Add the Gazzetta del Sud as a source
Shorter and low cost holidays. The increase in prices and international uncertainty are changing the habits of Italians, who choose closer destinations and save on restaurants, comfort and days of stay. And the effects of the expensive fuel are already impacting the June 2 long weekend, with 22 euros more for a full tank of diesel. The picture is drawn from a series of analyzes by the main Italian consumer associations.
Expensive fuel: 640 million euro blow
Comparing fuel price lists with those in force in the same period last year, Codacons discovered that petrol costs on average 15.4% more, while diesel has risen by as much as 27.5%. This means spending 13 euros more on a full tank of petrol compared to the 2nd June 2025 deadline, while a full tank of diesel actually costs 22 euros more. Assuming an average of one full tank per car, and considering the Italian car fleet (around 40% powered by diesel, 41.4% by petrol), the burden on supplies for those who travel by car reaches the figure of 640 million euros.
Increases in accommodation and transport (but flights drop)
Assoutenti discovered that hotel and motel prices are increasing by +3.5% on year, while holiday villages and campsites cost 5.4% more. For an all-inclusive holiday package, price growth is 3.7%, while ferries increase in price by almost 6% due to skyrocketing fuel; for trains the increases are +0.8%, buses and coaches +1.2%, vehicle rental and sharing +1.4%. The only positive fact: the lower demand for travel abroad linked to the jet-fuel emergency and the possibility of having your flight canceled has led to a strong reduction in airfares, which fell on average by -3.4% compared to last year, with peaks of -13.5% for domestic flights.
Less budget and shortened holidays
According to research by the Piepoli Institute for Udicon, for 31% of those interviewed, holidays last less. Among these, 45% indicate the main cause as the lower family economic availability, 21% the increase in travel costs and 13% the increases in housing prices.
National tourism wins: travel by car and train
In response to the increased costs, the majority of holidaymakers will choose national (59%) or European (24%) destinations, also influenced by geopolitical tensions. Around 6.1 million Italians – 12% of the sample considered by Udicon – would have canceled trips planned for this summer due to wars and instability. A similar percentage (11%, another 5.5 million individuals) had their flight canceled for the same reasons, together with high fuel costs. The result is that more than half of Italians will not take a plane, but will travel by car (51%) or train (18%). The international context, between wars and fuel prices, shapes the summer choices of 62% of Italians.
Travelers’ savings strategies
The solutions to continue going on holiday, while keeping an eye on the wallet, are varied: 31% of those interviewed stay in cheaper solutions, 27% choose closer destinations, 23% save money at restaurants and reduce activities, 19% travel in the low season and 18% reduce the period of stay. Once forced to choose, 29% of Italians are satisfied with a shorter holiday, without lowering their comfort standards, while 28% prefer to give up some comforts, having more days available.
The “top 20” of price increases linked to the international crisis
The National Consumers Union went into detail about the price increases, and compiled a top 20 list of the most expensive products since the war in Iran began. Eight items are directly linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz (fuel and energy costs), 7 items concern fruit and vegetables, and depend on the increase in transport and energy costs.