To ask how much spending money for a day in Rome?

[Lex345]

OK, so I realise that this could be pennies or thousands, but have never been to Italy, or even out of the country for years-and I am planning on a same day round trip for a special birthday, we would arrive in time for lunch and would stay past dinner, I don't want to be charging about trying to see everything, but will want a couple of drinks, a little for perhaps souvenir type purchases, a decent meal, & any travel to/from airport and if needed around during the day. Neither of us mind walking.
Also recommendations for must sees/dos very welcome!
I would obviously have emergency funds available just in case, but will likely take cash for the day-how much do you think would be a decent budget?

We walked about 5 miles a day in Rome for 5 days and could still have done more.

Did I read it right that you have a single afternoon? If that's the case, pick one area thats close to your heart, get dropped off there and stay round that area, depending on what your interest is, perhaps the Vatican and see the famous square (although earlier is best there because of huge queues but youre restricted, youd also need to purchase tickets beforehand as a precaution), maybe the Coliseum, ( if so, buy tickets online beforehand) for a lot of things that have entry, don't assume they will be available on the day, always look online and see if you can buy direct tickets prior.

Whichever area you choose, if its just an afternoon then stay there, get an idea by looking at top 10 things to do in Rome to pick your things to do. There are plenty of food options in Rome too, probably take £250 if you can, I don't think we ever spent more than that as a couple, including entrance fees to things.

Thank you this is so helpful-I was hoping someone would say around £300 mark so just below this is reassuring-I don't want to go on a splurge, but enough to make it a nice day! Great advixe about staying in one area, there is one specific thing that is an absolute must see for us, so will plan around this

I think our first stop in Rome, when we arrived and were just deciding to meander about the streets, heading to the "busy" area, we saw an interesting doorway that was huge, on a roundabout with a big fountain - but looked like nothing from outside, we just wandered in... omg it was spectacular! All marble, statues, inside was magnificent.

Have an amazing birthday 🎂

Yeah, go on Google maps and look at "attractions" around the area of the one thing thats a must see, there will be loads!

I'd say, don't plan more than 3 things for an afternoon, then you can definitely give them the time, as well as taking the opportunity for a gelato!

I spent one day in Rome (cruise ship stop). Took train into Rome (cheap, a few pounds return) walked a lot, pre booked colosseum and the archaeological site which was about £20 direct from the Italian archaeological site website (far cheaper than through tourist tour sites) and bought a set lunch which included a glass of wine for €20. We left late on having walked 50,000 steps! Including trevi fountain, Vatican City (outside only) and lots of churches. Bought a fridge magnet, a lemon granita and can of lemon Fanta plus 2 litre water to refill out water bottles. Really not expensive at all

(Ate on ship so no second meal)

This sounds just the sort of thing I am hoping to do thank you!

If your day is going to be based around lunch and dinner, firstly you have the right idea (and a great city to do that in), and secondly the answer is going to be entirely dependent on what restaurants you pick. And that could be anything from eye-watering Michelin places to lovely neighbourhood trattorias. And that in turn will have an impact on what neighbourhood you spend time in...

If you love your food then I would spend your day in and around Testaccio. It has the city's best restaurants (in terms of proper traditional Roman cuisine, not Michelin fine dining stuff) and an excellent market for food and souvenirs, several excellent food shops and it's a great place to hang out with a vino or two or three in the evening. (Trastevere used to be like this but is absolutely overrun these days - you can still have a great time and a great meal there but you have to make a bit more effort.) If you're only coming for a day I would sack all the main sights off completely, you'll just end up spending too much time in queues and crowds. The Trevi Fountain will be there next time!

Testaccio is easy to get to as it's on the metro. That's also the easiest way to get into town from Fiumicino airport - the Leonardo express is something like 14 euros and takes about 40 minutes to the central station, Termini. Then Termini to Piramide (the Testaccio stop) is only about 10-15 minutes (4 stops, I think).

Piatto Romano, Flavio al Velovedetto, La Torricella and Masto are my favourite restaurants in Testaccio but that's not an exhaustive list. If you can fit a sandwich from Mordi e Vai in the market in, do so!

I was in Rome recently and I wish I was back there now.

Dh spent £30 with change on two days in Rome. .as long as you only eating etc it's not an expensive place...so much history so enjoy. Beautiful city

I found Rome to be affordable, the food was relatively cheap for the quality, even in the tourist traps, everything was so fresh, I didn’t have a bad meal. Sorry not much use with numbers, but spending most of my leisure time between London and the US the last couple of years, Rome was a surprise. And there’s loads to see without spending a penny (In terms of admission).

I found Rome to be very purse friendly especially compared to other big capitals like Paris or London. £300 would get you a very long way.

As a side note I could hardly get rid of my cash when I was there. Even the little kiosks selling water did contactless so I used Apple Pay on my watch for everything. It felt a bit more secure than getting my purse out especially in busy areas as you do have to be mindful of pickpockets.

Thank you so much for all the great advice, I am quite excited now! Will also bear in mind sensible advice re cash.

I think the temptation is to try and see as much as possible and miss out on just really enjoying one bit-like you say places will be there next time!

You can get lunch - slice of pizza, sandwich type stuff from a little shop for around €5/7 ISH. Dinner, pasta or pizza is €15/18ish. Drinks aren't overly expensive, obviously imported stuff more expensive than house plonk or soft drinks. Entrance to sights varies in costs. Small scoop of gelato about €2.

Depends what your interests are. Personally I’d head to Palatine Hill and immerse myself there. And grab food wherever. It won’t be expensive.

Enjoy.

I found it very reasonably priced. Make sure you buy water in a normal shop, street sellers at the colloseum were charging a fortune. We pre-booked Vatican tickets but it might not be possible to go in the Sistine chapel with a conclave taking place. My favourite night was in trastevere.

We’re on our last night of a 7 day holiday in Rome.

Today we went to the Vatican Museums 80 euros for a guided tour
2 Coke Zeros - 10 euros
St Peter’s Basilica - free (arrived at 5.30 pm and there was a very small queue)
Dinner: 2 meat main courses (more expensive than pasta dishes), 2 desserts, a bottle of wine, and a bottle of water - 100 euros plus tip

We've paid:

12-18 euros for a pizza
14-20 euros for a pasta dish
6-12 euros for a dessert
10-15 euros for an Aperol spritz or other basic cocktails (Negroni, Mimosa etc)
3-5 euros for a beer
3-5 euros for a caffe latte
3-5 euros for a bottle of water in a restaurant
2.5 to 5 euros for a single scoop gelato

1.50 for 1 Metro ticket (we got a bus in from Fiumicino that cost 9 euros to Termini but are planning get the Metro to Ostiense and a train from there to the airport going back because we’re on the south side of Termini. We have walked everywhere!

I love the Colosseum and Palatine Hill/Roman Forum but the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps are free. We didn’t manage the Pantheon this time as we hadn’t
booked in advance and the queues looked too long. Piazza Noavona for drinking and people watching.

Have fun!

Pre book the collusium. Weeks in advance . I reckon you need 200€

Be careful where you keep your money.
If someone asks you to take their photo say no and don’t touch their phone.
Have a great time.

I would only take a token amount of cash (20-30 euro for small purchases that might not accept cards) and plan to spend on my card (just make sure you have one that doesn't charge fees and preferably no exchange rate loading).

I agree that Rome is as cheap or expensive as you make it and even in the obvious tourist traps, it was fine - main thing is watch out for pick pockets and avoid street hawkers. A man started talking to me near the Coliseum and I'm not sure what his game was but I'm sure he was trying to trick me into buying something off him, not sure what, he didn't have any 'goods' that I could see.

But I bought an ice cream from the Kiosk next to the Trevi Fountain, where there was no prices on display and I was braced for it being expensive, but it was 3 euro for a small one, so not the cheapest ice cream I've ever had but not a stupid price either.

Restaurant prices seemed similar to UK mid range independents unless you deliberately seek out a high end place, wine possibly slightly cheaper.

You can see loads by just wandering around centrally and just stopping for lunch, dinner, a drink etc as needed. I think you have to book ages in advance to get inside the Coliseum and it will probably take quite a bit of your time, so you might decide it's not worth it on a short trip but the area outside is worth walking around, although that's where all the con artists hang around.

Which airport are you flying into? If it's Ciampino, which unusually for Ryanair is actually closer than the main airport, is tiny so you don't need to allow anywhere near the normal 2 hours before departure, which means you can stay in the city longer.

If you do want to see a lot I really recommend a Segway tour, it was the highlight of our trip!

You're flying to and from Rome, all in 1 day? Why? That sounds exhausting. Can you not stretch it to at least a couple of nights?
Not your question I realize, but I"m curious why you're only going for 1 day!

Oooh have a great time! There’s a Facebook group called Extreme Day Trips where there are lots of one-day trip itineraries/debriefs, including lots from Rome if you want to browse people who’ve done the same.

I haven’t gone to Rome as a one-day thing, but I’ve done quite a few of these extreme day trips now and have never spent more than £100 on a day (unless shopping!) including several other Italian cities. I’d definitely have a card with you you’re comfortable you can use without fees - I’ve actually stopped getting cash now and just use Monzo/Apple Pay for everything abroad, even the street markets etc accept it.

I’m probably being a bit dumb, but why not?

No advice on the trip but having just returned from Italy I agree that you only need a small amount of cash. I forgot to set up a no fee card but a meal that was €40 something cost me £36 with a fee well under £2 on my regular debit card. Use cash for gelato, souvenirs and just use your card for big things. Its as easy as it is here

£250 would mean you could feel comfortable and not worry about not being able to afford stuff, but is there no way you could stretch to an overnight and make a bit more of your time in such an amazing city?

I use a Revolut card when I’m in Europe.