Milan
Venice
Travelers compare Milan and Venice for 2–4 day itineraries, flights to MXP/VCE and Frecciarossa trains from €19.
The two cities are 270 km apart via the A4 and are connected in 2h25 with Italo.Those seeking fashion and business look to the Quadrilatero and the Fiera, while romantics choose Gondolas and the Doge’s Palace.The differences are stark: in Milan the ATM metro at €2,20 for 90 minutes covers 4 lines; in Venice the waterbus costs €9,50 for 75 minutes.
3* accommodations are €100-160 in Milan and €130-200 in Venice.The Duomo (rooftop €20) contrasts with the Campanile (€10), while the Last Supper (€15) faces off against the Guggenheim (€16).In this guide you’ll find real prices, precise durations, and useful names: hotels for different budgets, attractions with tickets, and restaurants like Trattoria Milanese and All'Arco.
You’ll plan in 15 minutes what to see in 2–3 days, when to go (averages 8–29°C) and how to get around with metro, waterbus and trains.Milan vs Venice
| Feature | Milan | Venice |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Milan, a hostel like Ostello Bello costs €28-45 in a dorm, and a 3* in the Central Station area is €100-160 per night.A 4* in Brera costs €180-260, and a 5* like the Armani Hotel exceeds €450.Meals: quick lunch at Luini for €3-5, a trattoria like Trattoria Milanese at €25-40, fine dining (Cracco) €120-180 for the menu.ATM transport: single ticket €2,20, 24h €7,60, 3 days €13.Aperitivo in the Navigli €8-12 with buffet.Total daily budget: €70-110 (budget), €130-200 (mid), €250+ (luxury).✓ Better | In Venice, a B&B in Cannaregio costs €130-200 per night, while in Mestre a 3* is €80-120 with tram T1 at €1,50.A 4* in San Marco costs €220-350, and a 5* like the Gritti Palace exceeds €600.Meals: cicchetti at All’Arco at €2-3 each, dishes in osteria €18-35, tasting at Venice Venice €90+.ACTV transport: ride €9,50, 24h €25, 48h €35.Spritz in Campo S.Margherita €3-5.Daily budget: €90-140 (budget), €160-240 (mid), €300+ (luxury). |
| Top attractions | The Duomo of Milan offers rooftop access at €20 (elevator) or €15 (stairs) in 60-90 minutes.The Duomo Pass costs €26 and includes the Museum.The Last Supper is €15 with 15-minute slots in Santa Maria delle Grazie.The Sforza Castle costs €10 (1.5 hours) and the Pinacoteca di Brera €15 (1–2 hours).The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is free in 15 minutes.Book online 2–4 weeks ahead for the Last Supper. | In Venice, the Doge’s Palace costs €25 online (€30 on site) with 2 hours among the Hall of the Great Council and bridges.The St Mark’s Campanile is €10 with an elevator in 5 minutes.The Peggy Guggenheim costs €16 (1–1.5 hours) and the Gallerie dell’Accademia €12 (1.5 hours).The Rialto Market is free in the morning 7:00–12:00.Book tickets 48–72 hours in advance in high season to avoid 30–60 minute queues.✓ Better |
| Food and restaurants | Typical dishes: risotto alla milanese, ossobuco, cotoletta and panzerotti.At Trattoria Milanese a risotto costs €14-18, at Ratanà ossobuco €28-34.Luini serves panzerotti at €3-4.Markets: Mercato Centrale at Central Station, dishes €8-15; Eataly Smeraldo wine by the glass €5-9.Fine dining: Enrico Bartolini at Mudec (3* Michelin) menu €250.Aperitivi in the Navigli €8-12 with buffet in 60 minutes. | Venetian dishes: sarde in saor, bigoli in salsa, fegato alla veneziana and risotto di go.Bacari like All’Arco and Cantina Do Spade offer cicchetti at €2-3 and ombre at €3-5.Osteria al Squero sandwiches at €4-6 with Zattere views.The Rialto Market offers fresh fish 7:00–12:00.Trattorias like Antiche Carampane have first courses at €18-24, mains €24-36.Desserts: baicoli and frittelle €2-3.Book 48 hours ahead for evening tables at 20:00.✓ Better |
| Climate and best time | In Milan, January is 1-8°C with fog, and July 20-31°C with 60-70% humidity.Peak rainfall in October–November with 90-110 mm/month.Recommended periods: April–May and September–October for 15-24°C.Mid-August brings 5–10 day closures in some shops.In winter bring jackets, in summer a cap.Events: Milan Fashion Week in February and September with hotels +20-40%. | In Venice, January records 0-7°C with high water on 30–40 days between November–January, while July is 20-29°C with 70-80% humidity.Rain in November 80-100 mm.Ideal periods: April–June and September for 16-24°C.Mosquitoes in the lagoon from June to September, bring DEET 20-30% spray.Events: Biennale (May–November) and Carnival (February) with rates +30-60% and 45-90 minute queues. |
| Transport and how to get there | Airports: MXP, LIN, BGY.Malpensa Express €13 for 35-52 minutes to Cadorna/Centrale; fixed-fare taxi €95.From Linate the M4 takes you to San Babila in 15 minutes for €2,20 or bus 73 in 25 minutes.ATM: ride €2,20, 24h €7,60, 3 days €13.Car sharing Enjoy from €0,29/min.Urban taxis €6 base, €1,09/km.Trains to Venice in 2h25 from Centrale at €19-59.✓ Better | Airports: VCE and TSF.From Marco Polo bus ATVO €10 for 20-35 minutes to Piazzale Roma, Alilaguna €15 for 60-75 minutes to San Marco.Water taxi €120-150 in 30-40 minutes.ACTV: ride €9,50, 24h €25, 48h €35.Line 1 takes 45-60 minutes along the Grand Canal.From Treviso shuttle €12 in 40-55 minutes.Trains to Milan in 2h25-2h50 at €19-59.Walks of 10-20 minutes between main sites. |
| Nightlife | In Milan nightlife is in the Navigli, Isola and Corso Como.Cocktails at €6-10 and club entry €10-20.Alcatraz opens 22:00-4:00 with live shows €15-25.Wine bars in Brera close at 1:00.Taxis after 0:00 with surcharge €3-5.Metro M2 and M3 until 0:30, night buses N until 5:00.Aperitivi with 60-minute buffets at €8-12 on Ripa di Porta Ticinese.✓ Better | In Venice the evening is in Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro and Cannaregio.Bacari close at 23:00-0:30, ombre €3-5.Venice Jazz Club has concerts 20:30-22:30 with a €20 ticket including a drink.Few clubs: Piccolo Mondo entry €10-15.Night N waterbuses every 20-30 minutes.Noise limits with checks at 23:00.For late nightlife, stay in Mestre with tram T1 until 0:30. |
| For families with children | In Milan the Science and Technology Museum costs €10 for adults and €7,50 reduced with 60-minute workshops.MUBA has tickets €8 and 75-minute sessions.The Civic Aquarium costs €5 and lasts 45-60 minutes.Parco Sempione is 700 m from the Castle, play area and ice cream at €2-3.Strollers are easy on M1-M2 with elevators at Duomo and Cadorna.Distances: 1-2 km between Duomo and Brera, walkable in 15-25 minutes. | In Venice the Natural History Museum costs €10 for adults and €7,50 reduced with 60 minutes of fossils.The Lido offers the sea in 15-20 minutes by waterbus with sunbeds €12-18.In Murano the Glass Museum is €10 (45 minutes) and demonstrations €5-10.Free waterbus for under 6, strollers allowed with ramps.Distances: 0,5-1 km between St Mark’s and Rialto in 10-15 minutes.Bring little boots for high water from November to January. |
| Beaches and nature | In Milan there’s no sea, but the Idroscalo 9 km from the Duomo offers rentals at €8-12/hour and small beaches.Parco Sempione is 1 km away with a pond and the Torre Branca €6.Parco Nord is 8 km away with 5-10 km trails.Trips: Lake Como at 51 km in 39-60 minutes from Cadorna for €5-7; Ticino Park at 40 km with bikes at €15-25/day.Summer: fountains at Piazza Gae Aulenti for a 10-minute break. | In Venice the Lido is 15-20 minutes from San Zaccaria with ACTV €9,50, beaches with umbrellas €12-18.Alberoni offers protected dunes 30 minutes by bus A from the Lido.Biennale Gardens are 1,5 km from St Mark’s in 20 minutes.Excursions: Torcello in 45-60 minutes by waterbus, Burano in 40 minutes.Sunsets at the Zattere with Giudecca views in a 30-minute walk.Bring sandals for sand June–September.✓ Better |
| Shopping | In Milan the Quadrilatero (Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga) has boutiques with bags at €800-2.000.On Corso Buenos Aires clothing €20-80.Outlet: Scalo Milano 15 km away with shuttle €15 round trip, discounts 30-70%.Markets: Viale Papiniano (Tue/Sat) with shoes €30-60.Bookstores like Rizzoli Galleria with volumes €12-30.Tax-free over €154,94 with refunds 12-15% in 10-90 days.✓ Better | In Venice Calle Larga XXII Marzo hosts Louis Vuitton and Prada with bags €1.500-3.000.Murano: glass by Venini and Seguso, small items €30-80, sculptures €500+.Burano: lace €40-200.Artisan masks from Ca’ Macana €25-60.Rialto market with spices €3-8.Avoid plastic souvenirs €5: check Vetro Artistico Murano certifications.Card payments with POS with surcharge 0-2% in some shops. |
| Safety and practical tips | In Milan beware of pickpockets in Piazza Duomo and Central Station.Avoid “free” bracelets in Via Dante.ATM checks: fine €40-100 without a ticket.Official taxis 02 7777.Emergencies 112.Outlying neighborhoods like Quarto Oggiaro to avoid at night after 22:00.Use a money belt €10-20.Drink water at the Nasoni with a 500 ml bottle.Health coverage with a valid EHIC card. | In Venice pickpockets on Waterbus 1 and at Rialto.Scams with restaurant “tourist menus” €25 with hidden extras: check the cover charge.High water: walkways in 15 minutes, boots €10-20 in the Mercerie.Waterbuses: fine €60 without validation.Emergencies 112.Day fee €5 on select days (spring) for day-trippers.Avoid crowded bridges 8:00-10:00.Book tables 48 hours in advance in St Mark’s. |
| How many days you need | Milan requires at least 2 days: Day 1 Duomo (90 minutes), Galleria (20 minutes), Brera (2 hours).Day 2 Last Supper (15 minutes), Castle (1.5 hours), Navigli (2 hours).Ideally 3-4 days including MUDEC (1.5 hours) and a trip to Como (40-60 minutes).Distances 1-2 km between central sites, walkable in 15-25 minutes. | Venice requires at least 2 days: Day 1 St Mark’s (2 hours area), Doge’s Palace (2 hours), Campanile (30 minutes).Day 2 Rialto (1 hour), Dorsoduro (2 hours), Guggenheim (1.5 hours).Ideally 3 days for Murano and Burano (40-60 minutes).Walking times 10-20 minutes, waterbuses every 12 minutes at peak times. |
| How to combine the two cities | From Milan Centrale to Venezia S.Lucia Frecciarossa/Italo trains in 2h25-2h50 at €19-59.Departures every 30-60 minutes, first train at 5:45.Book 7-21 days ahead for Super Economy fares.Arrival directly on the Grand Canal.Alternative FlixBus €10-25 in 3h40 from Lampugnano.Car via A4 270 km in 3h with tolls €20 and parking €30-35/day at Tronchetto. | From Venezia S.Lucia to Milan Centrale Frecciarossa/Italo trains in 2h25-2h50 at €19-59.Departures every 30 minutes, last train at 20:50.Water taxi from your hotel to Piazzale Roma €60-90 in 15-25 minutes or waterbus €9,50.Flight VCE-MXP 55 minutes not recommended as total transfers take 3-4 hours.Bus €10-25 in 3h40.Book seats on the left side for a lagoon view at departure. |
The Verdict
Choose Milan
Choose Milan if you want a 3-day city break with art, design and shopping.Go between April and May for 15-22°C and queues under 30 minutes.Mid-range budget €150-200/day: 3* hotel €120, meals €35, transport €7,60.Itinerary: Day 1 Duomo (90 minutes) and Brera (2 hours); Day 2 Last Supper (15 minutes) and Castle (1.5 hours); Day 3 MUDEC (1.5 hours) and Navigli (2 hours).Dinner at Trattoria Milanese €30-40 and aperitivo €10 in the Navigli.Transfers with M1-M2 €2,20 per ride.
Choose Venice
Choose Venice if you seek atmosphere in 2-3 days among canals, art and islands.Go in September for 20-24°C, less crowding and 20-40 minute queues.Mid-range budget €160-220/day: B&B €150, meals €35, waterbus €25/24h.Itinerary: Day 1 St Mark’s (2 hours) and Doge’s Palace (2 hours); Day 2 Rialto (1 hour) and Guggenheim (1.5 hours); Day 3 Murano and Burano (40-60 minutes).Lunch at All’Arco €12-18 and sunset at the Zattere with an ombra €4.Avoid water taxis €120+.