How Much Does Rome Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Rome offers a fascinating financial spectrum for travelers, with daily budgets typically ranging from $77 / €65 for budget-conscious visitors to $530 / €450 for those seeking a luxury experience. It generally remains more affordable than other European capitals like Paris or London, though the sheer volume of world-class museums and archaeological sites can quickly increase daily costs. While the city's "open-air museum" atmosphere allows for viewing countless ruins and fountains for free, major landmarks like the Vatican Museums at $24 / €20 require careful planning. Visitors should expect a mix of modern European prices and traditional Italian surcharges, such as the restaurant service fee. With a strategic approach to dining and transport, the Eternal City remains accessible to almost any budget.
Is Rome expensive to visit?
Rome is moderately expensive, with a typical daily budget ranging from $77–$530 / €65–€450 depending on whether one prioritizes street food and hostels or luxury hotels and private tours.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Rome
$77
per person /day
$218
per person /day
$530
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $230 | $653 | $1,589 |
| 5-Day Trip | $383 | $1,089 | $2,648 |
| 7-Day Trip | $536 | $1,524 | $3,708 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the mandatory city tourist tax, which varies from $4.12–$12 / €3.5–€10 per person per night, and the mandatory online booking fees of $2.35–$5.89 / €2–€5 for major monuments. These small additions can easily add $118 / €100 to a week-long trip for a couple.
How Does It Compare?
See how Rome stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Rome
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range Restaurant Meal for Two Typical dinner for two including appetizers, pasta, and dessert. Drinks excluded. | $77 €65 |
| Espresso (at the bar) Price doubles or triples if you sit at a table in a tourist piazza. | $1.41 €1.2 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Leonardo Express (FCO Airport to Termini) Non-stop train taking ~32 minutes. Tickets can be bought online or at the station. | $16 €14 |
| ATAC BIT (Single Public Transport Ticket) Valid for one metro trip and unlimited bus/tram transfers within 100 minutes. | $1.77 €1.5 |
| ATAC Roma 72-Hour Pass Best for tourists staying 3 days; covers all metro, buses, and trams in the central zone. | $21 €18 |
| Official Taxi Fixed Fare (FCO to City Center) Fixed rate includes baggage. Only use white official taxis from the airport rank. | $59 €50 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| The RomeHello Hostel (Shared Dorm) Highly rated central hostel near Termini Station. Prices include linens and Wi-Fi. | $35 €30 |
| Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rome Monti (Standard Double) Mid-range boutique hotel in the trendy Rione Monti area. A ~$7.06 / €6 city tax applies per person per night. | $198 €168 |
| Orazio Palace Hotel (Deluxe Double) Luxury stay in the Prati neighborhood with a rooftop bar overlooking the city. | $406 €345 |
Activities (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine (Full Experience) Includes access to the Arena and Underground. Add ~$2.35 / €2 for mandatory online booking fee. | $28 €24 |
| Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel (Adult Entry) A ~$5.89 / €5 booking fee is added for online skip-the-line tickets. Closed on Sundays (except last Sunday of the month). | $24 €20 |
| Pantheon Entry Ticket Effective 2023. Cash not accepted at the door; card or online booking required. | $5.89 €5 |
| Cupola (Dome) Climbing - Elevator + Stairs Access by stairs only (551 steps) is ~$9.42 / €8. Basilica entry itself is free. | $12 €10 |
| Trevi Fountain Basin Area Entry New fee effective Feb 2026 for accessing the lower basin area near the water. | $2.35 €2 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Holafly Italy eSIM (15 Days Unlimited) Approx. ~$55 / €47 for 15 days of unlimited data. Best for avoiding roaming fees. | $55 €47 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining costs vary significantly based on location and service; a standing espresso at the bar costs just $1.41 / €1.2, while sitting at a table in a major piazza can triple that price. A typical mid-range dinner for two averages $77 / €65, though the ubiquitous 'coperto' service charge of $1.18–$3.53 / €1–€3 per person is a standard addition to most restaurant bills.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Pastificio Guerra
$5.3–$5.89 / €4.5–€5Piazza di Spagna · Local chain
Two pasta options daily; perfect for a cheap lunch near the Spanish Steps.
Bonci Pizzarium
$7.06–$18 / €6–€15Prati/Vatican · Street food area
Sold by weight; it's pricey for pizza but widely considered the best in Rome.
Trapizzino
$5.89–$7.06 / €5–€6Trastevere / Testaccio · Street food
A hybrid between pizza and a sandwich; try the 'Pollo alla Cacciatora' filling.
Dar Filettaro a Santa Barbara
$7.06–$14 / €6–€12Campo de' Fiori · Local chain
Legendary for its fried salt cod; get it to go and eat in the piazza.
Mercato Centrale Roma
$9.42–$21 / €8–€18Termini · Food court
Great for groups with different tastes; high-quality ingredients from famous local chefs.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is most cost-effective via the ATAC public transport network, where a single ticket costs $1.77 / €1.5 and is valid for 100 minutes. For airport transfers, the Leonardo Express train provides a reliable $16 / €14 connection to the center, while official white taxis operate on a fixed $59 / €50 fare from Fiumicino Airport.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from central dormitories like The RomeHello for $35 / €30 to high-end stays at the Orazio Palace Hotel for $406 / €345 per night. A mid-range boutique stay in areas like Monti typically costs around $198 / €168, though travelers must factor in a nightly city tax of up to $12 / €10 for luxury hotels.
Accommodation Budget in Rome
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Drink from the 'nasoni' (curved drinking fountains) located throughout the city to get high-quality water for free.
- 2 Order your coffee standing at the bar to pay the local price of $1.41 / €1.2 instead of a much higher table service fee.
- 3 Purchase the ATAC Roma 72-Hour Pass for $21 / €18 if you plan on using the metro and trams multiple times a day.
- 4 Visit the Vatican Museums on the last Sunday of the month for free entry, though arrive before 08:00 to manage the crowds.
- 5 Eat takeaway pasta from Pastificio Guerra near Piazza di Spagna for a high-quality meal at a fraction of restaurant prices.
- 6 Explicitly say 'no pane' (no bread) if a basket is brought to the table to avoid a separate bread charge of $1.18–$3.53 / €1–€3.
- 7 Explore the Testaccio or Trastevere neighborhoods for more authentic dining with lower prices than the Centro Storico.
- 8 Use the free entry to St. Peter's Basilica and only pay the $12 / €10 elevator fee if you wish to climb the Cupola.
- 9 Avoid third-party 'skip-the-line' vendors on the street and book directly through official sites to save on heavy commissions.
- 10 Visit the Pantheon during the week to ensure entry for the $5.89 / €5 fee, as weekend bookings can be harder to secure.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
Mar, Nov
Spring and Autumn are peak for a reason; weather is a perfect 18–24°C (64–75°F). Winter (except Christmas) offers great hotel deals, but expect rain and temperatures around 8–13°C (46–55°F).
Events to Watch
- ● Jubilee Year 2025 (extending into early 2026): +40% hotels
- ● Easter Week: +60% accommodation
- ● Fashion Week (late Sept): +30% luxury stays
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 St. Peter's Basilica (entry to the main church).
- 2 Piazza Navona and its Bernini-designed fountains.
- 3 The Spanish Steps.
- 4 Villa Borghese Gardens park grounds.
- 5 Gianicolo Hill for the daily noon cannon fire and panoramic views.
- 6 San Pietro in Vincoli to see Michelangelo’s Moses statue.
- 7 Santa Maria del Popolo for Caravaggio masterpieces.
- 8 Walking along the historic Appian Way (Via Appia Antica).
- 9 Viewing the Arch of Constantine from the public plaza.
- 10 Largo di Torre Argentina to see the ancient ruins and cat sanctuary from street level.
- 11 The Jewish Ghetto area and the Portico d’Ottavia ruins.
- 12 Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the city's oldest churches.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Vatican Museums After-Hours Tour
Avoid the suffocating crowds (~25,000 daily) and see the Sistine Chapel in silence. Costs ~$412 / €350 per person depending on group size.
Dinner at Aroma (Michelin Star with Colosseum View)
The best view in Rome; the 7-course tasting menu is ~$282 / €240. Perfect for a special occasion.
Guided Night Tour of the Colosseum
Visit the underground and arena floor under the stars (~$100 / €85); it's cooler and much more atmospheric.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Rome
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Rome and what they cost
Tivoli (Villa d'Este & Villa Adriana)
$7.06 / €6 by train
$18 / €15
$53 / €45
Florence (Firenze)
$59 / €50 by high-speed train
$29 / €25
$165 / €140
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in restaurants and hotels; cash is still preferred for small gelatos, coffees under ~$5.89 / €5, and at local markets.
Not mandatory. Round up the bill or leave ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 at casual spots. For exceptional service in restaurants, 5–10% is generous as service is often included.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo) for the best rates. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high fees and use poor conversion rates (~$5.89 / €5 fee per withdrawal).
Connectivity
eSIM: $18–$24 for 10GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $24–$35 / €20–€30 at Termini station for tourist plans
WiFi: Good in hotels and major cafés; many public piazzas have 'RomaWiFi' but registration can be buggy.
Get a Holafly or Airalo eSIM before arrival for instant data, or a TIM/Vodafone local SIM at Termini Station (~$29 / €25 for 50GB) for better value.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Rome.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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