How to Enjoy Rome On a Shoestring Budget

As in other hugely popular tourist destinations, Rome can easily make your euros or dollars disappear in the blink of an eye, if you don't keep an eye on spending. However, don't despair – you can still enjoy a fully satisfying and memorable experience of the city without sending yourself broke. The very first tip is to book on to a cheap and convenient Ciampino airport transfer, and after that, the following hints may help make your money go further.

Bargains Are Dependent On the Season

Again as with many touristic destinations, many prices in Rome (including you’re your Ciampino airport transfer) depend on the season. Based on experience, winter and early spring are the best times of the year to hunt for bargains - that is, if shopping is your utmost priority. The great thing about the Italian capital is that even in the thick of winter, the city is generally free of ice and snow, so you can still enjoy whatever it is you intend to do here. Moreover, if you intend to visit the city to celebrate the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Square, you can save by booking several months in advance.

Walk, Walk, Walk

The Eternal City has an uncomplicated subway system, which you can use up to a certain extent (although it is not an advisable alternative to a Ciampino airport transfer when you arrive). But the city is full of attractions at every street corner – some harder to get to than others. In fact, there is always a site of interest or an architectural wonder just a stone’s throw away from wherever you may be. This means the best way to explore it (especially if you’re on a shoestring budget) is by walking. The advantage of exploring the city by foot is obvious: you’ll have a more intimate, better paced experience of the city’s treasures, and you'll also get to interact more with the locals, who may offer a helpful tip or two of their own.

Stay at Budget Hotels

Of course, staying in budget accommodation is one of the best ways to save on your trip. What's wonderful though, is you may well find that the Roman idea of budget is actually more upmarket than what you may expect elsewhere. There are countless budget hotels that are easily accessible with a Ciampino airport transfer, which will deliver you right to the door. However, a word of caution: while there are many hotels in such areas as those around the popular Termini Station, these places are also frequent hot spots for petty crimes. So if you really want to be on the safe side, while staying within your tight budget, consider booking into a convent! The city has a number of them available to stay in, and there’s a helpful listing available online. Just be sure to bring enough cash (understandably, convents have no credit card processing facility) and respect the curfew hours.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a Ciampino airport transfer, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.