Should you visit Siena or Pisa?
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 Pisa 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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Pisa 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 Pisa is €96. 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 Siena and Pisa in more detail.
Accommodation
Siena's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is €112. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is €56.
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.
Food
While meal prices in Siena can vary, the average travelers spends about €41 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Siena should cost around €16 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Siena is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Siena €41
Pisa €40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
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Siena Food Tour:
$62
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Tuscan dinner amongst ancient olive trees for private groups:
$77
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Siena Food Tour:
$93
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Dinner in the Vineyards from Siena:
$93
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Dining experience at a local's home in Siena with show cooking:
$106
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Tuscan Cooking Class in Siena:
$111
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Small-group Street food tour in Siena:
$111
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Tuscan Cooking Class in Central Siena:
$127
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Siena Food tour:
$127
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Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Siena:
$162
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Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Siena:
$180
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Private cooking class at a local's home with tasting in Siena:
$180
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
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Siena is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €16 per person, per day, on local transportation in Siena.
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.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
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Private Transfer from Siena to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$962
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Siena to Roma: Orvieto and Civita Bagnoregio Transfer Tour:
$933
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Private Transfer to and from Lake Como:
$907
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Direct Transfer from Hotel in SIENA to Hotel in ROME:
$778
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Private Siena to Florence Chianti and San Gimignano Transfer Tour:
$746
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Siena to Milan Malpensa Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer:
$721
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Private Transfer from Accommodation in SIENA to Accommodation in ROME:
$717
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Private Transfer from Siena to Bologna (BLQ) Airport:
$694
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Transfer Siena to/from Fiumicino FCO Airport optional Orvieto Stop:
$610
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Private One-Way Transfer between Siena and Portofino:
$563
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Siena to Cinque Terre 1-Way Private Transfer:
$563
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Private Departure Transfer: Siena Hotel to Milano Malpensa airport:
$532
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Siena or Pisa?
Prices for flights to both Pisa 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Siena typically cost an average of €3.00 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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.
Tours and Activities in Siena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
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2-Hour Walking Tour of Siena with a local:
$50
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A private tour to discover San Galgano Abbey and Siena:
$373
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Best of Siena Guided Walking Tour:
$24
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Brunello di Montalcino wine experience with a sommelier from Siena:
$336
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Ceramic Experience Visit:
$6.39
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Chianti and Castle Tour from Siena:
$87
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Classic Walking Tour of Siena:
$187
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Family tour: treasure hunt, Guccio and the long lost chalice:
$100
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Ferrari Tour and Eataly World from Siena:
$143
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Firenze Uffizi Museum Ponte Vecchio Ferragamo and Leather Shop PRIVATE TOUR from Siena:
$256
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First Time Siena Medieval Tuscany Private Half Day Tour:
$320
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From Chianti and Castle Tour by Minivan:
$73
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
Alcohol
The average person spends about €1.75 on alcoholic beverages in Siena per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Siena
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
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Chianti Wine Tasting and San Gimignano Day Trip from Siena:
$52
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Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting:
$56
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From Pienza and Montepulciano Wine Tour:
$68
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Educational Wine Tour & Tasting:
$78
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Half-Day Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tour from Siena:
$87
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Wine Tour with Wine Tasting in Siena:
$89
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Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tasting with Tuscan appetizer in ancient residence:
$92
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From San Gimignano, Montalcino & Wine Tasting:
$119
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Siena in 3 Wines: Exclusive Wine Tasting with an Expert & Food Pairing:
$136
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Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti (6 Hrs) + Lunch & Wine Tasting:
$174
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Small Group E-Bike Tour from Siena with Wine Tasting and Lunch:
$187
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Chianti & Vernaccia wine tour from Siena:
$187
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
When comparing the travel costs between Siena and Pisa, we can see that Siena 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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