The ancient city of Rome is a great site for tourists. Every month, lots of people tour the ancient city to feel the history they have heard about in the Bible and even in history lessons and have read in books. As much as you would expect, the city is costly for tourists, but if you know your way around, you will save where others spend.

This article is a guide to hold you by the hand through the city of Rome while helping you save money and time at the same time.

1. Visit when there are fewer tourists.

Accommodation cost do drop to the bearable minimum when there are fewer tourists around in the city of Rome and the same goes for flight rates as well. Lots of tourists do not know when Rome expects few tourists and such most pick the month of October as the time, but alas, they get to Rome and find out that there are still a lot of tourists in the city already and so they are unable to save on the costs of accommodation and flights. Well, here is the truth, when Rome has holidays; they have more tourists. Although during the winter season, they expect fewer tourists in the city, if you can avoid these holidays during winter, you will save greatly on your visit to Rome. The holidays to avoid include:

1. Befana (The Catholic holiday of January 6^th which ends the Christmas
2. conception (Falls on 8^th of December and even 6^th of December is a public holiday in Spain)
3. Six nations rugby game and Rome Marathon
4. All Saints day ( November 1^st is a major holiday in Rome)

If you have no option but to travel in the spring season, then avoid these dates if you must save on your visit to Rome:

1. May 1^st (Major European holiday)
2. The week before Easter
3. April 25^th (Italian Liberation day)
4. The 2 weeks of BNL international Tennis Tournament held every May in

Rome.

If you must learn more about the city and its seasons and holidays, click here

2. Save on sightseeing

Sightseeing in Rome is almost free as you get to see open –air museums in the great city. Walk around and see the fountains, the sculptures, stunning artworks, ancient buildings and the likes all for free. The numerous churches in Rome are themselves works of art and a great sight to behold. But even at that, there are still other attractions that must be paid for before you are allowed to see them.   You might want to skip Pompeii and head to Ostia Antica to save money. Pompeii is a bit far from the city center and as such transportation may cost up to €50 while admission fee costs around €100 but Ostia Antica will cost you  €1.50 for a one-way ticket and an admission fee of just €8. Discounts are also available for under 18s and senior citizens at most of the sites in Rome so make sure you pick up your discounts as well.

State Museums and archeological sites are free to everyone on the first Sunday of every month, so do not miss out the opportunity of seeing the ancient Rome, the Colosseum and even the Palatine hill for free.

You can also visit the Vatican for free by visiting Saint Peter’s Square and Saint Peter’s Basilica, both of which are free to visit. Vatican Museums costs €17 if pre-booked and you can enter free of charge on the last Sunday of the month if you do not mind the long queue. Use the Rome Tourist attractions map for more details

3. Do not pay for free stuffs

Remember not to pay a dime for conveniences. Do not buy bottled water new attraction sites as there is free water everywhere within the city. Also remember that papal audience is free of charge as well as entering Saint Peter’s Basilica. Although if you hate the queues, you can buy ticket and skip the long line.

4. Avoid being scammed

You may not believe you can be scammed in Rome but yes, you can be scammed. One of the first things to look out for is not to over-pay a taxi driver. Always be sure of what to pay. Also do not order any so called “special dish” in any restaurant without asking how much it costs because most times, it is sham. The same goes for a drink. Bottle of wine suggested if what you requested for is not available are always costly, be careful and ask for the price before it is poured. Remember not to pay any service charge at a restaurant because you are tourist. Refuse to pay such service charge with respect.

5. Hop-on hop-off bus tour

Bus ticket in Rome is valid on for 24 hours through 2days and the bus has 3 major stops to admire the colosseum or a visit to Saint Peter’s Basilica. In fact the bus ticket includes a skip-the-line admission ticket which helps you enter the Colosseum in a fast tracked way than other people on the queue. The buses cover all major attraction sites within the city of Rome which include The Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Massimo, Colosseum, Circo, Saint Peter’s square and the Basilica and the rest of them. Click here for Rome bus tours comparison .