Recommendations for planning a trip to Italy on a budget. Get the perfect itinerary for 3 weeks in Italy including Rome, Terracina, Ercolano, Cortona, Florence, Cinque Terre, Bologna, and Venice.
When planning a trip to Italy, the first decisions to make are which destinations to travel to and how much time to spend in each. Another critical decision is what to eat, but that comes later.
In October I traveled through Italy for three weeks. This was my third trip to this wonderful country and I was so excited to spend more time here. For the sake of budget and ease, I chose to concentrate my time mostly in the center, between Rome and Venice. The reasons were to keep my travel days short and transportation costs low.
Here are my tips for planning a trip to Italy on a budget including:
- 3 weeks in Italy budget itinerary
- How to find cheap flights to Italy
- How to find cheap transport in Italy
- How to find cheap accommodation in Italy.
3 weeks in Italy budget itinerary
If you just have three weeks in Italy, then I would recommend the following locations for a combination of historical attractions, natural beauty, and culinary delights.
- Rome (3 days)
- Terracina (3 days)
- Ercolano (4 days)
- Cortona (3 days)
- Florence and Cinque Terre (3 days)
- Bologna (3 days)
- Venice (2 days)
Rome (3 days)
You can’t visit Italy and not spend some time in one of the most famous and historically significant cities in the world. Rome has enough sites to keep you busy for a week alone, however, I think 3 days is a good amount of time for a first visit. This will give you a chance to get a taste of the city, cross off a few bucket list items, and let the Trevi Fountain decide whether you will return to the “Eternal City”.
On my recent visit to Rome, I took the Afternoon Vatican Tour including Sistine Chapel with The Roman Guy. If you prefer to go without a tour, you can buy fast track entry with an audio guide to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel.
Terracina (3 days)
If a visit to the beach is vital for your vacation (I know it is for me!) then you will be excited to hear that the coastal town of Terracina is just a two-hour drive from Rome. I traveled there by train and bus, which took a little longer but was very relaxed.
Although it is possible to make it a day trip, I would recommend coming for 3 days and bringing a good book. To keep costs low, I stayed in a hotel with a free breakfast that also had a kitchenette where I could prepare my own meals. They also provided free bike rental, although I can’t say I moved very far away from my sun chair.
Ercolano (4 days)
When tourists travel south of Rome, they usually go to either Naples or Sorrento. I decided to be a bit different and stay in Ercolano, which is situated between the two. This small town is right next to Mount Vesuvius with each access to Pompeii and the Almafi Coast. Click to buy your Pompeii Fast Track Entrance Ticket.
Ercolano is a great option if you are on a budget, as accommodation and restaurant prices are generally lower than Sorrento. I am still thinking about the had amazingly cheap and delicious pizza I ate in a non-descript restaurant here.
Cortona (3 days)
Heading back up north into the famed region of Tuscany is the hill town of Cortona. I literally picked this place off a map, having no idea that it was the basis for the book and film, “Under The Tuscan Sun”. It also just happens to be picture-book perfect! Don’t forget to pack your camera.
Tuscany generally can be more expensive for accommodation, however, I managed to find a reasonably priced bed and breakfast with valley views.
Florence and Cinque Terre (3 days)
On my first visit to Florence, I was wowed by Michelangelo’s David, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, and Rialto Bridge. There are museums galore but you need to pay an entrance ticket to see incredible art and architecture – it is everywhere!
On my second visit, I was more overwhelmed by the crowds and underwhelmed by the cost of my mediocre margarita pizza. It came to a surprise to me that October is still high season in Italy (it’s that popular!). Despite that, I had a specific purpose on my second visit – to see Cinque Terre. From Florence. For the budget-conscious traveler can travel by train to the “five lands” or if you prefer to pay a little more for convenience, there are many tours available.
Luckily there are still many affordable options in Florence and I found a comfortable hostel that was walking distance from the main attractions.
Bologna (3 days)
For those who love street art and food, Bologna is a must-visit. I stopped here for two nights to reunite with old friends. We spent our time eating fine food and wandering the streets admiring the humorous, political, and eye-catching murals.
I found a great deal on a nice hotel, twenty minutes walking from the center, which I split with a friend. I also saved money with the free breakfast and by walking everywhere.
Venice (2 days)
Unpopular opinion here but I didn’t love Venice. To be fair, I visited in July so I shouldn’t have been surprised to find I was 1 of 60,000 tourists that visit the island each day of Summer.
Even with my aversion to crowds, I still think everyone should visit Venice once, preferably in the low season (from November to March). I have heard from others who visited in Winter (December to February) say that it is wonderful.
It is still possible to find budget accommodation on the island, however, if you are visiting in high season you should reserve in advance. I stayed in a hostel in a quiet location. Eating out can also be pricey, so I would recommend finding a place where you can cook your own meals.
How to find cheap flights to Italy
To make the most of my time in Italy without spending too much money, rather than buying one return ticket, I purchased two separate one-way tickets. This gave me the freedom of traveling from Rome to Bologna without having to circle back to the same destination to take my flight home. From Gran Canaria, Spain, I found a one-way ticket to Rome (with a small layover in Madrid) and then a direct flight back from Bologna.
Different airlines have better connections and prices with different airports, so it is better to use a flight search engine rather than sticking to just one airline.
How to find cheap transport in Italy
Perhaps the easiest way to move around Italy is by car, however, if you are not confident or a non-driver (like me!) – don’t worry. The Italian train system is very good and easy to navigate. Just be aware that there is more than one company, so make sure that the name on your ticket matches the one on the train. And always validate your ticket! They will seriously fine you just because you don’t have a stamp on your ticket.
It may be cheaper to travel by bus but can take much longer so best to check the times and prices (I use Rome 2 Rio or Go Euro) then decide what suits you better. There is also the option of using car-sharing sites like Bla Bla Car. Although I didn’t use this in Italy, I have had success using in Portugal and Spain. You will need to purchase an Italian sim card with data or have a phone with data that works in Italy to use car-sharing apps.
Obviously for short distances, walking and cycling (if your accommodation provides free bikes) can save you a few dollars.
How to find cheap accommodation in Italy
I found nearly all the hotels and hostels for my Italy trip using hotel comparison websites. Below is a list of places I have stayed and links to other accommodation options for each destination.
- Rome: See current accommodation prices.
- Terracina: Hotel Poseidon – see current prices or view other accommodation options.
- Ercolano: Eco Hostel Floreale – see current prices or view other accommodation options.
- Cortona: Casa Kita – see current prices or view other accommodation options.
- Florence: Wow Florence Hostel – see current prices or view other accommodation options.
- Bologna: Hotel Bologna Fiera – see current prices or view other accommodation options.
- Venice: See current accommodation prices.
To save money on your Italian trip, it would be advisable to travel in the low season (November to March). Some hotels and tour companies at off-season rates which means you can have more money to spend on pizza.
Have you traveled to Italy or planning to anytime soon? Tell us about it below!
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Sandy N Vyjay says
Italy is such a wonderful place and there is such a lot to see and experience, long itineraries can drain your finances 3 weeks in Italy on a budget is something we can definitely do with. We have already been in Rome, Venice, Florence, and Pisa and would like to travel to the interiors of Italy along the Amalfi coast.
Chantell Collins says
Wow sounds like you have seen quite a lot of Italy! I definitely want to yo back and see more of the south and north. Italy has so much to offer
candy says
This is the perfect itinerary. I see so many posts on Italy and never know where to allocate my days. I definitely love your recommendation to visit Ercolano instead of Sorrento. Those restaurant prices can definitely add up after being on vacay for more than a week. And great tip on booking one-way tickets to save on airline fares.
Chantell Collins says
Thanks Candy! Ercolano is a great choice for budget travellers who want to see Naples, Pompeii, and Sorrento. Although I didn’t go, it’s right next to Mount Vesuvius too
Marteen Lane says
Italy is one of my favourite countries. I’ve been to Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Verona. Such wonderful memories ? There’s still so much more to explore. Pompeii and Cinque Terre are on the top of my list. Great itinerary for three weeks ?
Chantell Collins says
I haven’t been to Lucca so curious to see how it is there. Cinque Terre and Pompeii are definitely budget lost destinations!
Ashwini Neetan says
Awesome post! For a person who had recently been to Italy, I wish you had written this earlier. There is everything in this post which one needs to know while planning a trip to Italy. Good job! I missed Bologna, will plan it next time 🙂
Chantell Collins says
Oh no so sorry I couldn’t give you the tips before your trip. I hope you has a great time and thanks for the nice comments
sugarandstamps says
Spending a month in Italy is truly my dream trip! And I love the breakdown you provided, as most of it includes the cities I would like to visit! Thanks for all the helpful tips on how to keep it budget friendly!
Chantell Collins says
Thanks! I am a practical person so I try to make my posts as user and budget friendly as possible. Hope you make it to Italy for your dream trip one day!
Kathleen says
We went to Italy once for 4 days and only to Rome. I would love to go back. Cinque Terre is on my bucket list, so I’m glad it made your list of must see places. We went in December, so it helped with prices, since there were 4 of us. I’m not a huge fan of crowds, so I would rather travel at the low season. That’s plenty crowded enough.
Chantell Collins says
Four days is a good amount of time to spend in Rome but I am sure that you want to get back and see other places :). I really thought Cinque Terre would be an expensive excursion but I met so many people who did it by just taking the train from Florence (although a tour is a great option too!).
Olivia says
This is great! I’m heading there in October, I’m so excited to explore. Unfortunately it will only be for a week, but I’m just going to try and see as much as I can. I’m thinking the big three Rome, Florence and Venice, since it will be my first time there!
Chantell Collins says
Hi Olivia, that sounds like a good plan. I think Florence and Venice are beautiful but you can see a lot in a day or two so I would recommend spending the most amount of time in Rome.
Michelle Joy (@harborsnhavens) says
Looks like a great itinerary! I’ve only been to about half of these places so it looks like I’ve got some traveling to do!
Chantell Collins says
Hi Michelle! Don’t worry, I still have many many more places that I want to visit in Italy so I need to go back too! Ha ha
Shannon Guerrero says
This is seriously such a wonderful guide for different itineraries while in Italy! And all for a budget makes this that much better! Just makes me want to go back!
Chantell Collins says
Thanks! I think I did pretty well considering how much pizza I ate 🙂
thecurioussparrow says
Great tips and suggestions 🙂 Italy’s my favourite country for sure.
Chantell Collins says
It’s an amazing country!
nbosken says
I am all about budget travel as I don’t make a ton of money. I always choose hostels over hotels because what you save is a lot. I also try to find hostels with kitchens and do a grocery run. I do eat maybe one or two meals at a restaurant. But every single meal can be expensive.
Chantell Collins says
Sounds like you are an expert budget traveler. Really great tips. My usual travel style ranges from backpacking to budget ha ha. This Italy trip was with my Mum so I couldn’t go all out backpacking style 🙂
Michelle says
I love this itinerary! I will definitely be saving it for future reference. I’ve been to Italy twice but feel like I can never get enough of it. LOL!
Chantell Collins says
Yessss! It is my secret dream to move to Italy. I am hoping they increase the working holiday visa age to 35 so I can go for a year!
keeleyphatcupcake says
This is such a detailed post, thanks for all the info! I adored Venice and Florence but have yet to visit Rome, I’ll be sure to come back to your post when I do though!
Keeley x
Chantell Collins says
Thanks Keeley! When you get to Rome, make sure you give yourself at least a few days to explore the eternal city
Zoe | Together In Transit says
What an awesome post! I could do with 3 weeks in italy to get away from the snow!
Chantell Collins says
A winter getaway is a great idea. They do get snow in Italy but it’s warmer in the south :).
Anita says
I just love Italy and I must say you have managed to see a lot of the country. I can agree with you and say that Venice is not exactly my favorite place in Italy. Crowds are just too big. Thanks for sharing your tips and experiences.
Chantell Collins says
I know most people love Venice and I do agree it is very beautiful but it would be so much nicer to visit in the off-season 🙂
Craig says
Hello Chantell, your three week itinerary seems perfect. Disregarding airfare, do you have a ballpark price for the three weeks you were there?
Chantell Collins says
Hi Craig, great question. I usually record all my expenses when traveling but this trip is one that I took a break from that – I do have my cost breakdowns for 1 day itineraries in Rome (from €36.70 per day) and Venice (from €40 per day) as well as 3 days in Naples (from €42 per day) which you can check through the links. So I guess you could use €40 per day as a guide. To be more specific for planning, I can tell you that my Mum and I tried to eat at least 1-2 meals cooked at the accommodation or like a cold cuts and cheese platter with bread. So for the groceries, maybe it was 10 euro a day for two people, and then eating one meal out per day between 6-10 euros per person. So maybe 13 euros per day on average for food (total for 21 days = 273 euros approximately) if you don’t stay somewhere that provides breakfast. The train rides in between each city ranged from 15-40 euros depending on the time of train, if it was express, etc (you can check the links I included for the Italy railway or go to GoEuro to get estimates – if you want to save more money, the bus can be half the price). The accommodation will depend on where you stay but you can use the Booking links I included to get an idea. You can also see the cost of the activities that I did through the links and get a discount on tours with The Roman Guy.
I love Croatia says
Absolutely stunning! Thank you on a detailed impressive guide!