Before diving into my tips for visiting Rome on a budget, I want to provide a little history around my experience in the city. A little over 10 years ago, I decided to venture out of my comfort zone and study abroad in Rome. I had spent the first 18 years of my life growing up in a little town with a population of < 5000 and first experienced “culture shock” when I went on to attend college in Seattle. As if the transition from
I’ve returned to Rome two times since studying abroad because its vibrancy, culture, food, and wine make those who visit yearn for more. Whether you are looking to put together a budget for a 7-day trip to Rome or even just two days, this guide covers my tips for visiting Rome on a budget based on the time I’ve spent there.
Tips for Visiting Rome | Airports
Rome has two airports: Fiumicino (FCO), the main international airport, and Ciampino (CIA), a smaller airport used by some budget airlines. Both are not very close to the city center (about 30-45 minute drive time for either
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
The FCO airport is one of the busiest airports in all of Europe based on passenger traffic. If you are flying in or out of Europe, through Rome, you will most likely go through FCO, which is located about 30 kilometers from central Rome.
Fiumicino Airport to Rome
Leonardo Express Rome: Even though the airport is not located in the city center, there are inexpensive train options between FCO and Rome. One is the Leonardo Express that is a direct link between FCO and the Roma Termini station. It is about a 30-minute train ride and costs €14.
FL1 Regional Train: The other option, which is perfect for those visiting Rome on a budget, and is my preferred way to travel between FCO and Rome, is by taking the FL1 regional train. This train does not go to the craziness that is the Termini station and instead can take visitors to the Trastevere station, which is a very convenient station for most tourists visiting Rome. The best part is that this train only costs €8 and leave every 15 minutes from FCO!
Taxi Fiumicino Airport to Rome: You can always grab a taxi or book a private transfer if you’re willing to spend a little more money for the convenience of not taking the train. The set cost for a taxi between FCO and Rome is 48 euros.
I will be honest, I have hired a private transfer for the convenience of an early morning flight. But, if your schedule and situation allow, I recommend the train because it’s a much more affordable option than hiring a private transfer.
The Fiumicino Airport train station.
Ciampino International Airport (CIA)
CIA is a small airport used by budget airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air. It’s closer in distance to central Rome, compared to FCO, since it’s only about 16 kilometers away. Unfortunately, the most direct route to between Ciampino and Rome is through the city so travel time can be 45 minutes to one hour.
Ciampino Airport to Rome
Ciampino Rome Bus: I’ve always used the Terravision bus for an easy Rome Ciampino airport transfer. It’s affordable, safe and connects CIA with Termini Station in central Rome. Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes so if your flight is delayed arriving at CIA, you can catch a later bus.
The Terravision bus from Rome to Ciampino Airport costs 5.80 euros and from Ciampino airport to Rome is only 5 euros. All children ages four and under are free.
Visiting Rome on a budget? Save money by purchasing a round-trip ticket between CIA airport and Rome for only 9 euros!
Rome Ciampino Train: There is also a train station near the CIA airport that will take you to Termini, but you have to take a short bus ride to the train station first. This option is less convenient than the Terravision bus so I don’t recommend it.
Ciampino Airport Taxi: Taking a taxi or arranging a private transfer between CIA and Rome is a convenient option but is not very budget-savvy. However, depending on the number of people in your group or your travel schedule, it may be worth considering since the set price between CIA and Rome is 30 euros.
The small Ciampino Airport in Rome primarily serves budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz.
Tips for Visiting Rome | Where to Stay
Campo de’ Fiori
I am partial to the Campo de’ Fiori neighborhood in Rome as it’s in the middle of everything (meaning that most tourist attractions are within walking distance) but more affordable to stay in than other areas of the city. It’s home to a large daily outdoor market and is always bustling as a result of the restaurants, bars, cafes and shops in the area.
Every time I’ve return to Rome since studying abroad, I’ve always stayed in Campo de’ Fiori. I’ve stayed in both budget-friendly hotels near Campo de’ Fiori and apartments I booked through Airbnb. I truly believe that you can’t go wrong with staying in Campo de’ Fiori when visiting Rome on a budget!
If you are new to Airbnb: sign up here to receive a $40 travel credit on your first stay!
Trastevere
If you are looking for a quieter, more authentic Roma area to stay in, but one that’s still close to the main attractions, then I recommend Trastevere, which is across Tiber river from the Campo de’ Fiori (fun fact: Trastevere literally means beyond the Tiber).
I lived in Trastevere when studying abroad and loved experiencing the true Italian culture that exists beyond the crowds of tourists. There are amazing restaurants, cafes, bars, and even a tram that will take you from Trastevere to Largo Argentina, which is a great central starting location for walking to many of the tourist sites.
Related: Read more about my favorite neighborhood in Rome in my detailed guide about Trastevere! Find out where to stay, things to see and which Trastevere restaurants are the best to visit on your trip to Rome.
Tips for Visiting Rome | What to See
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but there is so much to do and see in Rome! The options include a lot of free things to do, which is great if you are visiting Rome on a budget like I always do. In no particular order, here is my must-see tips for visiting Rome!
Free Things to do in Rome
Some of the most popular tourist attractions are free to visit, open daily, and should be at the top of your list when visiting Rome on a budget:
Colosseum Guided Tour
While you can visit the outside of the Colosseum for free, I highly recommend that you pay for a guided/private tour of the inside. Most guided Colosseum tours also include access to the Roman Forum and Palentine Hill, making it well worth the cost!
I highly recommend the guided tour of the Colosseum / Roman Forum / Palentine Hill that my husband and I took recently as it does an excellent job explaining what you are looking at as you explore some of the most storied sites in history. Plus, in true savvy fashion, it’s an affordable guided tour!
Sunday Angelus
On most Sundays, the Pope appears at noon from an apartment in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, to give a short speech and recite the Angelus prayer. I am not Catholic but have attended the event twice, seeing two different Popes speak. This event is also a great way to see St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
The crowd is huge for the Sunday Angelus But it’s worth it to see the Pope!
Basilica di San Clemente
I’ve visited countless churches in Europe and this one stands out as one of my favorites. While the present basilica isn’t anything to write home about on its own, it’s what is under the basilica that really makes this church stand apart from others. It is actually three churches built one above the other, so visitors are able to see the ruins of the two different levels of churches below the present basilica.
Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary
Ok, so I may be a closet crazy cat lady, but hear me out. There are Roman ruins that stand in the same area where Julius Caesar was stabbed, and these ruins are now a shelter for kitties. Volunteers feed, clean, and care for the cats daily, and visitors can visit the Sanctuary to adopt (or adopt from a distance!) the cats.
If you’ve ever been to Rome, you know there is a huge population of stray and feral cats (I saw a statistic that estimates there are about 300k stray cats roaming the city). The work that Torre Argentina has done to help care for sick or injured cats, along with their efforts to keep the feral population in check, is definitely work checking out if you are cat-friendly. Who knows, you may come home having fallen in love with a cat named Yoko Ono, like I did!
Explore Other Italian Cities
If you have a full Italy itinerary planned, it’s easy access from Rome to other Italian cities like Florence, Venice (and its nearby beach resort area – Lido di Jesolo!), Pisa or the adorable seaside city of Rimini. If you only have an extra day on your itinerary, I recommend taking a Rome to Siena Day Trip.
Hopefully, this Rome travel guide has helped prepare you for your trip! Considering the amount of time I’ve spent there, if you have any other questions about Rome, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you!
Cheers!
