If you're in the midst of planning your next global travel escapade and thinking of venturing to Northern Italy, Milan is probably one of the places you've considered visiting. And if you've never been, you may be wondering: is Milan expensive to visit? Or is Milan a cheap vacation?
Within this post, I'll be answering these questions and explaining what you can expect to spend on a vacation in Milan based on my experiences in the Italian city! So without further ado...
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Milan is renowned for its unparalleled high fashion, mesmerizing architecture, and of course, insanely good Italian food! So, it's easy to assume that this city is going to be pretty expensive to visit...
The truth is that it depends. Personally, I found that some aspects of my trip to Milan were super expensive while others were fairly affordable.
However, on the whole, compared to places in neighboring countries to the east, like Croatia and Slovenia, Milan is definitely more expensive to visit. You should expect to pay 3 times as much in Milan compared to places in Eastern Europe.
Or, if you're evaluating Milan against places in Western Europe, such as Monaco, Zurich, and Paris, Milan is generally more affordable. That said, the three previously mentioned cities literally top the list of the most expensive places to visit in Europe...
With regards to the Scandinavian region, just about any place is going to be cheaper than cities like Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. Literally, I was flabbergasted by how much a little smørrebrød costs.
And if you have no idea what smørrebrød is...they are little open-face sandwiches, made out of hearty bread and topped with some cold-cut meats or fish, cheese, and garnishes.
The price? like $22 - $33 USD (?20- ?30 // £18 - £27) ??. Yeah -- it's painfully expensive no matter how you try to spin it.
Anyways, the takeaway is that Milan is not the most expensive place to visit in Europe. But, it will likely do a fair bit of damage to your bank account.
Considering what I just wrote, you might be thinking, "How expensive is Milan?" because these comparisons don't mean anything if you haven't been to the countries I've referenced. Plus, they do little for creating a working travel budget.
The answer is that it's going to depend a bit on where you're traveling from and comparing the costs.
When I first visited, Milan felt so expensive because I was your stereotypical broke college student traveling on the tightest of budgets.
Now, after traveling to so many other expensive places, it doesn't seem nearly as expensive as other places.
Even if you don't want to shop, you can appreciate the grandeur of the interior of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II!
But, I know we all hate the answer I just gave.
Thus, to give you a better idea of costs and exactly how expensive Milan is, I'll be breaking down the average prices you can expect to pay, referencing amounts I paid, and giving you tangible numbers to work with.
This way, you can create a budget that matches your financial situation and hopefully find a way to visit the city!
Oh, and for people trying to save money, I'll be throwing in some good recommendations and tips as well.
Prices for accommodation in Milan are weird. If you're looking for cheap housing or considering staying at a youth hostel, prices will seem expensive compared to most other places in Europe.
I mean, I paid $40-50 USD per night for my hostel in Milan. Meanwhile, I paid $22 USD per night at my hostel in Stockholm, and Stockholm is known for being a pretty expensive city.
That said, if you're looking to stay at a nicer place, then you can find some pretty fancy 4 and 5-star hotels in Milan that are relatively affordable, at least by Paris and Switzerland standards.
I can't tell you why low-cost housing in Milan is generally more expensive, but my guess for the pricing on 4 or 5-star hotels is because there are over 1,400 places to choose from.
And, with the abundance of options available, there is a lot of competition, which helps keep prices in check. Needless to say, it's a bit of a strange situation...
?? Money-Saving Tip: I would consider going on VRBO and finding a local place to stay if you're traveling with friends on a budget. This can often be a cheaper option than youth hostels. Or, if you're solo-traveling consider Couchsurfing!
The Brera Neighborhood has lots of great food shops!
In terms of specific numbers, below are amounts you can generally expect to pay depending on the type of housing you opt for.
Youth hostels in Milan typically cost about $44 - $60 USD during non-peak seasons. However, they are pretty expensive by hostel standards during the summer.
The one I had a lovely experience at and wholeheartedly recommend is Ostello Bello Grande. It's centrally located, well-organized, clean, comfortable, and has a fantastic social atmosphere.
A nice 3-star hotel in Milan generally cost $100 - $200 USD per night, but there are some that cost nearly $400 USD... crazy I know. Good thing you have LOTS of options.
Highly-rated 4-star hotels are in the $250 - $300 USD per night range. But, you can usually find a couple of hotels offering deals that bring the amount close to the price of 3-star hotel stays!
And of course, a stay at an opulent 5-star hotel in Milan can range from $500 - $2,200 USD per night.
???? NOTE: Please keep in mind, these prices are during non-peak travel seasons. During the summer & December/January, prices increase dramatically. You can end up paying 2x as much if not more compared to other times of the year.
The iconic Duomo di Milano Cathedral should not be missed!
Should you need some recommendations for housing accommodations in Milan, here are my top picks. These are all centrally located.
Honestly, I didn't think the tourist attractions in Milan were expensive. Most of the popular things to do in the city either cost $20 USD or less or are completely free! So, it's not too bad.
For example, the most popular attraction is the stunning Duomo di Milano Cathedral, which is a quintessential example of Gothic architecture. Tickets to go inside and walk around on the rooftop cost $20 USD. With no time limit, you can easily get your money's worth!
Another popular attraction is the Sforza Castle, which dates back to the 15th century. It includes three museums, and contains lots of famous works of art! But, what I really enjoyed is the architecture and expansive grounds, which are free to admire!
Left picture: Kristin at the Navigli during the day | Right Picture: The Navigli at sunset!
Other free things to do in Milan include visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery (location) and Navigli district.
Obviously, if you want a coffee or souvenir, you'll have to pay. But, I just went inside to look around and then left after like 10 minutes lol.
As for the Navigli district (location), this area is a great spot to visit during the day and an even better spot for grabbing food in the evening. At night, the area comes alive!
All in all, tourist attractions in Milan tend to be on the more affordable side. For a 3-day trip, you can likely get away with spending $30 - $50 USD on Milan tourist attractions.
Of course, if you're after some more immersive experiences, like checking out the amazing culinary scene or delving into the historical side of the city, you can pay to take a tour. Below are two tours I recommend checking out.
? ?? Check out this highly-rated and wildly popular walking food tour through Milan
? Check rates & availability for this walking tour that takes you to Milan's top highlights, including Da Vinci's Last Supper!
So, this is where I have beef with Milan ??. The food in Milan is 9 times out of 10, going to be expensive compared to food in Bilbao, Spain, or a meal in Nice, France. Heck, I found food in Milan to be more expensive than the food in Monaco. ??
Like I was so incredibly frustrated trying to find places that offered an entree that wasn't a salad for less than ?20.
Sure, there were some sandwich places and gelato shops, but if you're looking for something more substantial, you're probably going to shell out a few pretty pennies.
Look, it may not look the most appetizing, but the pasta is SO GOOD... and expensive ??
According to official data, your average meal in Milan costs $22 USD (?20).
This definitely checks out because looking back on my expenses sheet, I typically paid $25 - $27.50 USD (?23 - ?25) for a meal in Milan and that's not including drinks!
I know I just complained about how expensive a meal in Milan is... But, the one exception is the price of pizza in Milan.
You can indulge in some of the most delicious pizzas of your life for ?10 - ?20. Naturally, prices vary depending on how extravagant you decide to be with your toppings and sauces, but seriously, I died and went to heaven every time I ate pizza in Milan.
Sometimes, I found myself contemplating getting a wood-fired pizza oven in the future just so I can live out my Italian pizza dreams from the comfort of my home. ??
Milan is a pretty big and crowded city with tons of little winding streets. Thus, you'll likely want to take advantage of their efficient public transportation network to save time and energy.
Luckily, tickets aren't too expensive. A single-ride metro ticket costs $2.50 USD and is good for a 90-minute period. But, if you're staying in the city for a few days, you can also opt to buy a little carnet of 10 tickets for like $22 USD or a travel card that provides unlimited rides for 1, 2, or 3 days.
No matter what you choose, you can purchase your tickets from the machines within each metro station.
One of the adorable trams running through the streets of Milan
Also, it's worth noting that there are only 5 metro lines in Milan. This makes it similar to Montreal's metro network in that both cities have a less extensive than the Paris metro network, which makes them easier to navigate.
Other forms of public transport in Milan include the bus and tram, but I honestly just relied on the metro system.
Is Milan Worth Visiting?
I won't lie -- Milan is not my favorite city in Europe due to the lack of things to do that aligned with my personal interests. That said, I can say this with 20/20 hindsight and did find a lot of beauty in the city.
So, if you've never been, then yes -- I'd say it's worth visiting at least once. But, if you're doing a long Europe trip and debating whether or not to add Milan or are stressing out because getting to Milan is a hassle, I personally would skip it.
What Are Things to Do in Milan?
Aside from what I've mentioned above, other things to do in Milan include visiting Leonardo Da Vinci's iconic art piece, Last Supper, and checking out the Duomo Museum, which is very close to the Duomo Cathedral.
Or, if you're like me and get overwhelmed by big city environments and prefer smaller villages and being surrounded by the great outdoors... consider a day trip. Lake Como and Bellagio are two of the more popular places for day trips from Milan.
Is Milan Expensive for Shopping?
Compared to places in Europe, Milan is VERY expensive for shopping. I always say that Milan is the Italian equivalent of Paris because of the sheer number of designer stores you'll see, especially at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
That said, tourists from the United States can technically save money on at designer stores with VAT refunds. You just need to fill out a form, get it stamped, and then wait for your money to be refunded.
Can You Travel to Milan on a Budget?
Yes -- You can absolutely travel to Milan on a budget. The biggest expense will probably be food, but if you're willing to walk for about 20 minutes from the super touristy areas, you'll find more reasonable prices for food.
Is Milan or Rome Cheaper?
Without a doubt, Rome is cheaper than Milan! So, if you're traveling on a tighter budget and looking to experience that alluring Italian charm, I would pick Rome over Milan!
Left picture: Kristin with her friend in Rome! | Right picture: Kristin on top of the Duomo!
To wrap up, Milan is generally a more expensive place to visit in comparison to other places around Europe.
However, it isn't necessarily the most expensive destination *ahem Paris*
And with Milan's relatively affordable tourist attractions, effective public transportation network, and a wide array of housing options, you can certainly visit even if you're a broke college student like I was!
So, if you're craving a unique cultural experience in one of the most stylish and glamorous cities in Europe, Milan is definitely worth checking out -- at least once!
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