In a nutshell
- Staying in Rome on a budget is absolutely possible — even right in the city center. We introduce you to 6 centrally located, affordable hotels in Rome that won’t break the bank.
- Our top pick for value for money is the Lory House — just five rooms, fresh croissants every morning, and you’re steps from the Vatican.
- You can also stay in a monastery in Rome. These are perfectly normal, simple hotels run by the diaconate — and seriously affordable.
- Our biggest tip: search for a cheap Rome hotel as early as possible. Budget options fill up weeks in advance.
Cheap Hotels in Rome: Our Top Picks
Here’s a quick overview of the cheap hotels in Rome we recommend in this article.
| Lory House | Only five rooms, very good prices, close to the subway to the highlights |
| Premium Private Suites | Typical guesthouse without breakfast, but very central and affordable |
| B&B First Floor | Right next to the Colosseum, very affordable rooms facing the courtyard |
| Saint B | Boutique hotel with a few drawbacks, but very centrally located |
| Domus Castroni Scipioni | Simple but bright rooms, within walking distance of the Vatican |
| Milizie 76 Gallery | A bit off the beaten path, but affordable |
What Does a Good Hotel in Rome Cost on Average?
On average, you’ll pay around 250 to 300 euros per night for a good, centrally located hotel in Rome. And prices can go well above that.
That’s not cheap, but it’s not much different from Madrid, Paris, or London.
Can you do anything about the price? Absolutely. Here’s how to save money when booking a hotel in Rome.
How to Find Cheap but Good Accommodations in Rome
You want to visit Rome during peak season and still find somewhere affordable? That’s actually doable.
And you don’t have to book a dive, either.
Here are three tips for finding budget-friendly places to stay in Rome:
#1 Book a Guesthouse Instead of a Hotel
There are loads of guesthouses in Rome. They’re usually tucked inside regular apartment buildings and consist of nothing more than a hallway and five or six rooms.
Breakfast isn’t served, and access is often automated via a code — so there’s no host waiting to greet you. That’s exactly what keeps the price down.
The nearest café for a morning cappuccino is never far away in Rome anyway, and you can always reach your host by WhatsApp if you need anything.
#2 Book Your Cheap Hotel Well in Advance
Not because great hotels have better prices six months out — they’re expensive then too.
But because that’s when the affordable hotels in Rome are still available.
Rome draws visitors from countries much farther away, where a spontaneous weekend trip to Rome simply isn’t an option.
Like the USA or Japan — travelers from those places plan their trips to Italy months in advance.
So if you want to snag a cheap room, start looking at least three to four months ahead of time.
#3 Save Money by Staying in the Off-Season
What you really want in Rome is that genuine vacation feeling — sunshine, sunglasses, and gelato. With a bit of luck, you can get that in fall or winter too.
Rome averages only eight rainy days in November. For comparison: Berlin gets 16.
It’s not T-shirt weather, but the sun still comes out regularly.
And those fancy 300-euro hotels drop to half the price from November through February. Not bad, right?
6 Cheap Hotels in Central Rome
Here are six centrally located hotels that cost under 200 euros per night.
From each one, you can either walk to many of Rome’s top highlights, or you’re close to a metro station.
Lory House
The Lory House is a small property just around the corner from the Vatican, with a total of five lovely rooms.
There’s a breakfast room where fresh croissants and cappuccino are served every morning.
Because it’s not right in the historic center, double rooms here usually come in under 200 euros a night.
But the old town is only a few stops away by metro, and you just need one transfer to reach the Colosseum.
Premium Private Suites
The Premium Private Suites is the classic guesthouse experience in Rome: you get in via a code, communicate with your host over WhatsApp, and you’re on your own for breakfast.
In return, the prices are lower than most other places to stay in the center.
And the location is truly super central: Rome’s famous shopping street, Via del Corso, is right around the corner, and you can walk to all the main sights.
Check out Premium Private Suites
B&B First Floor
The B&B First Floor is a small hotel overlooking the remains of a gladiator school, directly across from the Colosseum.
Some rooms have a direct view of the excavation site, while others look out onto the rather uninteresting courtyard.
The rooms with a view are around the typical Rome price point, while the courtyard-facing rooms are significantly cheaper.
The view isn’t as impressive, but you’re right next to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum — hard to beat.
Saint B Boutique Hotel
Great location on the edge of the historic district, beautiful design rooms, good prices — okay, so what’s the catch?
The walls are thin, the bathroom is on the small side, and the elevator goes out of service from time to time. But if you’re a heavy sleeper and traveling light, this hotel could be a fantastic option.
The rooms are lovely, and some even have a whirlpool. Normally, boutique hotels in Rome cost a lot more.
Check out Saint B Boutique Hotel
Domus Castroni Scipioni
This small bed & breakfast offers spacious, bright rooms and is just a few minutes’ walk from the entrance to the Vatican and the Vatican Museums.
The value for money is excellent, though the breakfast room takes a little getting used to.
It’s a converted kitchen with a sink and refrigerator, with a few small tables for eating. Think more “eating at home” than full hotel experience.
That said, the prices are really low and you’re only one to two metro stops from the historic center.
Check out Domus Castroni Scipioni
Milizie 76 Gallery
Want to stay in Rome as cheaply as possible and don’t mind a 10-minute walk to the nearest metro station? Then the Milizie 76 Gallery is worth a look.
“Gallery” refers to the large canvas prints in the rooms. The rooms are well-kept and modern, and even the Deluxe room with a balcony consistently comes in under 200 euros per night.
Not all the highlights are right on your doorstep, but the neighborhood itself is one of Rome’s most upscale and well-maintained areas.
Staying Cheap in a Monastery in Rome
Does staying in a monastery in Rome sound like grace before meals and a strict dress code?
Don’t worry — these are perfectly normal hotels. Just simpler, more affordable, and connected to a monastery. There are several of them right in the center of Rome.
The rooms are clean and have everything you need: Wi-Fi, breakfast, and a private bathroom. No dress code, no curfew, nothing like that.
Here are three budget-friendly options in Rome run by the Church — and the proceeds fund charitable projects.
Casa Valdese: Not a monastery, but a small hotel near the Vatican run by a diaconal organization.
Casa I Cappuccini: 29 rooms, super central yet quiet, located within the Capuchin monastery complex.
Domus Sessoriana: 81 rooms in various sizes in a historic monastery complex, with a wonderful rooftop terrace.
