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| Category | Rome | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Rome value | Venice value |
| Average flight price from London | £120 | £150 |
| Best months to visit | April-May, September-October | April-May, September-October |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | £100 | £120 |
| Public transit quality | Metro (80% coverage), buses | Vaporetto (boat buses), walking |
| Food scene highlight | Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe | Sarde in saor, Tiramisu |
| Top museum/attraction | Colosseum, Vatican | Doge's Palace |
| Nightlife | Nightclubs, wine bars | Wine bars, jazz clubs |
| Safety | Moderate theft (tourist areas) | Moderate theft (canal areas) |
| Walkability | Good (with metro) | Excellent (100% walkable) |
Score: Rome 5 wins · Venice 1 wins · 4 ties
The Verdict
Choose Rome for:
Choose Venice for a different perspective.
Flights to Rome → Flights to Venice →
Things to do in Rome · Things to do in Venice · When to visit Rome · When to visit Venice
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| Feature | Rome | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily budget (mid-range) | €120-€150 | €140-€180 |
| Flight cost from London (round-trip) | £80-£150 | £90-£160 |
| Hotel cost per night (mid-range) | €120-€160 | €180-€250 |
| Best season to visit | April-May, September-October | April-May, September-October |
| Days needed | 5-7 days | 3-5 days |
| Known for | Ancient ruins, Vatican City, Italian cuisine | Canals, gondolas, historic architecture |
| Nightlife rating (1-5) | 4 | 2 |
| Crowd level (1-5) | 4 | 5 |
Rome is 15-20% cheaper overall than Venice. A budget meal costs €8-€12 (Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 in Testaccio), while Venice's equivalent is €10-€15 (Osteria alle Vite in Cannaregio). A mid-range dinner in Rome (Ristorante La Pergola) is €45-€60, compared to Venice's €55-€75 (Antico Caffè Florian in Piazza San Marco). Coffee is €1.50 in Rome (Caffè Sant’Eustachio), €2.20 in Venice (Caffè Quadri). A Rome metro/day pass is €2.20, Venice has no metro (vaporetto pass €12.50 for 24 hours). Vatican Museums cost €20, Venice's Doge’s Palace is €25. Hostel stays in Rome: €25-€35/night (Hostel One), Venice: €40-€55/night (Casa di Cura). 3-star hotels in Rome: €100-€140, Venice: €160-€220. 4-star in Rome: €180-€250, Venice: €280-€380.
Rome’s Colosseum (built 70-80 AD) and Roman Forum are free to enter, with guided tours costing €15. The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel require €20 entry, but the Vatican City is a sovereign state with its own postal service and currency.
Testaccio Market (open 8 AM-2 PM) offers €5-€8 Roman-style pizza by the slice, while nearby Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 serves carbonara for €14. The neighborhood is a working-class area with no tourist traps.
Trastevere (south of Tiber River) has narrow cobblestone streets, 13th-century churches like Santa Maria in Trastevere, and restaurants like Roscioli Salumeria (€20 pasta dishes). It’s accessible via Rome Metro Line A.
The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is a 3rd-century BC road lined with ancient tombs, now a public park. The Villa Borghese gardens (€10 entry) feature Bernini sculptures and the Galleria Borghese (€15 entry), open 9 AM-7 PM.
Gondola rides cost €80 for 30 minutes (not €50 as commonly advertised), with no tip expected. The Grand Canal is best viewed from the Rialto Bridge, and the smaller canals like Rio di Palazzo are less crowded.
Doge’s Palace (€25 entry) houses the famous Bridge of Sighs, while Ca’ d’Oro (€15 entry) is a 15th-century palace with Gothic architecture. Both are open 9 AM-7 PM, but Doge’s Palace requires booking ahead.
Cannaregio (Venice’s largest district) has the Osteria alle Vite (€12 pasta) and the Jewish Ghetto, Europe’s oldest. The area is less touristy, with locals shopping at Mercato di Rialto (open 7 AM-2 PM).
Murano Island (15-minute vaporetto ride from Venice) is home to glassblowing studios like Seguso Vetri d’Arte (€20 for a 30-minute tour). Glassware starts at €25, with prices up to €500 for custom pieces.
Rome: April (15°C-22°C) and May (18°C-25°C) are ideal, with fewer crowds than summer. June sees temperatures rise to 28°C, but crowds peak. September (20°C-27°C) is quieter, with lower prices. October (12°C-19°C) is great for sightseeing. Winter (December-February) is cold (5°C-10°C), but Christmas markets and fewer tourists.
Venice: April-May (15°C-20°C) is perfect, with low crowds and mild weather. June (22°C-28°C) is hot and crowded. September (20°C-25°C) is ideal for fewer tourists and warm weather. October (14°C-19°C) is cool but still pleasant. Winter (December-February) is cold (2°C-8°C), with fewer tourists but limited activities. Major events: Venice Carnival (February, dates vary), Festa della Sensa (May, boat procession), Venice Film Festival (September).
Flights from London: Ryanair flies to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) for £80-£150, with a 2-hour flight time. EasyJet flies to Venice Marco Polo (VCE) for £90-£160, 1 hour 45 minutes. From Amsterdam: KLM flies to Rome for €100-€180, 2 hours 15 minutes; Air France to Venice for €110-€190, 1 hour 50 minutes. From Frankfurt: Lufthansa to Rome for €120-€200, 1 hour 50 minutes; Eurowings to Venice for €110-€190, 1 hour 40 minutes.
Journey from airports: Rome Fiumicino to city center: Leonardo Express train (€14, 32 minutes) or taxi (€50, 45 minutes). Venice Marco Polo to city center: Alilaguna water bus (€15, 30 minutes) or taxi (€40, 25 minutes). Venice Marco Polo to Murano: Vaporetto Line 42 (€2.50, 15 minutes).
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.
Mild weather (15°C-25°C), fewer tourists, ideal for exploring canals. Avoid July and August for high heat and crowds.
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.
Mild weather (15°C-25°C), fewer tourists, ideal for exploring canals. Avoid July and August for high heat and crowds.
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.
Mild weather (15°C-25°C), fewer tourists, ideal for exploring canals. Avoid July and August for high heat and crowds.
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.
Mild weather (15°C-25°C), fewer tourists, ideal for exploring canals. Avoid July and August for high heat and crowds.
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.
Mild weather (15°C-25°C), fewer tourists, ideal for exploring canals. Avoid July and August for high heat and crowds.
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.
Mild weather (15°C-25°C), fewer tourists, ideal for exploring canals. Avoid July and August for high heat and crowds.
Ideal weather (15°C-25°C), fewer crowds, lower prices. Avoid June and July for peak summer heat and crowds.