Daily costs per person in euros. Siena is cheaper than Florence and Rome but still firmly Italian pricing — budget travellers can manage with picnics and free churches, while foodies and wine lovers will want to spend more.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: EUR (Euro) (Cards widely accepted, cash for small shops)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €20–40 | €50–90 | €120+ | Hostel → B&B → boutique hotel |
| Food | €15–25 | €30–50 | €70+ | Picnic/bar food → trattoria → restaurant |
| Transport | €3–8 | €10–25 | €40+ | Walking/bus → bus day trips → rental car |
| Activities | €10–20 | €25–50 | €70+ | Churches → museum passes → cooking class + wine tour |
| Wine & Drinks | €5–10 | €12–25 | €35+ | House wine → enoteca tastings → premium bottles |
| Daily Total | €50–80 | €100–200 | €300+ | Budget traveller → comfortable mid → luxury |
Money-saving tips
Eat standing at the bar
Italian bar culture means coffee and pastries cost 50–70% less when consumed standing at the counter versus sitting at a table. An espresso is €1.20 standing versus €3–4 seated at a piazza cafe.
Picnic in the piazza
Buy bread (€1–2), cheese (€3–5), salami (€3–5), and a bottle of wine (€5–10) from an alimentari shop and picnic in Piazza del Campo — a gourmet meal for under €15 per person.
Stay outside the walls
Accommodation within Siena's medieval walls is expensive — €80+ for basic rooms. B&Bs and agriturismos 5–10 minutes outside the walls offer double rooms from €40–60 with parking and countryside views.
Use combo museum tickets
The OPA SI Pass (€15) covers all cathedral sites. The Museo Civico + Torre combo saves €5. Always check for combined tickets before buying individual entries.
Take buses not taxis
SITA buses connect Siena to Florence (€8), San Gimignano (€6), and other Tuscan towns at a fraction of taxi or tour costs. Buy tickets at tabacchi shops before boarding.
Drink house wine
House wine (vino della casa) at trattorias costs €6–10 per half litre and is almost always excellent Chianti. Ordering by the bottle from the wine list can cost €20–40 for a similar quality.
