How to Plan a Trip to Italy Without Breaking the Bank

Italy has been one of those destinations that is like a dream destination for all the travellers around the world. Italy provides a place or a destination where you can find culture, history, art, and food, which you will only find in some tourist places, be it witnessing the romantic place like Venice, or taking a view of the remains of ancient Rome. Some travellers think that if they have to travel to Italy, then they have to spend all their savings and need to sell some of their properties. But do you know what, with the right kind of planning, you can take the whole experience of Italy, that too without spending a lot.

This guide will help you plan your trip to Italy that too without spending a huge amount of money, and the trip will be completed within your budget. You will be able to know about the flights, affordable homestays, transportation, and all the adventures that you will be able to enjoy there, and that too within your budget.

Best Time to Visit on a Budget

The only way you can save your money in Italy is by selecting the perfect time to visit.

• Shoulder Season (April-May and September-October)– If you are visiting Italy during these months, then you are going to experience mild weather, which is pleasant. You will also find the crowd a bit less, and the prices of the hotels will also go down in comparison during the peak season.
• Winter (November-March)– Visiting during this time will be very beneficial for you. The price of hotels and flights goes down. You will experience the beauty of cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, and you can also visit the museums and take tours.

You should avoid visiting during July and August as these are the most expensive months of the year to travel to Italy; the place is filled with tourists, and the humidity and hot weather will make the trip a bit uncomfortable.

Affordable Flights to Italy

On a trip, the biggest and most expensive item is on flight tickets. But still, you can cut down your spending on it; there are different ways you can do it:

• Book Early: Start the search for the tickets in advance, like 3-6 months before your trip, and you might get the best deals for the flight.
• Be flexible with Airports: You should have a look at which airport the price of the ticket is affordable for. Usually, the airports of Rome, Milan, and Venice have the flexibility in their prices. It is advisable to take a flight to Milan and go to your final destination by train; this will be a bit cheaper than going to Rome directly.
• Budget Airline Within Europe: If you are travelling within Europe, then you can use the different airlines to travel, which offer flights at a cheaper rate. Carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet offer the cheap rate.

Tip: Always keep track of the price drop of the flights. You can keep the alert on apps like Skyscanner or Google Flights so that you can keep track.

Accommodation in Italy

Staying in Italy can be expensive, but you can get into some of the stays which can be affordable, and every traveller can afford them.

• Hostels: Some cities offer hostels and beds, starting from a price of $20-$30 per night, which is quite affordable. Cities such as Florence, Naples, and Milan provide such a facility.
• Guesthouses and B&Bs: The guesthouses run by the family are the best and the cheapest places to stay. You will get the traditional, authentic hospitality. You will not only save your money, but you will also get the experience of Italian hospitality.
• Apartments and Vacation Rentals: There are places where you can rent apartments, which are often cheaper in cost. Especially if you are traveling as a group, this is likely to be the best option. You also get access to the kitchen, where you can cook your own meal, so you can save your expense on the meal too.
• Agriturismo: You can stay at the farmhouse, which is located in the countryside. These are much more affordable and are special; you can also enjoy the homemade meals, which are included in many cases of the stay.

If you want to save more of your money, book your hotels and stays outside the place from the historic centre, and usually use public transport to reach the major places to visit.

Getting Around Italy

The interconnectedness of the transportation in Italy makes it best for travelling, you don’t have to book any taxi or any private transportation to go from one place to another.

• Trains: The two main operators of trains are Trenitalia and Italo. So, book your tickets in advance for the high-speed trains, so that you can get discounts. The trains that go on a regional basis are slower and cheaper for travelling for short distances.
• Buses: Buses are the best option for long distance travels. It is much more convenient and cheaper. FlixBus and MarinoBus offers you the roots which are cheaper and costs less.
• Public Transport: You can use public transport for travelling, like the metro. The cost of the tickets is very little which starting from $1.50-2, which makes it very affordable for the travellers.
• Walking and Biking: There are many cities in Italy that can be explored by walking only. You can also rent bikes and explore the local area. This is a bit expensive, but it will come under your budget.

It is advised to avoid renting cars to travel the country or the countryside. This can be a bit expensive. The cost of the fuels, tolls, and others might be a bit expensive and can go beyond your budget.

Eating in Italy

Nothing can beat the taste of Italian food, but eating every meal outside or going to some fancy restaurants might be a bit costly for you. You can enjoy the traditional food, and that too without spending a lot on it. Here is how you do it:

• Street Food and Markets: There are many food delicacies in Italy which is famous and easily available in the streets. Food such as pizza, arancini, or panini, which are freshly available in the local bakeries, can be under $5, which is quite affordable.
• Trattorias and Osterias: There are restaurants that are run by family and serve you with traditional, authentic food, that too at half the price of the fancy restaurants. You need to look for menus in which the name of the dishes is written local language that too without any English translation. It is a sign that it is a local restaurant.
• Aperitivo Culture: If you are visiting places like Milan and Turin during the aperitivo hour, which means during 6-8pm, then you can order a drink and enjoy complimentary snacks or even a whole meal with it.
• Self-Catering: There are some shops available in the supermarket where you can rent a kitchen and cook your own meal. This is cheaper than any restaurant.

The dish you can’t miss is gelato. It is very affordable, just make sure that you don’t get into the restaurants near the tourist area, the prices there are double.

Saving Money on Museums and Attractions

• City Passes: There are some museums located in places like Rome, Florence, and Venice that accept city passes to enter the museum, and you can save 20-30% of your money by not buying the tickets separately.
• Free Days: There are many museums that offer you free entry to the premises on the first Sunday of each month.
• Student and Youth Discounts: If you are under the age of 26, then carry your ID with you, as you might get a discount at some places of visit.

Budget Itinerary for 10-Days Trip

This will help you know how you can plan a 10-day trip to Italy, and that too under your budget:

With the combination of train and the under-budget homestay, this itinerary helps you with the trip and smoothly planning the trip.

Budget Travel Tips

• Carry a reusable water bottle with you. You will also find public taps or fountains from where you can drink water; these are free, you don’t have to pay any money for them.
• Always make sure that your train tickets are valid before getting on the trains and buses.
• Pack smart, make sure you don’t carry stuff which are not needed. This will increase the weight of the bag, and you might have to pay extra for the same.
• Try to learn the local language of Italy. So that you can communicate a bit with the locals.

Budget for Italy

You will now come to know you can break your daily expenditure and come down to a mid-range budget:

• Accommodation: You will easily get a place to stay for under $25-$50.
• Food: You will get affordable food under $15-$25.
• Transport: You can cut down your transportation cost by travelling in public transport $5-$20.
• Attractions: You can visit places under $10-$20, along with places where you can enter without any fees.

The whole adds up to the budget comes to be $60-$100 per day, which means you will complete your 10-day trip for $600-$1000, excluding the flight tickets.

If you are thinking that coming to Italy is going to be very expensive and difficult, you are wrong; it can be done under budget if planned wisely. If you are travelling during the shoulder season, then you can easily get a place to stay under your budget, transportation, and budget-friendly activities, and some paid experiences, you can enjoy the markets of Italy and the ambiance of Italy, that too without paying any extra amount.

Italy gives you an experience for all travellers, be it a budget traveller or an adventure one. Whether you are roaming around the city of Rome, enjoying the sunset, or getting the taste of delicious pizzas. With careful planning and understanding, you can enjoy the vacation. So, pack your bags and get ready to take the best trip, which you will always remember.