Affordable Milan Budget Breakdown For A 3 Day Trip!
Having lived in Italy and recently revisited Milan for a 3-day trip, I go over my Milan budget breakdown. Curious about how much I spent on accommodations, dining, getting around, and activities? I’ve got you covered. I’ll even share the breakdown of my expenses in Milan over 3 days, plus a side trip to Lake Como, so you can plan your budget accordingly.
Traveling to Milan can burn a hole in your pocket, but I’ll show you how to save while still experiencing the best of what this city has to offer. And let me tell you, I made a few mistakes during my trip, but I’ll spill the details so you can avoid the same pitfalls. If you’re going up for a trip to Milan, use this post as your guide to a budget-friendly and unforgettable experience. Let’s dive in!
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Things to note about this budget
- This budget is for two people.
- The total currency added is US dollars
- The total stay is for 3 days
- We stayed in a budget hotel
Hotels= $393
Milan is full of great hotels with incredible views of the city that are located right in the city center. Since I was on a lower-end budget my travels brought me to a nice studio apartment stay near the Navigli Canal, just southwest of the city center.
I paid $393 for the room which sadly was at ground level. It was right off the canals which are filled with graffiti everywhere and makes it look like not the safest place to be. However, the vibe was very different and I felt safe the whole time there.
Where To Stay In Milan!
Best Modern Hostel: Located in Milan’s lively center, this hostel offers affordable, stylish accommodation. With stylish rooms, free WiFi, communal lounges, and 24/7 front desk service, it’s a cost-effective option for experiencing Milan’s vibrant culture and nightlife.
Best Hotel with View: Located next to Milan’s Duomo, this hotel offers Milanese sophistication with its designer rooms, exclusive experiences, gourmet dining, and top-notch wellness facilities. It provides a luxurious and intimate stay for travelers seeking an unforgettable Milan adventure.
Best Family Vacation Home: Experience luxury in Milan’s center near the iconic Duomo. These exquisite apartments offer privacy with high-end hotel services, perfect for families or groups. Ideal for indulging in Milan’s fashion, art, and cuisine with the comfort of home in a prime location.
Also see: The Ultimate 3 Days In Milan And Lake Como Itinerary!
Transportation= $170
Train
To get to Milan I took the train from Urbino Italy, which we had tickets booked in advance. I paid $80 US dollars for us both. However, my husband and mother missed the train while I was already on it. So we had to pay for a new ticket so they could make it to Milan later on after me. I counted the cost of the extra ticket toward the miscellaneous spending since it was not part of the plan. We got another 3-day metro pass in Milan and it cost 26 EU for 2 people.
I also booked a train ticket to go to Lake Como from Milan as a day trip and those tickets cost $40 US dollars that I got online ahead of time (round trip). If you don’t get the train first you could end up standing the whole ride, so plan ahead!
Ferry
Once in Varenna, Lake Como, we paid to take the ferry from Bellagio, another cute village across the lake, which cost 24 EU for us both and was a round-trip ticket. The ferry ride was about 30 minutes and had great views of the lake!
Also see: How To Go On The Best Lake Como Day Trip from Milan!
Excursions= $188
We had booked a Last Supper and Duomo di Milano rooftop tour for $104 for my husband and I, but since we missed the train we didn’t get to see the Last Supper in time. So some of our money went to waste as there were no refunds or exchanges. For the Duomo, we got to see the inside of the church, and the underground archeological zone and had rooftop access. You can read about that experience here!
We visited Lake Como on a day trip and walked around in the small towns but in Bellagio, we went to their gardens Giardini di Villa Melzi for $18. The ticket office was to the side but we saw people just entering and there was no one who checked our tickets. This made me confused and feel like we bought tickets for no reason. We also visited two museums, the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum for $30 and the Royal Palace for $36.
Here is the list of paid activities that you might want to do while in Milan or Lake Como.
- The Last Supper
- Duomo Di Milano
- Sforza Castle
- La Scala Opera House
- Brera Art Gallery
- Leonardo Da Vinci Museum
- Royal Palace
- Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology
- QC Terme Milano
- Branca Tower
- Giardini di Villa Melzi
- Villa Monastero
Also see: Milan Bucket List: 25+ Ultimate Things To Do
Food and Spending Money= $442
When traveling I like to have a set amount of our spending or “fun money” and food money in cash and in the country’s currency. This makes it easy to know how much money we have left to spend. It also gives you the opportunity to learn about the local notes and coins and the conversion rate that country has.
We ate so much great food in Milan and in Lake Como plus we had gelato every day! In total between the two of us, we spend $442 on food and souvenirs. I got some enamel pins from the cities we visited, my husband got a T-shirt and we bought a shot glass for my mother-in-law.
Also see: Visiting Duomo di Milano? Here’s What You Need To Know!
Miscellaneous= $104
Thankfully there weren’t too many unexpected things that happened on our trip to Italy. It cost us 72 US for the unplanned missed train ticket. But we didn’t lose out on too much time and were reunited in time to visit other things.
Another thing that went wrong was I booked tickets to the wrong Leonardo Da Vinci Museum (there are two). The one I booked was a science museum that was named after him, but the one we wanted to go see had interactive models of his inventions. This cost us an extra $32 US since I offered to pay for my mom’s ticket as well since it was my mistake.
Also see: Milan VS Rome: Which One Is Better To Visit In Italy?
The Milan Budget Breakdown!
Hotel =$393
Transportation =$170
Excursions =$188
Food and Spending Money =$442
Miscellaneous =$104
Total = $1,297
Final Thoughts-
My Milan budget breakdown details expenses on accommodations, dining, transport, and activities during my 3-day trip with my husband. Planning a trip to Milan? Wondering about costs? Feel free to ask me anything in the comments!
Happy exploring!
What Are My Recommended Resources For Planning A Trip?
When planning my trip, I use my trusted trio of CheapOair, Viator, and Booking.com to provide a comprehensive solution for everything I need.
CheapOair is a go-to resource for affordable flight tickets. With its extensive network of over 600 airlines, it offers a wide array of choices, enabling you to easily compare prices and select the best deal that suits your budget and travel schedule.
Viator on the other hand, is an excellent platform for booking tours and activities. It provides access to thousands of sightseeing tours, attractions, and events in over 1,500 locations worldwide. It ensures you don’t miss out on the unique experiences each destination has to offer.
Booking.com is your reliable partner for accommodations. With over 28 million listings including hotels, apartments, and hostels, you can find the perfect place to stay that fits your budget and preference.
Together, these platforms make trip planning convenient, cost-effective, and fun. They ensure you have everything you need, from flights and accommodations to activities – at your fingertips.
Check Out My Resources Page For All My Recommended Travel Tools!
