Rome and Florence in October - Worth the Price? Budget Tips?

If you don't like hot weather, October is better.

I have been a value traveler in both Florence and Rome for the last 15 years, and I don't feel bad about admitting that. The more efficiently I can spend my money, the more often I can visit!

Florence--in the main district, you really have to look for something good. October is right on the cusp of high season, and will still be very busy. Maybe $300-$400/night and up for a hotel, a little less than that for an AirBnB. We've stayed at a few and of course if you have people traveling with you, an AirBnB works much better. In April 2025. 4 of us split an 4 BR, 3 bath apartment in the main shopping area on via Tornabuoni, and it cost about 120 Euro apiece.

Rome--I think you can probably do a little better than Florence, because the great neighborhoods are more spread out. I'm about to book an AirBnB for late next winter at Campo de' Fiori, a 2 BR 1 bath for $190/night for 10 nights. That's a good deal, at off-season pricing. In April 2025 stayed at 3 BR 2 bath apartment near there for $350/night, but again split 4 ways so not bad.

Come to think of it, we haven't stayed in a hotel in either Florence or Rome for at least a decade--always been an AirBnB and they are very cool. Read the reviews, and if something's too cheap, there's usually something wrong.

I’m starting to think that the only true off season for Paris, Rome or Florence is January or February and for prices on the airlines, now is truly in the realm of the unpredictable.

Elizabeth, check hostels as well as hotels and apartments as some of them provide private rooms with ensuite baths, such as this well-positioned, highly-rated one in Rome:
https://www.the-beehive.com
https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/p/82786/the-beehive/

Or these, also in Rome:
https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/p/319939/jo-and-joe-roma/
https://www.joandjoe.com/roma/en/?adults=2&children=0&currency=EUR&property=0199e34a-a23e-74ff-b17a-113b6d52931c
(At least one of the private rooms has a terrace!)

https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/p/46361/la-controra-hostel-rome/

Just a thought?

Also consider monastery stays. They are typically simple, but in lovely buildings, with private room and bath. Some have curfews and other restrictions, but not all. Maybe have a look at some of the available options for your dates and get back to us here with more details for more feedback.

What is your budget per night?

If you stay outside the historical center you can definitely find hotels at €100/night or less in October.
I recommend to stay in the historical center however. In that case a two star hotel in the historical center would probably start at about €100_120/night in October. Two stars are not a Sheraton but definitely better than a hostel and some 2 star hotels are actually very nice
If you are willing to spend over €160 to €200, there will be several 3 star hotels downtown, and a 3 star hotel is very posh compared to hostels.
If you want luxury, and you are looking for a 4 star then €200 is not enough and you will be looking at maybe €230 and up (up to very very up).

Go to Booking.com
Search for Florence, for the dates you need, then filter for the historical center, and sort by price (lower first) if you want you can filter the hotels with the better reviews. Don’t filter by number of star because some 2 stars are sometime better than 3 stars, and some 4 stars have sometimes deals that make them cheaper than 3 stars.
Then select what you like.
August is slightly less crowded (and the official city statistics on hotels occupancy confirm that) because very few Italians are so crazy to visit unbearably got cities like Florence in August. In August Italians head to cooler beaches and mountains, so only foreigners swarm Florence in August. If you want to go in August is up to you, but the heat will make you miserable so make sure the hotel has good air conditioning and maybe a pool. Unfortunately few hotels have a pool in the city center and tend to be expensive, but check the hotel Royal, up past Piazza San Marco.