How Much a Trip to Italy Really Costs

Visiting Italy can seem like a dream come true to many people, and a lot of that is as a result of the costs. After all, as one of the sunniest, most culturally-rich (and absolutely tastiest) countries to visit in Europe, it’s easy to assume that a trip to Italy is likely to break the bank.

In practice, however, we’re happy to report that how much a trip to Italy would cost really depends on where you’re traveling from, what you want to do, and how long you stay for. Therefore, it is possible to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells on a smaller budget than you might imagine.

In this guide, we take an estimated look at how much a trip to Italy costs based on average prices at the time of writing. 

Keep in mind that costs can and will change, and that it’s best practice to use this guide as a template for your own trips. We’ve based these costs on our own experiences and what experts are currently quoting across the web.

How much it costs to travel to Italy and how to save money

To estimate the rough costs of a trip to Italy, we need to consider three tiers or categories based on budgets and experiences. So, for the purposes of this guide, we’re going to estimate costs based on budget, mid-tier, and luxury experiences.

These costs are based on common factors such as flights, accommodations, food and drink, travel around Italy, and any activities you may do while on vacation. We’ll break those individual costs and ballpark figures down a little later on, but for now, here’s how much a trip to Italy would cost, per person per week, in USD:

• Budget: Up to $2,000
• Mid-tier: Up to $4,000
• Luxury: Over $4,000

Budget-tier trips to Italy use the cheapest flights, hostel accommodations, and food and drink options. On the other end of the scale, luxury-tier trips go all-out in every category. Mid-tier trips are more realistic, though it is possible to travel to and enjoy Italy on the budget tier, and we’ll show you how very shortly.

Keep in mind, too, that you’ll need to multiply our figures above if you’re going on a romantic break or are taking the whole family!

Understand Italy travel costs with a full breakdown

As mentioned, the costs we consider for trips to Italy across all three tiers include flights, accommodation, transport in the country, food and drink, and activity costs. Let’s consider how much each category puts towards each of the tiers and where you might be able to scale back (if you need or want to!).

Flight prices to Italy

Flight prices to Italy, naturally, vary depending on where you travel from! If you’re visiting within Europe, for example, you might expect a couple of hundred Euros when traveling via train on the mainland (especially if you have a rail pass).

For this guide, however, let’s assume you’re traveling out of the US. On a summer trip from the West Coast, you’re likely to spend up to $2,000 on round-trip flights alone. That tends to be up to 40% more expensive than in off-season, which is from November through to March. 

Our advice here would be to consider combining a flight to Italy as part of a wider excursion away for the most value, or to try and book via services such as Skyscanner several months in advance.

It’s also worth remembering that if you’re staying in the country for 90 days or more, the Italian government will require you to present a round-trip travel ticket on entry.

Accommodation costs in Italy

It’s always nice to stay in villas and luxury hotels in Italy, but keep in mind that you would probably need to invest $500+ per night for the privilege. Hostel and budget hotel costs can strip back to as little as $50 a night, and you may even be able to stay on rural farms for as little as $100 (if that’s your style!).

Of course, the closer you are to Italy’s big cities, the more you will pay in accommodation costs. There are lots of lovely rural areas in Italy to explore, where accommodations may be cheaper. Consider using services such as Trivago and Airbnb, again, as early as you can, for the best rates.

Transportation expenses in Italy

Italy’s best-loved metropolises are, thankfully, pretty walkable. That said, if you really want to take in the best that Rome, Florence, and Venice have to offer, it’s worth using public transport. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect.

Taxi fares in Italian cities

Taxis, naturally, will cost more than most other public transport options. Expect to pay between $4 and $10 for around 2km, with night trips costing more, and airport transfers costing an additional amount on top. Look for local firms, as Uber’s shaky history with the Italian populace means it’s not well supported.

Train travel costs in Italy

Train costs vary depending on if you’re sticking to inter-city or outer zones. If you want to go absolutely everywhere by train, you could spend up to $100 a journey, but the shortest trips cost less than $5.

Car rental expenses in Italy

Renting cars in Italy tends to be fairly reasonable, with daily rates usually falling around $40-$60, depending on who you hire with. However, it’s worth comparing deals and considering whether or not it’s best to stick to public transport.

Bike rentals and local transport

Cycling around Italy is well-supported and tends to be reasonably priced. Bike hire may cost less than $40 a day, and there are also e-bike options to consider.

Tour and activity costs in Italy

The costs of visiting major landmarks and taking tours in Italy really do vary. For example, it’s not unusual to pay up to $30 for museum tickets, and at least $17 for walking tours. If you want to try wine tasting, be prepared to part with a couple of hundred dollars.

Food and drink prices in Italy

Italy’s cuisine and wines absolutely deserve saving your budget for, so be prepared to set aside at least $60 a day if you want to enjoy trattoria, street food, or simple meals at cafes and restaurants. As you may imagine, the sky is the limit costs-wise, thanks to the amazing cuisine.

Practical ways to save money while traveling in Italy

If you really want to cut back on your Italian adventure costs, here are some great ideas:

• Look for rail passes such as the Trenitalia Pass to cut back on public transportation costs
• Check out Italian museum passes to cover days out
• Make sure your mobile data is covered and capped with an eSIM for Italy
• Use different comparison sites and apps for flights, accommodation, and even food
• Choose popular restaurants and food vendors for the best quality and value cuisine
• Choose off-season breaks - the cities and landscapes here are just as wonderful in the spring and fall

Stay connected and reduce costs in Italy with a SIMOVO eSIM

Trips to Italy really don’t have to break the bank, but at the same time, it’s well worth budgeting in advance. Take your first steps towards a budget-friendly break in Italy with an eSIM for Europe (and why not explore the wider continent while you’re covered?).