Should you visit Venice 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 Venice and Pisa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Venice
The canals of Venice are one of the most popular and emulated destinations in the world. In it's hay day, Venice was at the center of politics, exploration, arts and architecture. Today that history is still very much alive and well. The city is unlike any other in the world. The best way to immerse yourself in Venice is to get yourself lost in the alleyways. It's actually quite easy to do and you'll find yourself stumbling into the most interesting places, hidden away from the crowds of Piazzo San Marco.
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 Venice?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Venice is €181, 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 Venice and Pisa in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around €186 in Venice For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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
The average traveler spends about €52 per day in Venice 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.
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.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Venice €52
Pisa €40
Typical Food prices in Venice
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Venice
For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Online Tiramisu Cooking Class With Italian Chef At Home:
$37
-
1 Hour Online Live Carbonara Cooking Class With Italian Chef:
$37
-
2.5-Hour Street Food Tour with a Local Guide:
$44
-
3-Hour Cooking Class at your Airbnb:
$47
-
Venice Food Tour of Typical Bacaros:
$48
-
Authentic Chicchetti & Amusing Tales Food Tour:
$51
-
Wine and Food Tour Near Venice's Jewish Quarter:
$56
-
The Bacaro of Food Tour with Wine & Appetizers:
$57
-
Private Family Food Tour:
$58
-
Venetian Dinner:
$59
-
Private Food Tour with 10 Tastings:
$65
-
Original Venetian Bacaro Dinner:
$67
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:
-
Special colorful dinner in Pisa with a local:
$67
-
Streetfood tour in Pisa:
$87
-
Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$101
-
Dining experience at a local's home in Pisa with show cooking:
$106
-
Small-group Street food tour in Pisa:
$111
-
Traditional Home Hands on Cooking Class in Pisa:
$113
-
Skip-the-Line Pisa Leaning Tower & Street Food Tour With Local Guide:
$128
-
Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Pisa:
$162
-
Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Pisa:
$180
-
Market tour and lunch or dinner at a local's home in Pisa:
$180
-
Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa:
$180
-
Local market visit and private cooking class at a Cesarina's home in Pisa:
$267
Local Transportation
Venice'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 €22 per person, per day on transportation in Venice.
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.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Venice
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Venice
Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Venice - Milan / Private Transfer + Water Taxi (up to 8 pass.):
$1,359
-
Venice - Milan / Private Transfer + Water Taxi (up to 3 pass.):
$1,214
-
Luxury / vip transfer Venice to Zagreb:
$1,158
-
Venice - Florence / Private Transfer + Water Taxi (up to 8 pass.):
$1,105
-
Private Transfer from Venezia to Firenze (FLR) Airport:
$1,091
-
Venice - Florence / Private Transfer + Water Taxi (up to 3 pass.):
$1,033
-
Private Transfer: Civitavecchia Port to Venice or vice versa:
$845
-
Private Transfer: Ciampino Airport (CIA) to Venice or vice versa:
$839
-
Luxury Private Transfer Between Siena and Venice:
$751
-
Gardaland full Day private transfers from Mestre area and viceversa up8pax:
$746
-
Venice - Verona / Private Transfer + Water Taxi (up to 8 pass.):
$707
-
Exclusive Private Transfer VCE M Polo Airport to Venice City Center 4Pax:
$691
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pisa
Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer from Pisa to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$1,291
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Roma:
$1,043
-
Private Transfer from Pisa to Bologna (BLQ) Airport:
$707
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Porrona:
$688
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Porto Santo Stefano:
$678
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Pienza:
$678
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Bologna:
$626
-
Private Transfer: Pisa to Pisa International Airport (PSA):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Pisa International Airport (PSA) to Pisa:
$622
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Lucignano:
$600
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Grosseto:
$560
-
Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Arezzo:
$560
Is it cheaper to fly into Venice or Pisa?
Prices for flights to both Pisa and Venice 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 Venice can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €80 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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.
Typical Entertainment prices in Venice
For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Venice Boat Ride
€15
-
Bell tower of St. Mark Entrance Fee
€8.00
-
Gondola Ride (for Group)
€80
-
Secret Itinerary Tour- Doge's Palace
€16
-
The Jewish Museum Admission
€3.00
-
The Glass Museum in Murano
€8.00
Tours and Activities in Venice
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.
-
'More, 'ndemo a bacari? - A food and wine experience (tour to Murano included):
$305
-
2-Hour Boat Tour with Grand Canal & Tower Climb:
$111
-
3 hour Venice walking tour:
$711
-
3-Days Private tour among Venice, Verona and Treviso with a Top Guide:
$1,493
-
3hours Venice walking tour:
$93
-
4-Hour Venetian Savors, Ghosts, and Legends Tour:
$82
-
8-Hour Prosecco Wine and Tastings Tour from Venice or Padua:
$205
-
90-Minute Walking Tour of Venice:
$30
-
A Perfect Day in Venice All-Inclusive Private Tour:
$821
-
A bit of Venetian art and architecture (free tour to Murano included):
$330
-
A day in the life of Venice - Private tour with a local:
$249
-
A full taste of Venice - the very best in one day (free tour to Murano included):
$1,400
Tours and Activities in Pisa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.
-
2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path:
$27
-
2.5-Hour Skip-the-Line Pisa and Leaning Tower Family Tour:
$239
-
Adventure Park Il Pineto:
$25
-
Best of Pisa Guided Tour including the Leaning Tower:
$54
-
Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket:
$61
-
Best of Pisa Private Walking Tour with local Food tasting AM or PM:
$139
-
Best of Pisa guided tour with Leaning Tower tickets (option):
$41
-
Chianti Lovers Tour- 2 Wineries and SuperTuscan Small Group from Pisa:
$160
-
Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa:
$208
-
From Cinque Terre Small Group Tour:
$170
-
From Small Group Tour to Cinque Terre:
$154
-
Full-Day Cinque Terre Tour from Pisa:
$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 Venice, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €19.
Typical Alcohol prices in Venice
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:
-
1/2 Liter Wine
€5.20
-
Beer
€4.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Venice
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:
-
Venice Wine Tasting Tour:
$30
-
Wine Tasting in Venice:
$34
-
Online Live Wine Tasting from Venice:
$37
-
Wine Tasting Tour in a Local Enoteca:
$54
-
Wine Tasting and Cicchetti:
$57
-
Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl:
$57
-
Private Tour: Food and Wine Tour in Venice:
$65
-
Venetian Style Carnival Pub Crawl:
$67
-
Venice 2-Hour Wine Tasting Tour:
$70
-
A Relaxing Evening at The Hot Springs (with wine tastings):
$75
-
Natural wine tasting with a Bacaro owner in Venice:
$76
-
Art and Wine Tour:
$79
Sample the Local Flavors in Pisa
Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option):
$49
-
Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa:
$107
-
Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti (6 Hrs) + Lunch & Wine Tasting:
$174
-
Small Group Pisa Day Trip to Siena and San Gimignano Including Wine Tasting:
$181
-
Ramble Through The Rolling Hills Of Chianti + Lunch & 2 Wine Tasting:
$224
-
EXCLUSIVE Wine Tour in Chianti and Siena with Lunch & Wine Tasting included:
$249
-
Full-Day Volterra San Gimignano Private Tour with Wine Tasting:
$249
-
Pisa, Lucca and Wine tour:
$260
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Venice and Pisa, we can see that Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice than you might in Pisa.
Related Articles for Venice
Related Articles for Pisa
