Is Italy expensive compared to the US?

Food, wine, coffee and trains are dramatically cheaper; hotels, gas, taxis and anything imported are not. A dinner that would be $90 in a US city is €30 in a good trattoria, a serious bottle of Chianti Classico is €15 at the winery, and Rome to Florence by fast train is under €40 booked ahead. Against that: fuel is three to four times US prices, mid-range hotels in Rome and Venice in season cost as much as New York, and a rental car with tolls and parking adds up fast. Overall a two-week Italy trip usually costs less on the ground than the same two weeks in California.

This one changes. Last checked August 13, 2026 — confirm it close to your trip.