A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Milan for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Milan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a modern, welcoming, and friendly city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Milan

Milan is a cultural, trendy, and chic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Kuala Lumpur and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Milan than Kuala Lumpur, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Milan is better known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Kuala Lumpur is more popular for its museums. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Milan and is known for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. Milan is well known for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. Also, Milan is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milan and Kuala Lumpur. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kuala Lumpur has many famous sights for visitors. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

Is the Food Better in Kuala Lumpur or Milan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Kuala Lumpur and Milan both to be fantastic destinations.

Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

For foodies, Milan is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Milan just to party. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Kuala Lumpur is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Music?

Milan is a world-class destination for live music. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Milan is known as a music capital around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Milan is a world-class destination for its historic old town. However, Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Milan is revered around the world. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Shoppers can find a variety of fantastic stores in both Kuala Lumpur and Milan.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Kuala Lumpur. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

The abundance of shops in Milan make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Families?

Kuala Lumpur is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kuala Lumpur. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur and Milan both very good destinations for a couple.

Kuala Lumpur makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

Couples visit Milan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur and Milan are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Kuala Lumpur is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

Milan is a great city to visit for backpackers. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Students?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Milan are fantastic destinations for students.

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Many students frequent Milan. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find fantastic public transit in both Kuala Lumpur and Milan.

With a huge network, the transit system in Kuala Lumpur can get you around easily. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

Visitors in Milan can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Milan. In particular, the city center is walkable.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable city. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

In either Kuala Lumpur or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Milan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Milan than Kuala Lumpur. However, 1-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than Milan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kuala Lumpur, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Milan than Kuala Lumpur. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Milan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Kuala Lumpur if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Milan.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Each neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Milan, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this chic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Milan is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Kuala Lumpur is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Milan, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this trendy big city offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the modern big city of Kuala Lumpur. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Milan is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Milan, we can see that Milan is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Milan is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Milan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milan than you might in Kuala Lumpur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Milan Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Milan. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Milan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Milan?

Milan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Milan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Milan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Milan because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milan this time of the year. In Kuala Lumpur, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Milan during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Milan. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Milan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Milan. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Milan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Milan. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Milan. Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Milan. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Milan. In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Milan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Milan averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Milan during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Milan. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Milan in the Spring?

Both Milan and Kuala Lumpur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Milan in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets more sunshine than Milan. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Milan. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Kuala Lumpur