9 cost-saving tips for budget travelers in Florence

Nestled along the banks of the Arno River, Florence has been a popular destination for tourists since the dawn of international travel, earning a reputation that’s tough to rival.

As early as the 17th century, British and German aristocrats flocked to the city to admire its Gothic and Renaissance masterpieces, and while the Grand Tour era has faded, the influx of visitors has never ceased.

Among Italian cities, Florence ranks on the pricier side. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city center spans just about 5 sq km (1.9 sq miles) but attracts millions of visitors annually. This surge in tourism has driven prices up for decades, making budget accommodations increasingly scarce. With numerous world-class museums and day-trip opportunities, the cost of visiting this Renaissance gem can be daunting. Fortunately, there are ways to navigate these expenses.

While there’s always the option to indulge, if you prefer to save some cash to prolong your stay or continue exploring Italy, here are some tips to help you lower your expenses while in Florence.

A breakdown of daily expenses in Florence

• Hostel accommodation: €35–55

• Basic room for two: €80–120

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): €80–120

• Espresso: €1.20

• Pizza: €8–14

• Dinner for two at a trattoria: €60

• Beer at a bar: €6

• Schiacciata sandwich: €7

• Museum entry: €10–25

• Glass of wine: €3–9

• Tram fare: €1.70

Average daily expenses: €130–200

While in Florence, make sure to experience these highlights

Seek out off-season discounts

As with many popular destinations, the time of year you choose to visit Florence greatly impacts your expenses. Tourist crowds begin to fill the narrow streets in spring and usually persist until early autumn, peaking in the summer when both locals and tourists flock to the city.

Accommodation prices can surge significantly from May to September in this historic city. If you plan to visit during this busy period, booking your stay months in advance is advisable to secure the best rates.

If you’re flexible and don’t mind the unpredictable weather, visiting between November and February (excluding the two weeks from Christmas to Epiphany) offers excellent deals. In addition to discounts on hotels and apartments, many major museums provide lower rates during this time, making the experience even more enjoyable due to fewer crowds. For example, access to the Uffizi costs €12 instead of €25, while tickets for Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens are €10 and €6, respectively, down from €16 and €10.

Explore flights to Pisa

Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport is well-connected to the city center via the T2 tram line, which links the airport to Santa Maria Novella railway station. However, flying into Pisa, Tuscany's other airport, could be more economical. Just over an hour’s drive from Florence, Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport offers a wider selection of budget flight options, with airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling, and easyJet operating daily flights.

When booking flights, remember to factor in about €30 for round-trip travel between Pisa and Florence. The Pisamover service takes you from Pisa’s airport to the Pisa Centrale railway station in about five minutes for €6.50, after which a regional train will get you to Florence’s city center in approximately one hour for €9.30.

Watch for fixed-price lunch specials...

Florence’s city center boasts an abundance of restaurants, but only some trattorie provide a complete, fixed-price menu. These menus usually feature a first course, a second course, and a contorno (side dish), with prices ranging from €14 to €20.

As you stroll through the city center's side streets, keep an eye out for signs advertising lunch specials. While they are becoming harder to find, classic and often humble eateries like Trattoria Guelfa, Ostaria dei Centopoveri, Il Contadino, and Trattoria Da Giorgio still offer these deals.

...or indulge in some delicious street food

If you prefer a quick bite, visit any local bakery to sample one of Florence’s iconic sandwiches for around €7. Schiacciata bread, akin to focaccia, features a crispy crust and a soft center, typically filled with everything from cured meats to grilled vegetables and cheeses. All’Antico Vinaio has popularized this simple dish, evident from the constant line outside its location on Via dei Neri, but numerous sandwich shops can be found throughout the city. Be sure to check out Pugi, Forno Becagli, Schiacciamatta (open late), or Schiaccia Passera.

While stuffed schiacciata is a popular sandwich in Florence, adventurous eaters might want to sample lampredotto. This iconic Florentine street food consists of the fourth stomach of a cow, known as the abomasum, which is slow-cooked in a flavorful broth and topped with salsa verde (a green sauce made from parsley and anchovies), all served in soft white bread. Check out Tripperia Pollini or 'l Trippaio di San Frediano for a taste.

Take regional trains for your day trips

If you plan to stay in Florence for several days, consider venturing into the charming towns of Tuscany. The best way to explore is by train. Affordable regional Trenitalia trains connect Florence with Lucca, Pisa, Siena, Arezzo, Pistoia, Prato, and more, often costing less than €10 each way.

There's no need to reserve in advance—unlike high-speed trains, tickets for regional services can be bought on the spot without any price hikes, making it easy to enjoy spontaneous day trips both within and outside Tuscany.

Ready to venture beyond Florence? Check out our guide for exciting day trips

Explore the official guided tours offered at Florence’s museums.

Hiring a private guide for a city tour usually costs between €60 and €120 per hour. However, many cultural venues offer their own guides for a nominal fee added to your ticket price. Booking these official guided tours is a smart choice—along with expert insights, they often grant access to restricted areas.

For example, the 18th-century anatomical waxes at the recently renovated La Specola Natural History Museum can only be viewed with a guide, who charges €3 per person in addition to the ticket. A guided tour of Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Medici family’s original Florentine home featuring the stunning Cappella dei Magi frescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli, costs €4.

Explore the various group activities offered by MUS.E, the organization managing tours of Florence’s civic museums. For just €5, you can book a visit to the secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio, which leads you to Francesco I’s Studiolo—a breathtaking Renaissance chamber—via the hidden stairways of the city hall.

Enjoy your espresso al banco.

If you choose to sip your coffee at a table, be aware that a service charge may apply. This isn’t true for every café, but to be on the safe side, follow the Italian custom of having your espresso al banco (at the counter). In Italy, coffee breaks are quick, with people standing to enjoy their caffeine fix before rushing off.

Purchase wine from local enoteche.

Wine has been a fundamental part of Tuscan culture since the Middle Ages, and this tradition continues. When selecting wine, head to enoteche (wine shops) that offer local varieties like Chianti or Sangiovese sourced from the nearby hills. At places like Alla Sosta dei Papi or Vino Divino, you can bring your own bottle to fill with fresh wine for just a few euros. Fratelli Zanobini and Casa del Vino, both located in the San Lorenzo neighborhood, are excellent stops for a glass or two between sightseeing.

In Italy, drinking in public is perfectly legal, and during warm summer nights, it’s a popular sight to see Florentines enjoying a bottle of wine in the city's squares. When dining at restaurants, the most economical choice is typically the vino della casa (house wine), which is usually offered by the carafe instead of the bottle.

Purchase a Firenze Card for discounted museum access.

For art lovers, Florence boasts so many museums that a single visit will always feel too brief, regardless of how long you stay. If you’re aiming to explore as many cultural sites as possible, consider the Firenze Card. Priced at €85 and valid for 72 hours (with an option to extend), this card grants access to over 70 museums, galleries, churches, and monuments.