Italy on a budget

Cheapest months to go

Peak is April, May, June, September, October. The weeks either side of that window usually carry most of the weather with much less of the price.

Getting around for less

Realistic options in Italy:

• A well-developed rail network, including high-speed services between the major cities
• Regional and intercity trains reach smaller towns
• Long-distance coaches and urban public transport fill the gaps
• Ferries serve Sicily, Sardinia and the smaller islands
• A car is most useful in Tuscany, Puglia and the Dolomites

Where to base yourself

Fewer bases means fewer paid transfers. Rome, Florence, Venice cover a lot between them.