Which place is cheaper, Milan or Nagano?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nagano and Milan 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.
Nagano is a traditional, alpine, and scenic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, skiing, and nightlife.
Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than Nagano, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Milan is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Nagano is known for its skiing, resorts, and hiking. Nagano is more touristy than Milan and is known for its historic temples, beautiful mountain setting, and being the host of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. Milan is popular for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milan and Nagano. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Nagano is great for skiing. However, Milan is not a skiing destination.
Nagano draws a large crowd in the winter for its impressive snow skiing opportunities. The city hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and many of the skiing events were held at ski resorts in the area. In the Nagano Prefecture you'll find several ski resorts with some of the most popular being the Hakuba ski areas, Shiga Kogen, Nozawa Onsen, and Myoko Kogen.
Milan is not a skiing destination.
Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Nagano and Milan.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Nagano. The area is filled with history and there are many places to explore. Matsumoto Castle, the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine are just some of the highlights.
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.
Milan is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Many restaurants in Milan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.
Dining out in Nagano is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many of Japan's culinary favorites here like ramen, udon, sushi, and sashimi. There are also regional dishes and some comfort food like Tonkatsu and Oyaki Dumplings.
Milan is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
Milan is a must-see party destination. 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.
Nagano offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is varied, from local and intimate venues, to wild and crazy clubs. You'll find all styles and activities such that whatever you're looking for, the city likely won't disappoint.
Milan is terrific for its live music scene. However, Nagano is not a live music destination.
With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Milan. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.
Nagano is not a live music destination.
Nagano is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Milan is not a resort destination.
Nagano has a few great resort options. You'll find wonderful mountain resorts throughout the entire prefecture.
Milan is not a resort destination.
Milan is terrific for its old town. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.
Milan has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.
Nagano offers a nice historic old town area. Throughout the prefecture there is a lot of history and charming towns. If you're willing to get out of Nagano City, you can enjoy an area filled with tradition and culture. In particular, Tsumago-juku was the first preserved old town in Japan.
Nagano is great for hiking. However, Milan is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Nagano for the hiking trails. The surrounding area is filled with stunning scenery, natural beauty, and beautiful hikes. You'll find shrines and temples, historic villages, nice views, and peaceful walks throughout the region. One of the most unique walks is along the highest road in Japan, the Norikura Echo Line. The route is at 8,800 feet and is lined with ten meter high snow walls. It's open from from late April to the end of June every year.
Milan is not a hiking destination.
Milan is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Milan draws large crowds to its stores. 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.
Many visitors go to Nagano to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets that are fun to explore including the historic street of Naka-mise. This street is lined with tea shops, cafes, traditional stores, and more. While there aren't a huge number of shopping centers around town, Midori Nagano is one of the biggest.
Nagano 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 Nagano. Chibikko Ninja Village is a great place for kids with climbing walls, indoor playgrounds, and more. There are also a number of sports facilities around town, and you can keep the sport theme going with a visit to the Nagano Olympic Museum. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo and for little kids, the Nagano City Joyama Zoo is nice.
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.
Milan is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.
Milan is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.
Nagano is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a lot of history and beauty, making it a romantic destination for couples. There are also outdoor activities as well as a number of sports that you can enjoy.
Milan is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
Many backpackers visit Milan. 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.
Plenty of backpackers visit Nagano. There are several good hostels in the area, as well as some great activities for young travelers, backpackers, and sports enthusiasts.
Milan is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.
Milan is a very popular city for students. 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.
Nagano is a good city to visit for students. It's relative affordability combined with its close proximity to Tokyo and laid back populations make this a nice place to study.
Milan is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Milan can take you anywhere. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.
Nagano has a few public transit options. The main station in town is Nagano Station. There's a bus and train system through the area, including buses that run to Zenkoji Temple. There's also a bus that goes to the Togakushi area and takes about an hour. However, renting a car will give you more freedom and efficiency. .
Milan is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Nagano is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.
Milan is a very easy city to get around on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.
Nagano is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable and there are hiking trails around the Togakushi area, where you'll find many shrines and other attractions.
For even more information, also check out Is Nagano Worth Visiting? and Is Milan Worth Visiting?.
In either Nagano or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Nagano because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nagano, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.
Families should spend more time in Nagano than Milan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nagano, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Milan than Nagano. 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 Nagano 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.
In Nagano, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this scenic destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
Milan is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nagano. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Nagano is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Nagano. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Milan. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find museums and skiing around the traditional destination of Nagano. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the trendy big city of Milan. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $90, while the average daily cost in Milan is $178. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nagano and Milan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Nagano or Milan? 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.
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Milan:
Also for Milan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Milan and Nagano 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Milan:
For Milan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
For Milan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Milan.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Milan:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Milan:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nagano and Milan, we can see that Milan is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nagano 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 Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Nagano.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nagano Expensive? and Is Milan Expensive?.
Milan has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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.
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.
Both Milan and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Milan this time of year.
In the summer, Nagano is around the same temperature as Milan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nagano in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Milan averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Milan. Nagano usually receives less sunshine than Milan during summer. Nagano gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Nagano. In July, Nagano usually receives more rain than Milan. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Milan and Nagano during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nagano this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Milan for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Nagano is generally around the same temperature as Milan. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 16°C (60°F), and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
In the autumn, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Milan. Nagano gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.
Milan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in October than Milan. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Milan. Many travelers come to Nagano for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Milan in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Milan can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Nagano. Nagano is much colder than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In Nagano, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nagano usually receives more sunshine than Milan during winter. Nagano gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.
Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nagano usually receives more rain than Milan. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Milan. Many visitors come to Nagano in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Milan for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Nagano is cooler than Milan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nagano in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Milan averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Nagano often gets more sunshine than Milan. Nagano gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.
Nagano usually gets more rain in April than Milan. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Nagano | Milan | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 446 mm (17.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Feb | 2°C (36°F) | 275 mm (10.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
Mar | 5°C (40°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
May | 16°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 222 mm (8.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 227 mm (9 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
Nov | 10°C (50°F) | 339 mm (13.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 440 mm (17.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |