Unbelievable architecture, historic treasure, ancient world, expensive: that’s what came to mind when we thought of Rome, Italy. Being one of the most visited cities in the world, we assumed everything in Rome would be pretty pricey.
So heading into our 4 day adventure to Rome, we were prepared to budget a little bit higher than most trips. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Rome is much more affordable than we thought!
From transportation, housing, activities to food and drinks, Rome was slightly cheaper compared to the other Italian cities we visited. You know we love a budget guide, so in this post, you’ll get our detailed budget guide to Rome, Italy!
Before you go, make sure to check out our helpful packing hacks so you can fit all the essentials on this trip.
Getting There
There are two airports in Rome, but the international airport is Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino (FCO). The international airport makes it easy for most to fly in and out of Rome with many options.
We flew into Rome from Paris, and it was a quick 2-hour nonstop flight. Since we booked our flights last minute, the one-way was $174 per person. We did see flights as low as $85 though!
Once you land in Rome, there are several ways you can get to the city center (prices may vary depending on time):
- Train: $20 per person
- Bus: $7 per person
- Taxi: $90 total (ask for the fixed fare!)
Where to Stay in Rome
There are 22 districts in Rome which can make it overwhelming when researching where to stay! We narrowed down our search to 5 main districts due to the main attractions and prime locations.
- Trastevere: great for the social butterfly looking for a buzzing nightlife.
- Prati & Vatican City (Rione XIV Borgo, Rome, Lazio, Italy): more lowkey but walking distance to Vatican City.
- Piazza Navona & Pantheon: many tourist attractions such as the Spanish Steps, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
- Monti: vintage stores, funky bars and borders the Colosseum.
We ended up staying in Borgo near Vatican City, and it was one of the coolest VRBOs we stayed at! We loved all of the art and vibrant decor. The host was lovely to work with, and it was very affordable at $200/night.
What to Do in Rome
Shops, sites, history, & ART
- Piazza Navona – A plaza located near the Spanish Steps. You’ll find shops and restaurants with a few sculptures and water fountains nearby.
- Colosseum – A must see when visiting Rome! We recommend getting tickets in advance ($25 per person for basic entry) and making sure you give yourself at least half a day. There is so much to see both inside and around the Colosseum. Masks and vaccine cards required.
- Palatine Hill – Head to the top to get the best view of the city!! It’s free to enter the Roman Forum, and it’s located right by the Colosseum.
- Spanish Steps – There is a cute park nearby that you can stop by on your way to or from the infamous Spanish Steps. You can also go inside the church, just no shorts or tank tops allowed, so make sure you are dressed appropriately.
- Trevi Fountain – Your Lizzie Mcguire Movie moment! The fountain is beautifully built and much more impressive in person, but the crowds can be an eyesore. We recommend visiting early in the morning and bringing a coin to toss in which is meant to bring you good luck!
- Vatican City – A country within a city! The Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum are absolutely stunning. It’s definitely worth a visit if you like history and appreciate ancient art. Plan on spending at least 3 hours there to get through all that it offers and purchase your tickets in advance to avoid the long lines. #thriftytip: There is an outdoor cafe inside the Vatican Museum that is super affordable and really tasty. 10 euros for a sandwich, bottled water, coffee, and dessert–you can’t beat it!
Where to Eat in Rome
For starters, we must say that everywhere we ate in Rome was AMAZING!!! Some of the restaurants were based on recommendations, but some of them we just stumbled upon, and they were still incredible. From our experience, it’s hard to find a restaurant in Rome that sucks, but it’s always good to avoid touristy areas when possible. The food and wine in Rome is also really cheap compared to many parts of Western Europe so take advantage of that!
- Er Polpetta – near Piazza Navona with the best cacio e pepe in the city! Honestly, it was the best we found in Italy.
- Pizzeria da Baffetto – Known for it’s authentic Italian pizzas, we loved our experience at this restaurant. Enjoy stone fire pizza that is made fresh right in front of you! It tends to be a popular spot for dinner, so we recommend stopping by early for lunch or a late dinner around 10pm (the night doesn’t start until 11pm in Rome anyway, right!?)
- Ristorante IL Papalina – We stumbled upon this restaurant right outside of our Airbnb, in Borgo near Vatican City. Located on a super cute street, away from the tourist traps. Authentic Italian food with many pasta options.
- Frigidarium – Authentic Italian gelato shop right next to Baffetto! Expect long lines but absolutely worth the wait. It costs only 3-4 euros and you get to choose up to 3 different flavors.
Easy Ways to Save Money
Getting to Rome was the most expensive part about the city, but once we were in Rome, everything was relatively cheap or reasonably priced!
- Walk to get around: Many of Rome’s major attractions like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Vatican City are within close proximity to each other which makes Rome a very walkable city. If you’re tired of walking, public transportation is easily accessible and only 1.50 Euro per bus or Metro ride.
- Plan your days: Of course, you’ll have a list of things you’ll want to do, but we recommend creating an itinerary for each day in Rome. Be strategic with the order of activities for the day to allow you to stop at different places along the walk to your further destination. There is a lot to do in Rome so maximize the time you have by detailing out the plans. More time = more flexibility. More flexibility = cost savings.
- Bring a reusable water bottle: You’ll find drinking fountains on every corner in Rome; they’re known as nasoni. The water in the nasoni is the same acqua potabile that flows into Roman homes and because the nasoni constantly runs water through, it prevents the water from stagnating in pipes. This means fresh free water for everyone!
- Plan your own tour: Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world and known as the Eternal City. Everywhere you walk, there is some sort of beautiful history to learn and architecture to see. Avoid guided tours and map out your own personal walking tour. Test your trivia knowledge, and see how much history you remember from school!
That’s a wrap on our budget guide to Rome! Planning an ultimate trip to Europe? Make sure you check out our budget guides for Paris, Florence, and Cinque Terre as well!