The world's smallest independent state, Vatican City is the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. This walled enclave within Rome houses some of the world's most iconic art and architecture, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums.
Local currency: Euro (€) - Vatican City uses the Euro and mints its own limited edition Vatican euro coins.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Vatican City.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $25-35 (dorm near Vatican)
- Budget
- $70-110 (budget hotel Prati)
- Midrange
- $130-220 (3-star Prati)
- Luxury
- $350-900+ (boutique or 5-star)
Food
- Street
- $3-6 (pizza al taglio, supplì)
- Local
- $10-15 (trattoria lunch)
- Midrange
- $25-45 (dinner with wine)
- Fine
- $80-150+ (fine dining near Vatican)
Transport
- Bus
- $1.60 single ride (metro/bus Rome)
- Taxi
- $12-18 (short Rome taxi)
- Airport
- $50-60 (Fiumicino taxi to Vatican)
- Daytrip
- $5-15 (train to Tivoli, Ostia etc)
Activities
- Museum
- $20 (Vatican Museums full price)
- Sites
- $8-15 (Castel Sant'Angelo, dome climb)
- Tour
- $50-80 (guided Vatican tour)
- Excursion
- $60-100 (Pompeii or Amalfi day trip)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Vatican City costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$420/week
Midrange traveller
$1,260/week
Luxury traveller
$3,500+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Book Vatican Museums tickets online in advance to avoid paying tour operator premiums and save 2-3 hours in queue
Buy a 48-hour or 72-hour Rome transport pass for unlimited metro and bus travel rather than single tickets
Eat lunch where Italians eat - look for trattorias with handwritten menus away from tourist streets
Stay in Prati neighborhood for excellent value and proximity to Vatican without tourist markup
Visit Vatican Museums on the free last Sunday of the month (arrive 45 min before 9 AM opening)
Drink at bar standing up - table service costs 2-3x more in Italian cafes
Purchase a Roma Pass (48h or 72h) for free museum entries plus transport
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
St. Peter's Basilica
The world's greatest church is free to enter. Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's baldachin, and the vast interior are accessible without charge; only the dome climb costs €8-10.
St. Peter's Square
Bernini's magnificent elliptical colonnade and the Egyptian obelisk are freely accessible at all hours. Attend the free Sunday noon Angelus blessing with the Pope.
Vatican Museums Free Sunday
The Vatican Museums including the Sistine Chapel are free on the last Sunday of every month, 9 AM to 2 PM. Expect very long queues - arrive 1 hour before opening.
Castel Sant'Angelo Exterior Walk
The walk along the Tiber riverbank past Castel Sant'Angelo and the Angel Bridge statues is free and offers excellent views of this iconic fortress.
Campo de' Fiori Market
Rome's most atmospheric outdoor market is free to browse Monday-Saturday mornings. The piazza and its controversial Bruno statue are always accessible.
Pantheon (free on certain days)
One of the world's best-preserved ancient buildings, with an extraordinary unreinforced concrete dome built in 125 AD. Free entry on certain days; check current admission schedule.
Gianicolo Hill Panorama
Free hilltop park with the best panoramic view of Vatican's dome and all Rome. Daily cannon shot at noon is a Roman tradition since 1847.
Trastevere Neighborhood Walk
Rome's most picturesque medieval neighborhood is free to explore on foot. The basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere with its golden mosaics has free entry.
Appian Way (Via Appia Antica)
Walk for free on Rome's ancient road dating to 312 BC, with original Roman basalt paving, ancient tombs, and open countryside. Free on Sundays when the road closes to traffic.
Roman Churches
Dozens of Rome's greatest churches near Vatican are free: Santa Maria Maggiore, San Giovanni in Laterano, Santa Maria sopra Minerva - each containing priceless art and architecture.