Budget For A Month In Florence, Italy | Old Town Explorer (2024)

The budget for a month in Florence depends on the level of luxury required. We believe traveling full-time requires a moderate level of comfort. Most people (us included) could not stay in a hostel month after month and continue to travel indefinitely. With that in mind, two people can stay a month in Florence comfortably for less than $4,000. On the other hand, if you require 4-star accommodations and white tablecloth meals, it will cost significantly more.

Where did this number come from? Well, we spent two months in Florence, and I kept a detailed spreadsheet with all our daily expenses. I used this spreadsheet to put together three budgets (low, mid, and high) depending on various requirements. The budgets include a breakdown that will allow you to put together your own estimate based on your needs.

Of course, these budgets assume you live like us and stay in one place for the entire month. If you move around during the month, your budget will go up for the increase in transportation and lodging(shorter stays cost more per day).

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There are substantial savings when traveling as a couple or with a friend compared to traveling alone. For example, there are savings on the grocery bill. It’s more than it would be for one person, but it’s not twice as much. On the other hand, some costs are twice as much. There are rarely discounts on museum tickets or other entertainment.

If you want to estimate how much it would cost to travel alone, you can make some deductions for Groceries and Dining, Entertainment, Transportation, and International Health Insurance. However, the Lodging and Miscellaneous costs will be about the same for one person as for two.

The larger grocery stores in neighborhoods just outside the Old Town are much cheaper than those in tourist areas. On top of the lower prices, the selection is fantastic. My favorite grocery stores were two different Coop Fi locations. The larger of the two is located on Via Enrico Forlanini, 54. It can be reached by the light rail that starts in front of the Santa Maria Novella train station.The other Coop Fi is located on Via Cimabue, 58. This one is a bit of a walk from the Old Town, but it is a pleasant walk that helped me hit my 10k steps goal. Shopping at the Coop Fi and the Mercato Centrale together will allow you to create fantastic Tuscan meals and stay within budget at $900 per month.

You will need to know a few Italian words to successfully shop at the neighborhood grocery stores since employees rarely speak English. The first is how to count from one to nine. The second is the word “etto” and “etti” which means one hundred grams. So, when I request cured meat at the deli counter and want one hundred grams, I say uno etto per favore. When I want two hundred grams, I say due etti per favore….. and so on. When they give you your request, they will say “dopo,” which means “next or anything else.”

If you want to keep your wine budget down, check out the bulk wine shops called “Vini Sfusi.” See our article “How to Buy Wine Like a Local in Florence, Italy” for more information.

Finally, you can save money on sit-down restaurants by cooking Bistecca al Fiorentina in your apartment. We purchased excellent local steaks at the Mercato Centrale and the Coop Fi on Via Enrico Forlanini, 54.

One way to reduce your entertainment cost is to visit museums that participate in “Sunday at the Museum.” Not every museum participates, and some only offer it to local Florentines. We spent two months in Florence and made the first Sundays of the month heavy museum days. We got free admission to the Palazzo Pitti, Giardino di Boboli, Forte di Belvedere, Uffizi, L’ Accademia, and Museo Nazionale del Bargello. We discovered the Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Medici Riccardi are only free for locals. Churches do not participate.

If you aren’t in Florence on the first Sunday of the month, the second way to save money on museum entrance tickets is to purchasethe Firenzecard.

The transportation budget assumes you’re coming from Florence Airport. There is a tram that goes to/from Florence Airport to/from the Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station. If you’re within walking distance of that station, the tram is the cheapest way to get to/from Florence Airport.

If the tram is too far or walking with your luggage on cobblestones is not your thing, a taxi to the airport is about $30 each way. To book a taxi or private transfer in advance, we recommend GetTransfer.

I have also prepared monthly budgets for other cities we have visited. If you combine budgets to calculate the cost of a longer, multi-city stay, you will need to include additional transfer costs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• • Mostar
  • Sarajevo

Croatia

• • Dubrovnik
  • Rovinj
  • Trogir

Italy

• • Bologna
  • Genoa
  • Rome – coming soon
  • Siena
  • Trieste
  • Venice

Montenegro

• • Budva
  • Herceg Novi

Florence is generally considered to be a moderately priced destination in Italy. On average, you can expect to spend between $1,000 to $1,500 per person for a week in Florence. This estimate includes accommodations (which can range from budget-friendly options to luxury hotels), meals at restaurants or self-catering options, transportation within the city (including public transportation or taxis), entrance fees for attractions and museums, and any additional activities.

Remember that these are rough estimates; costs can vary depending on the time of year you visit, exchange rates, and personal spending habits. It’s always a good idea to research prices and plan your budget to ensure an enjoyable and stress-free trip to Florence.