Rome is an obvious stop for any European trip. It is a must-see as it combines the past and present right in the middle of its bubbling metropolis. For backpackers backpacking through Europe, here are some Rome travel tips to help save you some money while traveling through this magnificent yet expensive city.
First, you can definitely look to save money on your accommodations. A budget friendly option is to stay just outside the city and take the train in every day. There are great countryside inns that are wallet friendly and give you a really special experience. While staying outside of Rome, you can also take your breakfast and dinners in neighboring towns as well.
Local restaurants will be much cheaper than what you will find in Rome, and it will provide you with a great authentic experience minus the tourists. Within Rome, there are cheap hostels, budget hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, and even the option of lodging in a monastery. Even though they are quite basic accommodations that you will often share with fellow travelers, considering you will spend most of your time outside sightseeing, it’s a good place to save money.
As with any Western European city, it pays to travel in the off season. During the summer months the whole country teems with visitors, making it crowded and also expensive. You will find it much harder to find deals on hotels as well as even an open table at a restaurant. The lines for attractions will be much longer, and you will notice the price of your flights skyrocket.
Going to Rome in early spring or fall will make the weather much more comfortable and will also bring less intense crowds. Winter will be even cheaper, but beware of attractions being on shorter winter hours or even closed for renovations, as well as cold weather. Many hotels and restaurants take a month or two off during the heart of winter so make sure to check availability before you leave. By following these Rome travel tips you will be able to visit Italy and still remain on budget.
