How Much Money to Budget for a Month in Italy?

A few interesting Italy facts, that make it a country I love is that it’s packed full of tasty food, historical sights, and a vibrant culture. I spent a lot of time backpacking Italy and I love it more and more.

For these reasons Italy is one of the most and best countries to backpack in Europe, and people often ask me “How much does it cost to travel Italy for a month?”.

Italy is expensive compared to other countries in Europe.

Wait wait! Don’t let that last sentence scare you away! 

Skipping Italy because of the price tag would be a huge mistake. Italy is a country worth visiting, and it’s well aware of that fact. It is one of my favorite countries to visit when backpacking Europe.

This post will break down how much you need to budget to travel in Italy, and some tips I’ve personally used to help save some extra cash.

Cost of Traveling Italy for a Month

Accommodation in Italy

Hostels – Most of my travels in Italy have been by staying in hostels. If you are new to backpacking then check out my post about thoroughly explains what is a hostel and what a hostel experience is like.

Hostels have a few types of rooms to choose from.

Dorms – A night in a hostel dorm cost around $30-$50. In the big cities like Rome, it can be even more.

Private Rooms- In a Hostel range between $50-$70.

Airbnb – Is a great option for getting a nice private room in a locals house. Want an Airbnb coupon code?

Sign up using this link and save $40 off your first stay with Airbnb.

The earlier you book your dorms chances are the prices will be cheaper. I suggest doing this even though it takes out some of the randomness and adventure of not knowing where you’re going.

As you can see a major cost of Italy is the accommodation.

Of course, there are easy ways to save money on accommodation by couchsurfing or house sitting. (Both are alternatives for Airbnb)

Eating in Italy

Not experiencing Italy’s food is nothing short of a tragedy. In my opinion, it is some of the most delicious food on the planet.

I am drooling over my keyboard just thinking about the soft freshly baked bread, cheeses that have reached the levels of perfection, pasta overflowing with creamy sauces and unforgettable red wine.

However, eating out every night will kill your budget. I suggest striking a delicate balance.

For breakfast and lunch eat at local bakeries or cook your meals and go out for dinner. The food in Italy is just too good to miss.

Cheap Eateries- Cost around $10 – $15 a meal.

Midrange- $15-$25

High-end restaurants– $25- sky’s the limit.

If you are adding wine to your meal budget at least $10 more.

Travel Tips to save money on food

Of course cooking yourself saves tons of money, and you can eat as little as $5 – $10 a day as well.

If you confine yourself to eating bread and cheese from bakeries eating in Italy in fairly inexpensive. For three meals at bakeries, you are looking at spending $8-$10 a day.

Getting Around Italy

If  a Eurail Pass is the right option for you then, transportation is reasonably cheap.

Italy has a vast and reliable train network. Training to other cities in Italy won’t break the bank with journey cost somewhere around $10 -$30.

You can walk most cities,like I explain in my Rome guide, otherwise   a few sights.

Following  travel tips like this saves a little money every day that adds up to significant savings over time.

There are other cheap ways to travel Europe as well.,

Another option is budget airlines in Europe. However, make sure you are aware of the airlines rules and policy’s.

Budget airlines sometimes have tricky little fees that add up quick.

Things do in on a Budget in Italy

Now we get to the fun stuff. Italy is jam packed with tons of things to do, especially sightseeing.

The Colosseum = $15 and gives you access to the Foro Romano and Palatino.

The Vatican-  including the Sistine Chapel = $20

Last Super in Milan- $22 ( Book ahead of time)

Galleria dell’Accademia, or Accademia Gallery – ( Michelangelo’s David) = $26

Florence Cathedral – $23

Souvenirs – $25 – $100. Here are some great slow travel souvenirs in Italy.

Another option is to plan a tour with Walks of Italy. It is a day tour company in Italy that I recommend to my readers. If you are curious what makes them so great check out my Walks of Italy review.

Partying in Italy

Italy Travel Tips(Read More)
Italy Travel Blog(Read More)
Things do in Florence(Read More)

I’m not going to lie I went a little wild my first time in Italy.

In Rome, the nightlife is intense, energetic, and it seems never to stop.  If you are not careful, too many wild nights out in Italy will destroy your budget.

However, I do think seeing the night life of a culture is important while backpacking. For a night out in Italy you need to budget between $30-$50 ( tolerance depending, of course)

Breakdown of the Cost of Traveling in Italy a Month

Hostel Dorms = $1050

Eating  ( Eating at a restaurant once a day) = $750

Partying ( Going out once a week) =$200

Transportation ( Rome, Florence, Sienna, Milan, Venice) =$150

Sightseeing = $150

Total = $ 2,300

Don’t let this discourage you. There are many ways to cut cost, go a restaurant every other day, don’t party often, and travel slow and you can set your budget for a month in Italy to around $1700.

Is the Cost of Traveling Italy Worth it?

Yes, Italy isn’t cheap, but it is a country worth the price tag.

When you think that for $1,700 I am getting  a month to explore Rome, watch the sunset over Florence, gaze up at Sistine Chapel, eat pizza in its birthplace, and wander the alleyways canals of Venice. The price doesn’t seem so bad.

The Italian culture is wonderful; it is jam-packed with sights and history, you have beautiful coastlines, and in the north incredible mountains.  Italy embodies everything I love about Europe, and I will visit this country regularly the rest of my life.

Are you hooked on Italy? I thought so, then check out my full list of Italy Travel Tips also see 5 Ways to Travel Europe Cheaply