Pope's Funeral Triggers Soaring Travel Prices for Rome: What Visitors Need to Know

Rome is gearing up for the funeral of Pope Francis this weekend, an event that will be broadcast globally and has attracted a stream of mourners to the Italian capital city.

The passing of Pope Frances at the age of 88, combined with the fact that 2025 was already a special holy year for Rome, Vatican City and much of Italy thanks to the cultural and spiritual celebrations surrounding Jubilee 2025, have driven prices sharply upward for travel to Italy. 

According to travel insurance provider Squaremouth, trip costs are up a steep 38 percent year-over-year for travel to the country between April 22 and December 31, 2025. 

Last year, the average trip cost during that timeframe was about $6,304. But this year, for the same period, the total price of an Italian vacation is substantially more at $8,673.

There's also been a 5 percent uptick in the number of insured trips to Italy between April 22 and December 31, compared to the same period last year – a figure Squaremouth predicts is merely the beginning of increasing Italy bookings on the heels of the Pope's death.

"This figure is expected to grow substantially, as it does not yet reflect travelers who booked in response to the Pope's passing or those who are still planning their trips," Squaremouth's Ned Tadic told TravelPulse.

"Travelers heading to Rome can expect to pay way more for everything from lodging to airfare to tours and attractions in and around the Vatican," Tadic added.

In fact, Squaremouth anticipates that Rome will be one of 2025's most in-demand—and most expensive—destinations. To that end, visitors can expect:

• Increased security presence and long wait times at major attractions.
• Limited lodging availability, with premium rates.
• Crowded city centers and high tourist traffic near the Vatican.
  
  

"Tens of thousands of people attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II, so we expect demand and thus prices for travel and hotels in Rome to rise as demand increases,"  Tim Hentschel, CEO and co-founder of the booking platform HotelPlanner, told TravelPulse.

HotelPlanner's booking data shows that prices in Rome for this coming weekend are 13 percent higher than expected and the cost of a 5-star hotel in the city is up from £360 a night to £490 for the next two weeks. 

Ruins of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Noppasinw)

Pope Francis' funeral will take place this Saturday, according to a Vatican announcement today. The ceremony will be held in the parvis of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the open space in front of the basilica. 

The funeral process will begin however, on Wednesday at 9 a.m. local time, when the pope’s coffin is to be transported from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta (where Francis lived), to St. Peter’s. 

The procession will travel through the Vatican’s Santa Marta and the First Roman Martyrs squares. From the Arch of the Bells, it will exit into St. Peter’s Square and enter the basilica through the central door, according to The Washington Post.

During this process and through the coming days, travelers should expect Vatican City to be particularly busy, with long lines for attractions in the area. Rome's many other cultural and tourist sites should still be open, though checking before visiting is your best bet.

Alicia Walter, a globetrotter who created the platform The Passport Couple along with her partner Nate Stark, are already in Rome and the duo are watching the effects of the Pope's passing unfold in real time – including price increases and swelling crowds.

"We're seeing the ripple effects citywide—extra bus routes specifically to the Vatican, alternate transit signage regarding the Pope's passing, and rising hotel prices in anticipation of the conclave," Walter told TravelPulse. "It's all over the news here—from the airport to the metro to our hotel lobby."

While most pilgrims are focused on Rome's Vatican neighborhood, Walter added that the rest of the city is noticeably busier, too. 

For travelers arriving this week or in the coming weeks, Walter recommends exploring Rome's somewhat lesser-known neighborhoods or attractions, even those just a few blocks off the main tourist path.

"Rome was already preparing for an influx of visitors due to the Jubilee Year, and this historic moment has only amplified that," added Walter. "We expect a major increase in summer travel interest—and the city is already adapting quickly to handle it."

Kathy McCabe, host of the PBS show "Dream of Italy" and "Dream of Europe" and founder Dream of Italy Magazine, echoes Walter's observations, pointing out that advance planning will be critical for those visiting Rome any time soon.

"Rome is celebrating the Jubilee Year through January 2026. That alone was already set to draw an estimated 30 million additional visitors," McCabe told TravelPulse. "Now, with the added spiritual and historical significance of the Pope's passing, interest is expected to rise further. If you're planning to visit, booking everything early, making restaurant reservations, and building flexibility into your itinerary will be important."

This increased demand will likely continue well beyond the Pope's funeral and the typically busy summer months.

Tadic expects Rome to see heightened visitor activity throughout the rest of the year. 

"For travelers seeking to avoid inflated costs, crowds, and long lines, 2025 may not be the year to visit Rome," said Tadic.

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