Should you visit Como or Bologna?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Como or Bologna, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Como
At the foot of the jagged cliffs of the Alps lies an expanse of shimmering waters made a golden white by the sun and pockmarked by sailors. Its blue waters beckon you to come forth and dive deep into the mystic body of Lago di Como, or Lake Como. With an area of 146 square kilometers, Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy, right after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. The lake was originally named by the Romans after the city of Comum, now presently called Como. Lake Como is shaped into an inverted "Y," with towns like Como, Lecco, Bellagio, Menaggio and Lierna situated around it.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
Which city is cheaper, Bologna or Como?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Como is €171, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €141. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Como and Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Como can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €117, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €234.
Bologna's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is €150. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is €75.
Food
The price of a meal in Como can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €48 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €19 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The average traveler spends about €32 per day in Bologna for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Como €48
Bologna €32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Como
For Como, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Lake Como Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$93
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Pasta Fresca Hands-on Cooking Class with a Local in Como:
$100
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Dining experience at a local's home at Lake Como with show cooking:
$106
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Dining experience at a local's home in Como with show cooking:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Como:
$111
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Como Food Tour:
$121
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Pizza making experience in Como:
$162
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Lake Italian Pasta Cooking Experience:
$162
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Lake Como:
$162
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Como:
$162
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Private cooking class at a Cesarina's home with tasting at Lake Como:
$180
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Como:
$180
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
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Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce:
$40
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Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner:
$56
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Traditional Home cooking class in Bologna:
$67
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Private Walking tour and Traditional Home Cooking Experience in Bologna:
$73
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Learn to Make Bolognese Pasta: Private Cooking Lesson in Bologna with Giovanna:
$86
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Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$95
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Withlocals The 10 Tastings™: Bologna PRIVATE Food Tour:
$103
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Dining experience at a local's home in Bologna with cooking demo:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Bologna:
$111
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Bologna Half-Day Walking Food Tour and Tasting for Small Group:
$113
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Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Bologna:
$121
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Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with a Local in Her Home:
$123
Local Transportation
Como's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €11 per person, per day on transportation in Como.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €16 per day to get around in Bologna.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Como
Also for Como, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Como - Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) / Private Departure Van Transfer:
$47
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Private Transfer from Como to Milan City Center:
$79
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Como - Malpensa Airport Milan (MXP) / Private Departure Car Transfer:
$89
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Private Departure Transfer from Como to Malpensa Airport:
$130
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Private Departure Transfer from Como to Linate Airport:
$152
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Como/Cernobbio/Moltrasio/Blevio to/from Milan Malpensa Apt (Private Transfer):
$156
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Private Transfer from Como to Milan Linate Airport:
$250
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Private Transfer from Como Hotels to Milan Malpensa Airport:
$250
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Private Transfer from Como to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$1,319
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Private Transfer from Como to Firenze (FLR) Airport:
$1,493
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
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Return Private Transfer from Bologna to Fico Eataly World:
$149
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Private transfer: Bologna to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ):
$52
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Private transfer from Bologna to Ljubljana:
$605
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Private Transfer: Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Bologna or vice versa:
$574
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Private Transfer: Civitavecchia Port to Bologna or vice versa:
$561
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Private Transfer: Ciampino Airport (CIA) to Bologna or vice versa:
$556
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Private Transfer from Bologna to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$523
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Private Transfer from Bologna to Pisa (PSA) Airport:
$626
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Private Transfer from Bologna to Firenze (FLR) Airport:
$514
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Private Transfer from Bologna to Bologna Airport:
$75
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Private Departure Van Transfer: Hotel to Bologna Airport (BLQ):
$31
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Private Departure Transfer: Bologna City Center - Bologna Airport:
$31
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €31 per person, per day in Bologna. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Como
For Como, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Private Guided Walking Tour into the old streets of Como:
$35
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Lake Como 3-Hour Tour by Electric Bike:
$55
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Como and Bellagio Sightseeing Tour and Lake Cruise:
$61
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Lake Como Guided eBike and iPad Experience:
$62
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Como city and its History Private Walking Tour:
$81
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Lonely Planet Experience: Day Trip to Lake Como with a Local:
$98
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Lake Adventure day in Spina Verde Regional Park:
$100
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2 Hours Walking Tour Como:
$100
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Como Historical and Heritage Tour:
$100
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Lugano, Bellagio and Cruise Experience from Como:
$106
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Mountain Bike tour in Spina Verde natural park:
$108
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Road Bike tour in Lake Como & Bellagio:
$134
Typical Entertainment prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)
€31
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)
€115
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)
€67
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)
€12
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)
€12
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
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2-Hour Bike Tour of Bologna:
$48
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2-hour Walking Tour of Bologna:
$32
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2.5-Hour Bike Tour of Bologna with Food Tasting:
$81
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2.5-hour Bologna City and University Walking Tour:
$310
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Art tour of Ravenna from Bologna:
$137
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BOLOGNA, City & Food Private Tour:
$266
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Best of BOLOGNA on a Private Tour:
$208
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Best walking tour of Bologna:
$149
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Bike Tour of Bologna for Instagram:
$38
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Bologna 3 hour walking tour:
$343
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Bologna By Run: Sightseeing Running Tours:
$44
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Bologna City Center Private Tour with a Local Guide:
$187
Alcohol
The average person spends about €23 on alcoholic beverages in Bologna per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Como
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Como:
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Champagne & Top Wine Tasting:
$175
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Sightseeing and Wine Tasting in Como:
$303
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
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Food & Wine Tasting Tour Bologna:
$81
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Amarone Classico Wine Tasting from Bologna by Train:
$210
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Bologna Food Experience: Factory Visits with Gourmet Lunch and Wine Tasting:
$212
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Como and Bologna, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Bologna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bologna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bologna and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como than you might in Bologna.
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