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Below are suggestions for ways to save money on your trip, courtesy of the Travel Talk Forums at Fodors.com.

Transportation

“I take regional trains instead of the Eurostar trains. For example, Florence to Rome on Eurostar is 32.50 euro; the regional train is 15.80 euro. That’s half the price; so what if it takes 15 minutes longer... big deal.” —JoanneH

“Instead of taking the Leonardo Express from Fiumicino to Termini in Rome, take the FR1 to whichever station is most convenient for you. The FR1 departs every 15 minutes (instead of every 30 minutes for the Express), costs only €5.50 (instead of €10.50 for the Express), and avoids the hullabaloo of Termini.” —Therese

Food and Drink

“Buy snacks and bottled water in bulk at a neighborhood supermarket at the beginning of your stay and keep them cool in your apartment or hotel fridge. Grab a bottle when leaving in the AM and that way avoid buying expensive water or snacks near tourist attractions, where prices are much higher. Save your euros for espresso or gelato.” —cruisinred

“Bars always have two different prices: If you have your coffee at the counter it’s cheaper than when a waiter serves it at a table (servizio al tavolo).” —quokka

“Visit wine fill-up shops in Italy; get table wine from the cask for 2-3 euros a liter. In Rome we would get them filled at the Testaccio market... I will usually ask at the local bar where I go for my coffee.” —susanna

“If you aren’t hungry, skip to secondo—the ‘second course.’ Rarely do Italians eat a primo e secondo when they go out.” —glittergirl

Sights

“The small cities can be less expensive but still fabulous. We were just in Assisi—all the sites were free, a delicious dinner for two with wine was 22 euros, and our hotel was reasonable at 65 euros per night.” —rosetravels

“For the art lover on a budget: Most of the art I saw in Rome is free. Where else can you see countless Caravaggios, two Michelangelos, and even more Berninis for the cost of the wear and tear on the soles of your shoes?” —amyb

“One way to save on the expense of guided tours is to register online at Sound Guides (www.sound-guides.com/) and download the various free self-guided tours to your Ipod or MP3 player.” —monicapileggi

Lodging

“Go off-season—March or November have better air prices and also accommodations, particularly if you stay in apartments, which you can rent for much less off-season (and plan some meals in-house—make the noon meal your biggest of the day, then have a small dinner in the apartment).” —bobthenavigator

“Everyone talks about going in the off season and mentions November or March. But in Florence at least, July is a shoulder season. I got a hotel room for half to a third the cost of the same room during the high season.” —isabel

“We try to book apartments whenever we can and in Tuscany we rent farm houses. Especially if you are traveling with more than 2 persons these are usually much more reasonable.” —caroltis

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