Rome and Florence are two iconic cities, located close to one another. If you are looking to plan an international trip to Italy and are wondering which is more expensive, look no further. This guide details the relevant expenses for your trip.
While we found Rome tends to be slightly more expensive, both cities can be done on a budget. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay.
Accommodation
The average price of a hotel will vary, depending on if you choose to stay in a hostel or a 5-star hotel. However, below are the averages:
- Rome: You can expect between $99-$184. However, the high season price for a luxury hotel can reach as high as $338,
- Florence: You can expect between $118-$224 for a standard hotel. Budget hotels are around $74.
Rome is a larger city, and as a result, it will have more options, including hotels on the outskirts of the city that may offer lower prices. Florence, on the other hand, is much smaller and much more walkable, so even if the prices appear a bit higher for the average, most of these will have a better location.
Additionally, both cities will offer hostels (not factored into this price), which will be much lower than the averages above.
Travel within the City
Florence is extremely walkable since it is so much smaller. Rome on the other hand is huge, so you will need to rely on public transit or Uber to visit. Public transit is inexpensive. However, taxis and Ubers can add up.
Food
The food in Rome tends to be a little more expensive than that in Florence, particularly in touristy areas. However, both cities can be done affordably. Even cheap Italian food is delicious!
While in Italy, friends and I got a quick slice of pizza in the Naples train station in 2012 and it was still of a higher quality than most pizza here, so food can be done on a budget anywhere in Italy.
Sites
While the individual tickets to many Florence museums and sites are more expensive, Rome has more to see, making it more expensive if you want to see everything. Below is a breakdown of some of the associated costs (only sites that cost money are included).
Rome
| Site | About | Price (Approximate) |
| Vatican City | Check out the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican’s collection of art. This museum is huge, so you will want to dedicate a lof of time here. | €20 |
| Colosseum & Roman Forum | This is a combined ticket, so you can explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum (which is next door). This does not include the Underground. | €20 |
| Pantheon | One of Rome’s most famous churches and the burial place of Raphael | €5 |
| Galleria Borghese | See famous artworks by artists such as Berninni | €15 |
| Museo Nazionale Romano | Includes entry to four museums, including: Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Terme di Diocleziano, and Crypta Balbi | €16 |
| Baths of Diocletian | These were some of the biggest public baths in Rome | €8 |
| Doria Pamphilj Gallery | This is a famous gallery that includes paintings by famous artists such as Caravaggio | €16 |
Florence
| Site | About | Price (Approximate) |
| Uffizi Gallery | The collection of artwork owned by the Medici family | €25 |
| Bruneschelli Pass | You can go inside the church for free, but you will need a pass to go up the dome | €30 |
| Galleria d’Accademia | This is where the famous David by Michelangelo is housed | €15 |
Pro Tip: Both Rome and Florence have free sights you can also enjoy if you are looking to save money. This includes sites such as the Trevi Fountain (Rome) and Michaelangelo Piazzale (Florence).
Additionally, if you are studying/ living in Florence, many of these sites are free, since the Medici family left their riches to the city.
Final Thoughts
If cost is factored in when choosing between Rome and Florence, it shouldn’t. While we found Rome slightly more expensive, both cities are still great options to travel cheaply around Europe. Have you been to both cities? Which did you find more expensive? Leave it in the comments below!
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