How Much Money Should I Take on Holiday to Italy?
When you’re planning a trip to Italy, there are two important factors that could be a constraint: time and money. On average, most people will have more time than cash. But even if you have truckloads of money, you’ll be wise to ask this critical questions: how much money should I take on holiday to Italy?
There is no simple answer to this question because one figure will not cover different scenarios and the budget may not work for everyone. What I’ll try to do here, is to show you all the variables and factors to help you figure out how much your trip to Italy will cost.
How Much Money Should I Take on Holiday to Italy?
| Holiday Class | Amount Per Day |
|---|---|
| Budget | £85 Per Day |
| Mid-range | £150 Per Day |
| High-end | £250 Per Day |
For a single person on holiday in Italy, the average daily cost is between £150 – £200 depending on your lifestyle and needs.
Here are averages for the 4 main factors:
Accommodation – £70
Transportation – £20
Food – £50
Attractions – £40
Keep in mind though, that this figure is only an estimate and may have changed from when this article was published in 2018 to when you read it. Use this as a guide, but make sure to cross-check actual prices before you go.
1. Accommodation (per day)
Hotel – Single room £40 – £100
Apartment – One bedroom £60 – £180
Accommodation in Italy fluctuates based on the time of the year you visit. From May to September is high season, while winter is a low season. Prices also spike during the holidays like Christmas, Venice’s Carnevale, and other special events.
In certain cities, weekend rates tend to be higher because they’re key tourist destinations. While in some places that attract business visitors, weekday rates will be higher.
You need to decide the best type of accommodation for your needs. You will be delighted to know that you can stay in a country home or city apartment for less than what a high-priced hotel will cost.
Most experienced holidaymaker know that to experience the Italian lifestyle and culture, lodging away from the crowded tourist cities is the best option.
For example, Tuscany and Umbria have hauntingly beautiful landscapes, many picturesque hill towns, beautiful art and exquisite restaurants and are a great choice for those who want to experience the countryside.
2. Transportation (per day)
Train: Daily Rail £7.5
Car Hire: Daily Hire £5 – £25
Bus: Single Ticket £1.5 – £3
Taxi: 1km Travel £2 – £3
Unlike some countries, Italy has a lot of options when it comes to transportation. You can rent a car or use public transportation. The country has an elaborate train and bus network making it easy for tourists to get about. There are also fleets of boats that ferry people from place to place.
Most visitors use the train, which is the most popular choice due to its cost-effectiveness and convenience. You can get single train tickets or an Italy Rail Pass for the period that you’re visiting.
Renting a car could be cheaper in the long run if you’re travelling as a group. It is also possible to mix things up and do a train + drive travel system. This means that you can take a train for long distance travel, and hire a car for inner city jaunts. This will give you more freedom to explore.
3. Food (per meal)
Mid to High-end Restaurant: £40 – £80
Average Restaurant: £15 – £40
Fast Food: £7.50 – £12
I’ve met a lot of people who see food as simply fuel for the body. Some people love good food and are willing to travel across the planet for a taste of Italy. If this sounds like you, then you’ll really enjoy your holiday in Italy.
Eating out in Italy can be seen as part of your souvenir-gathering process. The experience is priceless and varies from one restaurant to the next – so does the cost.
The good news for budget-conscious tourists is that food isn’t expensive in Italy. So no matter you are high your taste is, you can eat pretty well while on your holiday. Some of Italy’s unforgettable treats include Pizza, Ravioli, Gelato, Tiramisu, and many more.
Italians cook with ingredients that are seasonal and available locally that is why eating out is affordable for most people. One tip to help you save more is to eat at the same restaurants as the locals. If a restaurant focuses on tourists, their prices will tend to be higher.
4. Attractions and Activities (per activity)
Activities: Free – £200
The variety of things to do in Italy will make your “how much money should I take on holiday to Italy?” question quite irrelevant. You can get so excited about the different sites that you may start to spend outside your budget.
So make sure you decide what activities you will undertake before fixing a budget for activities and attractions. And try to stick with it!
Some people may be happy just sitting on a park bench and watching people walk by (this is free!), while others will want to take helicopter trips over each major city (this is expensive!). So with a list of must-do activities, you can create a budget with ease. Here are some activities and costs.
Choosing a range for this factor was difficult. For example, a day trip to Como can cost anywhere from £150 to £180, while the Milan Cathedral and Rooftop ticket cost 14 Euros, so your daily activities will depend on your budget.
Also, remember to keep some money aside for emergencies and other utilities like internet, phone line etc.
Final Thoughts
Italy is one of the most amazing countries in Europe because it has all the attractions that a tourist can possibly want: lakes, beaches, seas, hills, mountains, art, plains, cities, great cuisine and so much more.
It has 7400 km of coastline and thousands of shoreline with different types of sand: golden, fine, or white sand just like the Carribean seaside, the rocky seaside, and many others.
The country is very large and prices can fluctuate dramatically based on where you visit. So when creating a budget, use price ranges, rather than actual costs.
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