Is Florence expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Florence is fairly expensive by Italian standards, close to Rome and Venice for hotels, and clearly pricier than Prague or Budapest. A realistic day costs about €105 per person on a budget and about €195 mid-range. Most of the money goes on beds and museum tickets; everyday food such as lampredotto, schiacciata and trattoria pasta is still reasonable once you step away from the main squares.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €55 | €95 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €50 | €100 |
| Sights & tickets | €25 | €45 | €70 |
| Local transport | €2 | €4 | €20 |
| Per person, per day | €107 | €194 | €390 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Florence day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Espresso at the bar | about €1.20–1.50 |
| Lampredotto sandwich from a kiosk | about €5–7 |
| Schiacciata sandwich | about €6–10 |
| Bus or tram ticket (90 minutes) | about €1.70 |
| Uffizi Gallery ticket | about €25–29 in high season, less in winter |
| Galleria dell'Accademia (David) | about €16 |
| Bistecca alla fiorentina for two | about €60–100 (sold at roughly €45–70 per kg) |
| Mid-range double room, high season (Santa Croce) | roughly €150–240 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation takes the largest share: a bed in a shared double costs about €55 a night on a budget, €95 mid-range and €200 in comfort, and the city tax of up to about €8 per person per night is added at the hotel. Food runs about €25 a day if you live on cornetti, lampredotto and pizza, or €50 with trattoria meals and house wine. Sights cost more than in most cities, about €25–45 a day, because the big three (the Duomo pass at roughly €30, the Uffizi and the Accademia) each charge separately. Transport is almost free, since the centre is walkable.
When it is cheaper
November to February, outside the Christmas holidays, is the cheapest period, with hotel prices often roughly 30–50% below April–June and September–October, and the Uffizi charges less in winter. Avoid trade-fair weeks such as Pitti Uomo (January and June), when rooms fill up.
How to spend less
- Eat lunch at a lampredotto kiosk or a schiacciata counter (about €5–10) and keep the sit-down meal for dinner.
- Book the Duomo, Uffizi and Accademia online in advance; it avoids queues and lets you plan exactly one paid museum per half-day.
- Check whether the state museums (Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti) are free on the first Sunday of the month during your dates, and expect long queues if they are.
- Choose your gelato size from the price list before they start scooping; near the main sights a large cup can reach €15–20.
- For bistecca, ask the price per kg and the weight before it is cooked; a typical steak for two weighs 1–1.5 kg.
- Drink coffee standing at the bar, where it is cheaper than at a table.
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Common questions
Is Florence more expensive than Rome?
Roughly similar. Hotels in the centre are about as expensive, while museum tickets add up faster in Florence because the main sights are all ticketed separately.
How much is a meal in Florence?
A lampredotto or schiacciata lunch costs about €5–10, a trattoria pasta about €12–18, and a mid-range dinner for two with house wine roughly €60–90.
Is the Firenze Card worth it?
Only if you plan four or more paid museums within 72 hours. You still need to reserve the dome and some time slots.