Which city is cheaper, Lake Garda or Milan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Milan vs. Lake Garda for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Milan or Lake Garda?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Milan and Lake Garda can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Milan or Lake Garda?
Milan
Milan, known to most of the world as the capital of fashion and style, is also the heart of Italian industry and economics. Between the stock exchange, cathedrals and boutiques, this metropolis is a city-lover's dream come true. It is an escape from the stresses of the real world, and provides a playground for all the world's most lavish luxuries.
Lake Garda
As a gentle Mediterranean wind touches your skin, the aromatic fragrances of olive and lemon trees fill the air. Surrounded by lush gardens and Italian architecture in its ancient tans and beiges, you look to the horizon and find a paradise before your eyes: a shimmering lake, misty mountaintops, and a clear blue sky. Lake Garda is a popular holiday destination for locals of the Lombardy region and tourists alike. It has been shown that about 7% of Italy's tourists head straight for these gleaming blue shores. The largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is located about halfway in between Brescia and Verona and between Venezia and Milano. Because it is surrounded by several different districts - Lombardy, Trentino, Alto, and the Veneto - Lake Garda is a culmination of culture that attracts cosmopolitan crowds. The lake is an ancient natural treasure Italy holds dear, with documents referring to Lake Garda dating as far back as the eighteenth century. The name "Garda" comes from the Germanic word "warda," which means "place of guard." Whether you are staying at one of the many luxurious resorts in Riva del Garda or are simply getting a pedicure in spa town Sirmione, Lake Garda continues to preserve its elegance and sophistication throughout the years.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMilan €133Lake Garda €133
The average daily cost (per person) in Milan is €133, while the average daily cost in Lake Garda is €133. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Milan and Lake Garda in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMilan €76Lake Garda €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMilan €152Lake Garda €134
Compare Hotels in Milan and Lake Garda
Looking for a hotel in Milan or Lake Garda? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Milan Hotel Prices and Lake Garda Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Milan €28Lake Garda €53
Typical Local Transportation prices in Milan
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Milan:
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Train to Airport€7.00
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Malpensa Airport Train (for Two)€22
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Taxi From Airport€90
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Public Transit Day Pass€4.50
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Short Taxi Ride€7.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milan
Also for Milan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Ultra - Milan private transfer from train station to Milan city centre: $9.41
- Ultra - Milan Private Airport Transfer from city centre to Milan train station: $9.41
- Ultra - Milan Private Airport Transfer from city Milan centre to Malpensa (MXP): $9.41
- Transfer to all northern airports italy tour lakes: $265
- Transfer Milano to Florence: $342
- Transfer Milano To Rome: $498
- Taxi Transfer Malpensa Airport or Milan City ⇔ Zermatt both ways: $1,151
- Round Trip Malpensa Airport (MXP) Transfer to Milan City Center: $135
- Round Trip Linate Airport (LIN) Transfer to Milan City Center: $79
- Private transfer: Milan Hotel to Siena Hotel: $489
- Private transfer: Milan Hotel to Florence Hotel: $416
- Private transfer from Milan to Turin with Hotel pick-up and drop off: $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Milan or Lake Garda?
Prices for flights to both Lake Garda and Milan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMilan €31Lake Garda €33
Typical Food prices in Milan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Milan:
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Snack at Train Station€8.60
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Restaurant Pizza€6.60
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Casual Cafe Lunch (for Two)€27
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)€64
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Cappuccino€1.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milan
For Milan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Evening Food Tour: $90
- Dining experience at a local's home in Milan with show cooking: $106
- Food Tour of Brera: $110
- Small-group Street food tour in Milan: $111
- Pizza and Gelato-Making Class: $112
- Gourmet Food Tour: $113
- Private Italian cooking class & lunch in the woods outside Milan: $118
- 3.5-Hour Traditional and Modern Food Tour: $130
- Central Market Tour and Cooking Class: $135
- Market Tour and Lunch or Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $158
- Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Milan: $162
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Milan: $180
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lake Garda Private Home Cooking Class: $164
- Lake Garda Market Tour and Home Cooking Class: $214
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Milan €25Lake Garda €24
Typical Entertainment prices in Milan
For Milan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Stairs to Duomo Rooftop€7.00
Tours and Activities in Milan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Milan.
- 1.5-Hour Milan Segway Tour: $68
- 2-Hour Milan by night walking tour: $75
- 2-Hours Milan Segway Tour with Brera and skyline: $87
- 2-Night Garda Lake and Verona Tour from Milan or Venice: $866
- 3 Hours Milan Walking Tour: Leonardo Da Vinci and Renaissance: $149
- 3-Hour Milan Private Segway Tour: $95
- 5-Night Milan Verona and Venice Tour: $1,646
- Bagatti Valsecchi Museum Ticket Entrance: $14
- Bernina & St.Moritz Day Tour from Milan: $146
- Bernina express private tour: $596
- Best Street Food Walking Tour: $90
- Best of PRIVATE walking tour: $149
Tours and Activities in Lake Garda
For Lake Garda, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Tignale: Drena Canyoning Tour for Beginners: $75
- From Verona: Sirmione and Lake Garda Small Group Tour: $85
- Full-Day Lake Garda Tour: Bus & Public Boat with Guide: $68
- 1-Day Private Hiking Experience: $147
- Dining Experience at a Local's Home: $96
- Family Friendly Canyoning Tour: $62
- Sirmione: Walking and Speedboat Tour: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMilan €19Lake Garda €15
Typical Alcohol prices in Milan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Milan:
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Cocktail at a Bar€8.40
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Beer€3.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Milan
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Milan:
- Wine Tasting Experience in the City Centre: $41
- Wine Tastings with Chef Luigi Gandola: $93
- From Wine Tasting Tour in the Countryside: $101
- Food and Wine Tasting enjoying the New Milan: $127
- Milan Countryside and Wine tasting Tour: $148
- Wine Tour Barolo from Milan: $243
- Day trip from Valtellina and wine tasting - private tour: $603
- Food & Wine Tour on Lake Orta from Milan - Private Tour: $695
- Wine Tour in Franciacorta from Milan: $821
Sample the Local Flavors in Lake Garda
Also in Lake Garda, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Valpolicella from Lake Garda: $112
- Lugana Wine Tour With Private Panoramic Boat on Lake Garda: $675
When comparing the travel costs between Milan and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
When is the best time to visit Milan or Lake Garda?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Milan or Lake Garda in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Milan and Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Milan is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Temperatures in Milan average around 23°C (73°F), and Lake Garda stays around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lake Garda this time of the year. In Milan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Milan usually receives less sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Milan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Milan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lake Garda. Milan gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMilan 23°C (73°F)Lake Garda 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Milan or Lake Garda in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Milan as well as Lake Garda. Many visitors come to Milan in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Milan is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the autumn. The temperature in Milan is usually 15°C (58°F) in October, and Lake Garda stays around 14°C (57°F).
In the autumn, Milan often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Milan gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.
Milan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Milan usually gets more rain in October than Lake Garda. Milan gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMilan 15°C (58°F)Lake Garda 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Milan or Lake Garda in the Winter?
Both Lake Garda and Milan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Lake Garda can be very cold. Milan can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Milan is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Milan in January are around 5°C (41°F), and Lake Garda is about 2°C (36°F).
Milan usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Milan gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Milan usually receives more rain than Lake Garda. Milan gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMilan 5°C (41°F)Lake Garda 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Milan or Lake Garda in the Spring?
Both Lake Garda and Milan during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Milan because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Milan is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Temperatures in Milan average around 13°C (55°F), and Lake Garda stays around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Milan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lake Garda. Milan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.
Milan usually gets more rain in April than Lake Garda. Milan gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMilan 13°C (55°F)Lake Garda 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Milan
| Milan | Lake Garda | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
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