Should you visit Siena or Florence?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Siena and Florence can help you decide which place is right for you.
Siena
Located in Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that is about 70 kilometers south of Florence. One of its most famous events is the horse race, Il Palio, which occurs twice a year during the summer. The race puts a lot of emphasis on neighborhood pride and competition. It is a local tradition that is of great importance to the residence, so it is not an event that is held specifically for tourists. It dates back to the Medieval times and is associated with the area's religion, pageantry and rivalry. In addition to the city's strong neighborhood pride, rich history, and impressive architecture, Siena was also the home of many famous artists including Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.
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 Siena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Siena is €106, while the average daily cost in Florence is €120. 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 Siena and Florence in more detail.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
-
Private Transfer from Siena to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$962
-
Siena to Roma: Orvieto and Civita Bagnoregio Transfer Tour:
$933
-
Direct Transfer from Hotel in SIENA to Hotel in ROME:
$778
-
Private Siena to Florence Chianti and San Gimignano Transfer Tour:
$746
-
Private Transfer from Accommodation in SIENA to Accommodation in ROME:
$717
-
Private Transfer from Siena to Bologna (BLQ) Airport:
$694
-
Transfer Siena to/from Fiumicino FCO Airport optional Orvieto Stop:
$610
-
Private Departure Transfer: Siena Hotel to Milano Malpensa airport:
$532
-
Private Transfer: Siena Hotel to Milan Hotel:
$489
-
Private Transfer from Siena city centre to Pisa Airport:
$460
-
Private Transfer from Siena to Pisa (PSA) Airport:
$444
-
Private transfer: Siena Hotel to Venice:
$401
Typical Local Transportation prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Florence Hotel to Airport: Shared Departure Transfer (max 8 people):
$21
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Florence Hotels to Florence Airport:
$26
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Peretola Airport (FLR) to Florence City Center:
$30
-
Private Departure Transfer from Florence City Center to Peretola Airport (FLR):
$30
-
Private Departure Transfer: Florence Train Station:
$33
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Florence City to Amerigo Vespucci Airport:
$35
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Florence Peretola Airport FLR to Florence City:
$35
-
Private Departure Transfer from Florence City to Florence Peretola Airport FLR:
$35
-
Private Business Transfer from Florence City Center to Peretola Airport (FLR):
$36
-
Private Business Transfer from Peretola Airport (FLR) to Florence City Center:
$36
-
Private Airport Transfer: Florence Airport (FLR) to Florence:
$36
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Florence to Florence Airport (FLR):
$36
Is it cheaper to fly into Siena or Florence?
Prices for flights to both Florence and Siena 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
Siena €41
Florence €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
-
Siena Food Tour:
$62
-
Tuscan dinner amongst ancient olive trees for private groups:
$77
-
Siena Food Tour:
$93
-
Dinner in the Vineyards from Siena:
$93
-
Dining experience at a local's home in Siena with show cooking:
$106
-
Tuscan Cooking Class in Siena:
$111
-
Small-group Street food tour in Siena:
$111
-
Tuscan Cooking Class in Central Siena:
$127
-
Siena Food tour:
$127
-
Market Tour and Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home:
$158
-
Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Siena:
$162
-
Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Siena:
$180
Typical Food prices in Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
-
Panini Sandwich
€6.50
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)
€17
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
Tours and Activities in Siena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
-
2-Hour Walking Tour of Siena with a local:
$50
-
A private tour to discover San Galgano Abbey and Siena:
$373
-
Antinori Winery & Brolio's Castle: Private Tour:
$611
-
Best of Siena Guided Walking Tour:
$24
-
Brunello di Montalcino wine experience with a sommelier from Siena:
$336
-
Ceramic Experience Visit:
$6.39
-
Chianti and Castle Tour from Siena:
$87
-
Classic Walking Tour of Siena:
$187
-
Family tour: treasure hunt, Guccio and the long lost chalice:
$100
-
Firenze Uffizi Museum Ponte Vecchio Ferragamo and Leather Shop PRIVATE TOUR from Siena:
$256
-
First Time Siena Medieval Tuscany Private Half Day Tour:
$320
-
Florence: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti Experience:
$60
Typical Entertainment prices in Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Admission to Uffizi
€11
-
Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi
€4.00
-
Firenze Card (for Two)
€100
-
Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)
€20
-
Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee
€6.00
-
Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee
€7.00
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
-
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum Entrance Ticket:
$8.71
-
Florence Highlights Virtual Guided Tour (Times in EST):
$11
-
Reserved Entry Ticket to the Boboli Gardens:
$14
-
Florence Duomo Reserved Time Entrance Tickets:
$14
-
Florence Animal Art Treasure Hunt Family Tour:
$17
-
Skip the Line: Medici Chapels Ticket:
$19
-
Skip the Line: Florence Accademia Gallery and Michelangelo's David Ticket:
$24
-
Virtual Tour - Wine in Tuscany - History, art and curiosities... How to appreciate it:
$25
-
Accademia Gallery Fast-Track Ticket:
$26
-
Skip the Line: Palazzo Vecchio Museum Ticket with Tower & Battlement Access:
$26
-
Medici-Themed Bike Tour:
$26
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Siena
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
-
Total Immersion Wine Tour in Chianti:
$34
-
Chianti Wine Tasting and San Gimignano Day Trip from Siena:
$52
-
Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting:
$56
-
From Pienza and Montepulciano Wine Tour:
$68
-
Educational Wine Tour & Tasting:
$79
-
Half-Day Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tour from Siena:
$87
-
Wine Tour with Wine Tasting in Siena:
$89
-
Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tasting with Tuscan appetizer in ancient residence:
$92
-
Siena in 3 Wines: Exclusive Wine Tasting with an Expert & Food Pairing:
$136
-
Medieval Castles & Chianti Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch:
$170
-
Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti (6 Hrs) + Lunch & Wine Tasting:
$174
-
Small Group E-Bike Tour from Siena with Wine Tasting and Lunch:
$187
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
€4.20
-
Bottle of Wine
€7.50
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
When comparing the travel costs between Siena and Florence, we can see that Florence is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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