Siena duomo charge

Just back from a trip that included 6 nights in Siena. Yes, there is a charge to enter just the Duomo (and includes the Piccolomini Library.) Here's the official website, scroll down and you'll see the hours and cost. Besides visiting the Duomo, I walked by it several times, and never did notice much of a line to enter. If you happen to arrive when a bunch of tour groups do, you can always just sit in the Piazza and enjoy the Duomo's facade until the line subsides. I did not buy in advance, and had no wait either purchasing the ticket or entering. I did go later in the day, about 15:30 if memory serves.

Buses. The one I used (the fast bus) did depart/arrive in Piazza Gramsci, in Siena and not by the train station.

Yep. We were in Siena in October, 2016 and there is now an admission charge. I vaguely remember paying an extra fee to enter the Piccolomini Library.

Buon viaggio,

thank you both for your help!

Yes, I was just there and there was an admission charge. The duomo was not crowded (like Florence) so I think buying tickets day I’d would be fine.

Right now, the beautiful floors are exposed. Most of the year they are covered with carpet.

For bus from Firenze to Siena, the bus station in Firenze is next to the Firenze S.M.N train station, you can purchase round trip tickets there so when you return from Siena, you just jump on the bus instead of looking for the ticket office at Piazza Gramsci. Be sure you take the fast bus which is 131R, the bus will drop you off at Siena's Piazza Gramsci. Remember to validate the ticket on the bus or at the bus stop.

We were there in 2002 and paid an entry fee to the Siena Duomo.
Many churches charge entrance fees in Italy.

Ryan, the cathedral's' website says this:

https://operaduomo.siena.it/en/sites/cathedral/

The Cathedral is by definition the house that welcomes the Christian
community as it gathers together for liturgical celebrations, thus it
is always accessible to the faithful for private prayer via the
Porta del Perdono, the Gate of Forgiveness.

There is also a Pilgrim Card for Siena, which can be downloaded from the site, and which may demonstrate one's prayerful intent and provide chapel/church access (?) for the faithful following "in the footsteps of the Sienese saints and in the places associated with the city's devotion to Mary." See bottom of this page:

https://operaduomo.siena.it/en/visit/

Lastly, the Pilgrim Passport for via Francigena. I'm unsure exactly what it covers but some info here:
https://www.discovertuscany.com/itineraries-in-tuscany/via-francigena/passport-and-testimonium.html

Suki, interesting about "many" churches in Italy having entry fees. While some of them do, or charge fees to access certain sections, the majority we've been to so far have been free. That was particularly true in Rome. In such cases, a small contribution to the alms box is welcome. :O)