How to Visit Rome on a Budget in 2022

Rome is a beautiful city that could take a lifetime to explore. It offers a surprising number of sights: the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Borghese Gardens, the Pantheon, the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps and much more. Every city that has been around for thousands of years is not seen in one visit! Rome is a chaotic, vibrant place that I always want to learn more about.

But while a trip to Rome has its charm, it is also one of the most expensive cities in Europe and many travelers have a hard time visiting the city on a budget. And saving money is not easy here, but not impossible! Budget-conscious traveler Matt Kepnes shares his best tips for visiting Rome on a budget.

Rome on a budget

There are ways to turn this expensive city into an affordable one where you can visit historical sites and eat endless pasta in no time! Here are some powerful ways to save money when visiting Rome:

1. Standing at the bar – Sitting at an outside table

Not every café in Rome has this policy, but many do: you save a few euros per coffee by drinking your morning espresso at the bar. Sure, sitting outside is nice, but a luxury that you sometimes have to pay more for. So, do it like a Roman and have your coffee while you stand at the bar. After all, it’s pure theater to watch the baristas shoot espresso while Roman macho men look kind of overcool while they suckle a tiny cup of coffee.

2. Everything you can mangiare

Over the past decade or so that aperitif also hit Rome. Think of it as an Italian version of happy hour: In the participating bars, guests buy a glass of wine or a cocktail in the early evening – usually from 7 p.m. – that opens the door to a room with an all-you-can -eat is filled with abundance of Italian delicacies: huge wheels of cheese, mountains of sliced ​​salami, bowls with olives, baskets with fresh bread. Some places even serve pasta. It’s a great way to eat halfway cheaply.

3. Drink from the well

Rome has been known for its clean drinking water for several millennia. And the 21st century continues that tradition. The ancient Romans built aqueducts to bring water from the nearby mountains to the city, which are still used today. Use fountains all over the city for water! Bring a reusable bottle like a Lifestraw for Bing and refill it every time you come across one. You save money and save plastic bottles!

4. Stay in a hostel

For those wondering where to stay in Rome, the city has plenty of affordable hostels spread across a variety of cool neighborhoods to help you keep your budget intact. You get cheap dorms from 10 euros a night, a sociable atmosphere and a staff that is very knowledgeable about all of the city’s budget-friendly activities. I really love The Yellow and The Beehive! Both have a very social atmosphere and are very central.

For more suggestions, here is a list of the best hostels in Rome so you can find a location that suits your budget and other needs.

5. Couchsurf

The golden age of couch surfing may be over, but the company is still active and active in Rome. This is a great way to get free accommodation and meet some locals. Even if you’re not using the site as a place to stay, search the site (or its app) for Meetups and Hangouts. It’s a great way to meet like-minded travelers and locals alike.

6. Cook your own food

Since you are in Rome – one of the best cities in the world to eat in – having to cook your own food isn’t ideal. But if you are on an extreme budget, you will save money. Many hostels have shared kitchens and almost all Airbnbs have functional kitchens as well. Groceries in Italy are quite affordable compared to the rest of Western Europe, so you can save a few euros by preparing your own lunch and / or dinner.

7. Take a free tour

Free tours are a great way to get to know Rome, especially for first-time visitors. Rome Free Tour offers several types: Secrets of Rome, Classical Rome, the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere, and an evening tour. Free Tours by Foot also offers a small handful of options, including tours of the Vatican, Trastevere, and the city center, as well as food tours.

While the tours are free, you should tip the guide at least a few euros while he works on tips!

8. Buy a Roma passport

With a Roma Pass you have free entry to two participating museums and / or archaeological sites (Galleria Borghese, Gallery of Modern Art, Mausoleum of Augustus, Capitoline Museums and Colosseum, etc.) and free use of public transport. among other benefits. For a 48-hour card, the cost is 32 euros; a 72-hour card costs 52 euros.

9. Church shop

Unlike many other European countries, Italy does not charge a fee to enter a church. Some legendary churches to add to your list: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria in Trastevere and of course St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Art lovers should prefer Santa del Popolo for the Caravaggio murals, Santa Maria sopra Minerva for the Michelangelo sculpture, San Pietro in Vicoli for even more Michelangelo and Santa Maria della Vittoria and the Church of San Francesco a Ripa for striking Bernini sculptures.

10. Eat in squares and parks

Rome is littered with cheap restaurants that serve focaccia with cheese and sandwiches. Then there is this oh-so-Roman pizza-by-the-slice phenomenon. Just point to the type of pizza you want. The guy or girl behind the counter will ask you how much you want and then he’ll cut a piece off and hand it to you. It’s cheap (just a few euros) and a wonderful way to eat. Take it to the nearest piazza or park and enjoy the taste of food amid the sights and sounds of your surroundings.

11. Drink the house wine

If your budget allows you to eat out at restaurants, make sure you visit local eateries, usually out of the city center. They get cheaper and you can be sure that you won’t end up in a tourist trap. Once you get there, you can save money on food and drink by ordering a carafe or half a carafe of the house wine. The reds or whites won’t win any awards, but they are very drinkable and 10 or 20 euros cheaper than a bottle of wine. Just ask the server un litro di vino rosso (or bianco) della casa.

12. Avoid taxis

Rome is compact enough that you might not even have to take the metro or buses, let alone taxis, during your stay. But if you want, take public transport and skip the taxis, which are expensive even by European standards. The bus and metro go everywhere you need to go if you don’t want to talk (although I love walking around because you always come across random and beautiful Roman ruins).

13. Take advantage of free museums

A handful of museums in Rome offer free entry. The Museo Napoleonico, the Museo della Mura and the Museo Carlo Bilotti are just a few of them. Here is a list of the free museums in Rome. Proper planning of your visits can save you a ton of money!

14. Stay out of the city center

Accommodation in Rome is very expensive. Staying in areas like Trastevere outside the city center can save you a lot of money on accommodation, especially in the high season. The areas on the outskirts are also much more local and less touristy, so you get a better taste of local life and cheaper, more authentic restaurants.

15. Visit the local tourist office

The local visitor center exists for one reason and one reason only: to tell you what to do in town. And the staff is full of locals too. I think these centers are underused by travelers. Go there and ask them “What’s cheap to do?” They can take you to local markets, current festivals, and free museums, and often have tons of exclusive discounts on attractions and tours. Also, these are locals so you can ask them where to eat when they are free and then go there. You will get a place full of Italians, not tourists!

Rome allows travelers of all budgets to take advantage of its splendor. You don’t have to come with a wad of cash to have a good time here. There are already several legendary sights that you can enjoy for free – for example every church and piazza in the city. And knowing where to go, what to look for and where to stay in Rome can save you a ton of money and enjoy yourself la dolce vita without breaking the bank.