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.
