As of November 12, 2026, Italy is cheaper than France for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $157 in Italy against $170 in France, a gap of 8.4%. Over the past year France has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+5.8% after inflation, against +4.9%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2.
| Measure | France | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $170 | $157 |
| Lean day | $80 | $76 |
| Comfortable day | $381 | $345 |
| Real change, 12 months | +5.8% | +4.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +4.5% | +4.5% |
| Versus 5-year average | +2.6% | +1.2% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.9 · Effortless | 4.8 · Effortless |
| Index score | 55 | 55 |
| Best months | May, Jun, Sep | May, Jun, Sep |
| Shoulder months | Apr, Oct | Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Paris is a splurge. Provincial France is one of Europe's quieter bargains.
The catchParis and the Riviera hotel rates are among Europe's highest, and strikes can stop trains with little notice.
The country everyone wants to visit, priced accordingly in four cities and reasonably everywhere else.
The catchVenice, Florence, Rome and the Amalfi Coast are expensive and overwhelmed from May to September. City tourist taxes add up.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.