Travel blogs say "Italy is expensive" or "Italy is cheap" depending on which affiliate they're pushing. Neither is true. Italy costs exactly what you choose to spend. The same day in Rome costs €42 or €420 depending on whether you eat standing at a bar or seated at a rooftop. Here are the real 2026 prices — not averages, not estimates, actual numbers from actual receipts.
Calculate my budget →Sleep: Hostel dorm €20-30, budget B&B €40-60 (split = €20-30/person). Eat: Bar breakfast €2.50 (espresso + cornetto), market/street lunch €5-8, trattoria dinner €12-18 or aperitivo buffet = dinner €8-12. Transport: Regional trains €5-12, city bus/metro €1.50. Sights: Churches free, first-Sunday free museums, 1 paid museum €15-18. Total: €50-80/day. Full budget guide →
Sleep: 3-star hotel/nice Airbnb €80-140 (split = €40-70/person). Eat: Café breakfast €5-8, sit-down lunch €15-25, restaurant dinner €25-40 with wine. Transport: Frecciarossa trains €20-35, occasional taxi €10-15. Sights: 2-3 museums/day €15-25 each, 1 guided tour €40-60. Total: €120-200/day per person.
Sleep: 4-5 star hotel €200-500+. Eat: Hotel breakfast included, Michelin lunch €50-80, fine dining €100-200. Transport: Private transfers €100-200, first-class trains €50-70. Sights: Private guides €150-300/half-day, after-hours museum access €250-400. Total: €300-600+/day per person. Full luxury guide →
Espresso at bar: €1-1.50. Cappuccino: €1.50-2. Pizza margherita: €5-8 (Naples €4-5). Pasta at trattoria: €10-15. Glass of house wine: €3-5. Gelato: €2.50-4. Water bottle: €1 (or free from nasoni fountains). Colosseum: €18. Uffizi: €25. Vatican Museums: €17. Rome metro day pass: €7. Frecciarossa Rome→Florence: €19-86 (depends on booking time). Amalfi ferry Sorrento→Positano: €18.