Saving Money in Italy
Aug 10th, 2008, 01:39 PM
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Saving Money in Italy
Hello everyone, My friends and I will be backpacking throughout Europe for the first time. We'll be in Belagion, Venice, Florence, Milan, and Rome for the month of October. We're all on a college student budget. Does anyone have tips on how we can save money in these cities in regards to transportation, hostels, food, exchanging U.S. currency, attractions, etc.? Any advice/recommendations are appreciated.
Aug 10th, 2008, 03:16 PM
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For food I suggest a lot of picnics. Restaurants are expensive--even fast food restaurants. For instance, a hamburger, fries, and soda at McDonald's costs about $10!
It seems most Italians buy a slice of pizza or a sandwich for lunch and eat it while walking on the street.
Chinese restaurants are often a good value. Also, in some towns we found good deals at falafel places.
If you can get hold of a copy of Rick Steve's "Italy 2008," you will find just about every known money-saving tip and a load of other good tips as well.
Aug 10th, 2008, 03:58 PM
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I think saving money while traveling is pretty universal and perhaps you should have combined all your threads and not broken them up by country.
Go to the library and get the Let's Go series of books. They have great budget information and are the best guide books for the budget traveler. These books are also extremely informative about the sights.
There are 4 large expense groups:
Food
Lodging
Transportation
Sightseeing admissions
Food: Avoid eating in areas where there are main tourist sights, i.e., in Rome near the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, famous squares, etc. This applies to every place. Walk a few blocks away and the prices will be less expensive.
Avoid buying soft drinks like cokes. They are very expensive. Buy a bottle of water when you arrive and refill from the tap. Don't forget to wash the bottle (the area you drink from) every day to remove bacteria. If you buy wine in restaurants try to get the "house" wine that comes in jugs rather than in bottles.
Picnics where you buy your food and drinks in grocery stores are the cheapest thing to do. You can buy small portions of prepared foods or slices of cold cuts (ham, salami, cheese) and a loaf of bread. Pack a Swiss Army knife and some plastic forks and spoons. The knife must be in the checked luggage.
Don't be afraid to ask the price of something before you buy it. Restaurants will have menus posted outside or in the window so you'll know how expensive the meals will be.
In cities you'll find cafeterias that are cheaper than restaurants. Ask other backpackers you meet or even sales people in shops or museum ticket offices. They don't make a lot of money and will know where the less expensive places to eat are in their area.
This is getting long so I'll start a new response.
Go to the library and get the Let's Go series of books. They have great budget information and are the best guide books for the budget traveler. These books are also extremely informative about the sights.
There are 4 large expense groups:
Food
Lodging
Transportation
Sightseeing admissions
Food: Avoid eating in areas where there are main tourist sights, i.e., in Rome near the Spanish Steps, Pantheon, famous squares, etc. This applies to every place. Walk a few blocks away and the prices will be less expensive.
Avoid buying soft drinks like cokes. They are very expensive. Buy a bottle of water when you arrive and refill from the tap. Don't forget to wash the bottle (the area you drink from) every day to remove bacteria. If you buy wine in restaurants try to get the "house" wine that comes in jugs rather than in bottles.
Picnics where you buy your food and drinks in grocery stores are the cheapest thing to do. You can buy small portions of prepared foods or slices of cold cuts (ham, salami, cheese) and a loaf of bread. Pack a Swiss Army knife and some plastic forks and spoons. The knife must be in the checked luggage.
Don't be afraid to ask the price of something before you buy it. Restaurants will have menus posted outside or in the window so you'll know how expensive the meals will be.
In cities you'll find cafeterias that are cheaper than restaurants. Ask other backpackers you meet or even sales people in shops or museum ticket offices. They don't make a lot of money and will know where the less expensive places to eat are in their area.
This is getting long so I'll start a new response.
Aug 10th, 2008, 04:17 PM
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If you stay in hotels, ask if the breakfast is included. In Italy, hotels almost always include breakfast. In France, the breakfast is almost always extra and will cost much more than buying bread in a bakery or supermarket.
Stock up on non-perishables in supermarkets (granola bars, etc.) that you can keep in your packs. That way you can make food decisions when you're not starving and choose wisely rather than the first place you see.
Water - you can fill your water bottles from any of the many many fountains in Rome. You'll see folks doing this. It's wonderful spring water.
Lodging:
The least expensive lodging is hostels. You can check hostel world or other hostel sights and get a list of well rated hostels. You might want to book a few nights ahead when you know the dates you'll be arriving to ensure you get beds in the best hostels.
Since you're traveling toward the end of the season you might also consider inexpensive hotels which might have triple or quad rooms inexpensively. Again - check Let's Go guidebooks. This series list good hostels and hotels and give you rates.
If hotels are not fully booked you might be able to negotiate a discount for cash rather than using credit cards. Ask about this when inquiring for a room.
You didn't say how many of you are traveling but if looking for hotel rooms don't all troop in together. Send one person to ask about a room(s) and make sure that person clean and neat. My niece and her 3 friends got a good deal in Nice on a hotel room because it was off season. I think they had a quad for the double price. You can politely ask if there is a less expensive rate for the room and look poor.
Currency exchange:
Use an ATM card at the machines. This is a debit card and works in Europe just as it works in the US. Some banks charge extra for withdrawing foreign currency. Check with your bank about additional commissions. Usually credit unions allow withdrawals outside of their network without additional charges. My credit union ATM card allows me 8 withdrawals per month from out of network banks. Commissions can really eat into your budget.
Money in General:
Figure out how much total money you have for your trip and then divide your total by the number of days you'll be gone. Then you'll know how much you can spend each day. Some places will be cheaper than others. Venice will be more expensive than Florence or Milan. I think you're also going to Greece? Greece will be less expensive than France or Italy.
Don't go over your daily allotment or you may be hungry towards the end of the trip. A daily budget will prevent you from spending too much money the first few days which is easy to do until you adjust to prices and start to figure out how to travel inexpensively.
Stock up on non-perishables in supermarkets (granola bars, etc.) that you can keep in your packs. That way you can make food decisions when you're not starving and choose wisely rather than the first place you see.
Water - you can fill your water bottles from any of the many many fountains in Rome. You'll see folks doing this. It's wonderful spring water.
Lodging:
The least expensive lodging is hostels. You can check hostel world or other hostel sights and get a list of well rated hostels. You might want to book a few nights ahead when you know the dates you'll be arriving to ensure you get beds in the best hostels.
Since you're traveling toward the end of the season you might also consider inexpensive hotels which might have triple or quad rooms inexpensively. Again - check Let's Go guidebooks. This series list good hostels and hotels and give you rates.
If hotels are not fully booked you might be able to negotiate a discount for cash rather than using credit cards. Ask about this when inquiring for a room.
You didn't say how many of you are traveling but if looking for hotel rooms don't all troop in together. Send one person to ask about a room(s) and make sure that person clean and neat. My niece and her 3 friends got a good deal in Nice on a hotel room because it was off season. I think they had a quad for the double price. You can politely ask if there is a less expensive rate for the room and look poor.
Currency exchange:
Use an ATM card at the machines. This is a debit card and works in Europe just as it works in the US. Some banks charge extra for withdrawing foreign currency. Check with your bank about additional commissions. Usually credit unions allow withdrawals outside of their network without additional charges. My credit union ATM card allows me 8 withdrawals per month from out of network banks. Commissions can really eat into your budget.
Money in General:
Figure out how much total money you have for your trip and then divide your total by the number of days you'll be gone. Then you'll know how much you can spend each day. Some places will be cheaper than others. Venice will be more expensive than Florence or Milan. I think you're also going to Greece? Greece will be less expensive than France or Italy.
Don't go over your daily allotment or you may be hungry towards the end of the trip. A daily budget will prevent you from spending too much money the first few days which is easy to do until you adjust to prices and start to figure out how to travel inexpensively.
Aug 10th, 2008, 04:30 PM
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Sightseeing:
Bring your student cards. Many sights offer reduced admission to people under 26 years old. Find out (before you leave home) what museums/sights have free days or evenings. Take advantage of these.
Sightseeing can become expensive, especially over 2 months. Decide which sights are the most important to you to see and spend your money on those.
Back to transportation:
Some cities offer reduced transportation if you buy passes (but passes are not always cost effective - do your homework).
Many cities are very easy to get around by walking - Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice. You won't need to buy passes.
In Paris you can buy a "carnet" of 10 tickets for the metro. This reduces the cost of an individual metro ticket from 2 Euro to 1.1 Euro (approximately). Since the tickets are individual you can buy 1 carnet and divide up the tickets. These tickets are also good on buses within central Paris.
Read about other discounts in other cities.
Misc:
Safeguard your money and all belongings. When on trains keep your packs/purses (sorry but I don't know if you are boys, girls or both) with you always. Never let your belongings out of sight or lay anything down. Replacing things is costly. There are many many stories of theft. Be on guard always and watch out for each other's things. Don't all stand around looking everywhere but at your packs. Keep your hands on your packs and your packs in front of you when they are not on your back.
Wear money belts (or thin carriers on a neck string) under your clothing for your passport, atm card, cash. I'm sure this seems unfashionable but it will pay off.
Be especially vigilant in trains, train stations, markets, or any place that has a large group of people. Do not open purses, money belts to any strangers. Keep a day's cash in your pockets to buy food and pay for sightseeing.
Have a great trip!
Bring your student cards. Many sights offer reduced admission to people under 26 years old. Find out (before you leave home) what museums/sights have free days or evenings. Take advantage of these.
Sightseeing can become expensive, especially over 2 months. Decide which sights are the most important to you to see and spend your money on those.
Back to transportation:
Some cities offer reduced transportation if you buy passes (but passes are not always cost effective - do your homework).
Many cities are very easy to get around by walking - Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice. You won't need to buy passes.
In Paris you can buy a "carnet" of 10 tickets for the metro. This reduces the cost of an individual metro ticket from 2 Euro to 1.1 Euro (approximately). Since the tickets are individual you can buy 1 carnet and divide up the tickets. These tickets are also good on buses within central Paris.
Read about other discounts in other cities.
Misc:
Safeguard your money and all belongings. When on trains keep your packs/purses (sorry but I don't know if you are boys, girls or both) with you always. Never let your belongings out of sight or lay anything down. Replacing things is costly. There are many many stories of theft. Be on guard always and watch out for each other's things. Don't all stand around looking everywhere but at your packs. Keep your hands on your packs and your packs in front of you when they are not on your back.
Wear money belts (or thin carriers on a neck string) under your clothing for your passport, atm card, cash. I'm sure this seems unfashionable but it will pay off.
Be especially vigilant in trains, train stations, markets, or any place that has a large group of people. Do not open purses, money belts to any strangers. Keep a day's cash in your pockets to buy food and pay for sightseeing.
Have a great trip!
Sep 27th, 2008, 01:45 AM
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Thanks addrienne, you´ve been so helpfully and elaborate. I have one question, we´re traveling throughout the popular cities in italy (milan, bellagio, venice, bologna, pisa, florence, siena, rome, naples, and bari. What is the best way to do transporation? Is there an unlimited traveling pass throughout Italy? or would it be best to purchase individual passes to each city? Does anyone know about the transporation through Italty?
Sep 27th, 2008, 04:04 AM
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chaisaelee
I think you need a good 'quick-reference' guidebook to Italy to consult while you travel. The better ones have information about journey times between the cities, and even an approximation as to the costs of each ticket. Happytrails has already mentioned Rick Steves, which many people swear by, especially the first time traveler. Ideally, you should hit a bookstore pronto and take a look to see which brand appeals to you best.
That said, I would buy tickets as you go - train passes are convenient but hard to make pay. In addition, you may well find that some of your connections are best done by bus, not train (e.g. Florence - Siena.) Bellagio from Milan could involve a train to Varenna followed by a short ferry - or it could involve a bus and/or ferry via Como. You will have to check the latest schedules to see which one is best for you.
I think you need a good 'quick-reference' guidebook to Italy to consult while you travel. The better ones have information about journey times between the cities, and even an approximation as to the costs of each ticket. Happytrails has already mentioned Rick Steves, which many people swear by, especially the first time traveler. Ideally, you should hit a bookstore pronto and take a look to see which brand appeals to you best.
That said, I would buy tickets as you go - train passes are convenient but hard to make pay. In addition, you may well find that some of your connections are best done by bus, not train (e.g. Florence - Siena.) Bellagio from Milan could involve a train to Varenna followed by a short ferry - or it could involve a bus and/or ferry via Como. You will have to check the latest schedules to see which one is best for you.
Sep 27th, 2008, 04:49 AM
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Have any of the previous posters ever stayed in a hostel?
Has the OP ever looked at a guide book for newbies?
Suspect not. Well, OP, you have a recommendation for "Lets Go".
I could recommend others but maybe that's best for you.
Or you could get really non-conformist and check out the Thorn Tree.
www.lonelyplanet.com.au
You need to keep in mind that it is not written by Americans for Americans. Rough Guide is as good. Both are used by thousands of folk of all nationalities every year.
You may prefer Rick Steves.
Has the OP ever looked at a guide book for newbies?
Suspect not. Well, OP, you have a recommendation for "Lets Go".
I could recommend others but maybe that's best for you.
Or you could get really non-conformist and check out the Thorn Tree.
www.lonelyplanet.com.au
You need to keep in mind that it is not written by Americans for Americans. Rough Guide is as good. Both are used by thousands of folk of all nationalities every year.
You may prefer Rick Steves.
Sep 27th, 2008, 05:00 AM
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Hi chaisaelee,
I can see by your questions that you didn't go to the library and get copies of the Let's Go guidebooks. They tell you the best transportation for getting to particular places and approximate costs.
Most of those places you mention are accessible by train (except where Sue (above) points out the exceptions). You have to do some homework to decide if a rail pass is more cost effective than point to point tickets. Go on the Rail Europe site to get a cost for a pass. Rail Europe is expensive since they assess a booking fee (or something like that) to the cost of the pass.
Then either check the point to point ticket prices on Rail Europe or on the Italian train site and compare. Normally you have to do quite a bit of traveling or long journeys to make a train pass pay for itself.
There are different types of train fares to choose from such as Amica or student rates, etc. Do some searching on this board for more information on Italian trains. If you're under 26 you can probably get student rates. If you are buying point to point tickets you can get them in Italy.
http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/
http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm
I can see by your questions that you didn't go to the library and get copies of the Let's Go guidebooks. They tell you the best transportation for getting to particular places and approximate costs.
Most of those places you mention are accessible by train (except where Sue (above) points out the exceptions). You have to do some homework to decide if a rail pass is more cost effective than point to point tickets. Go on the Rail Europe site to get a cost for a pass. Rail Europe is expensive since they assess a booking fee (or something like that) to the cost of the pass.
Then either check the point to point ticket prices on Rail Europe or on the Italian train site and compare. Normally you have to do quite a bit of traveling or long journeys to make a train pass pay for itself.
There are different types of train fares to choose from such as Amica or student rates, etc. Do some searching on this board for more information on Italian trains. If you're under 26 you can probably get student rates. If you are buying point to point tickets you can get them in Italy.
http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/
http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm
Sep 27th, 2008, 05:11 AM
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I was just looking up the Thorntree site when afterall beat me to it.
And yes...I have stayed in hostels and yes I do travel on a budget and use Let's Go guidebooks (among others). I find that Let's Go is the best for budget travel. I also have recent hosteling knowledge from my neice so I'm trying to keep current with my travel knowledge. And I do extensive research when I travel.
I posted my recommendations based on experience and I use these means to cut my travel budget (except for student discounts since it's been a long time since I was under 26).
And yes...I have stayed in hostels and yes I do travel on a budget and use Let's Go guidebooks (among others). I find that Let's Go is the best for budget travel. I also have recent hosteling knowledge from my neice so I'm trying to keep current with my travel knowledge. And I do extensive research when I travel.
I posted my recommendations based on experience and I use these means to cut my travel budget (except for student discounts since it's been a long time since I was under 26).
Sep 27th, 2008, 05:30 AM
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Buses in Italy cost one euro. You must validate the ticket on the bus - do not try to beat the system because if you get caught it is expensive and time consuming, not to mention it is against the law.
The local trains in Italy are much less expensive than the express - so I would stick with those. There is a video on our site about how to ride the trains in Italy. This is the link:
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=375
Food in Italy is very good and economical. Standing and eating and ordering at a counter will save you many euros. Sitting down may double the cost.
Enjoy!
The local trains in Italy are much less expensive than the express - so I would stick with those. There is a video on our site about how to ride the trains in Italy. This is the link:
http://www.webvisionitaly.com/catego...p;ref_item=375
Food in Italy is very good and economical. Standing and eating and ordering at a counter will save you many euros. Sitting down may double the cost.
Enjoy!
Sep 27th, 2008, 07:40 AM
#12
#1- Go to your library and check out any guidebooks they have on Italy. Ones like Lonely Planet, Let's Go, Rough Guides, or even Rick Steves are aimed at budget travel. Read The Thorn Tree forum (formatted like this one) over at www.lonelyplanet.com
Currency- The best method is to use a debit card from your home bank in an ATM machine (rather than "exchanging US currency"
. You can carry some USD or travelers checks as a back up.
Location of hostel or hotel- They may cost a bit more money in each place but I would try to stay as central as possible. This saves time and money "commuting" into a city. Often cheaper places to stay are quite a distance outside where you want to do your sight-seeing.
Food- Shop at the grocery store.
Attractions- Try to find things that do not have an admission charge like smaller neighborhood churches, etc.
Currency- The best method is to use a debit card from your home bank in an ATM machine (rather than "exchanging US currency"
. You can carry some USD or travelers checks as a back up.Location of hostel or hotel- They may cost a bit more money in each place but I would try to stay as central as possible. This saves time and money "commuting" into a city. Often cheaper places to stay are quite a distance outside where you want to do your sight-seeing.
Food- Shop at the grocery store.
Attractions- Try to find things that do not have an admission charge like smaller neighborhood churches, etc.
Sep 27th, 2008, 07:45 AM
#13
chaisaelee~
I see from your other postings plus this one... you say you will be in 2 cities in Spain, 5 cities in Italy, plus Greece and Paris.
Are you planning to do all this within just 30 days? ("the month of October"
I see from your other postings plus this one... you say you will be in 2 cities in Spain, 5 cities in Italy, plus Greece and Paris.
Are you planning to do all this within just 30 days? ("the month of October"
Sep 27th, 2008, 11:20 AM
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From something you said it sounds like you may think a rail passes works WITHIN cities. The don't. They work only between cities. Within each city is a whole different transportation system.
Your best option - being young and strong - is to walk everywhere within cities - since it's free. If you want to go a really long distance then check out local bus etc.
Agree you need to do a lot of reading in the student guidebooks to get the latest means of saving money in each place.
Your best option - being young and strong - is to walk everywhere within cities - since it's free. If you want to go a really long distance then check out local bus etc.
Agree you need to do a lot of reading in the student guidebooks to get the latest means of saving money in each place.
Sep 28th, 2008, 09:25 PM
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Another item about the ATM cards. In the U.S., ATM cards can access either a checking or savings account. In Europe, apparently the ATM cards are tied to a checking account automatically. No choice for savings or checking. I discovered this when I tried to use my atm card and it said I had insufficient funds. I tried again and the same result. I knew I had money and then I remembered that I had the funds for my trip in the savings account. I had to call my bank and had the trip money transferred to the checking account. After this correction, I never had any problem with the atm card. For that trip, I had planned to use the atm card instead of using travelers checks.
Oct 5th, 2008, 03:22 PM
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Having just returned from a wonderful 12 days exploring parts of Italy, and coming to understand the incredible importance of food and wine and regional specialties to the Italians (a trip report will follow when I've caught up) - my suggestion would be, if you consider heading to a chinese or falafel restaurant, as suggested below, is to not go to Italy.
Everywhere there are bakeries, delis, supermarkets and markets full of the most wonderful, fresh produce you can dine like kings (or queens as the case may be) for very little expense.
Everywhere there are bakeries, delis, supermarkets and markets full of the most wonderful, fresh produce you can dine like kings (or queens as the case may be) for very little expense.
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