Comparison · Paris vs Rome · France / Italy
Paris vs Rome
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre; choose Rome for Colosseum and Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Rome is generally less expensive, and the two are about 1,105 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,105 km
- Less expensive
- Rome
- Best time for Paris
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Rome
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Paris | Rome | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | Italy |
| Known for | Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Café culture | Colosseum, Vatican and Sistine Chapel and Ancient ruins |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$350 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 25°C (77°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 7°C (45°F) | January, 12°C (54°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | CDG, ORY, BVA | FCO, CIA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Paris for…
Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Paris packs the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower into a compact city of 20 arrondissements spiralling out from the Seine. Most first-time visitors base themselves in the central 1st–7th arrondissements and get around on foot and by…
Choose Rome for…
Colosseum and Vatican and Sistine Chapel. Rome layers nearly 3,000 years of history into a walkable centre: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Pantheon, Baroque piazzas such as Navona and, across the Tiber, Vatican City with St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Most sights lie inside the…
Top sights compared
| # | Paris | Rome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eiffel Tower | Colosseum |
| 2 | Louvre Museum | Roman Forum and Palatine Hill |
| 3 | Musée d'Orsay | Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel |
| 4 | Notre-Dame Cathedral | St Peter's Basilica |
| 5 | Sainte-Chapelle | Pantheon |
Food compared
| Paris | Rome |
|---|---|
| Croissant and pain au chocolat | Spaghetti alla carbonara |
| Baguette tradition | Cacio e pepe |
| Steak frites | Bucatini all'amatriciana |
| Croque-monsieur | Supplì |
Which is cheaper?
Rome is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 per person there, against $200–$350 in Paris (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Rome on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,105 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Paris or Rome cheaper?
Rome is usually less expensive: about $170–$300 a day mid-range against $200–$350 (estimates).
+Is Paris or Rome better for a first trip?
Pick Paris for Eiffel Tower and Louvre, or Rome for Colosseum and Vatican and Sistine Chapel.
+How far is Paris from Rome?
About 1,105 km in a straight line.