Piaztsi and duoms, signorins and seigners, pizza, pastes, jlato, wine, cheeses. There are many plans, and the budget is limited, especially with the current ruble course. But not everything is so bad! We tell you how to save on Italian journey.
General recommendations
Take cash and use a multicurrency card
The universal advice for everyone who goes to Europe is to take the euro with you. It is not the most profitable option to withdraw money from the card: they can take a percentage for using an ATM not their bank. And it is better to travel with a multi -cream card, in this case there will be no interest for converting in the euro.
Do not forget about sleep tax
“You still have tax,” the reception says. Stop, how? After all, you paid everything. But not, in Italy there is a city tax for living for tourists. Moreover, it differs not only in different cities, but also in hotels, depending on the star. For example, in hostels, pay from 1.5 to 3 euros per night, in three stars – 3-4, in five -star hotels – from 5 to 7 euros. Before booking, study on the site, whether the tax is included and what it is.
FOOD
Shops for local
Like ours, in Italy supermarkets are expensive and more budgetary. The latter have the goods of their brands for which prices are even lower. If you want to save – look for Lidl, Coop and Penny Market signs. There are usually very tiny mini-markets in the center, but if you want a large choice, you will have to go to the supermarket somewhere closer to the outskirts.
A cook for himself
If you have apartments with a kitchen or hostel, cook yourself. This is a wonderful way not only to save, but also to make local products properly, with excellent quality. Buy a homemade pasta, artichokes, prepare a light tomato sauce, cut tomatoes and mozzarella, melon and pasto, take a bottle of pull – dinner is ready. And it will cost much cheaper than in a restaurant.
Water balance
Italians drink water from the tap, and just take a bottle with them, which can be filled in a hotel or drinking fountains. There are many of the latter on tourist streets and near attractions. If there are no extra signs on the fountain, you can drink water. But if you see the inscription “non Potabile”, pass by: In such fountains, technical water.
Healthy snack
Go to the local market – Mercato (just drive this word in Google Maps or find on a city map). Each seller will be happy to treat his goods: cheese, pasto, fruits, vegetables, nuts. You can try for free, and the quality of products in the markets is usually very high.
Secret places
No matter how I want to eat pizza with a view of the pantheon or paste in front of Duomo, this is not worth doing. 99%, which will be tasteless and 100% expensive. And never go to the places where the waiter calls you. And if the Russian menu also holds out, just run!
All the best is hidden in the courtyards and nooks. Go to conversations in Italian and laughter. Better yet, ask the locals where to eat.
Invalious service
In many restaurants, especially in tourist areas, there is a percentage of service and service – Coperto, which can reach up to 12%. It depends on the popularity of the restaurant and even from the time of the day (usually in the evening above). If you do not like surprises, find out in advance from the waiter about additional training camps. But take into account that for Coperto you will most likely bring a basket of fresh bread and local olive oil.
Nice bonuses
In popular cafes and restaurants beloved by local, there is always a queue. It is better to book tables in such places in advance. And here is the secret: sometimes, by booking the table through the portal or the Tripadvisor application, you can get a discount of up to 30% or a compliment from the restaurant.
Coffee in haste
If the Italian wants coffee, then he enters the institution, drinks a cup of espresso or cappuccino right behind the bar. Otherwise, you have to pay Coperto, and coffee will cost many times more.
Do not forget to bite
Aperitif is not just to go in and drink before dinner. In many cafes and bars in Italy, this is a whole sacrament. You get different snacks or even access to the buffet to be ordered. Typically, Aperitiv is reported at the stands in front of the cafe or can be clarified by the waiter. In Rome, Florence and Milan aperitif+buffet can be found for 9-11 euros, in Genoa for 8 euros, and in Naples and 6–7. Usually in such a menu, nuts, brusettes, mini-pizza, olives, slices of cheeses, pasto or vegetables.
Morning in Italian
Breakfast as Italian – satisfying, budget and aesthetically. No ovaries, sausages and sandwiches with a servel. Instead, Cornetto is an Italian analogue of the croissant, but more sweet. And also, speaking of Cornetto, the locals mean breakfast. In many establishments you will see: coffee and “croissant” with fillings. It will cost up to 3 euros, and in local places even to the euro.
TRANSPORT
Ticket for both ends
If you fly and fly away from one airport, then buy a transfer there and back immediately online. So, for example, a bus to Rome is 5.80 euros, and there and back – 9 euros (Terravision). You can buy Jalato for saved money.
Pedestrian tour
Walk around the city on foot. Italian cities are not so large, you can calmly move around your two. In extreme cases, use public transport. One trip is about 1.5 euros, you can make transfers within 100 minutes. Or buy a travel card for 1 day for 7, 2 days – 12.5 and 3 days – 18 euros per person. Taxi and even Uber will be significantly affected.
Adventure by bus
If you decide to travel in Italy, do not rush to buy train tickets. Yes, they are quite fast, the views of the windows are exciting, but prices bite. There is a wonderful company Flixbus, whose buses will be delivered to any point, cheap and no less comfortable. You can also use the services of BlablaCar and ride with the locals.
ATTRACTIONS
Free guide
I want to know more about the city? No tents with the inscription on Russian “excursions”! Each city hosts free walks with a guide daily, look on the Internet at request such as “Roma Free Tour” or “Napoli On Foot”.
Real tourist
If you have large tourist plans with visiting all attractions in a short time, we recommend that you immediately think about saving time and money. Buy tickets online on sites. You have no idea how much time and nerves will cost you the queues to popular museums.
You can also buy a tourist card for 1/2/3 of the day, which will make it possible to take almost no queues to the main museums of the city. And in some museums you can buy a single ticket. For example, a ticket to the most popular Roman Colosseum also gives the right to enter the forum and the Palatine Hill. The cash desks of the latter are located literally a hundred meters from the Coliseum, and there is usually no line there.
To find a suitable hotel, use the Onetwotrip hotel selection site.
