How much does a day in Milan cost?

Roughly $60-95 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $150-230 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Milan?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Milan without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Milan travel guide

Italy

Italy's business and fashion capital hides more than it shows: a Gothic cathedral, Leonardo's Last Supper and canal-side bars. Milan suits travellers who enjoy design, food and the early-evening aperitivo.

Essentials

Language: Italian; English is common in hotels and at the main sights
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Plugs: Type C, F and L, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Many bills include a coperto (cover charge) or a service charge; beyond that, rounding up or leaving a euro or two for good service is plenty.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $60-95, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $150-230, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Milan

Navigli: canal-side bars and restaurants, busiest at aperitivo time.
Brera: cobbled streets, galleries and the Pinacoteca art museum.
Isola: a former working-class district beside the Bosco Verticale towers, with local bars.

Getting around Milan

The metro, trams and buses cover the city, and you can tap a contactless bank card or phone at the metro gates. The Malpensa Express train links the main airport to the centre.

Best time to visit Milan

April to June and September to October; August is hot and many local businesses close.

Top things to do in Milan

Walk among the spires on the rooftop terraces of the Duomo
See Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, booked well ahead
Explore the Sforza Castle and Michelangelo's unfinished Rondanini Pietà inside it
Join the aperitivo crowd along the Navigli canals in the early evening
Look up at the glass dome of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

What to eat in Milan

Risotto alla milanese: a creamy risotto coloured golden with saffron
Cotoletta alla milanese: a breaded veal cutlet fried in butter
Ossobuco: braised veal shank, traditionally served with gremolata and saffron risotto
Panettone: a tall, fluffy sweet bread with candied fruit and raisins, eaten at Christmas

Day trips from Milan

Lake Como: lakeside villages, ferries and steep green hills, about an hour by train
Bergamo: a walled upper town reached by funicular, about an hour by train
Turin: grand arcades, the Egyptian Museum and historic cafés, about an hour by high-speed train

Local etiquette

Aperitivo is an early-evening ritual, and a drink often comes with snacks or a small buffet. Coffee drunk standing at the bar counter is cheaper than at a table.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from the main Italian networks need your passport to register, eSIMs are widely available, and Wi-Fi is standard in accommodation and many cafés.

Staying safe

Around the Piazza del Duomo, people may tie a string bracelet on your wrist or hand you birdseed and then ask for money, so keep walking. Pickpockets work the metro and Milano Centrale station.

A local tip

Book a Last Supper slot as soon as tickets are released, as they sell out weeks ahead.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Milan on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Milan for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Milan, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Milan

What currency is used in Milan?: Milan uses the Euro (EUR).
What is the emergency number in Milan?: In Milan, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Milan?: April to June and September to October; August is hot and many local businesses close.
How much does a day in Milan cost?: Roughly $60-95 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $150-230 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Milan?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Milan without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

More guides in Europe

All Europe guides · Every city guide