Should you visit Positano or Bologna?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Positano and Bologna. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Positano
Located on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy, Positano is a very scenic town that offers spectacular coastal views. The town sits on the edge of a hill and flows down toward the sea. Because of its dramatic beauty, Positano attracts thousands of visitors year around.
The town dates back to medieval times when it was a port for the Amalfi Republic. It thrived throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but by the mid-nineteenth century its prosperity was falling. During those times more than half of the population left, migrating predominantly to America. During the 1950s the town gained popularity as a tourist destination, in part because of John Steinbeck's essay about the area in Harper's Bazaar (May, 1953).
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 Positano?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Positano is €180, 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 Positano and Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Positano, €240 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Positano, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €120, such as in a hostel.
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
Positano food costs typically run travelers around €42 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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
Positano €42
Bologna €32
Typical Food prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Positano:
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
€31
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Pizza in a Restaurant
€9.32
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Sandwich in a Restaurant
€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Positano
For Positano, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Positano for Foodies- The authentic food tour in Town:
$106
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Dining experience at a local's home in Positano & cooking demo:
$106
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Dining experience at a local's home in Positano with show cooking:
$106
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Small-group Street food tour in Positano:
$111
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Market tour and lunch or dinner at a local's home in Positano:
$173
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a local's home with tasting in Positano:
$180
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Private cooking class at a local's home with tasting in Positano:
$180
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Local market visit and private cooking class at a local's home in Positano:
$235
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Vico Equense: Market Tour, Home Cooking Class, and Dinner:
$240
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Exclusive hands-on cooking class with a local in Positano:
$372
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
Positano'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 €6.19 per person, per day on transportation in Positano.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €16 per day to get around in Bologna.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Positano
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Positano:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Positano
Also for Positano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Positano Private Transfer to Sorrento, Rome or Naples:
$22
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Positano – Sorrento / Private Van Transfer:
$29
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Private Transfer: From Positano to Sorrento with hotel pick-up and drop-off:
$42
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Positano – Sorrento / Private Car Transfer:
$44
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Positano - Napoli Airport (NAP) / Private Departure Van Transfer:
$56
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Sorrento Coast - Positano Private Transfer:
$77
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Private Transfer from Positano to Naples, Door-to-Door, English-speaking driver:
$82
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Private Transfer: From Positano (hotel) to Naples (hotel-airport-train station):
$83
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Positano or Ravello to Naples Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$83
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Private transfer from Naples to positano or reverse:
$91
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Private transfer from Positano to Naples or Salerno:
$93
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private transfer from Positano to Naples:
$93
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 Positano or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Positano 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, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Positano can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €48 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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.
Typical Entertainment prices in Positano
For Positano, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Positano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Positano.
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Path of the Gods Guided Walking Tour:
$44
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Positano Walking tour:
$50
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From Amalfi and Ravello Tour:
$56
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Half-Day Ancient Pompeii Tour from Amalfi Coast:
$56
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Half Day Herculaneum Guided Tour from Amalfi Coast:
$56
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Sorrento & Amalfi Drive guided tour from Amalfi Coast - small group tour:
$62
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Pompeii and Vesuvius guided group tour from Amalfi Coast:
$65
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Napoli: Historic and Panoramic Amalfi Coast Tour:
$78
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Small Group Tour to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello with Lunch:
$81
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Pompeii and Herculaneum group tour from Amalfi Coast:
$81
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Amalfi Coast: Path of the Gods Private Walking Tour:
$88
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Naples: Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello Tour on a Luxury Bus:
$95
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
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Positano, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €12.
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.
Typical Alcohol prices in Positano
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Positano:
Sample the Local Flavors in Positano
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Positano:
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Pompeii & Vesuvius Wine Tour from Amalfi Coast - small group tour:
$162
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Pompeii,Vesuvius with Lunch & wine tasting from Positano all inclusive:
$260
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Private Irpinia Wine Tour from Positano, Amalfi or Ravello with Sommelier:
$301
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Pompeii-Vesuvius-Wine Tasting tour with licensed guide included:
$373
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Paestum Temples+Bufala Mozzarella Farm+Wine tasting in Cilento (from Positano):
$809
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 Positano and Bologna, we can see that Positano 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano than you might in Bologna.
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