The main cost item on your Italy budget travel list is accommodation. Save money by booking your stay well in advance. Don’t go for big Hotel chains, which are generally quite pricey. Even though they have great amenities, pools, gyms, views etc, it is not always necessary to have those extras and you can definitely find adequately comfortable places to stay elsewhere that won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Here are various economical accommodation options for you to look at:

1. Choose a small independent Hotel, Albergo, or family-run guesthouse, Pensione, instead. These are more reasonably priced. They will often be smaller rooms, older buildings and may not have wifi, but still be comfortable. You may have to share a bathroom. The owners are locals, so they will have heaps of information to offer about where to go.

2. There is another option called a Locanda, an Inn, which is also a family-run, older establishment, with very basic accommodation in an even smaller room, where you will be sharing a bathroom with other guests, but it’s very economical.

3. Another idea worthy of your consideration is to find accommodation a few blocks away from the popular tourist sites, because you are paying for the close proximity. You will obtain much cheaper lodging just outside the city centre.

4. You may wish to consider not staying in the big cities like Venice, Florence, Milan and Rome, at all. Try staying in smaller or less touristy cities where accommodation is usually cheaper, like Bergamo, Parma, Padova, Frascati, Caserta, Salerno, Bari, just to name a few.

5. For families or groups, an Apartment is often a better and cheaper alternative, as most hotels only fit a maximum of 3 people per room. Also, you can cook meals in an apartment to help save costs.

6. Alternatively, try staying at an Agriturismo, a bed and breakfast Farm-Stay in a quiet rural location hosted by local farmers. This ever-growing trend is a nice way to experience a different Italian holiday. Most include one meal per day. You are not expected to work on the farm, but you will need a car to get to most of these places as they are further out.

7. Did you know you can even stay at a Convent or Monastery as another bargain alternative? Nowadays many are run like small hotels. But there are some rules and curfews, so it’s not for everyone (males and females may have to reside in separate rooms). 

8. Of course there are Hostels (Ostelli) as well to consider which are now open to all ages, not just youth. They are cheap, very basic and you will be sharing a room with others.