Is Rome expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Rome is mid-priced for a Western European capital: noticeably cheaper than Paris, London or Amsterdam, a little dearer than Lisbon. Food and public transport are good value; accommodation is the big cost, at roughly €85 per person per night for a mid-range room shared by two. A realistic mid-range day comes to about €170 per person.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €85 | €170 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €50 | €100 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €30 | €45 |
| Local transport | €3 | €7 | €20 |
| Per person, per day | €88 | €172 | €335 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Rome day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Espresso standing at the bar | €1.20–1.50 |
| Pizza al taglio slice | about €2.50–6 |
| Supplì (fried rice ball) | about €2–3.50 |
| Plate of carbonara in a trattoria | about €12–16 |
| Pint of beer in a bar | about €6–7 |
| Metro/bus ticket (100 minutes) | €1.50 |
| Colosseum, Forum and Palatine ticket | about €18 + €2 booking fee |
| Vatican Museums (booked online) | about €25 |
| Taxi from Fiumicino airport | fixed fare about €55 (inside the Aurelian Walls) |
| Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino | €14 |
| Mid-range dinner for two with house wine | about €60–90 |
| 3★ double room, high season | roughly €140–220 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Beds take about half of any budget: roughly €45 per person in a hostel or simple shared room, €85 mid-range and €170 or more for comfort. Food is next, at about €25 a day if you live on bakery breakfasts, pizza al taglio and one simple trattoria plate, or €50 for two sit-down meals with wine. Sights add €15–45 a day once you book the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums and a gallery or two, and the hotel city tax (roughly €4–10 per person per night depending on the hotel's category, charged on top of the room rate) is easy to forget. Transport is cheap because the centre is walkable and a ticket is €1.50.
When it is cheaper
November to February, apart from Christmas, New Year and big Vatican events, is the cheapest time for hotels; mid-range rooms can be very roughly a quarter to a third cheaper than in May or October. Late August is quieter for Romans but not much cheaper for visitors.
How to spend less
- Drink your coffee standing at the bar: table service at the same café can cost double, and the counter price must be displayed.
- Fill a bottle at the free nasoni drinking fountains instead of buying water; the water is safe and the fountains are on most corners.
- Book the Colosseum and Vatican Museums on the official sites (about €18 + €2 and about €25) rather than through resellers that add a large markup.
- On the first Sunday of the month state sites such as the Colosseum are free, and the Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday; expect big queues on both.
- Read the menu for coperto (cover charge) and avoid fish or steak priced per 100 g unless you ask the total weight first.
- Stay in Prati, Monti or near Termini rather than right by Piazza Navona; you can still walk or take one metro ride to the main sights.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Rome?
Roughly €88 per person on a budget, about €170 mid-range and €335 or more for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, sights and transport.
Is Rome more expensive than Paris?
No. Rome is generally cheaper than Paris for hotels, food and transport: a mid-range day is about €170 in Rome against about €215 in Paris.
Is there a tourist tax in Rome?
Yes. Hotels add a city tax per person per night, roughly €4–10 depending on the category, usually paid at the property. Check the exact amount with your hotel.