Are you daydreaming about Italy’s historic cities, hilly countryside, and delicious food? It’s totally possible to travel to Italy on a budget. You can plan a one-week, two-person trip to Italy for about $1,000 (plus whatever airfare might cost). All you need to do is plan ahead and find the best deals on some of the highest-impact travel costs: airfare, accommodations, food, and sightseeing. Having this in mind, here are our top money-saving tips you can use while planning your trip to Rome, Venice, and the like.
Find Flight Deals During the “Off Season”
Your flight can easily become the biggest cost of your entire trip. That’s why we recommend looking for flights as early as possible. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can set up alerts with popular airfare watch sites to get the best flight deals sent to your inbox.
Summer is the most popular time for international travel because that’s when families have the most flexibility for vacations with their kids. This means flight prices tend to be much higher during the summer months, as do accommodations. For that reason–and to avoid the biggest crowds–we recommend traveling to Italy in the early spring or late fall.
Finding a deal on your flight means more budget for meals and tours, after all.
Pro Tip: Since your flight is likely the biggest item on your travel budget list, we recommend getting travel insurance as soon as booking to start covering your pre-trip costs.
Stay In a Villa Just Outside the City
In most countries, big cities are hot spots for tourists. They’re the most well-known and often have the most attractions. Because of that, these cities are also generally the most expensive places to stay. This general rule is definitely true in Italy’s most well-known cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. On top of the higher prices for accommodations and meals, they’re also the busiest in terms of foot traffic.
Does that mean you shouldn’t see the Vatican, the Venetian Canals, or the famed statue of David? Absolutely not! You just have to be clever about how you do it and where you choose to stay if you want to see Italy on a budget.
If you forego staying within the city’s limits and look just beyond them, you’ll find a plethora of less costly yet just as stunning options. In addition to finding more budget-friendly deals, you’ll be just a scenic train ride away from the city bustle. That sounds like a win-win to us.
In Rome, you could book a charming hotel in Bracciano, Trevignano, or Anguillara–three gorgeous towns located about 20 miles and a quick train ride away.
In Florence, we recommend choosing a historic villa located in the hills just outside the city. For Venice, take a look at your options in Lido or Mestre, both located outside the city center but close enough to be there as much as you’d like.
Eat Bigger Lunches & Shop Local Markets
Let’s be honest. One of the main reasons anyone travels to Italy is for the food! From pasta to gelato to pizza and beyond, there is truly nothing like authentic Italian food straight from the source. So we certainly aren’t going to tell you to skimp when it comes to dining. However, we do have some tips so you can get the most pasta for your buck while visiting Italy on a budget.
To start, definitely do your best not to eat in the main tourist areas, where just about everything will be more expensive than it is elsewhere.
Next, think about going big at lunch –not dinner. Many restaurants will offer a reasonably priced fixed menu at the noon hour so you can enjoy three or four courses for much less than you’d spend at dinner time. Then, you can feel extra good about going for a pizza at dinner or consider putting together a little picnic to enjoy in a piazza somewhere.
Be on the lookout. Many Italian cities offer local food markets nearly every day where you can pick up a selection of cheeses, meats, and accouterments for a steal.
Fill Your Trip With Free Activities
Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, so even just being there to see it is worth the trip itself. That said, we’re sure there are lots of things on your Italian agenda that could end up being costly. For many others, there are less expensive ways to explore Italy on a budget.
If you have some flexibility in your itinerary, for example, look ahead at the websites for the museums you’re interested in checking out. See if they offer any free or discounted admission days or cheaper fees for certain credit card holders or specific groups. Most of Italy’s famous churches, cathedrals, and basilicas are free all the time, though you can opt to give a donation if you’d like.
Another option is to rent bikes and take on the city you’re visiting and its surrounding areas like a local. If you’re not a huge biker, walking tours are generally a low-cost and lovely option for travelers who want to see as much as possible.
A little advance research on your must-do-and-see list could save you a good amount of money. To get you started, here’s a list of free things to do in Rome, Florence, and Venice.
Avoid Tourist Traps
When it comes to sightseeing, there’s a difference between popular spots to see and tourist traps. In any major Italian city, you’re bound to find a good mix of both. It’s important you know how to spot a tourist trap and avoid it. Your wallet will thank you.
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, do a little price comparison before you grab a table. If you notice one restaurant offers a slice of pizza for double the cost of a place down the street, it’s probably not because theirs is that much better. They just know many hungry tourists want to rest their feet and will pay for whatever is closest to them.
When it comes to tours, the more kitsch you see, the more likely it’s a tourist trap. An example you might see on a Colosseum tour is a person dressed up as a Gladiator selling the tickets. Those people know tourists love a good photo op, and they’re probably going to up-charge you an arm and a leg to get it.
Ready to start packing for your trip to Italy? Check out this international travel packing list. Looking for other ways to save money and make travel as smooth as possible? Check out these other travel planning tips for international travel.
Kate's authoritative voice in travel writing is backed by years of extensive travel experience, allowing her to infuse her writing with the tips and tricks she has gathered over time. This wealth of experience enhances her ability to write authoritatively on travel-related topics.
