9 Ways to Do Italy on the Cheap—Without Feeling Like a Cheapskate
Let’s be real—Italy isn’t the cheapest place to travel, but it doesn’t have to cost you a small fortune either. Compared to the U.S., it’s actually pretty affordable, but if you’re not careful, you’ll overpay when you don’t have to.
And no, you don’t need a $10,000 budget, a travel agent marking everything up by 40%, or some sad itinerary where you survive on gas station sandwiches and sleep in a train station.
In fact, restricting your budget might actually give you a more authentic experience. Here’s how to see Italy, eat well, and soak up the chaos without torching your bank account.
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1. Food: Eat Like an Italian, Not a Tourist
Italian food is incredible, but it’s easy to get ripped off if you don’t know what you’re doing.
- Avoid restaurants with English menus and “tourist menus.” English doesn’t always mean it’s bad, but it’s not a good sign.
- Trattorias & osterias serve better food at half the price of tourist traps.
- Aperitivo is your best friend—for €10-12, you get a drink and sometimes enough food to call it dinner.
- Markets & bakeries = €3 panini that beat any overpriced restaurant sandwich.
- Drink house wine. It’s cheap and better than what you’re used to.
💡 The best restaurants in Italy aren’t the most expensive ones. If you’re a Bourdain-style traveler, the most authentic food is often found in modest, family-run joints, not white-tablecloth spots catering to tourists.
2. Flights: Be Flexible or Get Gouged
Flights from the U.S. to Italy fluctuate wildly—one day it’s $450 round-trip, the next it’s $1,200.
- Fly in and out of different cities. (Open-jaw tickets are often cheaper.)
- Be flexible with dates—midweek flights and shoulder seasons (March-May, September-November) are the best bet.
- Use Google Flights alerts & Skyscanner to track deals.
Also, while connecting flights can be cheaper, consider the real cost. If you have a two-hour layover in Paris, will you just spend your “savings” on an overpriced airport sandwich? Sometimes, a direct flight is the smarter move.
3. Trains Are the Sweet Spot (But Don’t Overpay)
Italy’s train system is one of the best in Europe, but if you’re not careful, you’ll pay 3x more than necessary.
- High-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo) are great but book in advance—prices jump closer to departure.
- Regional trains are way cheaper and prices don’t change. No need to pre-book unless it’s a holiday.
- Eurail passes are usually a ripoff. If you’re just staying within Italy, they don’t make sense.
The trains in Italy can be a little confusing because of all the different names they use. I suggest you use Trainline to make it simple (also it puts the station names in English).
For super cheap city-to-city travel, check FlixBus or Itabus—I’ve gotten between cities for under €10 using these.
4. Forget Travel Agents—Do It Yourself
If money isn’t an issue and you want someone else to handle everything, fine. But if you’re reading this, you probably don’t want to get scammed into paying $14K for a two-week itinerary you could’ve booked yourself for half that.
Booking your own trip isn’t hard—it just takes time and patience. Use Google Flights to find airfare deals, and Booking.com for accommodations since it has the most options, usually at the lowest price. Thanks to the discount program with Booking, I pretty much don’t use anything else to find accommodations in Italy.
5. How to Get Cash Without Getting Ripped Off
Use ATMs, not currency exchange booths. Exchange booths charge absurd commissions—just use an ATM when you arrive.
Check your bank’s foreign transaction fees. Some banks charge hefty fees, so check before you go. If it’s too high, consider using a credit card with no foreign fees for most purchases.
Decline ATM currency conversion. ATMs will offer to convert to your home currency—decline it. This adds an extra fee (sometimes up to 13%). Instead, withdraw in euros for a better exchange rate.
Withdraw larger amounts at once. Every ATM withdrawal comes with a fee, so take out what you need for a few days rather than withdrawing small amounts frequently.
6. Stay Somewhere That Doesn’t Suck (Without Paying a Fortune)
You can save big on accommodations without feeling like a broke college student:
- Airbnbs & guesthouses (especially in smaller towns) usually offer more value than hotels.
- Hostels are solid options (and great places to meet people). I wrote up my favorite hostels in Italy here.
- Avoid staying next to major tourist attractions—a 10-minute walk away can cut your price in half.
- Monastery stays are dirt cheap, quiet, and often include breakfast.
💰 €100-150 per night gets you a solid mid-range hotel or private home in most cities. Anything less, and you’re either in a shared dorm or too far from the city center.
7. Tours, Museums & Sightseeing Without Getting Ripped Off
- State-run museums are free to enter on the first Sunday of the month—check in advance. This means about 485 museums around the country are free. Just know the lines will be longer on the free days.
- Buy tickets online for big sights (Colosseum, Uffizi, Vatican) to skip lines & save money. I suggest a platform like Tiqets
- Walk as much as possible. The best parts of Italian cities aren’t inside museums.
- City passes (Florence, Rome, Venice) can be worth it if you plan on hitting multiple sites.
- Many churches are free to enter and have stunning artwork, frescoes, and architecture that rival museums. Some famous ones, like St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, are free, while others may ask for a small donation.
Want a free tour? Go to a bar, buy a drink, and chat with an old Italian guy. You’ll get more history (and wild stories) than any overpriced tour will ever give you.
8. Don’t Buy Water at Restaurants
In Europe, water isn’t free at restaurants. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but if you’re paying €3 per bottle every meal, that adds up fast. Instead, just grab a big plastic bottle for €1 at a convenience store and refill it as needed.
If you’re in Rome, take advantage of the hundreds of public fountains (nasoni) scattered around the city. The water is clean, cold, and completely free—some of the best tap water you’ll ever drink. Other Italian cities also have public fountains, so keep an eye out and save yourself a few extra euros.
9. Know When to Splurge & When to Save
Budget travel doesn’t mean being miserable. It’s about knowing where to spend & where to cut back.
Spend more on:
✅ One incredible dinner (keep in mind my most incredible meals in Italy were less than 40€ per person)
✅ A unique experience (cooking class, vineyard tour, boat ride, or dinner party at a local’s house in Rome)
✅ A good location for your stay (you’ll save on transport costs)
Save on:
❌ Breakfast—just get an espresso & cornetto like an Italian.
❌ Taxis—walk or take public transport.
❌ Overpriced souvenirs—most of it is made in China anyway.
Final Thoughts: Can You Do Italy on the Cheap?
Absolutely. A reasonable budget for Italy is $100-$150 per day per person, excluding flights. Less if you’re frugal, more if you want comfort. But even at the low end, you’re eating well, seeing amazing things, and experiencing Italy the right way.
So don’t let crazy travel agency quotes scare you off. Plan it yourself, be smart with your spending, and most importantly—enjoy the hell out of it.
Because if you’re stressed about money the whole time, what’s the point?