What a trip to Italy costs

One country, many prices

Italy does not have a single price tag. A night in Venice in high season can cost as much as three nights in a farm stay in Basilicata, and an espresso at the bar of a village café costs half as much as one sitting down in a famous square. The cost of a trip depends above all on three choices: where (great art cities, fashionable seaside resorts or lesser-known Italy), when (high season, holidays and long weekends or quiet months) and how (hotel or apartment, restaurant or trattoria, high-speed or regional train). The prices in this guide are indicative and are meant to help you plan: always check current rates when you book.

Indicative daily budget

For one person travelling as a couple and sharing a room, we can identify three levels. On a basic budget, around 70 to 110 euros a day, you sleep in hostels, simple B&Bs or rented rooms, lunch on pizza by the slice, sandwiches and market food, eat dinner in a trattoria and travel by regional train and bus. On a mid-range budget, around 130 to 220 euros a day, you stay in three-star hotels or well-kept apartments, eat in a restaurant once a day, use high-speed trains and visit two or three museums. On a high budget, over 300 euros a day, there are boutique hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, private transfers and guided experiences.

The great art cities, Venice, Florence, Rome and Milan, and destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Portofino and the Costa Smeralda in August sit at the top of each range. The south, the islands outside high season, the Apennines and inland villages sit at the bottom.

Accommodation costs

Accommodation is usually the largest expense. In an art city in high season, a double room in a mid-range hotel often costs between 120 and 250 euros a night; in low season or in less touristy cities it is easy to find rooms under 100 euros. Agriturismi, farm stays, are one of the best options for travellers with a car: they offer rooms or apartments in the countryside, often with a pool, breakfast with farm produce and dinner on request. Apartments suit families and longer stays, because you can cook.

Remember the tourist tax: almost every tourist town charges one, per person per night, ranging from about 1 euro to 10 euros depending on the city and the category of accommodation. It is paid at the property and is usually not included in the price shown online. Children are often exempt up to a certain age.

Eating well without overspending

You can eat well in Italy at every price level. An espresso at the counter usually costs between 1.20 and 1.60 euros, a cappuccino between 1.60 and 2.50, a croissant roughly the same. A margherita pizza in a pizzeria costs between 6 and 10 euros, a plate of pasta in a trattoria between 10 and 16 euros, and a full meal with house wine between 25 and 45 euros per person. Restaurants often add a coperto, a small fixed cover charge for bread and table service, which must be shown on the menu.

A few habits help you save. Have breakfast standing at the bar, as Italians do. At lunchtime choose the trattorias' menu of the day or pizza by the slice. Drink tap water, which is safe, and refill your bottle at public fountains. At aperitivo time, in many northern cities, your drink comes with generous snacks. Avoid places with photo menus and waiters touting at the door in the most famous squares.

Transport: trains, cars and ferries

Regional trains have fixed, modest fares: a few dozen euros even for long journeys. Trenitalia's Frecce and Italo high-speed trains have variable prices like airlines: book early and you will find very good fares, while buying on the day can cost two or three times as much. For details read our guide to getting around Italy.

A rental car is essential for the countryside, the large islands and many villages: on top of the rental you pay for fuel, motorway tolls and parking, which can be expensive in tourist areas. In cities it is best to leave the car and walk or use public transport. Ferry fares to the islands vary greatly between low and high season: in August, book well in advance.

Museums, monuments and tickets

Major museums and archaeological sites usually charge between 10 and 30 euros; for the most famous ones it is worth booking a time slot online, both to avoid queues and because tickets sell out in high season. In state museums entry is free for under-18s, and on the first Sunday of the month many state museums and archaeological parks are free for everyone, with large crowds. Many cities offer tourist cards that include museums and public transport: they pay off if you visit many places in a few days.

Some recent changes: in Rome, entry to the Pantheon has cost 5 euros since 2023, and since February 2026 access to the basin area of the Trevi Fountain costs 2 euros, while the square remains free. In Venice, on certain days in spring and summer, day visitors pay an access fee (in 2026, 5 euros if booked at least four days ahead, 10 euros after that); overnight guests and children under 14, among others, are exempt.

When to save

Prices follow the calendar. July, August, Easter, spring long weekends and the end-of-year holidays are the most expensive periods. May, June, September and October offer the best balance between weather and prices, while November, January, February and March are the cheapest months for the art cities (except during Carnival and major events). At the seaside, June and September cost much less than August. See our page on when to go to Italy to choose the right month.

Cash, cards and tipping

Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts, but it is wise to carry some cash for village bars, markets and parking meters. ATMs are widespread; choose bank ATMs over independent machines in tourist areas, which charge high fees. Tipping is not compulsory: if the service was good, leave a few euros or round up the bill. An eSIM or an Italian SIM card helps you avoid roaming charges if you are arriving from outside the European Union.

Five tips to spend better

1. Book high-speed trains, flights and the most famous museums in advance.
2. Alternate expensive cities with less touristy places: one day in Florence, two in an inland Tuscan village.
3. Choose accommodation with a kitchen for long stays and families.
4. Eat where Italians eat, away from the most photographed squares.
5. Travel in the shoulder season: the same Italy, fewer queues and lower prices.