Italy
Europe · not on the board yet
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Votes for ItalyThe short answer
May or late September, and pick two cities rather than five. Italy punishes rushing.
The famous cities are hot, full and expensive in July and August, and many family run places close for the middle of August. Trains make everything else easy.
When to go
Best months: Apr to May, Sep to Oct
What a day costs
Per person, not counting flights.
- Hostel or cheap room$30
- Pizza and market lunches$20
- Trains and metro$15
- Small hotel$95
- Eating out$50
- Trains and museums$20
- Central four star$210
- Restaurants and wine$90
- Fast trains and guides$40
What your whole trip would cost
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Votes for ItalyHow far it is
- New York to Rome8h 45m
- London to Rome2h 35m
- Dubai to Rome6h 20m
- Getting aroundFast trains, genuinely excellent, book in advance
- When to avoidThe middle of August, when the cities empty and half the good places shut
Nonstop times from a few big hubs, to give you a sense of the distance. We have no idea which airport you are actually leaving from. Fares move weekly, so we leave those out.
When you land
- Airport to townThe Leonardo Express reaches Termini in 32 minutes. Official taxis charge a fixed fare from Fiumicino into the centre, and the meter is not used.
- Cash or cardCards are fine in cities. Small towns, markets and older bars still prefer cash.
- Getting onlineBuy from a TIM or Vodafone shop rather than an airport kiosk, or use an eSIM.
- What catches people outAnyone in costume near the Colosseum who hands you something. It is never free.
What not to miss in Italy
- The fast train between citiesRome to Florence in ninety minutes, city centre to city centre. Book ahead and it is cheap.
- Lunch where the menu is not translatedOne street back from any main square is a different country and a different price.
- Naples and the coast below itRougher than Rome, better food, and Pompeii is a local train ride away.
- The Dolomites in SeptemberMost people never leave the cities. The north is the most beautiful part of the country.
Still deciding?
🧳 Plan your trip to Italy
Good to know
Curated with 
Nemo
Written and checked by hand. Nothing here about visas or entry rules: those change often and depend on your passport, so check an official source.