Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Siena

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Shared dormitories in hostels, budget guesthouses, or rooms in family-run establishments outside the historic center

Food & Dining

$20-45 per day

Local pizzerias, sandwich shops, grocery stores for self-catering, aperitivo buffets, and casual trattorias

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Walking within the historic center, local buses for longer distances, occasional taxi for luggage transport

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free walking tours, church visits, public squares exploration, occasional museum entry, self-guided activities

Stay outside the historic center walls and walk in daily - typically saves 30-50% on accommodation costs

Take advantage of aperitivo hours (6-8pm) where bars offer free buffets with drink purchase, replacing dinner for 60-70% savings

Buy groceries and picnic supplies for lunch instead of restaurant meals - saves approximately 50-60% on midday dining

Walk everywhere within Siena's compact historic center instead of taking taxis - saves $15-25 daily on transportation

Visit churches and public squares for free cultural experiences instead of paid attractions - many offer equal historical value

Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance for 20-35% discounts, especially during peak season

Eat lunch at local establishments away from Piazza del Campo where prices are typically 40-60% lower

Staying directly on Piazza del Campo or main tourist streets - premium location markup of 100-200% for accommodation

Dining exclusively in restaurants around major tourist attractions where prices are typically 80-150% higher than local areas

Taking taxis for short distances within the historic center instead of walking - costs 10-15x more for journeys under 1km

Booking last-minute accommodation during Palio season (July/August) when prices surge 200-400% above normal rates