Should you visit Rome or Portofino?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Rome and Portofino can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Portofino
Located on the Italian Riviera coastline just southeast of Genoa, Portofino is known first and foremost as a resort town and popular yachting destination. The half-moon village sits in pastels, curving into a beautiful harbor of fishing boats and luxury yachts. A castle on a hill overlooks it all, while shops, restaurants, cafes, and luxury hotels make up the spread down below. Portofino also has opportunities for hiking, diving, and boating.
Which city is cheaper, Portofino or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €131, while the average daily cost in Portofino is €261. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Rome and Portofino in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Rome is €134. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €152. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Portofino the cost is €304 on average.
Food
In Rome travelers spend around €37 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Portofino travelers spend around €94 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Rome €37
Portofino €94
Typical Food prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)
€14
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
€2.99
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Cafe e doce
€4.00
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Pizza (Fast Food)
€2.65
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
€32
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Cheese and bread
€10
-
Espresso
€2.00
-
Dinner
€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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Tours from Home: Pizza Cooking Class with Italian Chefs:
$15
-
Interactive Cooking Experiences with Renowned Chefs All Over the World (in EST):
$22
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Live from Tagliatelle & Chicken Fricassee Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Gelato Cooking Class:
$33
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Virtual Cooking Class: Carbonara, Amatriciana, Pesto & "pasta al dente":
$40
-
5-Course Lunch or Dinner with Roman Jewish Dishes:
$44
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Street Food Tour with Local Guide:
$44
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Rome by Night: Bike Tour with Pizza:
$45
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1.5-Hour Campo de' Fiori to Jewish Quarter Food Tour:
$48
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2.5-Hour Self-Guided Food Tour in Trastevere:
$48
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Private Italian dinner in Rome with a selection of local wines:
$51
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour Artisian Rome:
$55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portofino
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portofino.
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Private cooking class at the old mill in Portofino:
$261
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €17 per day to get around in Rome.
The average price of local transportation around Portofino is €18 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
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Fiumicino Airport – Rome Termini Direct Bus Transfer:
$6.60
-
Return Bus Transfer Between Fiumicino Airport and Rome:
$6.82
-
Rome Left Luggage: Bike Rental, Storage & Airport Transfer:
$7.16
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Ultra - Rome Private Airport Transfer from city centre to Fiumicino airport FCO:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Private Transfer from Rome City Centre to Civitavecchia Cruise Port:
$9.41
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Taxi Transfer in the City Center:
$9.46
-
Rome Airport Private VIP Transfer:
$10
-
Private Transfer to/from Fiumicino or Ciampino Airport:
$11
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Private Transfer Service from Airport to City:
$12
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Fiumicino Airport Private Luxury Transfers to Rome:
$14
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Private One-Way Transfer from Ciampino Airport to Rome:
$15
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Rome Ciampino Airport Transfer to or from Rome Hotels:
$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portofino
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portofino:
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Portofino - Genoa Airport (GOA) / Private Departure Car Transfer:
$56
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Portofino - Genoa Airport (GOA) / Private Departure Car Transfer:
$100
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Portofino – Genoa / Private Car Transfer:
$100
-
Portofino – Genoa / Private Van Transfer:
$56
-
Private Transfer from Portofino to Firenze (FLR) Airport:
$952
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Private Transfer from Portofino to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$1,512
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Portofino?
Prices for flights to both Portofino and Rome 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €29 per person, per day in Rome. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Portofino's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €22 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
€69
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
€33
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Roma Pass
€30
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
€20
-
Segway Tour
€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Highlights of Rome Free Walking Tour:
$3.58
-
35-Minute Rome Pantheon Audio Guide Tour:
$5.71
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A day as a citizen of ancient Rome - live virtual experience:
$6.22
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Ticket for Pantheon with Audioguide + City APP:
$6.22
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Tours from Home: Essential Rome, The Iconic Piazzas:
$10
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Tours from Home: Colosseum & Gladiators:
$10
-
Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition Entrance Ticket:
$10
-
Ticket to Piazza Navona Undergrounds Stadium of Domitian:
$11
-
Rome Pantheon: 35-Minute Audio Guide Tour:
$11
-
Ancient Rome Virtual Guided Tour (Times in EST):
$11
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Self-guided Virtual Tour of Colosseum: The Highlights:
$11
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Vatican City: Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition Ticket:
$11
Tours and Activities in Portofino
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portofino are as follows:
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1-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Paraggi Bay, Portofino:
$39
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Snorkel Tour in Paraggi Bay:
$44
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Easy Kayak Tour to Portofino:
$51
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Portofino Stand Up Paddleboard Experience:
$51
-
Portofino Kayak Tour:
$60
-
Paddle Boarding Experience in Portofino:
$61
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SUP Adventure in Portofino, Stand Up Paddling in the Park:
$86
-
Sea Kayak Tour with Sit-In Kayaks:
$86
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Portofino Private Walking Tour:
$230
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Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure Small Group Tour with Local Dirver:
$235
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Half-Day Private Hike Adventure to Portofino and San Fruttuoso:
$235
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Portofino private boat tour:
$1,058
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Rome may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €15 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about €13 on alcoholic beverages in Portofino per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine
€6.50
-
Pint of Beer
€6.34
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Beer
€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
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3.5-Hour Castelli Romani Wine Tasting Tour:
$50
-
Roman Countryside Vineyards and Wine Tasting:
$67
-
4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$69
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Campo De' Fiori Market and Trevi Food & Wine Tour:
$90
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4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$91
-
Private Rome Food & Wine Tour with Aperitif on Private Roof Top Terrance:
$100
-
Colosseum Fast Track and Wine Tasting Day Tour:
$119
-
Wine Tour Experience from Rome factory Giglio:
$123
-
Small-Group Food and Wine Tour with Pickup:
$131
-
Lunch, Diner and wine tasting in a shaby chic italian restaurant in Rome:
$135
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From Frascati 3-Hour Private Wine Tasting Tour:
$147
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Wine Tasting in Frascati from Rome:
$160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and Portofino, we can see that Portofino is more expensive. And not only is Rome much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rome would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rome 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 Portofino would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portofino than you might in Rome.
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