Which place is cheaper, Milan or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome 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.
Rome is a ancient, archeological, and bustling city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.
Milan is a chic, cultural, and trendy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Rome than Milan. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Rome is very popular for its museums, while Milan attracts visitors for its historical sights. Rome is more touristy than Milan and is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also well known for The Colosseum. Milan is famous for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milan and Rome. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Rome 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, Rome has many famous sights for visitors. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
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.
Dining out at restaurants in both Rome and Milan can be an enjoyable experience.
Many restaurants in Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
Eat your way through Milan, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.
It's hard to distinguish whether Rome or Milan has a better nightlife scene.
The nightlife in Rome is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
Milan is a world class 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.
Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Rome or Milan.
In Rome you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
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.
Milan is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Rome does not have a historic old town.
With a famous historical old-town, Milan offers plenty to see. 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.
Rome does not have a historic old town.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Milan and Rome.
Rome is a world class destination for shoppers. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Milan. 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.
Rome 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 Rome. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
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.
Both Rome and Milan are great destinations for a couple's getaway.
Couples visit Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
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.
Rome is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
A large number of backpackers visit Rome, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
Backpackers come from all over to 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.
Rome and Milan are world-class places to visit for students.
Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
Milan is a very popular place to visit 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.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Rome and Milan.
Visitors in Rome can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.
Milan has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.
Rome and Milan both are world-class when exploring on foot.
Getting around Rome on foot is easy. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
Milan is a very easy city to get around on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Rome Worth Visiting? and Is Milan Worth Visiting?.
In either Rome or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than Milan because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Rome, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.
Families should spend more time in Rome than Milan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rome, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Milan 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 Rome.
Each neighborhood in Rome has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of Milan. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Milan is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Rome is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Rome 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the trendy big city of Milan. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Each neighborhood in Rome has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
The cultural city of Milan offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €170, while the average daily cost in Milan is €166. 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 Rome and Milan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Rome 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
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 Rome 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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:
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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 Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
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 comparing the travel costs between Rome and Milan, we can see that Rome 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rome Expensive? and Is Milan Expensive?.
Rome has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Milan. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Milan and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Milan this time of year.
Rome is around the same temperature as Milan in the summer. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Milan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than Milan. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets less rain in July than Milan. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Milan. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome 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 the autumn, Rome is a little warmer than Milan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rome in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Milan averages at about 15°C (58°F).
Rome usually receives more sunshine than Milan during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Milan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rome usually receives less rain than Milan. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as Milan. Many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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. In January, Rome is generally much warmer than Milan. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 8°C (47°F), and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Rome often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milan. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets more rain in January than Milan. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Milan and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Rome is around the same temperature as Milan in the spring. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives more sunshine than Milan during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rome usually receives less rain than Milan. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Rome | Milan | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |