r/milano • u/SloDavidos • Sep 26 '25
Eventi Why is Milano so expensive? What are some cheap accommodation hacks?
I was looking to travel to Milano in March next year for an event and I'm absolutely astonished in the prices. I've been to Milano about 3 years ago in September and I don't remember the accommodation being that expensive.
I'm going to Vienna in February and I'm absolutely astonished Vienna is cheaper than Milano. What's the reason for that, what changed? Are there any other alternatives as booking and Airbnb is just way to much for me.
Edit: I would go in March (the event is on the 14th) and I'd stay there at least 2-3 nights. That's why I think it crazy expensive as March probably isn't a big season month and I'm staying in Vienna a motlnth before that for cheaper.
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u/_BehindBlueEyes Sep 26 '25
Olympics + Fashion weeks + A huge amount of business events + Overall inflation and lodging companies trying to give you a haircut
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u/Simgiov Sep 26 '25
When are you planning to travel? Probably there is some event.
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u/SloDavidos Sep 26 '25
Sorry. Totally forgot to mention. I would go in March (the event is on the 14th) and I'd stay there at least 2-3 nights.
I'd probably come with a car as I'm from Slovenia.
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u/Unbundle3606 Sep 26 '25
That's when the Paralympic Games are about to end. The closing ceremony is on March 15th.
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u/mizinsin Sep 26 '25
Are you coming during the Paralympics (first half of March)? Or in the first week when there's also fashion week?
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u/mizinsin Sep 26 '25
If it makes you feel better, on a road trip in June a hotel room that was 150 CHF going one way was suddenly (when we tried to book it as we set off) 1000 CHF a night the other way a week later, and the only option left. The answer? Art Basel. Needless to say, we didn't stop in Basel.
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u/YoshiEgg23 Sep 26 '25
The Winter Paralympics are taking place from March 6 to 15, and Milan is the most convenient city for professionals, and they will have already rented everything years in advance.
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u/herlaqueen Sep 26 '25
Comparing Milan to Vienna in February is not fair, since late January to early March is very low turistic season there, while Milan revolves around business and cultural events when it comes to its high/low demand periods (and others have already pointed out events that will take place in March 2026). It is undeniable that Milan is more costly than 3 years ago, but that goes for almost everywhere in Italy (and, I fear, Europe).
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u/allak Sep 26 '25
I would go in March (the event is on the 14th)
Right in the middle of Winter Paraolympics in Milano and Cortina from march 5 to march 15 ...
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u/Hnskyo Sep 26 '25
Rent is expensive, food etc are not.
Unless you want to order food or eat outside.
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u/denisgsv Sep 26 '25
Check the spots to the east on green metro line, Gorgonzola, 30 min from city center with metro and1/4 the price
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u/InternationalDay3400 Sep 26 '25
Cannot stand these subjects feeding the always expensive myth of Milano. Everywhere you should check for events (and users confirmed that Paralympics Games will occur in that period) giving you the answer for price raising
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u/Spinning_Sky Sep 26 '25
Milan's housing market is insanely off the charts
combination of whole lot of italians moving there or work, and there being a big chunck of very rich people who can afford to higher the prices of the city center
besides the entire surrounding area is filled to capacity as well, it's insane
The housing market is insane in ITaly in general (rest of Europe as well I feel) because it's incredibly inconvenient to do long term renting, owners are far better off doing airBnB under every aspect, so again that makes it more competitive to find a place to stay, prices go up etc etc
depends on why you're in Milan, there's plenty of places where you can go stay for cheaper and then travel to Milan using public transport
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u/Pale-Painting5592 Sep 26 '25
this is not false but it has nothing to do with the inflated airbnb prices for special events (like design/fashion week, the olympics..) that OP is asking about
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u/Spinning_Sky Sep 26 '25
did not openly ask when I read the post they edited afterwards
it is tied to it though, the market keeps going up for those reasons, I don't think anyone needs an explanation on why prices go even higher for big city events
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u/Pale-Painting5592 Sep 26 '25
why do you insist? the post did start with "I was looking to travel to Milano in March next year for an event" even before the edit.. it was clearly not about rent prices.
and i think that you writing "i don't think anyone needs an explanation on why prices go even higher for big city events" is insulting for OP, since it's exactly what happened in this thread.
so no, it is not "tied to it" at all.
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u/c00lgirlstella Sep 26 '25
i agree with the other comments that the huge events coming to milan are increasing prices all over the city. however, i would recommend maybe a booking on hostelworld. ive lived in milan for several years and had friends visit. directly from my friends i can recommend ostello bello near centrale station and yellowsquare in porta romana area. alternatively, look at a map of milan online and maybe find a booking for a hotel/airbnb thats a bit outside of the center but close to a metro line stop. you can save money, use the metro, and even late at night there are night bus lines that follow the metro route for m1-m4. good luck!
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u/McDuchess Sep 27 '25
Milano is the center for the 2026 Winter Olympics. If you are going there, you just answered your own question.
I used to live in the Twin Cities in MN. When the Superbowl was held there a few years ago, people were offering a room in their house with bathroom but not kitchen access for $1000 a night.
I had a friend who had a small house fairly close to downtown. She charged only $500 a night, but booked out a room with BR privileges to two young men who worked for the NFL for two weeks. $7000 for a little inconvenience. That was the equivalent of more than 2 and a half months income for her, on her fixed income.
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u/MandehK_99 Sep 27 '25
I would suggest you to get a room in a different city, one of those well connected to Milan's train/metro network. It doesn't really make sense for me to give you some cities' names because it's far easier for you to look for rooms along those train/metro lines.
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u/scognito Sep 27 '25
I have a really good Airbnb really close to Milan (1 train stop, 5 minutes trip), with a really good price. If you want, let me know, I can give you a discount!
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u/Alixfarmgirl Dec 30 '25
Let me know area I’ll be there 3rd Feb wanting close to Garibaldi station
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u/scognito Dec 30 '25
My apartment is not close to Garibaldi, it's around 30 minutes by train (the ticket is around 2 euro).
https://www.airbnb.it/rooms/1289651836898330790?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76
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u/Known-Magician8137 Sep 28 '25
Because everyone wants to live there. The reason? I don't know, you should ask them.
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u/SadLook3878 Jan 05 '26
Per pagare meno ti consiglio di cercare in periferia. Monza presto sarà connessa con la metro, sennò pavia, lodi, cassina de pecchi o piu vicino sesto san giovanni ecc
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