How about a weekend full of fun and new experiences without spending all your money? A student in Switzerland can easily afford to go and enjoy what Rome has to offer in terms of culture, food, and history. Here is the way of doing it smart, fast, and cheap.
Planning Your Budget Weekend Escape to Rome from Switzerland
A weekend escape from Switzerland to Rome is not just a dream—it is actually a very smart move for students. Low-cost airlines, high-speed trains, and night buses make Rome within very easy reach in just a few hours. If you have the right kind of planning, it is possible to live a full cultural experience, eat great Italian food, and visit the most famous landmarks on a student’s budget—in just 48 hours.This guide shows step by step the means of getting there, the places to stay, the things to do, the way to eat well for less, and how to spend every last euro for maximum fun.
Getting There & Getting Around
Several transportation methods link Rome with Switzerland very efficiently. Depending on where you are and the amount of money you have, you can decide to take a low-cost airline, a fast train, or a long-distance bus.
Route (One-Way) | Mode | Duration | Avg. Cost (Student Rate) |
Zurich → Rome | Plane | 1h 30m | €25–€60 |
Zurich → Rome | Train | 7–8h | €40–€90 |
Zurich → Rome | Bus | 10–12h | €25–€50 |
Geneva → Rome | Plane | 1h 30m | €30–€70 |
Milan → Rome (bonus) | Train | 3h 30m | €20–€45 |
Flights, Trains and Buses: Picking the Smart Rout
– Inexpensive airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet are able to provide you with cheap direct flights in case you make a reservation early and if you do not choose Friday/Sunday evenings for your flights.
– Trains offer you more beautiful views and are cozier. Check out for the Super Economy fares of Trenitalia or Italo.
– The money that you would spend on one night of accommodation can be put to good use if you take an overnight bus from FlixBus or BlaBlaBus.
Make your reservation 2–3 weeks prior to the travel date at the minimum and also check if there are discounts for students or youth.
Navigating Rome on a Shoestring
– Metro & Bus Passes – 48h for €12.50, 72h for €18
– Walk – The majority of the landmarks are close enough to each other to be able to walk
– Bike/Scooter Rentals – Lime or Dott starting at €0.20 per minute
– Eating fresh food for free – Rome’s fountains (nasoni) are hygienic and water you can drink straight from
Where to Stay & How to Save on Lodging
Affordable housing in Rome is not a problem if only you have an idea of the right places to come. Concentrate on hostels, cheap B&Bs, or the shared Airbnb alternatives which are close to metro lines.
Neighborhood | Avg. Price/Night (Hostel) | Vibe |
Termini | €25–€40 | Central, busy, budget |
Trastevere | €30–€45 | Lively, authentic, social |
Prati | €35–€50 | Quieter, local, clean |
Must-See Sights & Budget-Friendly Experiences
Rome is essentially an open-air museum, and a great number of its gems do not require you to pay for an entrance.
Free and Low-Cost Landmarks
Pantheon – Free; impressive both for its design and its past
– Trevi Fountain – Free; ideal for pictures taken with the night lighting
– Spanish Steps – Free; amazing sunset view
– Colosseum (Outside) – Free; grand view and atmosphere
– Roman Forum & Palatine Hill – €12; combined ticket
– St. Peter’s Basilica – Free; early morning is the best time to avoid the line
Tip: The best way to travel around Rome is by walking—the historic center is full of layers of history and you might also catch some delightful and unexpected street performances.
Student-Smart Museum & Discount Hacks
In Rome, students have lots of advantages should they be well-informed:
– Most of the state museums are free on the first Sunday of each month
– Students from the EU aged less than 25 are entitled to discounted entries at a lot of places (carry your student ID with you)
– If combined with early online booking, Vatican Museums provide reduced-rate tickets
If you love food, then a local food tour like this Rome culinary tours is the place to be where you get to taste authentic Roman dishes and, at the same time, learn the stories behind them. Besides that, it’s a cool way to make new travel buddies and discover the hidden foodie gems that no one talks about.
Eating, Nightlife & Local Habits on a Student Budget
In Rome, there is no need to eat at touristy trattorias to have a good meal. Actually, it is quite common for locals to stay away from them.
Here are the ways how you as a good student can enjoy food in Rome:
- Try Roman street food – supplì (€1.50), pizza al taglio (€2–4/slice), porchetta panini (€4–€6)
- Patronize local bakeries & markets – take pastries for breakfast and fruits/snacks for the rest of the day
- Partake in aperitivo hours – bars provide drinks + buffet for €8–€12
- Coordinate meals – large dishes of pasta or pizza can be enough for two people
- Steer clear of dining establishments close to major landmarks – where they significantly elevate the price
By combining street food, self-catering, and one sit-down meal you can keep your daily food budget comfortably below €20.
Sample Weekend Budget Itinerary + Final Money-Saving Checklist
Category | Estimated Cost (€) |
Travel (RT) | 50–100 |
Accommodation | 60–90 |
Food | 40–60 |
Attractions | 10–30 |
Local Transport | 12–18 |
Total | ~€170–€280 |
Final Budget-Saving Checklist:
– Book travel and accommodation early
– Bring your student ID for discounts
– Walk as much as possible
– Fill your bottle from public fountains
– Use budget booking sites
– Explore free walking tours
– Avoid eating near major attractions
– Time your visit for free museum days
A weekend in Rome doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With some thoughtful planning and a sense of adventure, students in Switzerland can easily escape to the Eternal City without stretching their budgets. And the memories? Priceless.
