When I visited Italy for the first time, I overshot my budget by about 30%. That is a significant amount. Some of that came about by eating in tourist trap restaurants, being fined for not validating tickets, buying some tickets at the last minute, and just spoiling myself (YOLO).
For that reason, I knew other travellers might want to know what things actually cost in Italy, and that will, as a result, help them plan better. Please let me know if you find these price comparison tables helpful in the comments.
Italy is a spectacular country, bursting with history, art, food, and jaw-dropping scenery — but costs can vary wildly from city to city. Knowing what to expect to pay for hotels, meals, tickets, transport, taxis, even day trips, and fines can help you plan smarter, save money, and truly enjoy la dolce vita without surprises.
This guide breaks it all down into easy-to-scroll tables, so whether you’re on your phone planning from a café in Rome, or from home weeks before your trip, you’ll have real numbers to rely on.
1. Hotel Prices in Italy’s Top Cities
Before booking accommodation in Italy, it helps to know roughly what hotels cost in each major destination, across budget levels. This table shows typical high-season (May–September) rates for a double room per night.
| City | Budget (hostels / simple hotels) | Mid-range (3-Star hotels) | Upscale (4/5-Star hotels) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | €30–€55, €60–€90 | €120–€180 | €250–€600+ |
| Florence | €30–€50, €65–€90 | €130–€200 | €250–€500 |
| Venice | €35–€60, €80–€120 | €150–€250 | €300–€800 |
| Milan | €30–€55, €70–€90 | €120–€180 | €250–€450 |
| Naples | €25–€50, €55–€80 | €100–€150 | €180–€400 |
| Amalfi Coast | €80–€120 | €200–€350 | €400–€1000+ |
| Cinque Terre | €50–€80, €90–€120 | €140–€220 | €280–€600 |
| Verona | €25–€45, €60–€85 | €110–€160 | €220–€400 |
| Bologna | €25–€45, €55–€80 | €100–€150 | €200–€350 |
| Turin | €25–€40, €50–€75 | €90–€140 | €190–€300 |
Note: Outside the big tourist centers (like in rural Tuscany or Puglia), you can find lovely B&Bs and agriturismos often for €60–€110 a night, usually including breakfast.
2. Typical Food & Drink Costs in Italy
One of the greatest joys of Italy is how well you can eat on any budget — from a €1 espresso at the bar to multi-course dinners. Knowing typical prices will help you decide when to save and when to indulge.
| Item / Meal Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Espresso at bar (standing) | €1–€1.50 |
| Espresso at café table | €2–€3.50 |
| Cappuccino at bar | €1.50–€2.50 |
| Cappuccino at table | €3–€5 |
| Croissant / pastry | €1.50–€3 |
| Pizza by the slice | €2.50–€4 |
| Panino (stuffed sandwich) | €3–€6 |
| Gelato (2 scoops) | €2.50–€4.50 |
| Sit-down pizza (whole) | €7–€10 |
| Pasta at trattoria | €8–€14 |
| Antipasto platter (shared) | €6–€12 |
| Main meat/fish dish | €14–€22 |
| Dinner for 2 (3 courses + wine) | €50–€80 |
| Bottle of house wine | €10–€18 |
| Liter of water at restaurant | €2–€3 |
Tip: Eating standing at the bar is significantly cheaper than sitting at a table, especially in famous piazzas where table service can double prices.
3. Costs of Major Attractions in Italy
Entry fees add up fast, especially with Italy’s world-famous museums and monuments. Here’s a detailed table of typical ticket prices for the most visited sights.
| Attraction | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine | €18–€24 |
| Pantheon (Rome) | €5 |
| Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel | €17–€30 |
| Climbing St. Peter’s Dome (Rome) | €5–€10 |
| Uffizi Gallery (Florence) | €20–€24 |
| Accademia Gallery (David) | €12–€16 |
| Florence Duomo dome climb | €20–€30 |
| Giotto’s Bell Tower (Florence) | €15–€20 |
| Leaning Tower of Pisa climb | €20–€22 |
| Duomo di Milano basic entry | €5–€8 |
| Duomo di Milano rooftop terrace lift | €15–€20 |
| Doge’s Palace (Venice) | €25 |
| St. Mark’s Basilica museum/terrace | €7–€12 |
| Pompeii ruins | €16–€20 |
| Cinque Terre trails daily card | €7.50–€15 |
Note: Many museums offer combo tickets that save money over buying separately, and reserving online can also cut long lines. Tickets such as those of the Vatican Museum, Colosseum, Uffizi and Accademia gallery should be purchased way in advance.
4. Train Travel Costs: Slow vs Fast, 2nd vs 1st Class
Italy’s rail network is fantastic. You can pay less by taking slow Regionale trains, or pay more for a fast Freccia or Italo with comfy seats and shorter journeys.
| Route | Regionale (slow, 2nd) | Freccia/Italo (fast, 2nd) | Freccia/Italo (1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome – Florence | €20 | €30–€50 | €45–€70 |
| Rome – Venice | €35–€40 | €55–€80 | €70–€110 |
| Florence – Milan | €25 | €45–€65 | €65–€90 |
| Naples – Rome | €12–€15 | €25–€45 | €35–€60 |
| Verona – Venice | €9–€12 | €20–€30 | €30–€45 |
| Milan – Lake Como | €5–€8 | (no high-speed needed) | – |
| Rome – Naples | €13–€15 | €25–€45 | €35–€55 |
| Florence – Pisa | €8–€10 | (mostly regionale) | – |
Tip: Book Freccia & Italo tickets weeks in advance for major savings. Prices can double close to the date.
5. Taxi Costs Around Italy
Taxis are regulated, but rates vary by city and time of day. Always look for official white taxis with meters.
| City | Short ride (3–5 km) | Airport to city center |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | €10–€15 | €55 fixed (FCO) |
| Florence | €8–€12 | €25–€30 |
| Venice | €15–€30 land taxi | €35–€50 Mestre; water taxi €60–€90 |
| Milan | €10–€15 | €95 fixed (Malpensa) |
| Naples | €8–€12 | €18–€25 |
| Pisa | €8–€12 | €12–€20 |
Tip: In Venice, water taxis are stunning but pricey. A shared vaporetto (public boat) is only €7.50 for 75 minutes.
6. Typical Fines in Italy
Italy is notorious for strict fines, especially in cities with ZTL (limited traffic zones). Here’s what you might pay if you slip up.
| Offense | Typical Fine |
|---|---|
| Driving in ZTL without permit | €80–€120 |
| Parking in wrong zone / no ticket | €40–€90 |
| Not validating train ticket | €50–€200 |
| Small speeding violation | €40–€170 |
| Eating on steps or monuments | €50–€200 |
| Ignoring museum regulations | €100+ |
Note: Always check for ZTL signs (a red circle on white) before driving into historic centers.
7. Day Trip Costs from Italy’s Top Cities
Italy’s cities are close enough that day trips are a must. Here’s what you can expect to pay on guided tours vs DIY by train/bus.
| From | Day Trip | Guided Tour | DIY Cost (train/bus + entry) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | Pompeii & Positano | €90–€150 | €60–€80 |
| Rome | Tivoli (Villa d’Este + Hadrian’s Villa) | €60–€80 | €20–€30 |
| Florence | Pisa & Lucca | €50–€80 | €20 |
| Florence | Chianti wine tour | €60–€120 | – |
| Florence | Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano + Chianti | €80–€110 | Hard to DIY in 1 day |
| Venice | Murano & Burano islands | €20–€35 | Vaporetto pass €20 |
| Milan | Lake Como | €60–€100 | €30 |
| Naples | Amalfi Coast | €80–€120 | €30–€50 by local bus & ferry |
Tip: Multi-stop Tuscany or Amalfi Coast day tours are often the easiest way to see small hill towns or villages without juggling multiple buses.
8. Typical Return Flight Prices from the U.S. to Italy
| From (U.S. City) | To (Italy hub) | Typical Return Economy Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK/EWR) | Rome / Milan | $600–$900 | Nonstop widely available |
| Boston (BOS) | Rome / Milan | $650–$950 | Often 1-stop cheaper |
| Chicago (ORD) | Rome / Milan | $700–$1,000 | Many direct flights |
| Miami (MIA) | Rome / Milan | $750–$1,050 | More seasonal directs |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Rome / Milan | $750–$1,050 | Direct on Delta/AZ |
| Dallas (DFW) | Rome / Milan | $800–$1,100 | Often 1-stop via NYC |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Rome / Milan | $800–$1,200 | Directs costlier |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Rome / Milan | $800–$1,200 | Few directs, mostly 1-stop |
| Seattle (SEA) | Rome / Milan | $850–$1,250 | Mostly via NYC/London |
| Washington D.C. (IAD) | Rome / Milan | $700–$950 | Good direct options |
- Flights to Venice or Florence usually cost +$50–$100 more, often with a layover in Rome, Paris or Frankfurt.
- Flying into one city and out of another (multi-city) is popular (e.g. into Rome, home from Milan) and typically only $50–$100 more than round-trip.
- Prices drop by 20–30% in low season (Nov–March), excluding holidays.
In Summary: Italy is Priceless, But At Least Now You Know the Price
Now you have a detailed blueprint of what things cost in Italy. Whether you want to save with pizzas and regionals or splurge on fine dining and Frecciarossa 1st class, these tables let you plan with real numbers, not guesses.
What did you think about this guide? Let me know in the comments. Thank and I appreciate you for reading this guide.