How to Travel Italy on a Budget

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Traveling Italy can be as expensive or as cost effective as you want it to be. Here's my biggest tips to travel Italy on a budget from someone who lives here.

Visiting Italy can be as expensive or as cost effective as you want it to be. I've now lived in the country 2 years and counting and have learned more than enough tips and tricks to help you save money while still having a fantastic vacation here.

While I will brush over a few tips on how to actually arrive in Italy on a budget, the bulk of this article will be geared towards saving money once you're actually here.

I'm not going to set a budget for you but I will give you an idea about where to best be frugal and where spending a bit will greatly affect your experience, from the cities you visit to where you eat and the activities you choose to enjoy.

With that, let's dive right into how you can visit Italy on a budget.

Short on time? Here's the quick guide:

Want to visit Italy without spending loads of money? It's actually possible!

Biggest Money Saving Tip

The best thing you can do for your wallet while in Italy is to stay just outside the city center. Accommodation will likely be your biggest expense but the best deals are often found just outside of the touristy areas.

The tip will go even farther if you're still able to walk where you want to go from your accommodation. Finding that sweet spot between not too close and not too far will be ideal.

A Few Other Key Ways to Save

Other than being smart about where to stay, the top money saving tips would be to visit Italy outside of peak season, walk or use public transit whenever possible, and to take advantage of free activities and attractions.

Arriving to Italy

You can save a lot on going to Sardinia if you travel by ferry instead of flight

I'm not going to get too in the weeds here given that you could be coming from neighboring Austria or across the world in Australia. But I do want to share a few tips on traveling to Italy on a budget to help you plan your travels smarter:

Set flight alerts on Google. Start browsing for your flights around 6 months in advance and set price drop alerts on any that interest you. I'd also look at the price tracker to see if you're already looking at a low price or can expect a better one.
Be flexible about where you fly into. Yes, Italy is pretty big but with the high speed trains, you can get around relatively quickly. If you're visiting Rome but flights there are super expensive, look into flying into Naples, Florence, Bologna, or Venice instead, for example.
Use credit card or airline points. If applicable, check your credit card or airline points and see if you can redeem those for a better deal.
Don't go automatically for budget airlines. Unless you're flying with just a small personal item, sometimes budget airlines actually end up being more expensive once you purchase bags. Don't just take the price on Google or the booking platform at face value, see what the final price will be once you add in bags.
Speaking of: Pack light! One of the best money saving tips I have is to walk as much as possible so by packing light, you can take better advantage of this. Plus, it'll save you when booking your flights.

With that, we're ready to talk about the real reason you're here: how to eat your pasta and still save money, too.

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Pick Your Destinations Wisely

Visiting Trieste, for example, will be much more affordable than other coastal cities

If you're on a tight budget, know that not all destinations in Italy will cost you the same.

For example, visiting the Amalfi Coast is way more expensive than visiting nearby Procida. A trip to Florence will cost you a lot more than a similar one to Bologna and Lake Como will set you back more than a visit to Lake Iseo will.

You most likely have a bucket list of Italian destinations already in your mind. If you're open to some wiggle room, you'll save money simply by choosing places that are slightly less known but fear not, if you're not willing to swap out a destination or two, the rest of the tips on this list will help you out.

I do just want to say though that there is far more to Italy than what you see on social media and there are so many cool cities, charming towns, and impressive nature outside of the most popular destinations.

For example, most tourists have never heard of the region Friuli-Venezia Giulia. If you want to still see fantastic places but get off the beaten path, I highly recommend you start your search with the best places to visit in FVG.

The Takeaway: As a general rule of thumb, if you've heard loads about a specific destination, assume a trip there will be more expensive than a similar spot that you haven't heard of. Even still, it is possible to travel even Rome on a budget.

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Visit During Low or Shoulder Season

I visited Lake Garda in late fall and saved a lot on my trip

After you decide where to visit in Italy, you need to decide when. Italy gets four true seasons throughout the country but the severity of those seasons lessens the farther south you go.

Each destination in Italy will have its own peak season. The peak season is typically the most expensive and most crowded time to visit so if you have some flexibility in your planning, I'd recommend that you avoid visiting then and instead opt for a low season or shoulder season trip instead.

You can read more about this and when is the best time to visit Italy but in general,

The mountains in Northern Italy have two peak seasons: summer for hiking and winter for skiing.
The big cities tend to have just peak season in the summer but most of them are never truly without tourists.
Peak season in small towns will likely depend on what nature they have around them. Tuscany sees a lot of people in the fall for harvest season, where the coastal towns get the most in the summer for the beach.

It's also important to note the biggest events in Italy so you can plan around those to save more on accommodation.

Just know that if you dream of swimming off the coast of Sicily but choose to visit in winter, it'll likely be too cold to do that. You might need to be flexible on when you visit or the things you're able to do based on the weather.

The Takeaway: In order to save the most money on accommodation and avoid bigger crowds, book your trip during either low season or shoulder season. Note that each region, town, and city might have a slightly different peak vs. low so be sure to double check for that specific area.

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Don't Stay in the City Center

Even local neighborhoods can be incredibly charming in Italy

Personally, I love staying in the city center whenever we explore somewhere new in Italy. Staying here certainly has its perks, with the main one being that you're within walking distance to most attractions. But, that convenience does often come at a cost.

I suggest you start your search looking for somewhere to stay in the city center to get an idea of price and then slowly broaden your search. When doing so, look for places that are near a public transportation line so you can get into the center at a more affordable cost.

For example, my favorite area to stay in Rome isn't right in the heart of the old town. I adore Prati, a neighborhood just north of the old town and the Vatican. It's on the metro line so you can easily get to the train station and around but still gives you the freedom to explore Rome on foot, so long as you're able to.

A Note on Hostels

It's important to note here that from my experience, it feels as though hostels really aren't as cheap as they once were.

Back in 2016, when I traveled around Europe on a shoestring budget for the first time, I saved a lot of money by simply booking a bed in a hostel dorm. A lot of the time this also gave me a shared kitchen and helped me make some friends.

Now that I travel with my husband and usually our dog and cat, I'm a little out of the hostel game but have checked prices a handful of times for solo trips. While I'm sure there are exceptions, I've noticed that shared rooms aren't nearly as affordable as they once were.

Keep that in mind while booking that the perk of having your own space and own bathroom might end up costing a similar price as having a shared space.

Booking Platforms

Although Airbnb is the most well-known platform, from my experience, it's also the most expensive. Sure, take a look there, but now most vacation rentals are also on platforms like Booking.com. I'm a big fan of Booking and book about 90% of my trips through there.

They have a "Genius" program that rewards frequent users with discounts (I get about 20% off all stays now) and also tend to have a mobile price for using their app instead of their website.

The Takeaway: Start searching in your ideal location and slowly expand from there based on price. Just be sure to choose a place that you don't need a car to access and if you can't walk, you can at least take the bus, metro, or train.

Pet-Sitting Option

If you really want to save money while in Italy, consider pet or housesitting. This just means you'll watch over someone's home and usually their pets while they're out of town. You'll get to stay in their home for free during the duration of their trip, just earning your keep with pet care.

Raf and I have done this a few times in a few different countries but now that we're pet owners ourselves, we rely on petsitters when we travel places our boys can't go.

There are a handful of Facebook groups for this but the easiest and most secure way to find housesits around Italy (and in other countries) is with TrustedHousesitters.

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Be Smart About Where You Eat

One of the best pastas of my life, enjoyed at a small local restaurant located in a small neighborhood

Now, I know that the most cost effective option is to cook for yourself but you're in Italy! I guarantee that one of the big reasons you're visiting is for the food. While you might not be able to afford to eat 3 meals out, I do have some tips that'll help you enjoy great food without totally breaking your bank.

The Right Restaurant Matters

Not only will the price likely be different, you'll also have a much better experience and enjoy better food when you prioritize eating at local restaurants compared to those targeting tourists. Sure the language might feel more comfortable but if you come slightly prepared (tips below), you'll be just fine.

Tourist Traps

Trust me, you're going to have some of the most delicious food of your life while in Italy but only if you avoid the tourist trap restaurants.

In general, here's how to spot one:

They have a worker standing out front trying to urge you to dine with them.
They have plates of food (fake or real) sitting out front to allure you in.
They have giant menus with pictures of the food on them.
They serve pages and pages of stuff and don't really seem to have a "niche."
They have a long line to get a table.

You'll see the restaurants in major tourist areas throughout the country, usually on busy shopping streets or in the most picturesque piazze (plural for piazza).

While you might get lucky and enjoy a good meal from one of these places, they tend to serve sub-par food and charge you more for it.

Local Spots

Instead, look for local restaurants. You might not save a whole bunch but you'll at least get your money's worth. Here are some tips to spot a local spot:

They're quite small.
They usually have a chalkboard menu out front or no menu at all.
They usually use the word trattoria, osteria, or ristorante in their name.
They typically have a small, focused menu. The food will typically be from a specific city or region in Italy. For example, instead of saying "Italian" cuisine, it'll be "Roman" cuisine.

Just know that many of these local restaurants will only have a menu in Italian. It'll help if you're able to identify the region or town's most popular dishes or download Italian on Google Translate so you can translate the menu as you go. Be sure to have the language downloaded in advance because your cell service won't work in all restaurants/buildings in Italy.

If you want to eat from as many local restaurants as you can without blowing your budget, consider choosing places outside of the city center that are pretty much only frequented by locals. This will be even easier if you're planning to stay in local neighborhoods.

The Takeaway: Save money and enjoy a better meal by avoiding tourist trap restaurants and eating instead at local spots.

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Use Local Markets/Shops for Groceries

This was from an osmiza, a semi-picnic, semi-appertivo place in Trieste

If you don't want or can't afford to eat out at too many restaurants, you can still enjoy delicious Italian food.

Instead of going to the grocery store and seeking out products you're comfortable with, try the local delicacies. And, more often than not, the best local delicacies you can try in Italy tend to be meats and cheeses.

I highly recommend you go to a salumeria and get cured deli meats, local cheese, and some fresh olives. Pop into a panificio for some bread and you have a fantastic charcuterie board or all the ingredients for a great sandwich. Supermarkets will also have a fresh section if you find speaking with someone to be too intimidating.

In Trieste (where I live), one of my favorite things to do after work is to swing by a local market, grab a beer or two, and take it all down to the molo, or pier, and enjoy a tranquil picnic as the sun sets over the sea.

The Takeaway: You can still try Italian cuisine without going to a grocery store by buying local ingredients at the shop.

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Download TheFork App

TheFork is a really cool app that works in various countries throughout Europe. This app helps you find deals at restaurants and earns you points every time you make a booking or pay for your meal through the app. The points are redeemable for cash at participating restaurants.

Big cities will have more options when it comes to participating restaurants but this app has the ability to save you loads of money and still allow you to eat out.

All you have to do is download the app and search for your area. I prefer to use the map function so I can better select places nearby. From here, you'll need to choose when you want to make your reservation and then the list of available restaurants will appear. Be sure to select the "offers" filter so you can only see restaurants that'll give you a discount on your meal.

When you gather enough points (which really doesn't take long), use the filter "accepting my Yums" in order to redeem your points for cash off (€50 off with just 2000 points).

Use code 845C4097 to get 1000 points after your first booking on the app.

The Takeaway: Be smart about your restaurant choices by booking reservations at places on TheFork app to get discounts on your meals.

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Drink Your Coffee at the Bar

You can't linger at the bar but the money saved will add up

This is a small but effective tip that'll save you a lot if you drink two coffees a day like I tend to.

Although the cheapest option is to of course enjoy your coffee at your hotel or apartment rental, that's just not as fun as having a coffee in the city. So, if you do have some room in your budget to visit a coffee shop or two but don't want it to take over your expenses, here's a simple tip.

Drink your coffee standing at the bar or counter. Most places will charge you more if you sit at a table.

If you need a break, sure take a seat but if you just started your day and you have the energy, drink your cappuccino and enjoy your croissant standing up. You might feel as though you'll be in the way but if you take a look around, I'm sure you'll see locals doing the same thing. The bartender will move you to a different part of the bar if needed.

The Takeaway: Sitting down at coffee shops or bars usually costs more. Drink your coffee standing up at the counter to save a little.

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Walk or Take Public Transportation

Exploring Venice on foot will lead you to stunning corners you otherwise wouldn't have found

I'm sure this goes without saying but I'm going to say it anyway: the best way to save money on your trip to Italy is to walk wherever you need to go. Plus, this will also give you a better chance to fully explore Italy and see the town or city you're visiting.

When walking isn't an option, use public transportation.

Public transport in Italy is pretty great and covers a lot of ground. Renting a car is a lot of fun and will open up a lot of doors for you but I'd only recommend that to travelers on a budget if you plan to visit the Dolomites, Sardinia, or other places that aren't well connected.

Taxis are by far the most expensive way to get around so I'd only do that if you don't have any other option (like a super early or late flight).

Depending on your plans in a city and where you'll be staying, it might be smart to get a 1-day or multi-day ticket for public transport. If you plan to walk everywhere, this won't be necessary but if you think you'll be bouncing around a lot, these types of tickets will be a lot cheaper in the long run.

Keep in mind that every region handles their ticketing system differently when it comes to buses. Some buses you can buy a ticket with the driver or simply tap to pay. Other places, you'll need to first download an app or buy a paper ticket from a vendor before stepping on the bus. I recommend asking at your hotel or your apartment host how that specific place handles it.

For regional trains and long distance travel, I recommend the app Trainline. This app will help you see all of the train options (and sometimes bus options) you have so you can plan your trip with more confidence.

The Takeaway: You'll save a lot and get to see more of the country by walking whenever possible. If it's not possible, go with public transportation instead of a car or taxi.

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Take Advantage of Free Attractions

Seeing stunning places like this are completely free to enjoy

Believe it or not, there are loads of free activities and attractions throughout the country. You don't need to pay for a guided tour or even an entrance fee to a lot more places than you're probably imagining.

Sometimes, that extra cost is worth it but sometimes it isn't.

Let's break it down.

For those truly on a tight budget, you're going to want to stick to only the free things. So, what's free? Well, any outdoor attraction is of course free to see. Think seeing the Colosseum, "crossing the border" into the Vatican City, and of course, all architecture and all nature.

Keep in mind that some museums and most churches are also free to enter. You might have the option to pay for a guided experience or to access the entire area but oftentimes you can walk in for free. For example, you can go into the stunning Duomo in Milan for free but will have to pay if you want to go to the viewpoint at the top.

Vs. When to Pay for Experiences

If you do have a little bit more stretch to your budget, I suggest picking a few attractions or activities that you have to pay for to add into your list. My personal favorites are either free walking tours (you must tip your guide at the end, so not really free) and food tours.

But, I suggest you think about what your dream trip to Italy entails and save money for that. Be it a cooking class, wine tasting, or history tour, that's up to you!

Note that if you do buy some tickets, you can often get discounted tickets for other nearby attractions. For example, many major cities sell a "city pass" that gives you access to multiple places for one ticket price. I'd only recommend doing this if you really want to see all the places the pass includes, otherwise it'll be cheaper to just pay the one entrance fee.

Italy is an incredibly old country with a rich history. In my opinion, there are certain times and places where getting a little context to everything you're seeing is worth it. But again, choose wisely as to when that feels important to you and when it doesn't.

The Takeaway: You can see and do a lot in Italy without having to pay a euro. You can see all of the attractions and even go inside some museums and most churches for free.

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You're Ready to Travel Italy on a Budget

Just remember, nature is always free to enjoy and absolutely breathtaking here

With this, you're ready to fully enjoy your trip to Italy without spending all of your savings on it. While your trip can easily get expensive by staying at luxury hotels and eating at the fanciest restaurants, you can have a fantastic trip on a budget here.

Be smart about where the bulk of your budget goes, be sure to pack comfortable shoes for walking, and get ready to enjoy all the free attractions you can.

Save it for later!