a way to get from Fiumicino airport to the city center, about 18 miles away. A convenient train will get you there fastest, for only about $10 per person. A taxi or shuttle can also be arranged, but it will cost quite a bit more: up to $50 per person. Once you’ve made it to the city center, though, your transportation expenses should be minimal.

Rome is a compact city, and most of its main attractions are within walking distance. Buses run frequently, and passes can be purchased for approximately $5 per day. Rome’s subway, the Metro, is relatively limited in terms of where it goes, but it can be accessed with the same tickets and passes that you use for the buses. Because traffic congestion can be a problem, taxi fares can be unpredictable and quite expensive. The easiest way to catch a taxi is to call ahead or to find one of the city’s marked taxi stands. Try to negotiate the rate in advance, because if the meter is running, the charges will pile up fast.

Lodging

Rome’s youth hostels are the cheapest places to stay on your trip. For as low as $20 per night, the accommodations are basic and may not suit everyone. Inexpensive hotels can be found for around $100 per night for a double with a private bathroom. Single rooms and doubles with shared bathroom can be found for around $80 per night. The cheapest hotels are found around Termini train station, but other budget accommodations can be found in nicer areas, like Piazza Navona or Camp De Fiori. Big spenders will find no shortage of luxury accommodations all over the city.

Attractions

Many of Rome’s best attractions are free. Although the Colosseum costs just under $10 per person to tour, you can walk around the Roman Forum for free. Palatine Hill costs an additional $10 per person, but it may be worth the extra money to get away from the crowd and picnic on the hill overlooking all of Rome. Combination tickets can be bought for about $20 for the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and couple less popular attractions. St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica are free attractions at the Vatican, while the Vatican Museums are a bargain at about $15 per person. Other free attractions in Rome include the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and the Pantheon.

Food

Inexpensive food is easy to find in Rome. If your hotel doesn’t serve a continental breakfast, you can pick up a bite to eat at a local café for just a couple of dollars. Order at the bar to save money: most cafes charge a premium for tables. Cafes and pizzerias are the least expensive places to have a meal, but you can also buy food at local shops and markets for an inexpensive picnic lunch. If you’re looking for a full-service meal, expect to pay quite a bit. Italians consider it rude to eat and run, so you will most likely be eating three or four courses. Start with an antipasti, or appetizer, move on to the “primi” course, usually pasta, and finish with “secondi,” the main course. Make sure to budget for wine, which is occasionally cheaper than bottled water. Of course, you’ll probably want to follow your meal with a tiramisu or gelato for dessert. Even an inexpensive sit-down meal in Rome can cost around $30 per person. The food is worth it though, so skimp on breakfast and lunch if you have to. A 15% service charge is usually added to your bill, but an additional tip should be given for exceptional service.

Author: Aimee Hall

About Author: Aimee Hall is a professional writer and a seasoned traveler whose trips have taken her to all 50 states in the US as well as Canada, Mexico, and Europe.