Practical housing, food, discounts, work, and weekend trip strategies to make Rome affordable and unforgettable for students.
Studying in Rome means walking past ancient forums to morning classes and discovering trattorias after lectures. The city is an open-air museum and a modern capital with a strong student presence. Use this guide to navigate housing, food, student discounts, work, and weekend trips—without blowing your budget.
Housing in Rome
High demand; quality and prices vary—start early.
University Housing & Residences
John Cabot, LUISS, Sapienza, AUR, and others offer centrally located apartments/residences.
- €600–€1,000/mo depending on room & area
- Furnished, Wi-Fi, utilities common; limited supply—apply ASAP
Shared Apartments & Private Rentals
Most students share flats (appartamenti condivisi).
- Shared room: €500–€700/mo
- Single room: €700–€1,100/mo
- Private studio (central): €1,200–€1,600/mo
- Sites: Uniplaces, HousingAnywhere, Idealista
- Confirm if utenze (utilities) are included (often +€50–€100/mo)
Neighborhoods to Know
- Trastevere: student favorite, cafés/nightlife (near JCU)
- Prati: elegant, quieter, near Vatican
- San Lorenzo: lively, Sapienza hub
- Testaccio: authentic food markets
- Monti: central, trendy, pricier
Tip: Insist on a written contratto di locazione; avoid all-cash handshake deals.
Food on a Student Budget
Groceries
Conad, Carrefour, Todis. Markets: Campo de’ Fiori, Testaccio, Trionfale.
- Weekly groceries: €40–€60
- Best deals near closing time
Eating Out (Affordable)
- Forno Campo de’ Fiori: pizza al taglio €3–€5
- Pasta Chef: customizable bowls < €10
- Supplizio: classic supplì and Roman street food
- Trattoria da Enzo (Trastevere): Roman staples €12–€15
Many places offer pranzo fisso €10–€12 (main + side + drink).
Coffee & Aperitivo
- Al banco espresso ~€1; sitting costs more
- Aperitivo: €10–€12 for drink + buffet (Freni e Frizioni, Rec23)
- Water: Rome’s nasoni fountains—cold, safe, free
Student Discounts & Perks
Transport
ATAC runs bus/tram/metro.
- Monthly student pass ~€35
- Walking is often fastest in the center; e-scooters (Lime/Bird) ~€0.25/min
Museums & Culture
Many top sites (Colosseum, Forum, Capitoline, Borghese) offer student reductions <26.
First Sundays: state museums are free.
Student Life
ESN/Rome International Students: discount cards, language exchanges, trips, gym deals.
Apps like Too Good To Go: cheap surplus meals at day’s end.
Work Options for International Students
Legal
- EU: free to work
- Non-EU: up to 20 hrs/week with permesso di soggiorno (studio)
- Consult your international office for latest rules.
Common Jobs & Pay
Cafés/bars/restaurants, English tutoring, babysitting/dog walking, internships (NGOs/galleries/startups).
- €8–€12/hr typical; private English tutoring can reach €20/hr
- Italian basics greatly expand options—take an intro course early.
Remote/Freelance
Writing/translation/marketing possible—confirm visa allows remote work; follow tax rules.
Weekend Trips from Rome
- Florence (weekend): 1.5h high-speed; Uffizi, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio
- Naples + Amalfi/Pompeii (weekend): 2h train to Naples; base there for Sorrento/Positano/Capri
- Tivoli (day): Villa d’Este & Hadrian’s Villa (UNESCO)
- Orvieto (day): Umbrian hill town, gothic duomo
- Venice or Milan (long weekend): book high-speed early for savings
Tip: Advance bookings on Trenitalia/Italo can halve prices; regional trains are cheaper for short hops.
Budget Snapshot (Monthly)
| Category | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared) | €700–€900 |
| Utilities | €50–€100 |
| Food | €250–€350 |
| ATAC pass | €35 |
| Entertainment/travel | €100–€200 |
| Total | €1,100–€1,600 |
Cultural Tips
Meal times skew later (dinner after 8 p.m.). Cappuccino is for breakfast; later, order espresso/macchiato. Social plans are flexible; be punctual for class/work. Cash still common; tipping not required (round up €1–€2 appreciated).
Final Thoughts
Rome pairs timeless beauty with daily surprises. With smart housing choices, local eating habits, student discounts, and strategic weekend escapes, you’ll keep costs down—and experiences up. More than credits, Rome offers perspective.