7 Day Rome Budget Breakdown: How Much Does A Week In Rome Cost Budget Travelers?

Rome blew me away the first time I visited. The history, the architecture, the wine that costs less than a bottle of water back home. Nicknamed the Eternal City, it has a way of making you feel like you could wander forever and never run out of things to see.

Here’s the thing nobody tells you: Rome doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

I visited Rome on a budget and tracked every single euro I spent so you don’t have to guess.

This Rome budget breakdown covers my actual costs for flights, lodging, food, public transportation, activities, and souvenirs — plus what those prices look like updated for 2026.

Use this as your planning guide and permission slip to book the trip.

Now before we jump into how much to budget for Rome, here are some important financial things you should know before you go.

Before You Go: Money in Rome

What currency to use in Italy? Italy uses the Euro (€).

The Vatican City also uses the Euro – same currency, different coin designs.

Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but always carry cash. Smaller cafes, street food vendors, and some trattorias are still cash-only. If your bank requires travel notifications, set them before you leave.

Helpful Tip: Get a no-foreign-transaction-fee card before your trip. The savings add up fast over a week.

Total Airfare: $72.86 USD (From NYC)

Yes, really! When I booked my round-trip flight to Rome, I redeemed Delta SkyMiles during a flash sale.

Round-trip economy to Europe typically runs 60,000 SkyMiles, but the flash sale dropped it to 55,000 and I only paid $72.86 out of pocket to cover taxes, fees, and charges.

That included one free checked bag and priority boarding.

For context, cash flights from NYC to Rome in the summer can easily range from $700–$900 roundtrip.

If you’re not in a rush, watching for Delta’s monthly flash sales via Thrifty Traveler Premium is one of the best moves you can make to save money.

How To Use Your Delta SkyMiles

From the U.S., round-trip economy flights to Europe usually cost 60,000 SkyMiles. But since I booked my flights during a Delta SkyMiles Flash Sale, I saved 5,000 SkyMiles on my award ticket.

I booked my roundtrip award flight to Rome for 55,000 SkyMiles and paid $72.86 USD for mandatory taxes, fees, and charges. This included one free checked bag and priority boarding.

Coupling my SkyMiles with a flash sale not only saved me money (flights to Rome in the summer cost over $700 USD) but also a significant amount of miles! If you’re not in a rush to redeem your Delta SkyMiles, wait for Delta’s monthly flash sales for better redemption value.

Total Lodging: 310,34 € ($364.19 USD)

From hostels to Airbnbs, Rome offers good options for every budget, especially when you book early and mix accommodation types like I did.

I stayed in a mix of hostels and an Airbnb over the course of my trip — which turned out to be a great strategy for both price and experience.

Generator Hostel Rome: 32,85 € ($38.55 USD)

One night at Generator Hostel Rome cost 26,35 € or $30.92 USD. This was for one non-refundable bed in a 4-bed female dorm. This did not include the mandatory city tax nor the charge to store my luggage.

• Lodging City Tax (mandatory): 3,50 € or $4.11 USD
• Luggage Storage: 3,00 € or $3.52 USD

My room had access to a small patio and a hammock. This was perfect for reading and getting work done.

Generator Hostel Rome also offers a buffet breakfast and daily happy hour. Weekly events include Pizza Social Night, Funk Fridays, Soundclash Saturday and Sunday Rehab.

For more hostel recommendations, check out the best hostels in Rome for party-goers, couples, families and even groups.

Yellow Hostel Cost: 66,20 € or $73.03 USD

I also spent two nights at Yellow Hostel in Rome. It cost 27,60 € or $32.39 USD per night for a non-refundable bed in a 6-bed female ensuite dorm. This did not include the mandatory city tax which cost 7,00 € or $8.25 USD for two nights.

From 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Yellow Hostel offers guests a complimentary plate of pasta which is great for saving money on your Rome budget.

The hostel also has all sorts of tours and activities like bike tours, cooking classes, and vintage photo classes.

Book a stay at Yellow Hostel here.

Airbnb Cost: 437,59 € (207,06 € per person) or $493 USD ($246.50 USD per person)

I booked five nights in a 2-bedroom and 2-bathroom Airbnb apartment near Vatican City with my best friend. We had the entire apartment to ourselves. It included a small kitchen, living room, balcony, and a stylish foyer.

We also paid 17,50 € (8,75 € per person) which covered the mandatory lodging city tax for five nights which was approximately $20.53 USD ($10.26 USD per person).

About Rome City Tax

The Rome hotel tax is a mandatory tax for tourist. The hotel tax is charged per person, per night for a maximum of ten nights. It is not included in your bill or lodging rates so you’ll have to pay this separately when you arrive.

The tax ranges from 3,00 € to 7,00 € a night and it is based on the star rating of the accommodation.

Many other cities in Italy charge a similar hotel tax.

Transportation: 73,00 € ($85.98 USD)

Shuttle van from Rome-Fiumicino Airport to Termini Station: 15,00 € (cash only) or $17.66 USD.

If you’re arriving late or traveling with heavy luggage, taxis are available from Fiumicino Airport to the city center for 55 € flat rate, a pricier but stress-free choice when you want to skip public transit.

Three Express shuttle-trains from Termini Station to/from Rome-Fiumicino Airport: 42,00 € (14,00 € each) or $49.46 USD ($16.48 each).

One-way metro rides: 9,00 € (1,50 € single ticket) or $10.60 USD.

24-hour Rome metro: 7,00 € or $8.24 USD.

What about Uber?

While Rome’s public transportation is reliable and affordable, Uber can be a handy option if you’re traveling late or want a direct ride to your lodging.

Just keep in mind that surge pricing can make rides more expensive during peak hours.

Dining Costs: 134,10 € ($161.61 USD)

No trip to Rome is complete without indulging in the city’s renowned cuisine.

This was probably my biggest area of savings: I kept my food budget to roughly 40€/day for all meals and drinks, and I ate very, very well.

Groceries: 6,50 € ($7.83 USD)

I picked up some basics early in the trip. Having a kitchen at the Airbnb made this easy.

Day 1: 17,00 € ($20.48 USD)

• Veggie Burger: 7,00 €
• Happy hour beers: 8,00 € (2 beers at 4,00 € each)
• Tip: 2,00 €

Day 2: 26,50 € ($31.93 USD)

Breakfast: 5,00 € at Generator Hostel Rome (eggs, coffee, OJ, cereal, cheese, ham, yogurt)

Dinner: 19,00 €

• Ravioli Burro e Salvia: 12,00 €
• Pinot Grigio: 6,00 €
• Tip: 1,00 €

Small gelato cone: 2,50 €

Day 3: 36,00 € or $43.38 USD

Lunch at Habana: 12,00 €

Dinner at Tiorentina: 24,00 €

• Paccheri con Verdure e Mentuccia 15,00 €

• Beer: 6,00 €

• Service Charge: 3,00 €

Day 4: 16,70 € ($20.12 USD)

Breakfast: 3,20 €

• (2) Cafe Lattes: 2,20 €
• Croissant: 1,00 €

Dinner at Tonnarello: 13,50 €

• Tonnarello Cozze Pecorino: 9,00 €
• House wine (white): 4,50 €

Day 5: 31,40 € ( $37.84 USD)

Breakfast: 1,20 €

• Caffe Latte: 1,20 €

Lunch: 22,00 €

• Fettucine Alfredo: 12,00 €
• White wine (house): 8,00 €
• Service charge: 2,00 €

Snack: 2,70 €

Dinner: 5,50 €

• Mushroom calzone

Day 6: 1,20 € ($1.44 USD)

Breakfast: 1,20 € (travel day — kept it minimal)

Money-saving Food Tips for Rome

• Stand at the bar. Sitting at a café table in Rome can double or triple the price of your coffee. Order at the counter like a local and pay espresso prices.
• Beware of service charges at sit-down restaurants. Many restaurants add a service charge (coperto) or cover charge, usually a few euros per person. It’s standard in Rome, so be sure to check your bill to avoid surprises when budgeting for meals.
• Look for “pranzo di lavoro.” Many restaurants offer weekday lunch specials, multiple courses for 12–18 €. It’s how locals eat out affordably.
• Avoid tourist-trap menus. Laminated picture menus are usually a sign the restaurant is catering to tourists, not locals. Wander a block or two away from the major landmarks and you’ll find better food at better prices.

Souvenirs: 36,50 € ($43.98 USD)

• Silver ring: 8,00 € (negotiated down from 10,00 €)
• Beer cup: 10,00 €
• Rosary beads: 14,00 € (negotiated down from 15,00 €)
• Polyester scarf: 4,50 €

Street vendors near tourist areas tend to have higher prices, buy don’t be afraid to negotiate with street vendors, especially near the major landmarks.

A friendly counter-offer is completely normal and usually met with a smile.

Activities: 44,00 € ($53.08 USD)

Rome is one of the best cities in the world for free sightseeing.

Attractions range from iconic landmarks like the Colosseum to tucked-away gems in quiet piazzas.

Many are free or low cost, making it easy to explore without breaking the bank.

Here’s what I paid:

=

• Spanish Steps: Free
• Pantheon Admission: Free (small fee now applies in 2026)
• Trevi Fountain: Free
• Villa Borghese: Free
• Giancicolo Hill: Free (for stunning panoramic views of the city)
• Colosseum Guide: 5,00 €
• Colosseum Admission (includes Roman Forum and Palatine): 12,00 €
• Hop Off Hop On Bus Tour: 27,00 €

Important 2026 updates on admission prices:

The Pantheon now charges a small entrance fee (it was free when I visited). Plan for that in your budget.

The Colosseum has also increased its prices.

As of 2026, the standard adult ticket is €18 and includes access to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill — valid for two consecutive days.

The Full Experience ticket (which adds the Arena floor and/or Underground) runs €24.

Book in advance as tickets sell out weeks ahead during peak season (April–October).

Free admission hack: On the first Sunday of every month, state-owned sites including the Colosseum offer free entry. The trade-off is massive crowds and no advance booking, but if you’re patient and visit early, it’s worth it.

Overall, some of the best moments in Rome happen when you stumble upon quiet piazzas, where locals sip espresso and life slows down a notch.

My Total Rome Trip Cost: $781.70 USD

So how much did a trip to Rome cost me?

Here’s the full picture: I spent $ 781.70 USD during my week in Rome.

The biggest savings came from redeeming frequent flyer miles.

If I’d paid cash for my flight, this trip would have been $700+ more expensive before I even landed.

I kept costs low by enjoying most of the free activities that the city has to offer and by sticking to a budget of ~40,00 € a day for meals, drinks, and snacks.

If you’re on a tighter budget, you can certainly spend less by skipping out on gelato and a glass of wine.

Since eating out also adds up, eat out less and do more grocery shopping.

Lastly, I recommend walking as much as you can. Rome is a walkable city.

The more you walk, the less you spend on transit, and honestly, the more you’ll discover.

Some of the best moments in Rome happen when you take a wrong turn into a piazza you didn’t know existed.

Rome is the perfect city to roam endlessly and get lost. There are Roman ruins and beautiful parks and gardens everywhere. So even if you (accidentally) forget your purse or wallet at home, you can still have an enchanting time exploring the city.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rome on a Budget

Is Rome expensive to visit? Rome is moderately expensive compared to other European cities. It’s more affordable than Paris or London, but pricier than Lisbon or Prague. The good news: a significant portion of Rome’s best experiences are free.

How much money do I need per day in Rome? Budget travelers can get by on €80–120/day. That covers a hostel bed, meals at cafes and trattorias, public transit, and one paid activity. If you want a private room, sit-down dinners with wine, and skip-the-line tours, budget €150–200/day.

What’s free in Rome? Quite a lot: the Spanish Steps, Gianicolo Hill, Villa Borghese Gardens, St. Peter’s Basilica, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, and dozens of beautiful churches. The first Sunday of every month also opens major state-run sites for free.

Danielle Desir Corbett

Danielle Desir Corbett is an award-winning and 6x grant-funded travel writer and podcast host who went from financial struggle to visiting 27+ countries all without waiting until retirement. Her story is proof that budget doesn’t limit adventure. Tune into The Thought Card Podcast for practical strategies to travel smarter and live on your terms. Say hello: thethoughtcard (at) gmail (dot) com.

thoughtcard.com/