Rome's Best Travel Routes

When traveling to Rome, it’s important to budget appropriately for various expenses. The currency used in Italy is Euro. Always ask for the costs in advance, so you can do the math and avoid unpleasant surprises. For the latest exchange rates, you can check online tools like xe.com. Here’s a detailed breakdown of average costs for different services to help you plan your budget, higher prices can be considered tourist traps. By keeping these average costs in mind and opting for credit card payments in your home currency, you can manage your budget more effectively and avoid unexpected financial surprises during your trip.

Dining Out

• Restaurants: A meal at a mid-range restaurant typically costs between €4 and €12 per dish. Primo €8–12, Secondo €12–18, Wine €3–5 a glass, Dessert €4–6.
• Street food/snack: €3–5 for pizza al taglio or supplì.
• Pizzeria dinner: Pizza €7–12, Beer €4–6. 
• Fine dining: €60–100 per person.
• Water usually costs €1-2 per bottle at restaurants or vending machines, €0.30 at the supermarket. Tap water isn’t commonly served.
• Coperto: A table service charge (€1–3) is normal. It covers bread and setup, not a scam.
• Pane: Some places charge separately for bread, expect an additional charge of about €1.50—you can refuse politely if you prefer.
• Tipping: Rounding up to the nearest euro or leaving a small coin is appreciated but not expected. Locals don’t tip 10–15%—ever.
• Ice Cream: Italian gelato is a must-try, with prices ranging from €2 to €5, depending on the size and location. The quality is often exceptional, making it worth the splurge.

International cuisines:

• Chinese: €4-6 per dish.
• Sushi: All-you-can-eat options range from €20 to €25. Beware of cheaper options, as lower prices may indicate poor quality and potential safety issues.
• The city offers a diverse culinary scene, featuring a wide array of national cuisines, including Greek, Mexican, Indian, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Lebanese, Ethiopian, Colombian, and Persian.

Breakfast:

• Coffee at the bar: €1–1.20 for espresso, €1.50–2.00 for cappuccino (standing). Sitting down can triple the price.
• Croissants: €1-1.30 each.
• Pastries: €1-2.50 each.

Drinks

Beer:

• Supermarket: €0.35-3 per bottle.
• Pub or restaurant: €3-7 per pint.
• Happy Hour (with food): €8-10.

Wine:

• Supermarket: €2-20 per bottle, depending on quality. Good-quality wines are available with a minimum of €4.50.
• Restaurant: Prices vary widely and can range from €10 to hundreds of Euros per bottle, depending on the venue and wine quality. Good quality can start from €15.

Other Alcohol:

• The prices of spirits, bitters, aperitivo, and liquors vary between €3 and €12 per glass, €18-40 per bottle on average.

Transportation

• ➡Bus/Metro Ticket:

• Single Ticket: €1.50 (includes one metro ride and 90 minutes of bus rides), 24-hour pass: €7, 72-Hour Ticket: €18.00.
• For more options and details, visit ATAC.roma.it.
• ➡Airport Transfers:

• Fiumicino Airport: Bus services cost between €4 and €11, Leonardo Express train €14.00 (32 minutes), regional train €8.00.
• Ciampino Airport: Urban bus costs €1.50, private bus €6–7.
• ➡Taxi:

• Inside the City: Typically €5-25, depending on the distance. Starting fare: €3–4 (day), €6.50 (night).
• To Fiumicino Airport: €48-55.
• To Ciampino Airport: €30-35.

Accommodation

• ➡Hotel, B&B, or Apartment: Expect to pay between €35 and €200 per night, depending on the location, quality, and season. Budget options will be at the lower end of this range, while more luxurious or centrally located accommodations can be significantly more expensive. Booking in advance often secures better rates.

Phone and Connectivity

For more affordable communication, consider getting a local SIM card or an eSIM; monthly prices range from €6 to €12 per month, excluding activation fees.

Before connecting to free Wi-Fi, which is widely available in hotels, bars, restaurants, and public places, ensure you have a reliable VPN.

Museums, Monuments, and Churches

• ➡Entry fees generally range from €0 (free) to €18. Some sites offer reduced prices for children, seniors, students, and teachers. Bus ticket holders might also receive discounts. Many museums offer through-ticketing for multiple attractions. Churches are typically free to enter, though some may have suggested donations.

• Colosseum + Forum + Palatine: €16 standard (reduced €2 for EU students 18–25).
• Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel: €17 online (€4 reservation fee).
• Borghese Gallery: €13 standard (reservation mandatory).
• Capitoline Museums: €11.50.
• Free sites: Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, some museums, villas and gardens, and many more. Check the “100 free things to do in Rome” chapter. 📝