Is Italy Expensive?

Is Italy expensive to visit?

Italy is known as both a well-liked and moderately priced destination. It falls roughly in the middle range for overall travel costs. When compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced country. It places in the top 50% of countries in Europe for its travel costs. This puts it on par with destinations such as Andorra and the Netherlands.

As this is a very popular country for tourists, you'll find a number of great places in Italy to visit, all at a variety of price ranges. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Positano, Venice, and Portofino. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit places like Palermo, Piazza Armerina, and Caltagirone.


Average daily price of selected cities in Italy, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Portofino $353
Venice $248
Positano $242
Bellagio $240
Como $233
Amalfi $218
La Spezia $215
Rome $184
Imperia $117
Lucca $116
Volterra $110
Trieste $109
Caltagirone $103
Piazza Armerina $101
Palermo $101


Varenna Village, Lake Como, Italy

How expensive is Italy?

The average daily spending amount for tourists in Italy tends to be around $180 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for Italy here.

How expensive is a one week trip to Italy?

A one week trip to Italy costs about $1,263 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,526.

How expensive is a two week trip to Italy?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a two week trip to Italy costs around $2,526 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a two week trip costs $5,052.

How expensive is a month long trip to Italy?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one month trip to Italy will cost around $5,413 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one month trip would cost $10,825.



Cinque Terre, Italy

Is it expensive to backpack in Italy?

Italy is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 240 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $28 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in Italy here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Rome, Milan, and Florence. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Naples, Palermo, and Catania has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $25, $24, and $24 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Venice, Bologna, and Rome with an average cost of $33, $32, and $32 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Italy.

  • $36 for a dorm bed at YellowSquare Rome in Rome
  • $39 for a dorm bed at Ostello Bello Grande in Milan
  • $18 for a dorm bed at PLUS Florence in Florence

Where to find affordable hostels in Italy
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Rome 47 $32
Milan 32 $27
Florence 16 $32
Naples 16 $25
Venice 11 $33
Bologna 7 $32
Palermo 7 $24
Genoa 6 $28
Catania 6 $24
Pisa 5 $26

Are hotels expensive in Italy?

Hotel prices in Italy are moderately priced and fairly even compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $108 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Italy are more expensive than others, like Portofino, where hotel prices average $576 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as Catania, averaging $63 per night for a hotel room.


Where to find affordable hotels in Italy
City Average Hotel Price
Portofino $576
Positano $355
Varenna $280
Bellagio $212
Amalfi $183
Rome $99
Brescia $71
Pompeii $71
Piazza Armerina $70
Caltagirone $64
Catania $63

102 Via del Tritone, Rome
Overall Rating 9.7
Via Fiume 5, Florence
Overall Rating 9.5


Portofino, Italy

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Italy?

In Italy, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $28 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.

    • Visit in Pompeii - Pompeii Private Tour with Ada: $206
    • Group Bike Tour: Onno & Ghisallino (E-bikes and Road bikes): $117
    • Private Tour - City Center : $109
    • Rome Day Tour with Private Driver: $273
    • City Center Highlights of Rome Tour with Top E-Bike: $82
    • DAVID and Accademia Gallery Private Tour in Florence: $97
    • Assisi Private Walking Tour including St. Francis Basilica: $216
    • Games & Treasures Hunts Tour in Rome: $60

    Is food expensive in Italy?

    In Italy, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $49 per day on food, per person.

    • Sicilian Cooking Class: $101
    • Small Group Positano Cooking Class Gnocchi Tiramisù with Drinks : $147
    • The Cooking Lab - Authentic Food Experience : $115
    • The ultimate private food tour - Bacaro Hopping a Venetian: $288
    • Bella Sorrento Evening 'Progressive Dinner' Experience : $152
    • Cooking class, dinner and wine tasting in Lecce (Corigliano): $75


    Varenna village, Lake Como, Italy

    Is transportation expensive in Italy?

    Local transportation in Italy can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $29 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    Expenses for intercity transportation within Italy can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $53 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.

    More for Italy

    If you're planning a trip to Italy, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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