This guide covers the practical details for visiting Siena: which airports to fly into, how to get from Florence or Pisa to Siena, getting around the city, what to eat and drink, tipping customs, safety, and answers to common questions. Siena is a safe, walkable city where most practical difficulties come down to the steep hills and the limited-traffic zone if you are driving. See the {u_link(article_links.get(“stay”, SIENA_LINK + “/siena-where-to-stay/”), “where to stay in Siena guide”)} for accommodation recommendations across all budgets.
Siena Travel Tips: Getting to Siena , Airports & Transport
Siena does not have a commercial airport. The nearest airports are Florence Airport (FLR, 80km, about 1 hour by car) and Pisa International Airport (PSA, 120km, about 1.5 hours by car). Rome Fiumicino (FCO, 250km, 3 hours) and Bologna (BLQ, 180km, 2 hours) are alternatives for long-haul arrivals.
From Florence Airport (FLR)
Take the T2 tram from the airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella station (20 minutes, €1.70). From there, catch a train to Siena via Empoli (1.5 hours, €9.50) or the faster bus from the bus station next door (SITA Autostazione, 1 hour 15 minutes, €8.60). The bus is actually quicker than the train for this route and runs hourly.
From Pisa Airport (PSA)
Take the PisaMover shuttle from the airport to Pisa Centrale station (5 minutes, €5). Then a train to Empoli (30 minutes) and change for Siena (45 minutes), total journey about 1 hour 45 minutes, total fare around €15. Alternatively, rent a car and drive the FI-PI-LI highway (SGC Firenze-Pisa-Livorno) to Florence, then the RA3 to Siena.
Siena Travel Tips: Getting Around Siena
Siena’s historic centre is entirely walkable. The city walls enclose an area roughly 1.5km across, and you can walk from Porta Camollia in the north to Porta Romana in the south in about 25 minutes. The terrain is hilly , Siena is built on three ridges , so expect steep streets and stairs. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The climb from the train station up to the centre is about 150 metres of elevation gain and takes 20-25 minutes on foot.
Local buses (Siena Mobilità , formerly Tiemme) operate within the city. Single tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 70 minutes. Purchase at tabaccherie (tobacco shops with a black T sign), newsstands, or the bus station at Piazza Gramsci. Validate your ticket in the machine on board. Useful routes: Line 0 and Line 1 connect the train station to Piazza Gramsci. Lines 3, 9, and 10 also serve the city centre. The Pollicino (minibus) services navigate the narrowest streets of the centro storico.
Taxis wait at Piazza del Campo (south corner), Piazza Gramsci, and the train station. A taxi from the station to the centre costs €10-15. There is no Uber in Siena , only official taxis operate. Book ahead by phone at +39 0577 49222.
Siena Travel Tips: Driving & Parking
Do not drive into the historic centre. The entire area within the city walls is a ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) enforced by cameras 24/7. Entering without authorisation results in a fine of about €100 per violation. Hotels inside the ZTL can register your license plate for a one-time luggage drop-off, but you cannot park or drive freely. Park in the paid lots outside the walls: Parcheggio Il Campo (closest to Piazza del Campo, €25/day, pre-book at sienaparcheggi.com), Parcheggio Stadio/Fortezza (€15/day, near the football stadium), or Parcheggio San Francesco (€20/day). Free parking is available at Parcheggio Fagiolone near the train station, with a steep 20-minute walk uphill to the centre.
Siena Travel Tips: What to Eat & Drink
Sienese cuisine is distinct within Tuscany, known for hearty, rustic dishes. Must-try foods include: pici (thick hand-rolled spaghetti, typically served with cacio e pepe or aglione , a garlicky tomato sauce), ribollita (twice-boiled bread and vegetable soup), panforte (a dense spiced fruit and nut cake dating to the 13th century), and ricciarelli (soft almond-paste cookies dusted with powdered sugar). The local wines are Chianti Classico (Siena sits at the southern edge of the Chianti zone), Brunello di Montalcino (from 40km south, €30-60 per bottle in restaurants), and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (from 45km southeast). For coffee, do as the locals do: drink your espresso standing at the bar (€1.20) rather than sitting at a table (€3-5). Bar Pasticceria Nannini on Banchi di Sopra is a Sienese institution since 1910.
Siena Travel Tips: Tipping, Payments & Practicalities
Tipping in Siena follows Italian norms: not expected but appreciated for good service. In restaurants, a coperto (cover charge) of €1.50-3 per person is automatically added to the bill , this is not a tip, it covers bread and table service. Leave €1-2 per person for good service, or round up the bill. For taxis, round up to the nearest euro. For hotel porters, €1 per bag. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops, but some smaller businesses and market stalls are cash-only. Carry €50-100 in cash for small purchases. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Siena. You will find public water fountains (fontanelle) throughout the city, particularly along Via di Città and in Piazza del Campo.
Siena Travel Tips: Safety & Common Questions
Siena is a very safe city. Violent crime is extremely rare. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing in crowded areas (Piazza del Campo, the Palio, the bus from Florence) and traffic-related issues with the ZTL. Common sense applies: keep your wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag in crowds, do not leave valuables visible in a parked car, and be alert on crowded buses. The police emergency number is 112 (Carabinieri) or 113 (Polizia). The local hospital is Policlinico Santa Maria alle Scotte (Strada delle Scotte 14, +39 0577 585111), about 3km north of the centre.
Suggested Hotels in Siena
Grand Hotel Continental Siena
Siena’s only 5-star hotel, set in a 17th-century palazzo on the main shopping street a 3-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. Frescoed ceilings, antique furnishings, and a subterranean wine cellar. Best for luxury travellers and special occasions. {booking_link(“https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/grand-hotel-continental-siena.html”)}
Palazzo Ravizza
A historic 4-star hotel with private garden views over the Tuscan countryside, 5 minutes from Piazza del Campo. Family-run since 1922 with character, tranquillity, and a popular garden terrace. Best for couples and return visitors. {booking_link(“https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/palazzo-ravizza-siena.html”)}
Hotel Athena
Modern 4-star hotel with on-site parking garage just inside Porta San Marco, a 10-minute walk to the centre. Clean, functional rooms and a rooftop terrace with countryside views. Best for drivers and families who need parking and easy access. {booking_link(“https://www.booking.com/hotel/it/hotel-athena-siena.html”)}
