Should you visit Pisa or Bologna?
Should I visit Pisa or Bologna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Pisa
Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.
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 Pisa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pisa is €96, 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 Pisa and Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €96 in Pisa For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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
Food in Pisa costs travelers about €40 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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
Pisa €40
Bologna €32
Typical Food prices in Pisa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa
For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Special colorful dinner in Pisa with a local:
$67
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Streetfood tour in Pisa:
$87
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Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$101
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Dining experience at a local's home in Pisa with show cooking:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Pisa:
$111
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Traditional Home Hands on Cooking Class in Pisa:
$113
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Skip-the-Line Pisa Leaning Tower & Street Food Tour With Local Guide:
$128
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Pisa:
$162
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Pisa:
$180
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Market tour and lunch or dinner at a local's home in Pisa:
$180
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Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa:
$180
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Local market visit and private cooking class at a Cesarina's home in Pisa:
$267
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
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Pisa than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €8.77 on transportation in Pisa on average per day.
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 Pisa
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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From Livorno Cruise Port: Bus Transfer to Pisa and Lucca:
$33
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Private Airport Transfer: Pisa International Airport (PSA) to Pisa:
$36
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Private Airport Transfer: from Pisa to Pisa International Airport (PSA):
$36
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Private Transfer Pisa Airport (PSA) to Pisa Hotels:
$58
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Private Transfer Pisa Hotel to Pisa Airport(PSA):
$58
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Pisa Airport (PSA) - Florence / Private Arrival Van Transfer:
$70
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Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Vecchiano:
$78
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Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to San Giuliano Terme:
$78
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Pisa Airport private arrival transfer (Pisa Airport to Pisa City):
$83
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Pisa Airport private departure transfer (Pisa city hotels to Pisa Airport):
$83
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Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Calambrone:
$90
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Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Calci:
$90
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
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Private Transfer from Bologna to Pisa (PSA) Airport:
$626
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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 Firenze (FLR) Airport:
$514
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Bologna Departure Private Transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP in Luxury Van:
$458
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Bologna Departure Private Transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP in Business Car:
$416
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Arrival Private Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to San Marino by Business Car:
$344
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Bologna - Florence / Private Car Transfer:
$209
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Private Arrival transfer: Bologna airport to Siena hotel:
$199
Is it cheaper to fly into Pisa or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Pisa 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Pisa, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €16 per day, per person.
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 Pisa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
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The best of a sightseeing audio tour from Tuttomondo to the Leaning Tower:
$6.99
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Square of Miracles guided tour with Leaning Tower ticket (option):
$19
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Pisa Guided Walking Tour in Spanish and Italian:
$19
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Pisa Guided Walking Tour in Miracoli Square:
$20
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Adventure Park Il Pineto:
$25
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2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path:
$27
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Pisa all inclusive: Baptistery, Cathedral and Leaning Tower guided tour:
$37
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Best of Pisa guided tour with Leaning Tower tickets (option):
$41
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Half-Day Afternoon Tour from Florence:
$42
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Leaning Tower of Pisa Afternoon Tickets:
$44
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Best of Pisa Guided Tour including the Leaning Tower:
$54
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Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket:
$61
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 Pisa
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option):
$49
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Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa:
$107
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Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti (6 Hrs) + Lunch & Wine Tasting:
$174
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Small Group Pisa Day Trip to Siena and San Gimignano Including Wine Tasting:
$181
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Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti + Lunch & 2 Wine Tasting:
$224
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EXCLUSIVE Wine Tour in Chianti and Siena with Lunch & Wine Tasting included:
$249
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Full-Day Volterra San Gimignano Private Tour with Wine Tasting:
$249
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Pisa, Lucca and Wine tour:
$260
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 Pisa and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Pisa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pisa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pisa 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna than you might in Pisa.
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