UPDATED 2/3/22
If you’ve read my How to Spend 2 Weeks in Italy then you’re here to read how to spend three days in Rome on a budget. Fantastic. I will break down how to do Rome on a budget in 3 days (with Vatican City) perfect as a first time in Rome itinerary, budget or not. I have done this travel myself as a mature solo traveler. So, yes, this 3 day trip to Rome can be done.
2022 Italy Pandemic Travel Tips from My 2021 Italy Travel
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Rome on a Budget (or Not)
Yes, Rome can be seen on a budget traveling single. To help provide more Venice budgeting options, peruse my Guide to Budget European Accommodations for additional accommodation-planning.
Let me state here that when I say “budget”, I mean your daily travel expenses could total €100 or less. It’s up to you on where you wish to budget (accommodations, excursions, etc.), and how far in advance you book. Some attractions can be seen without a tour, which will save you money, of course.
The following Rome travel guide and itinerary can work for anyone, budget or not. The key factors that can push you out of the “budget” range is your choice in Rome accommodations and the types of attraction tours you choose. Some attractions can be seen without a tour, which will save you money, of course.
Ok, now let’s get you to Rome.
Rome Solo Travel Essentials
Prices in this post reflective at time of writing.
Getting Around Rome
Although I have provided details on arriving in Rome and Rome transportation in How to Spend 2 Weeks in Italy, know that the Rome historical center can be done on foot.
However, if you really want to move around Rome quickly and give your feet a rest, you can buy a 48 or 72-Hour Roma Pass. The cost is €28 to €38.50 (at time of writing this post), respectively, which starts at first point of entry and includes entry to attractions.
Eco Travel Tips
Skyscanner provides a ‘Greener flights’ filter highlighting flights that emit less CO2. Additionally, you can purchase carbon offsets through your airline to lower your carbon footprint.
For flights only 2 to 3 hours in duration to and from Rome, take the train or bus instead. It could also save time and money, and the scenery is much prettier.
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Where to Stay in Rome
You’ll ideally want to stay within a 20-minute walking distance West of the Termini train station (but not next to the train station).
If you don’t want to walk you could catch a taxi or rideshare to your hotel that should cost no more than €10 or €12 – confirm with the driver in advance – for a maximum 10-minute ride.
Eco Travel Tip
If you need to book a rideshare, select the Bolt Green or Uber Green options to support the use of electric cars and for cleaner transportation in Rome.
For ease of arriving and departing Rome, and walking around for the best of what to see in Rome in 3 days, I recommend staying within the city center circle on the map:
Rome Hotels
Rome has many hotel, hostel and other accommodation types across all budget types within the Rome city center map. Going in the off season, or booking well in advance, will get you the best Rome accommodation choices and prices.
Consider booking at a property that either is eco-friendly or sustainably rated, or at least employs these methods into their business.
For location, price, amenities (including no pre-payment and free-cancellation), and customer reviews and ratings, my Rome budget hotel recommendation for over 50 single travel is Hotel Antica Locanda. It is in a fabulous location, has a roof top patio, and could be booked at €75/night, depending on time of year and how far in advance you book.
Rome Budget Tip
There are Rome hostels that could start from around €20/night, depending on what amenities and location you want. Note, these are usually a bed in a dorm room. Private rooms in hostels can cost the same, if not more, than a budget hotel.
For the same conditions, plus employing eco-friendly and/or sustainable operations, here are my Rome hotel recommendations for over 50 single travel (i.e., where I would stay), “budget” and higher:
Eco Travel Tip
In addition to Booking.com’s Rome Sustainable Travel properties, Green Globe and Green Key Global also have eco-friendly certified lodging options.
ECO TRAVEL PICKS
Rome Attraction Musts
If you have never been to the historic center of Rome, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the following are attractions that would a shame to miss.
You can easily do 3-4 Rome highlights in a day without being too tired. Some of them are free. The reason why I suggested the following “musts” on separate days is due to popularity and crowds.
Therefore, I suggest you do the Vatican City (all four activities) and the Colosseum and Forum first thing in the mornings. Get your tickets online in advance and make Vatican reservations and Colosseum/Forum/Pallatine Hill reservations in advance – the sooner the better – to avoid the line headache.
These activities are big draws and lines can accumulate quickly so I encourage your ticket is for the first tour of the day and show up at least 30 minutes before the first tour starts.
If you can get in and out before the crowds accumulate, you’ll have more time to enjoy the rest of the day in Rome and not waste half your day standing in lines. That is not the way to spend the day in Rome.
Rome Day 1
- Vatican City:
- Vatican Museum Tour, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica (Skip the Line tickets)
- Note: Entry to at least one museum is required in order to get to the Sistine Chapel. If the Viator ticket is unavailable, try getting your ticket through the museum.
- St. Peter’s Basicila is free so if you don’t want a tour. You can just pay for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel.
- St. Peter’s Square
- Vatican Museum Tour, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica (Skip the Line tickets)
- Ponte Vittorio Emanuell II bridge
Rome Day 2
- Colosseum (Colosseo), Roman Forum/Via Sacra & Pallatine (Palatino) Hill (Skip the Line tickets)
- Note: You can get tickets up to four months in advance. The Underground Colosseum tour tickets are definitely advised to get in advance.
- If the Trip Advisor ticket is not available, try getting your ticket through the Colosseum.
- Piazza del Colosseo
Rome Day 3
- Piazza di Spagna & the Spanish Steps
- Trevi Fountain
- Piazza Navona
- Pantheon
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Rome Events Calendar
If it helps in planning what you would like to see, here is a list of annual events held in Rome.
Rome Dining
My rule when eating abroad is: anything you eat outside of your own country has no calories. Drop the diet and repeat after me: “I’m on vacation.”
My Italy eating rule is: gelato should be eaten at least once a day. With my rules in mind, here are some tips on dining in Rome to get your started:
- The Piazza Navona, Trastevere & Gianicolo areas have good rated restaurants to check out.
- There are many small cafés to pop into for coffee or inexpensive pizza or calzone for a bite on the go.
- Consider getting drinks and dinner after your Dolce Vita stroll.
- Gelatto, and lots of it.
- Here is a good link to research wine bars in Rome.
- Katie has some good advice where to eat in Rome.
- If you’re on a budget, check out cheap eats in Rome suggestions.
Things to Do In Rome on a Budget in 3 Days
Depending on how much you want to see (and spend) is completely up to you. Rome has plenty of options, as I have outlined above.
The itinerary below includes staying at my suggested Rome budget hotel, but does not include other meals.
That said, here is my recommended 3 day Rome itinerary that shows what a single traveler over 50 can see and do in a few days (with Vatican City, of course), possibly at €100 or less, if you book well in advance, and choose the right tour or entry tickets for the top Rome attractions and museums to meet your tastes and budget.
Rome Day 1
- Vatican City:
- Vatican Museum Tour, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica (Skip the Line)
- Note: entry to at least one museum is required in order to get to the Sistine Chapel.
- Peter’s Basicila is free so if you don’t want a tour. You can just pay for the Skip the Line tickets. Tour tickets cost more.
- St. Peter’s Square
- Vatican Museum Tour, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica (Skip the Line)
- Ponte Vittorio Emanuell II Bridge
- Gianicolo Hill (Janiculum) for sunset and sweeping view of Rome
- Dine in the Trastevere area
- Hotel
Rome Day 2
- Colosseum (Colosseo), Roman Forum/Via Sacra & Pallatine (Palatino) Hill (Skip the Line)
- Note: You can get tickets up to four months in advance. Plan to show up earlier than your scheduled tour time due to security.
- The Underground Colosseum tour tickets are definitely advised to get in advance.
- Piazza del Colosseo
- Piazza del Campidoglio (Capitol Square), Capitol Hill
- Hotel
Rome Day 3
- Borghese Gallery (buy ticket for reservation)
- Stroll the park to the Villa Borghese
- Palazzo Barbarini
- Trevi Fountain – grab lunch / people watch
- Pantheon – FREE to enter with audio guide
- Piazza Navona – grab a drink or lunch and people watch
- Walk along the Tiber to Piazza del Popolo
- Stroll “La Dolce Vita Dolce Vita” – walk with the locals (usually 5-7pm) Via del Corso from Piazza del Popolo to the Spanish Steps. Take in some window shopping and dinner.
- Piazza di Spagna / Spanish Steps
- Hotel
Rome Extra Day
- Take the metro to Appian Way to visit the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or Catacombs of San Callisto OR
- Appian Way, Catacombs and Aqueducts eBike tour with lunch
- Hotel (breakfast and taxes included)
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