How much does a trip to Rome & Florence cost from South Africa?
About R48 680 for 7 days, solo
Or R38 180 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R4 060 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistAncient ruins around every corner, Renaissance art in Florence, and food that justifies the flight on its own.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R40 400 | R40 649 | R40 220 |
| 7 days | R48 680 | R48 395 | R47 372 |
| 14 days | R77 660 | R75 506 | R72 404 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R14 500 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R17 500 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R6 650 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R7 730 |
| Visa and entry fees | R2 300 |
| Total | R48 680 |
Visa for South Africans
Visa required Yes. South Africans need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) to visit Italy.
Apply 4–6 weeks ahead (up to 6 months early).
When to go
| Best time | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | Nov–Mar |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
Book 3–4 months out and avoid July–August peak prices.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 14 to 16 hours with one stop; there are no direct flights. Route via Istanbul, Addis Ababa, a European hub or a Gulf hub. |
|---|---|
| Health | No malaria. |
| Money | Cards widely accepted, but carry some cash for small cafés. Cities add a tourist tax of a few euros per night at hotels. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 Colosseum and the Roman Forum
- Day 3 Testaccio market, Rome's food quarter
- Day 4 Vatican Museums and St Peter's
- Day 5 The Appian Way by bike
- Day 6 Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- Colosseum and the Roman Forum
- Vatican Museums and St Peter's
- Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon
- Train to Florence and the Duomo
- Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio
- Pisa and Lucca day trip
- Chianti wine tour
- Dinner in Trastevere
Where locals go
- Testaccio market, Rome's food quarter
- The Appian Way by bike
- Quartiere Coppedè and Villa Torlonia
- Oltrarno artisan workshops in Florence
- Bologna food tour
- Orvieto hilltop town
- Procida island near Naples
- Matera's cave dwellings
Hidden gems near Rome & Florence
Bologna
Italy's food capital: arcaded streets, fresh tortellini and a lively student crowd.
About R900 extra to get there
Procida
A colourful fishing island in the Bay of Naples, calmer and cheaper than Capri.
About R1 800 extra to get there
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Rome & Florence cost from South Africa?
About R48 680 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R38 180 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Italy?
Yes. South Africans need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) to visit Italy. Apply 4–6 weeks ahead (up to 6 months early).
When is the best time to visit Rome & Florence?
The best time is Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. The cheapest time is usually Nov–Mar.
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 14 to 16 hours with one stop; there are no direct flights. Route via Istanbul, Addis Ababa, a European hub or a Gulf hub.
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.