It is difficult for first time travelers to travel on a budget.It is important to plan ahead and know what to expect when backpacking in Italy.Doing some research, staying safe, and focusing on what you really want to see will make your backpacking trip through Italy amazing.
Step 1: Wait for cheap flights.
You will need to plan ahead to get the cheapest tickets if you have to fly into Italy.If you put an email alert on most travel sites, you will know when the price drops.You will save a lot of money if you buy your ticket at least two months in advance.If you can, avoid summer travel.The tickets will be cheaper because of the cooler weather.Fly into a small airport instead of a large one.If you want to fly into Rome, try booking a flight into Ciampino Airport instead of the big Leonardo da Vinci Airport.Weekend flights are usually more expensive than flights in the middle of the week.
Purchase a travel insurance policy when you know your travel dates.In most cases, your existing health insurance won't work outside of the US, and your home or auto insurance will not protect you against theft abroad.If you want to add a travel policy temporarily, talk to your insurance agent.
Step 3: Purchase a backpack.
If you plan to travel out of it for a while, you need a strong backpack.Most people prefer a bag that is about the size of their torso and has multiple storage pockets.Make sure it has padded shoulder straps and is made of sturdy material.You can test out backpacks at a hiking or camping supply store.The staff can help you fit it, which will save you a lot of pain and blisters.
Step 4: The weather is important to check.
You need to be prepared for the weather when you arrive.If you are going to Italy in the winter or summer, you will need clothes that are appropriate.Before you start packing, check the climate patterns for your area.
Step 5: You need to pack your bag.
Leave a lot of room for souvenirs when packing.You should leave for Italy with a full bag.The only thing to focus on is the necessities.A basic set of travel toiletries, an ID and personal paperwork are included in the pack.If a hostel doesn't provide linens, bring a towel and a sheet.If you are coming from outside the European Union, you will need an accessory.Dark clothes can help hide stains.There are dress codes for churches and cathedrals.It's important that you have something that protects your shoulders and legs.Italians don't wear shorts, sneakers, or tank tops as often as other countries.If you want to blend in, wear pants, shirts, and walking shoes.Pack your passport in case it is lost or stolen.
Step 6: Find travel options in Italy.
Backpackers travel by train, but regional airlines can often be cheaper.Before buying the first rail pass, you should check online travel sites to make sure you can't get from one city to another for a better price by taking a bus or plane.You can rent a car if you apply for an international driver's license.
Step 7: There are either free or cheap accommodations to look for.
There are many options for the backpacker on a budget in Italy.Check couchsurfing sites, hostels, and private home rental sites.There are websites that allow you to trade work for accommodations.If you plan to stay in a hostel, avoid places in the city center or near major tourist sites because they are the most expensive.If you choose a place that is very far away, make sure it is near transportation.
Step 8: Purchase tickets in advance.
da Vinci's Last Supper and the Coliseum are two Italian sites that sell out in the tourist season.It is important to buy as many tickets as you can in advance if you are traveling during the summer.You can buy some before you go to Italy.Go to their websites and research ticket purchase options once you know what you want to see.There are steep discounts on multiple sites on package tours.
Step 9: Make sure to check for people you know in Italy.
You can see Italy with someone who knows it.If you know anyone who has been to Italy, ask your friends or post on social media.You could have a friend who is studying abroad in Rome, or an old friend of your parents who retired in Tuscany.If anyone comes up, ask them for recommendations or to meet up while you are in Italy.
Step 10: List of must-see places.
Before you go to Italy, make a list of the sites and cities you need to visit.You can go to the Vatican, the Duomo, canals of Venice, and the Tuscany countryside, but it depends on your passions and dreams.It pays to plan ahead if one of your must-sees is out of the way.
Step 11: Visit Milan for great architecture and shopping.
Milan is a must-visit if you like architecture or fashion.The shopping districts offer incredible clothes and accessories at all price points, and the Cathedral and La Scala Opera House are architectural wonders.
Step 12: You can try Rome for historical sites.
Rome was the center of the world for hundreds of years, and other cities can't compete with it for historical sites.The Coliseum, Vatican City, and beautiful medieval streets and buildings are all in Rome.
Step 13: Take a tour of Florence to see great art.
Florence has some of the most important art in Europe.If you plan to visit the museums and churches in Florence, you should budget for entry fees.Bring your school ID and passport if you are a student.You can often get discounts.
Step 14: Go to Venice for the canals.
Venice has a beautiful network of canals in the center of the old city.You can get a discount on a gondola ride through the canals if you share one with a stranger.
Step 15: The scenery and small-town life of Cinque Terre make it a great place to visit.
There are five small villages that overlook the mountains and sea.This is a must visit if you want to experience hiking and small-town life.Don't forget to try the seafood!
Step 16: Traveling in the countryside would be a good idea.
You can travel through the Italian countryside if you want to do more research.Tuscany and Umbria are both known for their beautiful vistas, medieval castles, and excellent food.You may need to plan your overnight stays in advance if you travel through rural areas.People in the countryside are less likely to speak English.
Step 17: A phrasebook or translator is required.
Most major tourist sites will have English-language guidebooks and translators on hand, but it is best to keep a phrasebook or translator with you.You can travel with a friend who can speak Italian and use an online translator.If you can communicate with people, you are less likely to run into problems.Before you leave, practice phrases like "Can you help me?" and "Where is the station?"
Step 18: You can get an Italian sim card for your phone.
If you bring a phone with you, you may be charged extra fees if it doesn't have data or cell access in Italy.If you don't have an international plan with no roaming fees, you should buy an Italian sim card.It is better to have a phone with full access when traveling.Any phone store can sell them.Purchase from an actual phone store.There are many tourist shops that sell counterfeit phones.
Step 19: There are local laws.
You don't need to study Italian law for months before you leave, but it's a good idea to get an idea of what laws might be different from yours.If you buy a fake designer bag in Italy, you can be fined or even arrested if you try to bring them out of the country.It's a good idea to search online for Italian laws that tourists might need to know about.
Step 20: You should ask to see licenses.
Don't assume that every taxi driver, hostel worker, and tour guide is legit.Ask to see their credentials if you don't see a stamped and signed license prominently displayed.Don't be afraid to walk away from someone you suspect is a con artist.
Step 21: Don't leave your valuables out.
Tourists are more likely to be targets for theft in Italy than in other places.If you are in a tourist area, keep your valuables out of sight.If you use lockers, make sure they are in working order.Travelers like to keep their money and passports in a money belt under their clothes, but they can also put their valuables in their pockets.Only front pants and inside jacket pockets are used.The back pockets and outside jacket pockets are easy to steal.If you carry a purse or smaller duffel bag, you should carry it crossbody.You should not stay in a hostel room that does not have a lock or a private locker.Get a lock for your backpack.You need to separate your cash.Put your money in your wallet, belt or backpack.You are less likely to lose everything if it is stored separately.
Step 22: Trust your instincts.
It's probably not right if something doesn't feel right.Don't be afraid to walk away from a situation that scares you.Don't go anywhere with strangers, give money to people on the street, or get into taxis or scooters that are not marked.