6 DAYS IN ITALY FOR UNDER $1,500
Take advantage of some of the amazing flight deals to Rome this April we shared on IG. With air fare coming in under $475 round-trip, this is a great time to visit Italy, especially if you have a limited budget.
Italy is not always the most affordable option in Europe, but it is well worth it. If your are only going to visit for a week and it is your first time to Italy, I recommend either staying in Rome for your full visit (there is plenty to do and see in this city) or spending two nights in Florence and 4 nights in Rome.
Price per person based on 2 people can be as cheap as $1,500, but to splurge on some nicer hotels the cost comes in around $2,000 per person. See below for recommendations for each budget.
The budget below is based on my recommended itinerary. Pricing will change depending on how you customize your trip.
Day 1: Arrive in Rome & Head to Florence
Day 2: Florence
Day 3: Head to Rome
Day 4: Rome
Day 5: Rome
Day 6: Rome
Day 7: Depart
Flight from Chicago to Rome
There are a number of affordable flight options to Rome this April, one of the best deals is with TAP Air Portugal and comes in at $475 per person (they allow carryon bags but are very strict on the weight, so either pay for a checked back or weight your carryon) The dates are departing Chicago April 15th and leaving Rome on April 22nd. Although this flight requires a layover, for the price it is well worth it!
Hotel Recommendations in Italy
Florence
The hotels below are some of the most affordable in Florence, but still located near everything you will want to see and do while in the city.
Boutique Hotel del Corso: Hotel del Coro is my top pick while staying in Florence without breaking the bank. This hotel offers larger than normal rooms and has a small but beautiful rooftop terrace. It costs around $250 per night and is a great option while visiting the city.
Porta Faenza Hotel: This hotel is one of the best budget options, even if the color scheme may not be to everyone’s taste. Close to Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Historic Center - Downtown, Porta Faenza Hotel provides dry cleaning/laundry services, a bar, and more. This hotel runs around $200 per night.
Hotel Miceli-Civico 50: The rooms offer a mix of comfort with a simple design. Only 1 min walk from the Hotel is Michelangelo's world-famous David, located within the beautiful Galleria dell'Accademia - 5 min walk takes you to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's Dome - 15 min walk is the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. This hotel is around $200 per night in April.
Hotel Spadai: For those with the budget Hotel Spadai is one of the best options in the city. The hotel is located close to all of the major sites, has top amenities and the rooms are much larger than can be found elsewhere. Coming in at around $600 per night, it is well worth the splurge if your budget allows for it.
Rome
Hotel Mimosa: This no frills hotel is for those that are on a tight budget and are ok with more dated decor. It is a clean hotel, with good reviews, in a prime location. You will be spending most of your time exploring the city and it is hard to beat for the price in Rome. The average nightly price during April is $229 per night.
Hotel Mozart: This location is centrally located and offers charm with more updated decor. There is a great rooftop restaurant and bar onsite, that offer beautiful views. Coming in at $300 per night, this is slightly more expensive but worth the upgrade.
Hotel Vite - By Naman Hotellerie: This hotel is one of the most affordable hotels in Rome with an amazing location. Rome is a very large city and due to the number of sites you will do a lot of walking. A short walk from the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Pantheon, Hotel Vite provides all of the modern amenities while still maintaining it’s charm. Rates are usually around $400 per night in April.
Hotel Splendide Royal - If you have the budget, this is my top pick for hotels in Rome as it offers large beautifully decorated rooms and has a rooftop terrace with stunning views. This five star hotel also offers all of the luxury amenities you expect. Coming in at $650 a night, it is truly a luxury hotel.
Getting Around Italy
Airport Transportation
Once you arrive at the airport if you are going to heading straight to florence you will need to head to Termini Station. I recommend taking the train to get the as it is fastest option towards the center of Rome. From the train station at Fiumicino Airport, the Leonardo Express takes you to Termini station in 32 minutes (here you will then have connection to both metro lines). The train runs every 15 minutes and costs only € 17.90.
The cheapest option from Fiumicino Airport to the center of Rome is a shuttle bus to Termini train station. Termini station is well connected to both metro lines. The journey takes 50 minutes and buses run approximately every hour. The price is €7 one way and €13 return (tickets can be easily booked via this website).
You can also take a taxi to Termini, and they usually run around €50 for the trip.
Train To/From Florence
There are frequent trains that run between Rome and Florence. The trip usually takes under 1:45 and costs between $19-40 each way depending on the time of day you leave. Most flights to Rome arrive early in the morning, but make sure when you book your ticket you are leaving plenty of time to accommodate delays, customs, etc. (minimum 4 hours after your arrive, but recommend 5 as Termini station is large and you can spend any extra time having lunch and people watching). I recommend booking your tickets ahead of time through ItaliaRail as trains can fill up. If i am visiting in the off season, I will usually book it while I am at the airport back home once I know my flight is leaving on time. The cost for the roundtrip train is under $75 per person.
Getting Around Florence and Rome
Florence is a relatively small city and easily walkable. Rome on the other hand is large and it can take you over an hour to walk from one end of the city to the other. If you love walking, you absolutely can explore the city fully on foot, just plan for time between certain sites. Another great option is to use the metro lines. They run by most key sites and the tickets are affordable (€7 for 24 hour pass).
NOTE: Remember to stamp your ticket (you do this yourself in the buses and trams), or you will risk a fine. This is true for the airport train as well.
Total Cost of Trains: $100 (including some buffer for local trains).
Budget Breakdown - $1,500
For those with a very tight budget, you can do Italy on a $1,900 (this includes flights, hotels and transportation). See below for the budget breakdown:
Roundtrip Air Fare: $475
Florence - Boutique Hotel del Corso $501 (2 Nights): $251
Rome - Hotel Motzart $1,330 (4 Nights): $665
Transportation: $100
Total Cost : $1,491
Budget Breakdown - $2,00
For those with who can afford a little bit more, I recommend the below hotels to fit within your budget, the main difference is your hotel in Florence. If you want to rest in luxury for a couple of nights this is thee place to do it as it doesn’t stretch the budget too much.
Roundtrip Air Fare: $475
Florence - Hotel Spadai: $1.250 (2 Nights): $625
Rome - Hotel Motzart $1,330 (4 Nights): $665
Transportation: $150 (more taxi’s in budget)
Total Cost: $1,915