Budget-Friendly Hacks for Study Abroad Students in Rome

By: Jayden Rather

1. Public Transportation To and From the Airport

My friends and I have taken advantage of public transportation methods to travel to and from the airport in Rome. The fixed rate to travel from Rome’s city center to FCO Airport is 55 euros. For students like myself who are traveling on the weekends, paying the taxi fee can be costly. Many students in the United States are familiar with Uber but only Uber Black exists in Rome which is also more expensive. Instead my friends and I utilize the SitBus, which costs 7 euros. The bus runs throughout the day, beginning at 4:30 am to 8:45 pm and tickets can easily be purchased online. One of the stops is near the Vatican, only a 10 minute walking difference from the area I live in Prati, making this an easy way to save money on transportation.

Another budget friendly way to travel to and from the airport is to utilize the train station. The main train station in Rome, Termini, directly connects to the FCO Airport. Trains run daily from 4:50 am to 11:35 pm and cost anywhere between 9-15 euros. Train tickets can be purchased online or at the train station. The metro lines throughout Rome stop in Termini Central Station so students living in different neighborhoods can utilize this public transportation method to get to the train station.

2. Take Advantage of Classes and Extracurricular Activities Offered by CIEE

During my first block with CIEE, I took the “Exploring Rome: The Birthplace of Modern Museum” which we frequently went to on-site lessons. Our professor was amazing at teaching us the history of different landmarks and museums throughout the city. This allowed me to fully appreciate my home base in Rome without having to pay for a tour guide or an entrance fee to museums on my own. A few of my favorite on-site visits were to the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, the Borghese Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art.

In addition, CIEE offers numerous day trips as well as overnight trips that allow students to visit other places without an additional fee. I went on a day trip to Napoli and had the best Napoli-style pizza as well as a guided tour through the Historic Center all covered by CIEE. These activities are perfect for students who are interested in traveling but don’t have the budget to book expensive weekend trips.

3. Student Discounts at Restaurants 

Living in one of the top foodie locations in the world, I wanted to ensure that I could experience the cuisine while not breaking my bank. I chose to include two of my favorite places for quick bites between classes that offer student discounts! Donkey Punch in Trastevere includes a free beverage with a meal for students studying abroad. This is one of my favorite sandwich places in Rome, with so many combinations to try and such thoughtful staff that made me feel at home. They also provide punch cards that they punch each time you come in, and after 10 punches, you get a free sandwich! 

Another one of my favorite sandwich places is called Porcadello in the Prati neighborhood which also offers student discounts. Students can order one of their delicious paninis and a beverage for 6.5 euros. I love being able to grab a quick bite for lunch while maintaining a budget during my time abroad!

4. Too Good to Go

Living in the dorms without access to a kitchen 24/7, one of my biggest stressors was the money I would spend on food. Too Good to Go is an app that can be downloaded and set to your location. It locates restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores within the area that have a surplus of unsold food. At select times throughout the day, you can pay low prices for meals or snacks that you can pick up. Too Good to Go bags are priced at ⅓ of the contents’ original retail value. People can leave reviews to help other customers navigate the app and decide what location to choose their food from. Not only is this a fun way to try food in your area, it also helps the environment and prevents food waste. I got a Too Good to Go bag from a cafe priced at 3.5 euros and I received a sandwich as well as some delicious pastries!

5. Walk Around the City

Although a good pair of walking shoes might be helpful, Rome is a very walkable city! I love being able to walk from my dorm to class to sightseeing spots around the city. The walks might be longer than what I was used to at my campus in the US, however, I’ve quickly adapted. There have been multiple times I’ve stumbled across ancient ruins, delicious food, or a cute shop walking around Rome that I never would have seen if I solely relied on the bus or metro. I believe it is truly the best way to see the city and not to mention it’s great exercise!

6. Free Opportunities to Explore Rome

The first Sunday of each month all state archaeological sites and museums within Rome are free entry. Tickets for many of these sites book out in advance, so make sure to reserve tickets in time! This is a great way to explore famous landmarks in Rome while simultaneously saving money! The top places I recommend visiting are the Colosseum, Galleria Borghese, Pantheon, and Baths of Caracalla.

EXPLORE ROME