Spending money in Italy?
 

Typically my husband and I are very thrifty. We will continue to do so when we travel to Italy in the fall. We share meals and are not drinkers, walk everywhere, etc. What's an average amount of cash to have for just daily life? We've set aside extra for some larger items we want to purchase, but am curious what most folks budget for food, cab fare (if any), a few museums, etc.

>>>We share meals<<<

If you typically share meals in the US, you might find that doesn't work in Italy. Portions are much smaller.

How much for a day would depend on where. Big cities are more expensive. Where are you going in Italy?

In some cases sharing meals is not allowed. In Venice we were forced to get two pizzas, not allowed to share!

It really depends on where in Italy you're going. I would budget E100 per day which would include lunch, dinner, stopping in a cafe for something to drink, taxi/bus, sightseeing. This would be a very conservative amount and would mean not eating near any tourist sights.

You must have an incredibly small appetite if you plan to share a panini or a tartine!

Will you be doing any sightseeing other than museums? You can look up the exact entrance fees on line. Are you taking any walking tours?

If you're renting a car it will cost more than E100 per day because of the high price of gas and tolls.

<i><font color=#555555>"We share meals and are not drinkers"</font></i>

Then for goodness sakes, don't plop yourselves down at a white-cloth restaurant and expect good service. Stick to pizza joints, sandwich/pasta shops, and grocery stores. You can definitely eat on a "thrifty" budget in Italy as long as you know where to go. Please don't make a fool of yourself by ignoring cultural norms.

>>In some cases sharing meals is not allowed. In Venice we were forced to get two pizzas, not allowed to share!<<

When that happens to me, usually in a tourist trap in Venice, I tell them "goodbye" and go eat somewhere else. My wife and I have shared many dishes in Venice and elsewhere, but ky is right: portions tend to be smaller than what you get in the US.

Also, as noted, where you're going does matter. Is your hotel providing breakfast?

Since you're including museum admissions and local transportation, I'd probably set the amount at 150 euros/day.

I never spend 150 euro a day in Europe in any country for food, museums, etc, even ones more expensive than Italy. I don't think 150 euro a day per person is a thrifty budget. But if that is meant for both of them (as well as the 100 euro), I agree that seems about right for someone who really does not eat much and doesn't drink. That includes drinking any expensive drinks in cafes, not just alcohol. Even then, you could do that some on 75 euro a day for sure, as I do.

I think there is a difference in sharing some side dish or dessert and ordering one fixed price meal (or one small pizza) and then expecting that to be it for a couple to share. I think that would be a very odd thing to do in restaurants even in the US, for a couple to sit down and order one dinner.

My husband and I almost always share at least part of our meals in Italy (where we live). The amount of pasta served at a typical restaurant is about twice as much as what we eat at home. Sometimes I order an appetizer and he orders a pasta course, then I order a vegetable side (contorno) and he orders a meat course. We can usually both eat for €30 to €40 at a decent but modest restaurant.

We also usually eat much less in the evening, maybe each eating a large salad (insalatone) or an appetizer. At the height of the meal hour, a fancy restaurant won't be happy about this, but there are places that don't mind at all, especially if you eat a bit early.

I can see why a pizzeria wouldn't want to let two people share a pizza. Pizzas are single-serving size, and are quite cheap. They're still too much for me, but I just leave behind what I can't finish.

Many pizzerias have other things, too, and since an appetizer often costs more than a pizza, they're happy to oblige if that's all you want. There are also chains, like Insalata Ricca in Rome, which specialize in main-dish salads and other light fare.

Museums vary greatly in price; you can save a lot of money by visiting the hidden gems, which are often unjustly overlooked. For example, in Rome the Vatican Museums cost 16 euros to visit, with a 4-euro reservation fee to avoid waiting in the horribly long line. Several other "popular" museums are also rather expensive. However, there are several museums, such as the Barberini Gallery and Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, which have world-class art and cost less than 10 euros. In many places, the churches are free to visit, and they often contain world-class art. (In Rome, all churches are free to visit.) One way to save money is to choose no more than one expensive visit in each location and search out the lesser-known gems and churches.

Public transportation is relatively inexpensive in Italy, and you can save a lot of money on the high-speed trains by reserving well in advance, if you don't mind fixing your schedule well ahead of the trip.

As others have mentioned portions are typically much smaller in Italy then in the US. Also the main course is usually just the meat or chicken or whaterver. Vegatables and salads are served and charged separately. So don;t expect to go into a restaurant and order one small chicken breast for two people plus a couple of glasses of tap water. (Learn how to order this, typically they serve bottled water in Italy.)

Also be aware that soft drinks are often more expensive than wine (3 euros for a minute can) and coffee (espresso) is served after a meal - you won't get large cups of american style coffee and there are no free refills of anything.

If you have small appetites you are certainly not required to order multiple courses at each meal - but don't expect to share a small personal size pizza or a sandwich (which are more like half sandwiches in the US).

I can;t help with budget - since that's not how we travel - but do be aware in advance of the differences from the US.

Sorry - I hope you aren;t planning on carrying all that cash with you. You should be pulling walking around money from your checking account at local ATMS (to avoid losing so much on rate of exchange) and paying for all you can with a CC for the same reason.

We shared most of our dishes on our recent trip to Italy. That included sharing the appetizer (or get one for each), a pasta dish, a meat dish (sometimes with a vegetable side dish, sometimes not), and the dessert. We also always had wine and water, so overall I think the restaurants were ok with us.
A few times we were charged extra for splitting the meals, but most of the times we were not.

I cannot help with the budget question, I think that depends too much on too many variables.

In casual restaurants they typically don;t have any problem with sharing appetizers, or desserts - and veggies are ordered separately and meant to be shared. But you were ordering multiple courses and sharing - not just sharing one dish (I think you would be starving if you did that with your main meal of the day.)

There's no cultural norm against sharing things in Italian restaurants. There may be a few snotty restaurants that would look down their noses at that sort of thing, but you certainly don't have to eat in a sandwich shop or pizza joint to share dishes. We've even shared some plates in a Michelin star restaurant, and no one looked at us askance.

When I order an appetizer and my husband orders a first course, the waiter often brings an extra plate because he assumes we're going to share, even when we aren't.

In fact a pizza joint or sandwich shop, where things are already cheap, would be exactly the kind of place that wouldn't tolerate sharing.

<< I don't think 150 euro a day per person is a thrifty budget. But if that is meant for both of them (as well as the 100 euro) >>

My estimate was for both of them, hence the caveat of "conservative".

Excuse me? My wife and I share meals all the time - we order several dishes, love to taste and share everything, and we always are welcomed warmly in restaurants all over Italy and expect that to remain a constant - when you're a snob, you're offensive - the only "norm" required is that of friendliness and respect! James

During a week day, I'd spend E14 for a three course lunch with wine and E20 for a supper with wine. (By the way wine is pretty cheap in Italy so not drinking does not save you much) assume breakfast is E6 and hotel room E40 as my share of a couple. Everything else is fun, so lets assume a couple of museums a day and something else to do, maybe E20 tops= E100 per person per night. I'd see that as a tops figure so edge below that for reality.

Bye the way, very seldom eat Pizza, and only occasionally in Italy.

<i><font color=#555555>when you're a snob, you're offensive"</font></i>

LOL. I am a food snob and proud of it. But it's not like anyone would know it if they look at me, until you try to pass off canned mushrooms as fresh, or assume I'm a stupid tourist.

IMO, cheap people are offensive, the kind of people who take bread, cheese, and meat from the breakfast table to make a sandwich for lunch. You know who you are.

Two tourists who sit down in a white-cloth restaurant in Italy, especially when there may be only 12 tables and two seatings a night, and only order one or two things to share because they are "thrifty," are offensive.

Ordering dishes to share is NOT THE SAME THING as ordering a minimum of food to be "thrifty." You can take this thread off-topic as much as you want, but I read the OP's post quite clearly.

When I say we are thrifty and share meals I'm speaking in general terms in the US. And we don't drink much more than water by choice. This was to let you know what we do typically at home. And usually it's because the serving sizes are so large. It's good to know that Italian serving sizes are smaller so we can be aware of the differences. I appreciate the great feedback and suggestions. I ignore rude comments from people who think thrifty is the same as cheap. :)

Also to answer some questions that were asked, we are going to Venice, Rome and Florence. With some day trips to the hill towns. We are budgeting for rental cars separately. And we are staying in apartments, not hotels. So grocery shopping and eating at home is an option too. We are budgeting E200 a day for food and site seeing so sounds like we should have no issues sticking to our budget.

You'll be able to eat well on E200 a day. That's a splurge budget for me.

Do keep in mind that walking a few blocks from major sights will result in better food at a better price.

taralnathan:

I won't judge you either way if you attempt to share meals in restaurants. It could cause you some problems or anger some of your fellow tourists. In any case, that's your call.

But if, YOU REALLY WANT TO SAVE MONEY ON MEALS?

In all the cities such as Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence and many smaller ones, look around or ask the hotel clerk for the location of a discount super mart as soon as you arrive (they're much smaller than in the states, but they're there). You can buy some bottled water, meats, cheese, chips, fruit -in short any or all the things you would normally find in a food mart. Also look for a panificio (bakery), many of which incidentally serve inexpensive mid-day meals, where you can get fresh bread, rolls etc. Then, make some of your own lunches. There are several piazzas where you can sit and enjoy or simply eat while you walk.
If you have a mini-frig in your room (since you're on a budget-budget, maybe not), stock up for a few days. Otherwise, just do it on particular days.
Making one of your daily meals can add up. Yet, even if you just buy snacks or bottled water at the food mart, the better price than at your hotel or at the sights can save you Euros, too.
Hey. Maybe you'll then use those savings for your evening meal, at which time you won't have to share.

<i><font color=#555555>"I ignore rude comments from people who think thrifty is the same as cheap."</font></i>

I wasn't being rude. I was being absolutely sincere. And I wasn't speaking only to you, the OP. Many other people read these threads, and what I say can help them.

I have no idea what you (the OP) meant by "thrifty." I can't read minds. However, check your Thesaurus. Cheap and stingy rank high among thrifty's synonyms. So I don't think I'm off base at all.

<i><font color=#555555>"usually it's because the serving sizes are so large"</font></i>

There was definitely no mention of that clarity in the first post. Unclear writing is unclear. I stand by everything I wrote, whether it applies to you or not.

A further suggestion:

There were buffet-style restaurants the last time I was in Florence and in Rome (one even close to the Vatican and another not too far from the Coliseum). The food quality was pretty good- certainly better than you'd find in the states- and the price was right. No "service included" charge either. I'd like to see someone stop you from sharing your food in one of those places! Ha ha. Anyway, they're another practical option to save on mid-day meals.

@zola, that's good advice and something we plan to do. So we can splurge some days and eat in others.

@NYCFoodsnob, your posts are more rude than actual help. You insult people instead of giving advice. And you waste my time and others with your diatribe. Try doing something useful or considerate for someone else for once. You might find it feels just as good as putting others down to make yourself feel important.

I guess with a thread title, "Spending money in Italy?," this thread really isn't about food portion size.

A car would be a hindrance for Venice/Florence/Rome. You can't drive in these cities as the centers are restricted to residents mainly (Google ZTL Italy for the no driving zones). Even small hill towns restrict their centers, but don't have the traffic cameras to send you tickets after you return home from crossing into the zone.

Additionally, parking is expensive and if you were staying somewhere in central Florence, you would have to keep your car parked outside the ZTL (30-40€ per day). Most of the bigger highways are toll roads and gas is much higher than the US.

A car would be nice for hill towns if you are staying in the countryside a few days. One day rental are not economical as they are often as much as three day rentals. You need an IDP to drive in Italy available from AAA. You could also do day trips from Florence by public transport to some hill towns or book a local day or half-day tour.

Trains between Venice/Florence/Rome run about 45€ each leg (you can get advance purchase discounts if you are sure of time/dates).

Restaurants have a cover charge most of the time - coperto. It's per person (set up and bread) and a couple of euro usually. You may also see a service charge of 15%. Bottled water is the norm and is a few euro. Sitting outside can have higher prices than inside. Some places will have different prices for standing at the bar (coffee/snack), sitting inside or sitting outside. Usually getting off the main piazzas will result in a bit cheaper places, but not always.

For better food at reasonable prices avoid restaurants right near major sights and anyplace that has either menus in 12 languages or menus with pictures of the food - all will be tourist traps.

You can certainly drink tap water if you learn to ask for it - it's perfectly safe - but may not taste very good. We always order both wine (1/2 bottle for both of us at lunch and a bottle at dinner - as well as a large bottle of fizzy water - you can get still water if you prefer - but figure out if you prefer the taste to tap water).

Sharing courses is fine as long as you are ot buying the "menu" mentioned above. This is 2 or 3 courses for a set amount and no restaurant will hare that - since it's already a great deal. They will usually share a la carte things ordered - as long as it's not just sharing one tiny item.

And do understand that for beverages and sandwiches there are different prices based on where you eat - standing at a counter cheapest, sitting inside more, sitting outside still more.

One thing we enjoy in Rome is sitting in one of the cafes facing the Pantheon in the late afternoon, ordering a drink and watching the world go by. Some have free small munchies - but you need to check. (I always go for a campari and soda - but you can get bottled water if you want.)

taralnathan:
Sorry. I didn't see your post, indicating where you'll be traveling and that you'd be staying at apartments not hotels, before I posted my entries. :-) You're nonetheless welcome for whatever you find useful. In any case, the E200/day you also noted for meals and sightseeing should be more than enough (really), particularly since you are making it a point to stay within a budget

Breakfast. Croissant / brioche and a coffee will cost about three euro, if you stand at the bar. Tremezzini (sandwich) costs about two euro. A filled roll for lunch is about four euro. Dinner for two would be about 30 or 40 euro, depending where you eat.

Bottled water at a table is about 3 euro.

Transport and museum entry varies, and you should be able to find those costs on line.

We spent two months in an apartment in Venice, with a side trip to Cinque Terre, bought gifts, bought drinks, ate at restaurants once or twice a week, museums and vaporetto tickets. Costs worked out at about 120 a day, excluding apartment rental.

No meals at "white table cloth" places though.

>> Unclear writing is unclear. <<

Agree. For instance, insisting that "thrifty" and "cheap" mean the same thing.

Is it a custom to have a drink with every meal in Italy? My friend and I do plan to drink, but sometimes we might just want to pass on that during lunch (though it's rare that we would actually sit down at a restaurant for lunch for half the trip).

I agree with the sentiment that if you want to be thrifty with meals, don't sit down at a restaurant, especially ones that only have a few tables. I think it's disrespectful to the restaurant. From personal experience, a friend once ordered only water at a fairly fancy restaurant because she was cheap without a shadow of a doubt and had her dinner on the street. We were appalled, it was so embarrassing for us. We also noticed that others were getting better service compared to us and that most likely had to do with the fact that we occupied a table for four (group of 3), but only 2 ordered something.

LR220, custom to drink with every meal? I don't know about that, nobody is going to think twice if you don't. I just drank at lunch and dinner because I was on vacation and I could!

almost everyone in italy takes credit cards now... small towns, small businesses... our last trip, we found that we used well under 100E cash a day between the two of us . just make sure you have a card with a chip and most will let you charge.

Drinking in restaurants, it depends a fair bit in which country you are in. However in Italy I've never (never) had any lack of respect for not drinking. Sitting in a restaurant and not ordering food would be considered a bit odd, but no booze would just not be a problem.

One of the greatest deals in Florence is in the cafe on the top floor of the public library - the Caffetteria delle Oblate. When I was there a few years ago, I stopped in around 6:30 pm and they had an aperitivi buffet - for just 8 euro. And that included a beverage. Great deal and the view from the cafe was lovely!

>>Sitting in a restaurant and not ordering food would be considered a bit odd,<<

I'd say that's a rule than transcends cultures.

1) About 95% of the hotels we stayed at included a big buffet breakfast. It is good value for you to know that
2) Lunch was always a take out meal, either from local markets or grocery chains.The Italian grocery stores had lots of great take out and food items too.dinner.http://blog.studentsville.it/living-...our-euro/.Some nobs may turn up their nose at going to a grocery but I loved it. What an adventure trying out new things in each city!
3) I took a travel kettle so I could have drinks anytime I wanted in my room. I am frugal and figured I could save on that and did.
4) We are not drinkers either. I ordered the salad appetizer as my main, hubby ordered an entre and we shared with no issues ever.E120-150 a day would be at the top of what we spent. Its such a great country.

"would be considered a bit odd"

a cultural issue vincenzo, when a Brit says "would be considered a bit odd! he means "stark raving mad" in American English. :-)

I am not frugal in anything when I travel. I do try to find a nice hotel for $100--$125, but other than that I just spend what I want and then pay for what I charge when I get home.
Luckily, my wants are generally reasonable and few.

Since I travel alone, I don't usually eat dinner in a white-tablecloth-restaurant. I find it difficult to eat three full meals a day, anyway, so I usually have a late lunch, and then I generally buy a roll, some cheese and yogurt and have dinner in my room.

I would love to just take a roll and some cheese from the breakfast table, but I think that would be rude as well as unacceptably cheap. I've thought about asking the hotel proprietor for permission and paying extra for it, but I've never done it.

when we have rented apartments in Italy, we have found that it's more or less as cheap to eat breakfast out than it is to eat it in, by the time you're bought a couple of pastries, the juice and the coffee; I've managed to sit down to eat it too, all for €3 though €5 is more common.

Then lunch can also be pretty cheap, as Peter says though if you are prepared to eat your main meal at lunchtime, good restaurants often offer cheaper set menus which enable you to eat well for less. Whether you drink more than water with it is of course entirely up to you. And with your apartment to eat in at night, you could look out for rosticeria which sell roasted and grilled food, meat and vegetables, at very reasonable prices, that you can take out.

Talking of water, in Rome look out for the public water fountains where you can fill your water bottles with some of the best water you will ever have tasted. Take a spare bottle with you, and you need never run out!