How much money do you plan for each day?

Your question cannot be answered w/o knowing what you like to do, where and what you will eat,how you will travel,etc.
That said, expenses just pile up. Gelato isnt free,even sandwiches can cost quite a bit.Cokes, for those still drinking such stuff, are more costly than wine. Metro tix can add up, tho Rome is conducive to walking and the Metro is limited due to problems w archeological disturbances by building new lines. Look to spend a mimimum of 80€ per person per day or roughly $130.
While there may be many who will tell you that you can go more cheaply, this figure pretty much encapsulates (and figures in inflation and the falling dollar)what we spent in Italy in '04,'05 and '06

Hi, Andrea. I was in Rome this past April 8th to 16th. I spent an AVERAGE of 90 Euros a day for food, sites, and souvenirs. Keep in mind that my hotel provided breakfast each morning, so I typically bought two meals a day. Even then, I ate cheaply; Many times I ate a pizza for lunch because it was quick and low-cost (around 7 to 9 Euros for a pizza and 2 Euros for a bottle of mineral water). I also bought usually 2 gelatos a day (around 3.50 to 5 Euros for a large waffle cone). I think if you plan on spending 100 Euros a day for food and sites you will have plenty of money. Hope this helps! ~Joseph~

This is a great question and one I've struggling with, too. I hope there will be more responses. The two so far have put in a bit of a panic because I was budgeting (for two per day): 32 euros for food, 10 euros for transportation, and 15 euros for "fun" money. And it sounds like I'm under-budgeting. We've already made reservations and paid for our top five sites and we plan to eat market/picnic foods/gelato/coffee most of the time with three or four restaurant dinners. We know we're going to limited in the souveniers but hope to get one or two really special items.

We were in Rome in September and were quite frugal with our spending. I think the rule we stuck to worked pretty well (per person spending) - breakfast at our lodging, picnic lunch/10-15 euros, light dinner with a few splurges/20-30 euros, about 10 euros on coffee and gellato. You should be able to gauge ahead of time for ticket costs and souvenirs are an individual matter. Of course you don't want to go crazy, but this will be a very special trip. Splurge a little in Rome and skimp more when you get home. If I had to do it again, I would. (cont. in next post)

(cont. from previous post) The thing in Rome that we tried to save on, which I would do differently, was transportation. We really tried to walk many places, which worked fine. (the walking tours in Rick's book are great) But for longer distances I would not take the bus again unless absolutely necessary. (We did not try the subway). In Paris and London mass transit is great but I will avoid it in Rome next time. We wasted so much time waiting for connections, trying to find the right bus to get to our destination, etc. that our frustration put a damper on some of our excursions. Also, a rather smarmy Italian used the occasion of a stuffy, jam packed, 20 minute bus ride to make sure I knew he'd like to get to know me better - yuck. I'm sure others may have had better luck, but my suggestion is to splurge on taxis for longer distances or when your feet need a break, if you can.

Lise stated that they did not use the subway (metro). Now, that's what you should use. It's wonderful! Saves lots on the wear and tear on the feet. The subway runs trains every few minutes. If you miss one, another comes along in a few min. The stops are listed on the wall of the train so you know when to expect your stop. They are also so cheap! About a euro each ride or if you get the Roma pass, it includes all rides on the subway. We just took the metro to the closest stop to where we wanted to go and walked the rest. Unlike the bus, we felt very safe on them. Definitely the way to go!

I agree with the prior poster. Use the metro.

We used both the metro and the bus. The metro was so much simpler and less waiting. One night we took the bus, had to transfer, and ended up waiting 15+ minutes while a rain shower hit. The metro can be crowded, especially during rush hour, but even if you can't make it onto the current train, there is another one close behind.

Get the Roma pass if you will be using the metro frequently over a three day period and/or visiting top sights like the Borghese and Colosseum. I burned through a lot of those 1 euro tickets, and they add up quickly.

We were in Rome 2 years ago and I budgeted 100 Euro per day. This was for two adults. We had breakfast at our B&B and bought rolls, cheese, fruit etc. from the Andrea Dorie outdoor market. This did us for lunch and also pastries for a snack. We bought water and used the outdoor fountains to replenish the bottles. We ate out each evening with beer or wine with our meals. We also had a gelato most every night. Some days we spent less some days a little bit more. We enjoyed ourselves. Most restaurants post their menu outside and you can read what they serve and their price and make your decisions on that. We are going to Italy again this fall and will budget 100 Euro/day again for two adults. Go enjoy yourselves and you will find that there are many inexpensive ways to eat.

Andrea. A lot depends on what type of food you like and what type of dining experience you are looking for.

We are just back from 16 days in Italy --- the last 7 in Rome.

It can be a VERY expensive city--- but you can still find ways to cut costs and have a great trip. We did.

What are your MUST SEEs in Rome?

How fit are you (will you be able to use public transport and walk?)

How "gourmet" must your meals be?

Will you drink a lot of cocktails or wine?

Are you a picky eater?

If your hotel has free breakfast start the day with a large breakfast.

If grabbing a bite in a coffee bar never sit down before asking for the prices to sit. Some places charge a hefty fee for that table some don't. Stand at the bar and enjoy a caffee or late like a local. As them to heat that sandwich "calde) and take it to go. Find a park bench or steps and enjoy a mini picnic.

Small markets and supermercados are lifesavers for bottled water juices snacks and the makings of a memorable picnic. One of our most delicious meals was at an aliamentary where we got fantastic olives, some crab stuffed peppers, spicy fennel salami, some dolci gorgonzola, sliced bread, artichokes and two plastic glasses of red wine.

Check out this site and other travel sites for recommendations of more moderate priced tratoria and osteria. Split an antipasto, and order two primi courses some house wine and a bottle of water--- or split the primi as well and order a nice meat course with maybe a side dish to split.

Don't rule out the Tourist menu. We had a nice meal of pasta, meat with some veggies and some lovely cake glass of wine and a liter of water to share for 12 euro each.

WATER --- you'll need it as the combination of Rome's heat and the walking will dehydrate you quickly. Look for a supermercado and stock up. Carry your empty bottle with you and buy an ice cold liter and split it into the bottles OR get an icy cold liter of blood orange juice (cont in next post

and split that into two bottles for a cool refreshing treat. If you've got a coke or pepsi habit give it up for the trip. Most are 2.50 to 4 euro a bottle. The closer you get to the important sites the more the price of water increases. It's not hard to go through 4 or 5 bottles of water on a hot tourist day. Find water at the market and fill your own bottles.

Italian fruit is very sweet and juicy--- stop at one of the many small produce markets and pick some up for a tasty healthy snack.

Get off the main drag to find food bargains. Places on the popular piazzas make you pay for the view. Find great places a few streets away and have a better meal for less money.

Check out things like the Roma pass. You get two free site/ museum entrances and three days of bus/metro transit. If you're planning on going to two of the sites on the list (see it at www.romapass.com) then basically the three days of bus service is free.

Treat yourself to at least one or two nice leisurely meals--- there are many great places for an authentic great meal that won't break you. Rick names several restaurants in Trastevere with great local color and reasonable prices.

Instead of a lot of cheesy kitch souveniers consider buying something you'll use everyday and remember Rome. A wallet, a lovely scarf, some nice earrings.

Make sure to take good comfortable BROKEN IN walking shoes--- two pair if possible. I ran into a fair number of travellers struggling with blisters and foot/leg pain.

There are churches FILLED with amazing artworks that are free to the public. Two in particular, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and San Luigi are near Pantheon and have Carrivaggios, a Michaelangelo statue some Lippis and more.

The McDonalds at Pantheon has a great patio and free bathrooms. Grab a cold drink and park yourself
Oh yes BATHROOMS. Many places have pay toilets, make sure to have some change Sometimes it's better to have a caffe 1 euro or so at a bar with a bathroom