Travel to Rome: Your Ultimate One-Day Itinerary for a Memorable Adventure for €30 or Less

The very name of Rome fills your imagination with scenes of ancient ruins, lavish architecture, and spaghetti—often at steep prices. Fortunately, if you’re traveling to Rome, you do not have to break the bank if you are prepared to make smart choices. Below is a projected one-day itinerary from my travel to Rome, that includes Affordable Transportation Options for Your Travel to Rome, budget-friendly dining, and low-cost attractions. Get ready to explore Rome without breaking the bank!

Article Structure with Table of Contents

Introduction
Overview of Budget Travel to Rome
Travel to Rome: Affordable Transportation Options
Flights
Bus Travel to Rome
Train Travel to Rome
How to Get Around Rome
Public Transportation
Walking
Morning: Ancient Rome Exploration
Colosseum
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Lunch: Budget-Friendly Food Options
Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Local Markets
Cultural Immersion – Afternoon
Pantheon
Piazza Navona
Evening: Exploring Trastevere
Trastevere Neighborhood
Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
Dinner: Cheap Eats in Trastevere
Evening Activities: Seeing Rome at Night
Tiber River Stroll
Atmospheric Trastevere
Free Street Performances
Daily Summary of Expenses
Budget Travel Final Tips for Rome
Conclusion

Travel to Rome: Affordable Transportation Options for Your Travel to Rome

Flights

When traveling to Rome, you’ll find that it is one of Europe’s major airport hubs, making it relatively easy and inexpensive to fly in from just about anywhere. Most airlines fly to Rome from the US, UK, and the rest of Europe, including Asia and the Middle East. For the best flights, I always recommend using Skyscanner because it lets you search across an entire month to find the cheapest days to fly. It’s saved me thousands over the years! For more tips on planning your travel budget, visit our click here

These are some sample prices of round-trip fares during the shoulder season, spring, and fall- inclusive of flights that go direct and others that are connecting:

Round-trip from London: €40
Round-trip from Paris: €61
NYC: €506
Round-trip from Amsterdam: €197
Round-trip from Abu Dhabi: €200

Bus Travel to Rome

If you’re looking to travel to Rome on a budget, bus travel is an excellent option. A few different companies offer reasonably affordable prices, and these always tend to be cheaper than trains or flights.

From Florence: Around €20
From Milan: €30-ish
From Naples: About €10
From Venice: About €30

The buses give an affordable way of viewing the countryside of Italy en route. Companies such as FlixBus and Marino Bus run frequently and often have special deals for early bookings.

Train Travel to Rome

Another option would be to travel to Rome by train, which is efficient and comfortable. The Italian rail network is very extensive, and you can often find reasonable fares if you book in advance.

From Florence: From €20
From Milan: Around €35
From Naples: Around €14
From Venice: Around €30

Trains are a very popular mode of transportation in Italy. Also, traveling by train enables you to sit comfortably and at the same time enjoy the glorious views right in front of your window. You can book your tickets well in advance through websites like Trainline or the official site of Trenitalia .

How to Get Around Rome

Once in Rome, it is easy to get around town: public transportation comes in buses, trams, and the metro. Tickets are €1.50 for one and last for 100 minutes, allowing a trip that can include all combinations of transportation.

You can also purchase a day ticket for €7, which allows you unlimited journeys on buses, trams, and metro services for 24 hours. It’s a good deal if you will be visiting several attractions throughout the day.

Walking

One of the best ways to explore when you travel to Rome is by walking. Rome is a very walkable city, and most of the sites listed below are within walking distance of each other. Besides saving money, walking provides an opportunity to take in the special atmosphere of the city and just happen upon things. Wear comfortable shoes; be prepared for cobblestone streets and long walks at historical sites.

Morning: Ancient Rome Exploration

1. Colosseum – entrance free with a reservation Colosseum

Start your morning off by heading to the iconic Colosseum. General entry costs €18, but you can save by prebooking a guided tour that includes other city attractions, like the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. For this itinerary, though, we will recommend gazing at it from the outside-a fully free attraction!

Before this impressive structure, try to create in your mind those grandiose events that took place here: the battles of gladiators, public executions, and other such events. Built in 80 AD, the Colosseum could accommodate as many as 80,000 spectators for a variety of forms of public entertainment. Remember to take a photo!

Getting here early in the morning, you will save yourself from bigger crowds-meaning you are going to experience this site a little more solemnly.

Fun Fact:

1. Do you know that the Colosseum has repeatedly been destroyed both by earthquakes and stone robbers over the years?

That said, the Colosseum is still a symbol of Rome and a feat of Roman engineering.

2. Roman Forum and Palatine Hill (Included with Colosseum Ticket)

If you would have chosen to buy the combined ticket of the Colosseum, it will include entries to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. These sites are full of history that will provide you with a glimpse into the lives of ancient Romans.

The Roman Forum was the heart of political life, social, and economic in Ancient Rome. It is here that one finds remnants of temples, basilicas, and public places where people used to get together for their business and companionship.

Legend states that Palatine Hill was where Romulus started the founding of Rome. The views of the Forum, and the city beyond, are nothing short of spectacular as you make your way to the top. The sprawling gardens and ruins will take you back in time as you attempt to imagine what life might have been for the emperors who once resided here.

Spend some time walking through the ruins and taking in the very beautiful views of the city from Palatine Hill. If you have the time, it’ll be well worth the €18 investment!

Estimated Morning Cost:

€0- Free outside viewing of Colosseum
Lunch: Budget-Friendly Food Options

Now that you’re done with this morning of adventure during your travel to Rome, it’s time to eat. Rome is an amazing city for food, and there are numerous ways to enjoy a meal without becoming destitute..

3. Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Head to Trattoria Da Enzo al 29, tucked away in the heart of Trastevere. Family-run Enzo’s serves traditional Roman fare at very reasonable prices. You can get a classic Cacio e Pepe or Pasta all’Amatriciana for about €10.

The inside is snug and full of rustic character, a setting perfectly placed for sampling local fare. The portions are huge, with great quality ingredients using fresh produce.

If you want to save more, then you’ll want to try a slice of pizza from one of the local pizzerias for around €3-€4 per piece. Many sandwich shops also have a variety of delicious panini for about €5.

4. Local Markets
For even more budget-friendly options, try hitting up a local market. Among the great places to pick up an inexpensive, quick lunch is Campo de’ Fiori Market. You can easily grab fresh produce, local cheeses, and cured meats to put together a picnic.

Purchase some bread, cheese, and salami for a, rather, satisfying lunch to be enjoyed in one of the many parks in Rome, such as Villa Borghese or along the Tiber River.

Cost of Lunch: €10-€12
Cultural Immersion – Afternoon

5. Exploring places like the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is a must during your travel to Rome.

After lunch during your travel to Rome, head to the Pantheon, one of the most well-preserved ancient structures in Rome. You can enter the Pantheon for free and see the magnificent dome and interior without any cost. Indeed, this is an architectural wonder that speaks volumes about the Roman genius in engineering.

The Pantheon was built as a temple to the gods of Ancient Rome. Now it serves as a church, and from within, its oculus admits natural light to create an awe-inspiring atmosphere. Take a moment to step back and appreciate the art and history around you.

6. Piazza Navona (Free)
A stone’s throw from the Pantheon, the very short stroll will take you to Piazza Navona, an energetic square full of street performers, artists, and outdoor cafes. Take an opportunity to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere with its stunning fountains, including the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Piazza Navona is doubtless one of the most beautiful squares in Rome, and this is a great place to sit back and do some people-watching. You will find several artists showing off their work and street performers doing tricks for visitors. Don’t be afraid to take some photos or enjoy a gelato at one of the many cafes lining the square.

Optional Gelato Stop
If you have a sweet tooth, make a stop at Gelateria Giolitti, one of the oldest gelato shops in Rome, only a few blocks from Piazza Navona. The price for a small cone is usually around €2-€3, which makes this dessert exceptionally fun and affordable.

Estimated Cost Afternoon: €0 (Pantheon and Piazza Navona visits free)

Evening: Exploring Trastevere

7. Trastevere Neighborhood (Free)
Later in the afternoon, when things start to slacken off, head to Trastevere, one of the most romantic neighbourhoods of Rome. Their narrow cobblestone streets and pulsating nightlife make Trastevere perfect during the evening.

This quaint part of town features some brightly colored buildings each decked out in flowers. Once the sun goes down, the neighborhood is filled with laughter and chatter creating an incredible atmosphere of fun. Stop by the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere for free.

Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere
This is one of the oldest basilicas in Rome and enjoys international fame for its fabulous mosaics. It is very nicely decorated inside, with a nice atmosphere inside to cool off from the buzzing streets outside.

8. Dinner: Cheap Eats in Trastevere
Dinner: Eat out at Pizzeria La Montecarlo, with good pizzas available for €6-€8. They serve thin-crust pizzas; the local favorites will have a good selection of toppings.

Another option will be Supplizio, where you will try supplì, fried rice balls filled with mozzarella, at a few euros each, maybe three. These delicious snacks make for a great appetizer before your main course.

If you’re trying to save a few euro, grab a panino-sandwich-from one of the street vendors for around €5-€6. A very popular choice is a porchetta sandwich, where you can find some amazingly roasted pork.

Estimated Dinner Cost: €9-€12
Evening Activities: Seeing Rome at Night
After dinner, take full advantage of the fact that Rome is a city that never really sleeps. Here are a few evening activities that are free to do:

9. Take a Tiber River Stroll
Enjoy the easy walk along the Tiber River banks with great sunset and night views of lighted city buildings. The views from the bridges over the river-Ponte Sant’Angelo-are breathtakingly perfect to enjoy the surroundings. Space for architecture.

10. Atmospheric Trastevere
Basically, Trastevere is famous for bars and pubs. Sure, most places have a bit higher prices, but still, you can find some cool places to have relatively cheap drinks. The local wine bars usually are a good option, as you can get a glass of Italian wine for €3-€5.

11. Free Street Performances
You will find various street performers around Trastevere and other major attractions in the area throughout the night. You can go, sit and have relaxed music, a dance, or an art performance while taking in the lively atmosphere.

Estimated Evening Cost: €0 (Free activities)
Daily Summary of Expenses
Expense/Cost
Morning Activities/€0
Lunch/€10-€12
Afternoon Activities/€0
Dinner/€9-€12
Total Estimated Cost/€19-€24
Budget Travel Final Tips for Rome
Public Transport: Public transport in this city is sufficiently cheap and very effective. A day ticket available for €7, for example, is convenient and hence an inexpensive option for touring the city.

Free Attractions: Rome is fortunate to have a number of attractions that are completely free of cost. Ranging from beautiful churches to pretty squares, exploit these attractions to stretch your budget.

Eat Like a Local: Avoid the tourist traps, and go for local trattorias and pizzerias. Dining out in one of the small family-run establishments will save you money and be much more genuine.

Plan Ahead: Plan your attractions and itinerary in such a way that will give you the maximum return on time invested in Rome. You can book tickets for popular sites in advance; that way, you’ll avoid big lines and possible price raises.

Hydrate: Bring a refillable water bottle and fill it at one of the many drinking fountains available in town, saving you oodles of money and keeping you refreshed and route to your destination. Happy hour specials: Several bars and restaurants around Rome have a special where you will find cheaper drinks or snacks. Notice them as you’re walking around.

Uncover Unknown Places: Of course, the known sights should be visited; however, there are also other places and quarters that are not so famous, which you shouldn’t avoid exploring. You may discover hidden treasures with rich history and beauty uncatchable in the crowds and without entry fees.

Speak with Locals: Strike up a conversation with locals. They too can make good recommendations on affordable eateries, less-popular sites of attraction, or cultural activities you just wouldn’t find in guidebooks.

Conclusion

The city of Rome is a mine of experiences-mostly with a decent budget. With this day’s schedule, one can easily get a glimpse of Rome within a budget less than €30. From ruins to mouth-watering food, every experience in Rome will be remembered yet not costly. So, pack your bags and get ready to find out about the Eternal City!

Budget Rome does not have to imply a lack of quality and experience. A little forethought, along with options, allows for a full and satisfying day in this historic city while attempting to keep costs to a minimum. Enjoy the adventure as the wonders of Rome inspire and delight you!