When in Rome, do as students do (and save money)

I had always wanted to go to Rome but, like many students, I considered it unaffordable while at university. However, following some advice from a fellow student and friend of mine, who had been to Rome previously, last August my boyfriend and I spent a week exploring the Italian capital on a budget of around £350 to £400 each.

Rome, founded more than 2,700 years ago, is one of Europe’s oldest cities and was once the hub of the Roman Empire, stretching from northern England to North Africa. Today, it is home to the Italian government and more than three million people. Its historic centre has grand squares with stone statues and fountains, brass bands, saxophonists, horse-drawn carriages navigating the cobblestone streets, and mime artists performing impressive tricks to passers-by (some of whom, somewhat bafflingly, captivate their audience by posing motionless as lampposts for hours on end).

After less than a day wandering its labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways, it was easy to see why creative masters such as Lord Byron, Charles Dickens and Henry James have been inspired by Rome. The legacy of its fascinating history can be seen everywhere, and it only takes a little bit of imagination to get a sense of the city’s rich cultural past, blending effortlessly with the modern-day metropolis.

Walk in the heart of Rome

It was a pleasant surprise to find that the great remnants of Rome’s glory days - the classical Greek and Roman architecture of its monuments, churches, temples and obelisks - can be disocvered on foot. For instance, within one day it is possible to see the now skeletal, yet still striking Colosseum - once an entertainment hub for bloody, gladiatorial conquests involving men and wild beasts - and to visit the crumbling temples of the immense Roman Forum, excavation of which continues.

Nearby is the Pantheon, ‘Temple of the Gods’, which is more than 2,000 years old and one of Rome’s best preserved monuments; and a short stroll away, the Trevi Fountain, often sited as one of the most romantic sights in the world and although always surrounded by crowds there’s enough time to take a photo and perhaps throw a coin in it (legend has it if you do so, you’ll return to Rome again one day).

Also within close proximity is the Vatican, St Peter’s church (San Pierto basilica) and Castel Sant’Angelo. Headed by the Pope, the Vatican is the centre of power for Catholics across the world and its museums house ancient treasures and works of art such as Egyptian tombs and mummies and the remarkable Sistine Chapel ceiling, which Michelangelo began work on seven hundred years ago. The dark, winding corridor of massive fortress Castel Sant’Angelo rises to a rooftop panoramic view of Rome (on which I spotted Stadio Olimpica, football ground of Italian giants Roma and Lazio).

Walking is best combined with use of the city’s swift, easily-mastered underground metro - which has stations helpfully named ‘Colosseo’, ‘Vatican’ and so forth. Daily and weekly passes can be purchased at metro stations across the city and discounts are available for students.

Eat, drink and be merry

Restaurants and cafes with a selection of western and Italian cuisine line the streets and side streets so we were never short of finding somewhere to eat. The cost of meals varies, but you can generally find reasonable prices outside the tourist attraction zones. My best advice is to shop around - menus are usually on display at the entrance so you can decide before you sit down whether the price is right!

Nightlife is an eclectic mix of everything from salsa and jazz to piano bars and punk rock clubs and the best way to discover it is simply to wander around and see what takes your interest. Rome’s local magazine, Roma C’E, available from newsstands on Thursdays, lists what’s on and where, and also covers restaurants, exhibitions, music, theatre, cinema and tours.

When to go

Although spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit - being cooler and less touristy - experiencing Rome in summertime has its advantages. From June onwards, there are lots of free cultural events on, such as open-air parties, live music, puppet shows, market stalls and fireworks, while mid-July sees the start of the big sales for designer-hungry shoppers. And for two weeks (beginning August 15), most Romans flee the city to holiday at the seaside, leaving the streets quieter and many shops closed, meaning you are left with more time (and money) to spend on more worthy alternatives!

To avoid the crowds, we visited places during less busy hours like early morning, and to prevent collapsing from heatstroke halfway through the day we made like the Italians and took a ‘siesta’ between one and 3.30 , giving us time to relax in the shade and plan the rest of the day.

Where to stay

We stayed at the Tiber Village, a hostel only 20 minutes from the city centre, which provides a free shuttle bus to and from the train station and airport transfers for about one third the price of a taxi fare (around 12 euros). The Tiber Village is more like a holiday resort than a hostel, consisting of dorms from 11 euros per night and private twin rooms from 15 euros. It also has a restaurant-pizzeria serving Italian and western food from six euros per meal, a bar/lounge area with live music, beer garden, pool tables, a swimming pool, free internet, a laundry room and a cheap supermarket: all the essentials for an enjoyable stay. [www.TiberVillage.com]

A range of alternative budget accommodation is listed on www.HostelBookers.com, which has a group booking system and allows you to browse a variety of lodgings across the city. Notably, the site features one of Rome’s most highly rated and centrally located hostels, Ottaviano, situated near the metro and the Vatican, with shared rooms from 20 euros per night.

Getting there

Rome is only a three-hour flight from London, with returns costing from £35 depending on when you go. Ryannair offer the cheapest fares and fly to Rome Ciampino (the airport nearest to the city centre) from Stansted, Luton, Liverpool, East Midlands and Glasgow [www.Ryannair.com]. Jet2 also do routes from Manchester [www.Jet2.com]. Departing Glasgow in mid-August cost us £98 each for a return with Ryannair.

What to remember

1. An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is worth having, as you can get reductions on travel passes and entry fees to some places, like museums and galleries. If there are no signs offering student discount – always ask anyway.
2. Plan ahead. Arrange accommodation and airport transfers in advance.
3. Get a map of the city and the metro network (many hostels provide these, or buy a guidebook with a map in it).
4. Check the opening times of places you want to visit beforehand (we used the hostel’s internet) as some shut for siesta and close on certain days.
5. Check the dress code for entering places like churches, as some are strict and require visitors wear formal clothes.
6. With some careful forward planning, it is possible for students to explore the heart of Italy!

Some useful phrases/words

Hello - Buon giorno
Goodbye - Arrivederci
Yes - Si
No - No
Excuse me - Mi scusi
Please - Per favour
The bill please - Il conto, per favore
Where is…? - Dove sono…?
Church - la bascilica
Art gallery - la pinacoteca
Museum - il museo