Rome Travel Costs: Budgeting for Your 2025 Trip

Sometimes we make the mistake of putting off an experience because we're afraid we can't afford it, even before checking prices and figuring out ways to save. When it comes to Rome, the Eternal City, the cradle of culture where the Pope appears on the Vatican balcony every Sunday, we quickly realize it's not for us financially.

But is Rome expensive? How much does a trip to Rome cost in 2025? What are the average daily expenses? In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know to plan your travel budget in one of the world's most extraordinary cities, as well as tips for saving and making a vacation to Rome possible in 2025.

Planning a trip in advance allows you to make the most of your time and meet your expectations. It also means trying to stay within your budget. Knowing the average daily costs in Rome in 2025 will help you plan your travel budget. The information we provide is indicative and based on travelers to Rome. Of course, with our suggestions and guidance, you can spend less, or, if you're a discerning traveler with a taste for luxury, more.

An average daily expense in Rome, including accommodation, food, transportation, and admission to attractions, is around €200 ($238); specifically, the average price of food is €80, of transportation is €20, and of hotels are €180. As we mentioned earlier, this amount can be significantly reduced depending on various factors, such as: the type of accommodation—for example, you could consider staying in a rented apartment instead of a hotel; buying food and cooking it at home instead of going to a restaurant every day; and finally, purchasing a City Pass, such as the Visit Rome Pass, which includes attraction entrances and unlimited use of public transport to save on travel within the city. We assure you, in Rome it's truly worth it.

If you're on a tight budget and want to lower your average daily cost, here are some tips to help you plan your trip:

- accommodation: choose a hostel, a campsite if traveling in the summer, or a rental apartment. Be careful not to choose a super-central area, but rather a nearby neighborhood. The important thing is that they're well-connected to public transportation.

- food: shop at local markets or supermarkets if you're staying in an apartment. You'll still appreciate the local cuisine, but cook it yourself. Treat yourself to a pizza al taglio and dinner at a local trattoria every now and then. Choose to visit free or discounted museums or attractions—check out the following sections for more information.

- transportation: choose a City Pass like the Visit Rome Pass, which gives you unlimited access.

If your budget allows and you're considering a luxury vacation in Rome, there's a wide choice of 4- or 5-star hotels in the city center. Choose your favorite attractions regardless of cost. Rome often hosts temporary exhibitions by major artists at a pricey rate. Alternatively, opt for private tours, such as the one to the Vatican Museums with exclusive access. Finally, opt for dinners with panoramic views in Michelin-starred restaurants. Those on a budget, unfortunately, have the city at their disposal. But even then, plan ahead without wasting resources.

Prices in Rome in 2025, the Jubilee Year, could be higher than average. If you want to save money, the first thing to do is do your research and plan your vacation well in advance. Explore the city on foot and take advantage of Rome's public transportation network; in addition to the subway, there are countless buses and trams. For accommodation, as mentioned above, choose a remote but well-connected area, carefully evaluating reviews and finding the best value. Buy your food at local markets and indulge in Roman street food; there's a wide selection! And every now and then, try a restaurant, but far from the city center, because in the heart of the city, even if the quality may be the same, prices will rise due to the tourists.

If you want to do some shopping, choose the periods when there are seasonal sales; spending summer 2025 in Rome is not a bad idea. Finally, if you plan to visit many attractions, choose a City Pass that includes all the experiences you want to enjoy. Visit the capital's churches and beautiful parks, where admission is always free. Continue reading to discover all of Rome's free attractions. Don't forget that the capital also offers free concerts and cultural events for everyone.

Rome is known as an open-air museum, which offers considerable economic advantages because many sites are freely accessible.

Let's start with some of the churches that house priceless treasures, coveted by many:

- St. Peter's Basilica, for example, where you'll find Michelangelo's Pietà 
- in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, you can see Michelangelo's Moses 
- the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, with its magnificent mosaic shimmering in the sun; and all the churches housing works by Caravaggio.
- Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

Now let's move on to the squares and fountains:
- Piazza Navona and all its works
- the Trevi Fountain, so you don't miss the dreamy Rome of La Dolce Vita 
- Spanish Steps.
- Imperial Forum:  you can freely observe the ruins of Ancient Rome just a few meters away. If you continue along Via dei Fori Imperiali to Piazza Venezia, you can visit the Vittoriano monument, also known as the typewriter for its distinctive shape, for free.
- a final treat is to see the dome of St. Peter's through the keyhole of the Aventine Hill.

Continuing the idea of Rome's open-air world, we offer some truly low-cost itineraries here.

The first itinerary could include a visit to St. Peter's Square and the Basilica, then continue on to a characteristic Roman neighborhood: Trastevere, where you can stroll through its narrow streets and admire its churches, perhaps enjoying an aperitif in the evening.

A second itinerary could ideally start at the famous Trevi Fountain, then head towards Piazza del Tritone, strolling along Via Veneto, home to the city's most exclusive hotels and once the heart of Fellini's Dolce Vita, all the way to Villa Borghese, where you can browse its interior and enjoy the magnificent view from the Pincio overlooking Piazza del Popolo, before continuing on to the top of the Spanish Steps.

One last itinerary for a leisurely stroll through a bucolic setting is to walk the first stretch of the Via Appia Antica, visit the Catacombs of San Callisto, and continue to the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. For the ancient Romans, the Via Appia Antica was the Queen of Roads. Here, you'll experience a tranquil atmosphere that will make you almost forget you're in Rome.

We hope we've given you a range of options, and as you can see, Rome, if you want, is a manageable trip and not as expensive as you might have imagined. Happy traveling!