I'm planning a trip to Italy and would appreciate some input on how to save some money. Any secrets out there about saving money while traveling in Italy? Hotels? Food? Travel?

Thanks! J

Hi jig,

Make lunch your main meal if you are going to restaurants.

Buy water at grocery stores.

Stay in B&B's

Don't take cabs.

What's your itinerary?

Where specifically are you going in Italy? That would make a difference on ways to save money.

The greatest opportunity for saving money in Italy is on food. The best part is that you won't be missing out on aything. Some of the best Italian meals I've had have been in hole-in-the-wall places.

Seek out small, family run restaurants. Take advantage of the breakfast (if you can call it that) that is often provided by the hotel. Go round up picnic supplies and find a nice shady spot. Grab a piece of pizza on the street. Drink the house wine. You'll seldom be disappointed.

We were fortunate to have breakfast included in our room rates....and quite frankly it was a very nice buffet. The hotel unfortunately wasn't cheap (Hotel Nazionale a Montecitoro) but was reasonable as a package deal on go-today.com. We definitely visited the grocery stores and would bring juices, yogurt, fruit to our room for snacks (since a small fridge was provided). We walked everywhere in Rome...not once did we board a bus or train....it wasn't really necessary. We got to see all of the sights via foot...including the Vatican.

I agree about the hole in the wall restaurants...there are many of them and the food is very good and inexpensive for the most part.

if you need to phone home, buy a phone card at the many "locutorios" where they have internet, fax, phone. these cards are about 5 euros and give you from 120-200 minutes to USA/europe from any phone. .refrain from calling anywhere from hotel.

find out what days the museums are free if you are interested in that.

small towns tend to be cheaper all around than the cities. i enjoy them more in the long run anyway.

you will love italy.hard to have a bad meal.

You can buy an international phone card at any Tabacchi. Make sure you specify you will be calling the US.

I have found that the menus are the same for lunch and dinner in any of the family run palces we frequent so I do not think you save any money by eating a big meal at lunch. We will often grab a panini on the run for a quick lunch or stop in and relax over a dish of pasta.

Drink house wine. It is generally quite good and always less expensive.

B&Bs are a good bet but depending on when and where you should also shop the 2 and 3 star hotels. Contact all directly instead of using a booking service (they pay commission to companies like venere.com). Offer to pay cash and you can generally save 5%.

Travel second class by rail unless the ride is really long. It is adequate and you will get seat reservations on Eurostar just as you do in 1st.

Some days are "free" days at museums. Do the research.

Takes buses and metros whenever you can. And walking is the best option!

Well these are no secrets, but the basics are...

Stay in 2/3-star hotels or pensione. Buy water, snacks, picnics from a grocery store. Walk or take a bus instead of a taxi. 2nd instead of 1st class train tickets. Look for free local events to go to and/or free days at museums if available. Use email instead of telephone for contacting home. Phone cards if you have need within Italy. Drink house wines in restaurants. Buy a corkscrew and wine from a store to have in your room.

Bars have great sandwiches at lunchtime, but don't sit at a table as it costs a good deal more. Walk away from the tourist areas, and find restaurants that don't have menus in a dozen languages.

Save money on wine by using your little finger. Sounds crazy? Not really. Simply stick it out, make a quick horizontal movement, and ask for vino da casa. That's the signal for a half-liter of the house stuff. Otherwise, restaurants are likely to stick you with a full bottle of expensive wine.

If traveling by train, look for specials. By traveling on Saturdays we saved a bundle! Of course this means some planning ahead and sometimes setting your itinerary according to the cheaper days to travel.

Make sure your hotel includes breakfast in the rate. Stay in smaller cities - they are less expensive than Florence, Rome and Venice. When staying in a large city, many hotels offer weekend rates. We stayed in a 4 star hotel in Rome on a weekend and saved 40 euros per night on the rate by staying on a weekend special rate through expedia. Travel by 2nd class train. Use public transportation instead of cabs. Research restaurants before you go online....print out the info and take it with you so you don't wind up in an expensive touristy restaurant. Drink house wine when out to eat...Italian house wines are cheap and GOOD. Pizza is an inexpensive meal for lunch or dinner....

ALso, avoid restaurants by the major piazzas or sites - they are usually more expensive.

If you reserve a hotel room with a small refrigerator, you can keep some snacks and beverages on hand and save some money on snacks/drinks.

Many people said they have saved money by booking hotels upon arrival in a city thru the travel service at the train station. I personally have not done this, but I have read info from other travellers that have and had good experiences.

Good luck!

Bring your own tea bags and just ask for hot water at a restaurant or at a cafe. No, I am just kidding. Dont laugh but I saw an American woman do this in Paris. She got an earful from the waiter.
I would bring some snacks from home. Walk a lot. Take bus 69 in Paris if you go there for a cheap tour of the city. By pate and cheese for lunch. Buy fewer souvenirs but do treat yourself to at least one nice meal every few days. oh and pray that the dollar doesnt fall any further!

Buy your wine at the grocery stores. We got some fantastic stuff at great prices.

No car is needed in Rome!