Rome on a budget: How to get there and see the city cheaply

• e-mail

The joy of Rome is that once you’ve arrived, it’s possible to enjoy its Ancient history, architecture and culture without spending a fortune – if you plan ahead. Save money on museums, swap the big attractions for hidden hotspots and enjoy aperitivo hour just like the locals do with the help of these top tips. 

Passenger plane flying from Fiumicino,  Leonardo da Vinci International Airport

When to go

Summer is busy in Rome – really busy. And with the crowds come the price hikes, so if you want to see the city on a budget, go when the temperature drops. Spring is a bit cheaper – just be sure to book in advance – and while there’s a chance of rain between November and February, flights cost around £40 for a return from London and you’ll glide into your favourite attractions, no problem. Check Skyscanner for the best deals.

You’ll either land at Leonardo da Vinci Airport (also referred to as Fiumicino by locals) or Ciampino Airport. To get to the city centre from Leonardo da Vinci, just follow the signs to the connected train station and board the ‘Leonardo Express’. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Termini Station and costs around £12. Buy your ticket online in advance from Trenitalia or from one of the information desks on the day. Alternatively, try the Terravision Bus, which you can hop on at the bus station to the west of Terminal 3. It takes nearly an hour but is direct and only costs £4.50.

To get to Rome from Ciampino Airport you’ll need to take the shuttle bus to the nearest train station, then board a train for 20 minutes to Termini Station. This train costs about £1, and you can book a ticket through Trainline. Alternatively, take a direct bus with Terravision.

Best Hostels in Rome 

Explore

Best Hotels in Rome by District

Explore

Getting around

The best way to explore Rome is on foot. A lot of the big attractions are conveniently close together and lots of streets are pedestrian-only, so you’ll have to ditch your mode of transport at some point anyway.

That being said, buses and trams are very easy to use in Rome. They run 24-hours a day and stretch across the whole city. You can buy a ticket at any metro station and need to validate it before your journey. The BIG ticket is £5.50 and gets you unlimited travel until midnight on the day of purchase, but if you’re staying longer get the £14.50 BTI ticket, which equals three days of unlimited travel – just be careful not to lose it.

Taxis can be expensive but if you find yourself in need of one, call 06-0609 and say the name of your location to be transferred to the nearest taxi company. Alternatively, you can rent a bike for £3.50 an hour from BICI & BACI, or make like the (modern) Romans and hire a Vespa for £60 a day.

Bus driving through the street in Rome

What to do

So much of Rome is about standing back from it and taking it all in, so it’s easy to see several main attractions without having to pay. Climb Aventine Hill and gaze down at the Basilica of St. Peter’s in all its glory, wander through Trastevere to experience Rome as it once was and visit its trattorias and artisan shops, then head to Trevi Fountain as the sun goes down for an unforgettable sight.

Set on seeing inside some of the Eternal City’s most famous structures? It might be worth buying the Roma Pass. A 48-hour pass costs £25 and gets you into one museum and the 72-hour pass costs £34 and gets you into two. Both include unlimited travel on public transport, queue-jumping privileges, discounts on many attractions and an audio guide. Visit the Roman Forum/Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery to get the best value for your money.

Orange Garden (Parco Savello Giardino degli Aranci) on the Aventine Hill

Marvel at Renaissance art without the tourist price tag at some of Rome’s lesser-known churches. World-class artist, Caravaggio was commissioned to paint two pieces for the beautiful Santa Maria del Popolo, which you can visit for free. And back at St. Peter’s, there’s Michelangelo's Pietà – a marble statue of Mary holding baby Jesus.

It’s not expensive to embrace aperitivo hour in Rome. Late afternoon tipples can be found for around £5 at most bars and restaurants, and many will provide you with unlimited snacks as you sip, completely free.

Afterwards – if you’re feeling up to it – rent a boat and row past the temples and statues that line the lake at Villa Borghese. It’s about £2 per person for 20 minutes.