A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Rome for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Rome?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Rome can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Rome?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Rome is $182. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Islamabad and Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Rome $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Rome $190
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Rome? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Rome


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.67
    Rome $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.14
  • Train to the Airport
    $16
  • Taxi to Airport
    $48
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Trieste Port: One-Way Private Transfer to/from Rome Hotels: $2,551
  • Fiumucino Rome Airport (FCO): 1-Way Transfer To Trieste Port: $2,551
  • Luxury Private Transfer Siena to Rome Fiumicino Airport: $979
  • Luxury private transfer Siena to Rome Ciampino airport: $942
  • Private luxury transfer Siena to Rome city center: $942
  • Private Transfer from Amalfi to Rome or viceversa: $845
  • From Sorrento: Private Transfer to Rome or Vice Versa: $818
  • Verona Airport (VRN) : One-Way Private Transfer to Ravenna: $710
  • Sorrento to Rome 1-Way Private Transfer: $667
  • Private Transfer from Naples to Rome or viceversa: $624
  • From Private Transfer to Naples or Vice Versa: $592
  • Transfer from Fiumicino Airport with 3 Hours Rome Tour: $425

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome and Islamabad change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Islamabad $15
    Rome $51

Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $15
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.20
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.29
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $2.84
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $34
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.14
  • Dinner
    $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
  • Eat Pasta in Rome, Testaccio - Self-Guided Walking Food Tour: $17
  • Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
  • Vatican Street Food Tour around the Biggest Fresh Market in Rome: $32
  • Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $37
  • Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
  • Tasty Trionfale Farmers Market Food Tour and Local Wines Tasting: $38
  • Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
  • Painting and Pizza Party in Rome: $43
  • Pub Crawl and Ultimate Party with Open Bar and Pizza: $43
  • Tiber River Urban Rafting Tour with Roman Pizza: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Rome $39

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
  • From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150

Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $74
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $35
  • Roma Pass
    $32
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $21
  • Segway Tour
    $80

Tours and Activities in Rome

Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Colosseum & Ancient Rome Tour: $89
  • Colosseum and Ancient Rome Tour with Circus Maximus and Forums: $16
  • Cruise into Rome?! Full-Day Rome Discovery from Civitavecchia : $97
  • Doria Pamphilj Gallery Entry Ticket : $38
  • Electric - Bike 3 hour Tour : $56
  • Electric Bike Tour of City Centre with Gelato Highlights of Rome: $75
  • Haunted Rome Walking Tour : $233
  • Hidden Gems & Rome Catacomb Semi Private Tour 8 People Max. : $98
  • Palatine Hill and Colosseum Tour in Rome: $86
  • Premium Rome Walking Tour: from Colosseum to the Orange Gardens: $295
  • Private Tour - Capuchin Crypt and Hidden Gems of Rome: $285
  • Private Tour in Ferrari with Driver in Rome: $273

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Rome $19

Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $6.96
  • Pint of Beer
    $6.79
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
  • Vatican Street Food and Wine Tour with Farmers Market: $38
  • The Best Wine Tasting in Trastevere with food pairing and Gelato: $49
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $53
  • Roman Night Life and Burlesque Show Tour: $54
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
  • Agricultural Brewery Tour in the Roman Countryside: $55
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $60
  • Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
  • E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $69
  • Rome by Night-Ebike tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Taste of Tuscany: Food & Wine tour with Florentine Steak: $74


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia and Rome is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome than you might in Islamabad.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Rome Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Rome, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Rome?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Islamabad or Rome in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Rome. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the summer, Islamabad often gets less sunshine than Rome. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Islamabad is much warmer than Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Rome during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Rome. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Rome 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Islamabad is much warmer than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the winter, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Rome. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Rome in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Rome. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rome this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Rome during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Rome. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Islamabad

Islamabad Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)