Is Milan expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Milan is one of Italy's most expensive cities, with hotel prices close to Rome's and well above most of the country, especially during Design Week and Fashion Weeks. A budget traveller needs about €116 per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about €240 and comfort about €540. Public transport and aperitivo are good value; hotels and restaurants in the centre are the main costs.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €60 | €120 | €300 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €60 | €120 |
| Sights & tickets | €20 | €45 | €80 |
| Local transport | €6 | €15 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €116 | €240 | €540 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Milan day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Espresso at the bar | about €1.20-1.50 |
| Panzerotto (fried filled pastry) | about €3-5 |
| Aperitivo drink with snacks | about €9-15 |
| Risotto alla milanese | roughly €14-22 |
| Metro or tram single ticket | about €2.20 |
| Duomo with rooftop terraces | about €15-25 |
| The Last Supper | about €15 plus booking fee |
| Train to Varenna on Lake Como | a few euros, about 1 hour |
| Mid-range double in Brera | €200-350 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost: even budget hotels around Milano Centrale cost €110-170 a night, and prices can double during trade fairs. Restaurants are pricey in the centre, though bar breakfasts, panzerotti and aperitivo snacks keep food costs down. Sights are moderately priced, and transport is cheap thanks to the metro and the low train fares to Lake Como.
When it is cheaper
August (when many Milanese leave and some restaurants close) and January to early February, outside Fashion Week, often see hotel rates roughly 20-40% lower. Salone del Mobile in April and the Fashion Weeks in February and September are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Check the trade-fair calendar before booking; avoid Design Week and Fashion Weeks unless you are attending.
- Make aperitivo your early dinner in Brera or the Navigli, choosing bars with fresh snacks.
- Drink coffee standing at the bar; table service in Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria costs far more.
- Pay by contactless card at the metro gates; daily caps make it cheaper than single tickets.
- Visit Lake Como by regional train and ferry day pass rather than a tour.
- Stay near Milano Centrale for cheaper rooms with direct metro links.
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Common questions
Is Milan expensive?
Yes, by Italian standards. Budget travellers need about €116 a day and mid-range about €240, mostly for hotels.
How much does aperitivo cost in Milan?
About €9-15 for a drink, usually including snacks; it can serve as an early dinner.
How much is The Last Supper ticket?
About €15 plus a booking fee, for a 15-minute timed visit.