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Italy — Rome, Florence, Venice, and Beyond
Italy travel guide for UK working holidaymakers. From the Colosseum to the Amalfi Coast — transport, food, scams to watch for, and budget breakdowns with practical tips.
Published: 9 March 2026
KRW amounts shown next to GBP prices use the ECB reference rate £1 = ₩2,003 as of 2 Apr 2026. They are reference figures only and may differ from your actual bank, card, or remittance rate.
The crown jewel of European travel. History, art, food — Italy dominates on every front. A Ryanair flight from London gets you to Rome in two and a half hours. But fair warning: show up without pre-booked tickets and you'll miss half the good stuff.
Getting There from London
| Destination | Airlines | Flight Time | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome (Fiumicino/Ciampino) | Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air | 2h 30min | £30–70 (approx. ₩60,099–₩140,231) |
| Milan (Bergamo/Malpensa) | Ryanair, easyJet | 2h | £25–70 (approx. ₩50,083–₩140,231) |
| Venice (Marco Polo/Treviso) | Ryanair, easyJet | 2h 15min | £30–80 (approx. ₩60,099–₩160,264) |
| Florence | easyJet, Vueling | 2h 15min | £40–90 (approx. ₩80,132–₩180,297) |
| Naples | Ryanair, easyJet | 2h 45min | £30–80 (approx. ₩60,099–₩160,264) |
⚠️ Italian Airport Heads-Up
- Rome Ciampino — 40min bus to city centre (~$7). Ryanair's main Rome airport
- Rome Fiumicino — 32min Leonardo Express to city centre (~$16). The main airport
- Milan Bergamo — 1h bus to Milan (~$8). Basically a Ryanair-only airport
- Venice Treviso — 1h bus to Venice (~$16). Used by Ryanair
- Factor in airport transfer time and cost when comparing total trip prices
Rome (Roma)
The Eternal City, with 2,500 years of history. You'll trip over ancient ruins just walking around.
Must-See Sights
| Sight | Entry Fee | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Colosseum + Roman Forum | ~$20 (combined ticket) | Book online in advance. Same-day tickets sell out as a rule |
| Vatican Museums + Sistine Chapel | ~$19 | Book online in advance. Friday evening openings available. Expect 2h+ queues without reservation |
| St. Peter's Basilica | Free | Climbing the dome ~$9–11. Dress code enforced (no sleeveless tops, no short shorts) |
| Pantheon | ~$6 | Paid entry since 2023. The 2,000-year-old dome is genuinely awe-inspiring |
| Trevi Fountain | Free | Toss a coin. Go early morning for fewer crowds |
| Spanish Steps | Free | Sitting on the steps is banned (you'll get fined!). Snap your photo and move on |
| Borghese Gallery | ~$17 | Reservation required. Entry in 2-hour time slots. Home to Bernini's sculptures |
Trastevere
Rome's most charming neighbourhood. Narrow cobblestone alleys, ivy-draped buildings, and local trattorias across the river.
- Wander the backstreets in the evening — it's the best way to experience it
- Touristy, yes, but it still holds on to genuine Roman character
- Da Enzo al 29 — Local favourite. Expect a queue for their legendary cacio e pepe
🚨 Rome Safety Tips
- Pickpockets — Be especially vigilant on bus 64, around Termini station, and near the Colosseum
- Fake gladiators — They'll pose for photos near the Colosseum then demand money
- Coperto on your bill — A cover charge (~$2–6) is added to restaurant bills. It's standard practice in Italy, not a scam
- Tourist-trap restaurants — Restaurants right next to the Colosseum or Trevi Fountain tend to be overpriced and mediocre. Walk 1–2 blocks away and prices drop by half
- Water — Restaurants rarely give you tap water. Buy bottled (~$2–3) or use the street fountains (Nasoni) — Rome has drinking fountains everywhere
Florence (Firenze)
The heart of the Renaissance. The city where Michelangelo, Botticelli, and da Vinci did their greatest work.
Must-See Sights
| Sight | Entry Fee | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Uffizi Gallery | ~$28 | Reservation required. Home to Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" |
| Accademia Gallery | ~$18 | Reservation required. Home to Michelangelo's "David" |
| Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) | Free (cathedral) | Dome climb ~$33 (combined pass). 463 steps. Reservation required |
| Ponte Vecchio | Free | Jewellery shops built right on the bridge! Classic photo spot |
| Piazzale Michelangelo | Free | Best panoramic view of Florence. Sunset is a must |
Pisa Day Trip
- Florence to Pisa: 1h by train (~$10+)
- Climbing the Leaning Tower: ~$22 (30min time slots, book ahead). Free to see from outside
- Honestly, there's not much beyond the tower. Half a day is plenty
Florence Food
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina — T-bone steak (~$44–66 per kg, best shared between two)
- Ragu pasta — The original Bolognese. Don't actually call it "Bolognese" in Florence
- Ribollita — Traditional Tuscan bread soup
- Gelato — Florence is the birthplace of gelato. Try Vivoli or La Carraia
- Wine — A glass of Chianti for ~$3–6
Venice (Venezia)
The only city in the world built on water. Expensive and crowded, but absolutely worth it.
Must-Do Experiences
| Sight/Experience | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St. Mark's Square & Basilica | Free (basilica interior ~$3) | Floods during acqua alta (high tide) |
| Rialto Bridge | Free | Grand Canal views. Check out the fish market in the morning |
| Gondola ride | ~$88/boat (30min) | Pricey but iconic. Fits up to 6 people — split the cost and it's ~$14 each |
| Burano Island | ~$22–28 (water bus) | Rainbow-coloured houses. Instagram paradise. Via Murano |
| Murano Island | Included with water bus | Glass workshops. Watch glassblowing demonstrations |
| Water bus (Vaporetto) | ~$10.50/single or 24h pass ~$28 | Venice's public transport. Take Line 1 for a Grand Canal cruise |
ℹ️ Venice Entry Fee
Since 2024, day-trippers are charged an entry fee of ~$6 on certain peak-season dates. Overnight guests are exempt. You need to register online in advance at veneziaunica.it.
Saving Money in Venice
- 24-hour water bus pass (~$28) — Pays for itself after 3 rides. Essential if you're visiting Burano or Murano
- Eat in the backstreets — Pasta near St. Mark's Square runs ~$22+. Duck into a bacaro (local bar) for cicchetti (small bites) + a glass of wine for ~$6–9
- Bacaro crawl — Venice's version of a tapas bar hop. Hit up small bars in the alleys for cicchetti + Spritz (~$3–4)
- Stay overnight — Day trips work, but Venice at dusk and dawn is the real beauty. Once the day-trippers leave, the silence is magical
Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana)
South of Naples, where dramatic cliffs meet the Mediterranean. One of the world's most stunning coastal drives.
- Positano — Colourful houses tumbling down the cliffside. That Instagram photo
- Amalfi — Cathedral, beach-town vibes
- Ravello — Hilltop garden villas. The views from Villa Rufolo are breathtaking
- Limoncello — Liqueur made from Amalfi lemons. Have a glass after dinner
Getting to Amalfi
- London to Naples (Ryanair £30–80 (approx. ₩60,099–₩160,264)), then SITA bus or ferry from Naples
- Sorrento makes a great base (1h from Naples on the Circumvesuviana train, ~$4)
- Skip the rental car — the roads are narrow and parking is a nightmare. Stick to buses or ferries
💡 Naples Is Worth a Stop
Naples gets treated as just a transit point to Amalfi, but the city itself is brilliant. The world's best pizza is here (L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Sorbillo), and the old town (Spaccanapoli) is bursting with raw energy. Just be extra cautious about pickpockets and theft — more so than other Italian cities.
Milan (Milano)
The fashion and design capital. Half a day to one full day is enough if you're passing through.
- Duomo — Milan Cathedral. Rooftop terrace ~$11–16. Gothic architecture at its finest
- The Last Supper — ~$17. Book 2–3 months in advance. Only small groups admitted in 15-minute slots
- Navigli Canal District — Milan's trendy neighbourhood. Evening aperitivo culture (one drink ~$9–13 includes a buffet spread)
Getting Around Italy
Trains
| Operator | Features | Sample Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Trenitalia | State-run, extensive network | Rome to Florence ~$22–55 (1.5h) |
| Italo | Private high-speed, competes with Trenitalia | Rome to Florence ~$17–50 (1.5h) |
- Book early and you can get tickets at half price or less
- Download both the Trenitalia and Italo apps to compare prices
- Rome to Florence: 1h 30min. Florence to Venice: 2h. Rome to Naples: 1h 10min
⚠️ Train Tips
- Check your seat number — High-speed trains have assigned seating. Find your carrozza (carriage) and posto (seat) on your ticket
- Validate your ticket — Stamp it in the yellow machine before boarding (regional trains only — not needed for high-speed)
- Rome Termini station — Major pickpocket hotspot. Keep a firm grip on your belongings
Italian Food Cheat Sheet
| Dish | City | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza Margherita | Naples | ~$6–9 | The original of originals |
| Cacio e Pepe | Rome | ~$11–16 | Cheese + pepper pasta. One of Rome's "big four" pastas |
| Carbonara | Rome | ~$11–16 | Use cream and Italians will lose their minds |
| Bistecca | Florence | ~$22–33/person | T-bone steak |
| Cicchetti + Spritz | Venice | ~$6–9 | Bacaro crawl essentials |
| Gelato | Everywhere | ~$3–4.50 | Avoid places with neon-coloured, piled-high displays. Natural colours = the real deal |
| Espresso | Everywhere | ~$1–1.70 | Drink it standing at the bar for the cheapest price |
💡 Italian Dining Tips
- Stand at the bar to save money — The same coffee costs 2–3x more if you sit at a table
- Use the Nasoni — Rome has free drinking fountains all over the city. Refill your water bottle
- Aperitivo — Between 6–8pm, order one drink (~$9–13) and get access to a free buffet. Milan is the home of aperitivo, but Rome and Florence do it too
- Coperto (cover charge) + servizio (service charge) — Added to your bill automatically. No extra tipping needed
Suggested Itineraries
Option A: Rome + Florence — 3 Nights / 4 Days
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Rome. Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon. Dinner in Trastevere |
| Day 2 | Morning: Colosseum + Roman Forum. Afternoon: Vatican Museums + St. Peter's |
| Day 3 | Train to Florence (1.5h). Duomo, Ponte Vecchio. Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo |
| Day 4 | Uffizi Gallery. Lunch at Mercato Centrale. Afternoon: depart from Florence |
Option B: Rome + Amalfi — 4 Nights / 5 Days
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | Rome (same as above) |
| Day 3 | Train to Naples, then on to Sorrento. Pizza lunch in Naples. Explore Sorrento |
| Day 4 | Amalfi Coast tour (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello). Bus or ferry |
| Day 5 | Depart from Sorrento/Naples |
Budget Breakdown
Estimated Cost for 3–4 Days (Per Person)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (return) | £60–100 (approx. ₩120,198–₩200,330) | £80–140 (approx. ₩160,264–₩280,462) |
| Accommodation (3 nights) | £40–75 (approx. ₩80,132–₩150,248) (hostel) | £80–150 (approx. ₩160,264–₩300,495) (hotel) |
| Food | £30–50 (approx. ₩60,099–₩100,165) | £50–80 (approx. ₩100,165–₩160,264) |
| Sightseeing/Entry fees | £30–50 (approx. ₩60,099–₩100,165) | £50–80 (approx. ₩100,165–₩160,264) |
| Local transport | £15–30 (approx. ₩30,050–₩60,099) | £25–50 (approx. ₩50,083–₩100,165) |
| Total | £175–305 (approx. ₩350,578–₩611,007) | £285–500 (approx. ₩570,941–₩1,001,650) |
0/10 완료
Italy is all about booking ahead. Colosseum, Vatican, Uffizi, The Last Supper — show up without a reservation and you'll spend your whole trip standing in queues. Lock in all your tickets 2–3 weeks out, then spend the rest of your time wandering cobblestone alleys and eating gelato.