Should I Visit Moscow or Florence for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Moscow or Florence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Florence. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Moscow or Florence?

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.

Florence

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.

Which city is cheaper, Florence or Moscow?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

Moscow Prices
Russia Prices

Florence Prices
Italy Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Moscow $61

Florence $132

The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $61, while the average daily cost in Florence is $132. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Florence in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Moscow $38

Florence $75
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Moscow $76

Florence $150

Compare Hotels in Moscow and Florence

Looking for a hotel in Moscow or Florence? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Moscow Hotel Prices and Florence Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Moscow $5.94

Florence $19

Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:

Two Metro Passes

$1.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow

Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Private Tour to Russia's Largest Aviation Museum (with roundtrip train transfer): $398
The Kremlin & Cathedrals Private Tour (with roundtrip transfer): $299
Transfer from Moscow to the Golden Ring (Ideal for Backpackers On a Shoestring!): $167
Yellow Drive - Vnukovo - Moscow - Vnukovo Transfers: $157
Sergiev Posad private tour with transfer from Moscow: $143
Yellow Drive - Domodedovo Airport Transfers: $135
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Domodedovo Airport DME in Luxury Car: $134
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Sheremetyevo Airport SVO in Luxury Car: $133
Moscow Airport Transfers : Vnukovo Airport VKO to Moscow City in Luxury Car: $133
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Vnukovo Airport VKO in Luxury Car: $126
Moscow Airport Transfers : Moscow City to Domodedovo Airport DME in Business Car: $125
Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Domodedovo DME to Moscow City by Luxury Car: $124

Typical Local Transportation prices in Florence

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:

Taxi Ride Within City

$8.53
Taxi from Airport

$27
In City Parking (Full Day)

$32
Bus Pass (Full Day)

$5.33
Bus From Airport

$5.33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence

Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Welcome Transfer from Florence Airport to Florence Downtown - Ultimate transfer: $58
Venice area to Florence or viceversa Private Transfers: $796
Transfers Pisa Airport to/from Florence Hotel CAR HIRE WITH DRIVER: $286
Transfers Florence Airport to or from Florence Hotel: $95
Transfer with stops: Florence-Siena with stops in San Gimignano & Monteriggioni: $187
Transfer with stops: Florence-Rome with stop in San Gimignano and Montepulciano: $435
Transfer with stops: Florence-Rome with stop in Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio: $435
Transfer with stops: Florence - Venice with stops in Bologna and Ferrara: $398
Transfer with stops: Florence - Assisi with stop in Montepulciano and Cortona: $386
Transfer with stops: Florence - 5 Terre with stops in Lucca & Pisa: $404
Transfer with stops: Florence - 5 Terre with stop in Pisa (2 hrs): $373
Transfer to or from the Florence Airport by Deluxe Van: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Florence?

Prices for flights to both Florence and Moscow change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.

Food

Food Meals for one day

Moscow $14

Florence $31

Typical Food prices in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:

Lunch for Two

$7.22
Lunch in the Center Market

$3.94
Breakfast for 2

$13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family: $22
Moscow Food Tour: $67
An evening at the monastery with dinner: $80
An Evening at the Monastery with Dinner: $85
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local: $91
Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow: $101
Food Tour: $102
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow: $117
Traditional French-Russian Dinner in a Local's Home: $118
Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour: $127
Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide: $133
Private food tour: Russian culinary culture: $144

Typical Food prices in Florence

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:

Panini Sandwich

$6.93
Casual Lunch (for Two)

$18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence

For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Italian Fresh Pasta Private Online Cooking Class: $27
Virtual Cooking Class: Bruschetta & Tiramisù: $40
Vegetarian pasta cooking class and dinner in Florence: $54
Cooking with Kids 3-Hour Experience: $60
Pasta Cooking Experience in Florence: $62
Handmade Pasta and Dessert Cooking Class with Dinner: $62
Handmade Tagliatelle cooking class in Florence: $72
Pizza Dinner and Opera Arias Concert: $74
Food Tour in 3-Hour Walking Tour: $76
4-Course Cooking Experience in Florence: $78
Tuscan Cooking Course with Dinner: $78
Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class at a Farmhouse in Tuscany: $79

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Moscow $15

Florence $26

Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:

Theater Tickets

$15
Kremlin Entry (2)

$13

Tours and Activities in Moscow

For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

"Moscow Versailles" Kuskovo estate Private Tour: $249
'Communist Moscow' walking tour: $240
1 Day City Tour in Moscow city: $300
1-Day Tour of Moscow: $367
1-day Moscow Tour (Top sights: Kremlin, Red Square, Arbat street, etc.): $357
1-day Tour to Saint-Petersburg from Moscow (Hermitage Museum and Peterhof): $709
1-day Tour to Saint-Petersburg from Moscow (Hermitage Museum and sights tour): $840
1-hour scenic Moscow River Cruise: $18
10-Day Climbing Tour to Elbrus Mountain the Highest in Europe: $1,649
12-Day River Cruise on a 3-Star Ship from Moscow: $2,373
14-Day River Cruise along the Volga from Moscow to Astrakhan: $3,029
15-Day Altai Mountains Horse Riding Tour from Moscow: $2,201

Typical Entertainment prices in Florence

For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:

Admission to Uffizi

$12
Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi

$4.26
Firenze Card (for Two)

$107
Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)

$21
Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee

$6.39
Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee

$7.46

Tours and Activities in Florence

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.

- Leonardo Interactive Museum® Entrance Ticket: $8.71
2 hours sunset walking tour: $112
2-Nights Ferrari World and with Private Bologna Walking Tour from Florence: $1,058
3 hours: Private walking tour of Florence and Accademia Gallery guided visit: $158
3-Hour Private Florence Walking Tour: $112
5 Terre Shared Tour - the best solution to see the 5 Lands - Ultimate Tour: $672
5 Terre Shared Tour - the best way to see the 5 Lands - Ultimate 5 Terre Tour: $391
5 Terre Tour and Portovenere - Swim in a Sea of Beauty - Ultimate 5 Terre Tour: $391
5 Terre Tour and stop in Lucca - Swim in a Sea of Beauty - Ultimate 5 Terre Tour: $391
5 Terre Tour and stop in Pisa - Swim in a Sea of Beauty - Ultimate 5 Terre Tour: $391
A Day at The Mall Luxury Outlets (Prada, Gucci) - Ultimate Shopping Experience: $261
Accademia Gallery Private Tour with 5-Star Guide: $141

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Moscow $7.63

Florence $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:

Pub Crawl by Soviet Van: $76
Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van: $79
Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide: $121

Typical Alcohol prices in Florence

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:

Glass of Chianti

$4.48
Bottle of Wine

$7.99

Sample the Local Flavors in Florence

Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

60-Minute Wine Tasting Tour: $45
Chianti: Authentic Wine Tasting Experience from Florence: $52
Sunset Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $62
Florence Sunset Wine Tour: $64
Pienza and Montepulciano Full-Day Wine Tour: $79
From Tuscany Wine Tasting Full-Day Trip: $87
From Small Group Wine Tasting Tour to Tuscany: $90
Florence in 3 Wines: Exclusive Wine Tasting with an Expert & Food Pairing: $136
From Tuscany by E-Bike with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $147
Private Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti (6 h) + Lunch & Wine tasting: $174
Just a Taste but What a Taste - Half Day Wine Tour in Tuscany (Private Tour): $180
Florence Wine Tasting and Tuscan Lunch in a Vintage Fiat 500: $187

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Florence, we can see that Florence is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence than you might in Moscow.

When is the best time to visit Moscow or Florence?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Moscow or Florence in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Florence. Also, most visitors come to Florence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Moscow is cooler than Florence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moscow in July are around 19°C (67°F), and Florence is about 25°C (77°F).

In July, Moscow usually receives more rain than Florence. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Summer Average Temperatures July

Moscow 19°C (67°F)

Florence 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Florence in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Florence. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Florence because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Moscow is generally much colder than Florence. Temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Florence stays around 16°C (61°F).

Moscow usually gets less rain in October than Florence. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Autumn Average Temperatures October

Moscow 6°C (43°F)

Florence 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Florence in the Winter?

Both Florence and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Florence this time of year.

The weather in Moscow can be very cold. Moscow is much colder than Florence in the winter. The temperature in Moscow is usually -8°C (17°F) in January, and Florence stays around 7°C (45°F).

In January, Moscow usually receives less rain than Florence. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Winter Average Temperatures January

Moscow -8°C (17°F)

Florence 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Florence in the Spring?

Both Florence and Moscow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Florence for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Moscow is much colder than Florence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April are around 7°C (45°F), and Florence is about 14°C (57°F).

Moscow usually gets less rain in April than Florence. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Spring Average Temperatures April

Moscow 7°C (45°F)

Florence 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Florence and Moscow

	Moscow		Florence
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	-8°C (17°F)	45 mm (1.8 in)	7°C (45°F)	63 mm (2.5 in)
Feb	-7°C (20°F)	37 mm (1.5 in)	8°C (46°F)	49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar	-1°C (30°F)	34 mm (1.3 in)	10°C (50°F)	69 mm (2.7 in)
Apr	7°C (45°F)	40 mm (1.6 in)	14°C (57°F)	78 mm (3.1 in)
May	14°C (57°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	18°C (64°F)	72 mm (2.8 in)
Jun	18°C (64°F)	76 mm (3 in)	22°C (72°F)	50 mm (2 in)
Jul	19°C (67°F)	92 mm (3.6 in)	25°C (77°F)	31 mm (1.2 in)
Aug	18°C (64°F)	74 mm (2.9 in)	24°C (75°F)	48 mm (1.9 in)
Sep	12°C (54°F)	64 mm (2.5 in)	21°C (70°F)	76 mm (3 in)
Oct	6°C (43°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	16°C (61°F)	96 mm (3.8 in)
Nov	-0°C (32°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	11°C (52°F)	102 mm (4 in)
Dec	-5°C (23°F)	52 mm (2 in)	8°C (46°F)	72 mm (2.8 in)

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Moscow vs. Florence for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons