Should you visit Rome or Milan?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Rome and Milan can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Rome
Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Milan or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €131, while the average daily cost in Milan 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Rome and Milan in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Rome is €134. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Travelers usually pay around €152 for a double occupancy room in Milan If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Rome travelers spend around €37 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Milan cost around €31 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €12.
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Food
Meals for one day
Rome €37
Milan €31
Typical Food prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)
€14
-
4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
€2.99
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Cafe e doce
€4.00
-
Pizza (Fast Food)
€2.65
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
€32
-
Cheese and bread
€10
-
Espresso
€2.00
-
Dinner
€58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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Tours from Home: Pizza Cooking Class with Italian Chefs:
$15
-
Interactive Cooking Experiences with Renowned Chefs All Over the World (in EST):
$22
-
Live from Tagliatelle & Chicken Fricassee Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Gelato Cooking Class:
$33
-
Virtual Cooking Class: Carbonara, Amatriciana, Pesto & "pasta al dente":
$40
-
5-Course Lunch or Dinner with Roman Jewish Dishes:
$44
-
Street Food Tour with Local Guide:
$44
-
Rome by Night: Bike Tour with Pizza:
$45
-
1.5-Hour Campo de' Fiori to Jewish Quarter Food Tour:
$48
-
2.5-Hour Self-Guided Food Tour in Trastevere:
$48
-
Private Italian dinner in Rome with a selection of local wines:
$51
-
Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour Artisian Rome:
$55
Typical Food prices in Milan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Milan:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milan
For Milan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Florence: Private Family Food Tour:
$46
-
Dinner and Show at Maison Milano:
$66
-
Home Dinner Experience:
$70
-
Traditional Pasta, Pizza or Risotto Cooking Class:
$70
-
Homemade Tiramisu Cooking Class in Milan:
$72
-
Half-Day Food Tour on Foot:
$78
-
Afternoon Food Tour with Evening Food Tour in Milan:
$78
-
3-Hour Traditional Home Cooking Class:
$84
-
Pasta, Pizza & Dessert Evening Cooking Class:
$89
-
Dining experience at a local's home in Milan with show cooking:
$106
-
Half-Day Italian Cooking Class in Milano:
$106
-
Food Tour of Brera:
$110
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €17 per day to get around in Rome.
Milan's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €28 per person, per day on transportation in Milan.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
-
Private Transfer by Mercedes and private boat from Rome to Capri all included:
$1,991
-
Private Transfer by Mercedes and private boat from Rome to Capri:
$1,991
-
Private Transfer from Roma to Bologna (BLQ) Airport:
$1,466
-
Transfer From Rome To Amalfi Coast Via Pompei:
$1,365
-
Private Transfer from Roma to Rimini (RMI) Airport:
$1,291
-
Assisi & Orvieto, one day, private transfer:
$1,244
-
Direct Transfer from your Hotel in ROME to your Hotel in LUCCA:
$1,138
-
Private Transfer from Roma to Firenze (FLR) Airport:
$1,132
-
Private Transfer by luxury Mercedes and private boat from Rome to Capri:
$1,120
-
Private Transfer from Rome to Florence: stops in Orvieto, Siena & Monteriggioni:
$1,058
-
Private Transfer from Roma to Pisa (PSA) Airport:
$1,043
-
Private Transfer From Rome Apt To Positano:
$1,023
Typical Local Transportation prices in Milan
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Milan:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milan
Also for Milan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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50 seats Coach transfer from Milan to Venice:
$3,098
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Milan MXP Airport to Milan City by Luxury Car:
$228
-
BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO - MILANO airport transfer:
$135
-
BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO - Milano airport transfer with private Luxury Van:
$161
-
BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO-MILANO airport transfer with private Luxury Car:
$269
-
Bus Transfer Milan Bergamo Airport to Milan Central Station:
$6.71
-
From Luxury Transfers to Fidenza Village:
$22
-
Luxury Private Transfer From Milan Hotels to Airport:
$56
-
Malpensa Airport to Milan VIP Transfers:
$168
-
Milan - Como / Private Transfer (up to 3 pass.):
$365
-
Milan - Como / Private Transfer (up to 8 pass.):
$415
-
Milan - Florence / Private Transfer (up to 3 pass.):
$1,079
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Milan?
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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €29 per person, per day in Rome. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Milan can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €25 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
€69
-
Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
€33
-
Roma Pass
€30
-
Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
€20
-
Segway Tour
€75
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
“Roman Holiday” Filming Locations: Private Full-Day Tour:
$457
-
1 Day in 10 Iconic Sights, Luxury Car, Skip the line, Lunch, 100% Private:
$785
-
1 hour Little Ancient Tour of Rome by Mini Vintage Cabriolet with Cappuccino:
$156
-
10-Night Italy Tour: Rome, Florence, Venice and Sorrento:
$1,661
-
2 Days Full Train Tour in Florence and Venice:
$1,358
-
2 Hour Private Tour Rome by Night by Car with an English speaking driver:
$299
-
2 in 1 Entire Colosseum Tour & Fast Track Vatican Ticket:
$124
-
2 in 1 Rome and Vatican Full Day Tour:
$123
-
2-Day Best of Rome and Vatican - Luxury Private Tour:
$964
-
2-Day Rome Highlights and Tivoli Private Tour with Pick Up:
$1,369
-
2-Day Venice trip from Rome - private tour:
$908
-
2-Hour Evening Segway Tour of Rome:
$60
Typical Entertainment prices in Milan
For Milan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Stairs to Duomo Rooftop
€7.00
Tours and Activities in Milan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Milan.
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Branca Tower Entrance Ticket:
$6.71
-
Private 1.5-Hour Kickstart Tour:
$9.73
-
Crypt of Leonardo Admission Ticket:
$12
-
Entry Ticket to the Duomo Terraces:
$12
-
Leonardo3 - The World of Leonardo Museum Entrance Ticket:
$13
-
Skip-the-Line Duomo Guided Tour:
$13
-
Bagatti Valsecchi Museum Ticket Entrance:
$14
-
Milan Cathedral: Rooftop Ticket:
$15
-
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Highline Admission Tickets:
$15
-
Leonardo3 The World of Leonardo: Tickets for the Interactive Exhibition:
$15
-
Leonardo's Vineyard with Guided Tour Option:
$15
-
Milan Dark Ghost Tour on Foot:
$16
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Rome may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €15 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Milan, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €19.
Typical Alcohol prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
-
Bottle of Wine
€6.50
-
Pint of Beer
€6.34
-
Beer
€10
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
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3.5-Hour Castelli Romani Wine Tasting Tour:
$50
-
Roman Countryside Vineyards and Wine Tasting:
$67
-
4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$69
-
Campo De' Fiori Market and Trevi Food & Wine Tour:
$90
-
4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$91
-
Private Rome Food & Wine Tour with Aperitif on Private Roof Top Terrance:
$100
-
Colosseum Fast Track and Wine Tasting Day Tour:
$119
-
Wine Tour Experience from Rome factory Giglio:
$123
-
Small-Group Food and Wine Tour with Pickup:
$131
-
Lunch, Diner and wine tasting in a shaby chic italian restaurant in Rome:
$135
-
From Frascati 3-Hour Private Wine Tasting Tour:
$147
-
Wine Tasting in Frascati from Rome:
$160
Typical Alcohol prices in Milan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Milan:
-
Cocktail at a Bar
€8.40
-
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:
$32
-
Wine Tasting Experience in the City Centre:
$40
-
Milan Wine Tasting Experience:
$45
-
Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Experience in Milan:
$52
-
Brera Wine Tasting Tour:
$54
-
From Franciacorta Wine Tasting and Shopping Tour:
$55
-
Last Supper & Wine Tasting Tour:
$71
-
Wine Tasting with an Italian Sommelier:
$83
-
Wine Tastings with Chef Luigi Gandola:
$93
-
From Sparkling Wine Tasting Tour:
$100
-
Food and Wine Tasting enjoying the New Milan:
$127
-
From Half-Day Franciacorta Wine Tour & Tasting:
$137
When comparing the travel costs between Rome and Milan, we can see that Milan 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.
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