Milan is breathtakingly beautiful and everybody should visit it at least once in a lifetime. But if you are on a trip to Milan, there are a few other places you can go beyond the city. Milan – the fashion capital – can be your first taste of the country’s culture, its stunning architecture, history and shopping. After visiting the city, you are ready to explore the rest of the country and the best way to start is by going on day trips from Milan. For under €20 you can get a return ticket to these cities.
I have been to Milan a few times and each time I went on some of these day trips. When planning your itinerary, leave some extra days for going on the best day trips from Milan. I’m sure you won’t regret it!
Day trips from Milan for under €20
- Venice
- Florence
- Lake Como
- Stresa
Venice
I visited Venice back in 2015. Just 2 hours from Milan, the romantic city of Venice is located outside the Lombardy region in the Veneto region of Italy. It is one of the most northerly states. This ancient and historically important city was originally built on 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. Instead of roads, Venice relies on a series of waterways and canals. So taxis in venice are little boats called gondolas).
Things to do: Visit the Piazza San Marco and St. Mark’s Basilica, experience Venice’s taxi – a gondola ride
Train time: The average train time from Milan to Venice is about 2hours 30mins. Trains leave from Milan Centrale Station
Price: A typical return journey on the regional train – TrenNord – costs €20.70
Florence
Mark Twain described it as a “city of dreams”, Florence is known for its abundance of timeless art, rustic Tuscan cuisine, incredible boutique shopping. It embodies the spirit of ancient Italy and is known worldwide as the birthplace of the Renaissance.
I am yet to visit Florence but according to my sister, walking tours is the best way to experience Florence. There are many free walking tours available.
Things to do: Visit the Piazza della Signoria square and Uffizi Museum
Train time: The average train time from Milan to Florence is about 2hours 50mins. Trains leave from Milan Centrale Station
Price: A typical return journey on the regional train – TrenNord – costs €20
Lake Como
My mum and sister visited Lake Como in October 2019. It is one of the most popular destinations in Italy for locals and tourists alike. Lake Como’s popularity comes from the fact that it provides a combination of the fresh air and water, the good climate and surrounding mountains.
Things to do: There are a few towns that can be visited by boat: Nesso, Tremezzo, Varenna, Bellagio, Menaggio and others. These towns are all charming and picturesque.
Train time: The average train time from Milan to Como is about 1 – 1.5 hours. Trains leave from Milan Centrale Station
Price: A typical return journey on the regional train – TrenNord – costs about E10
Stresa
Located on the western bank of lake maggiore, Stresa is easily reachable from Milan. I visited Stresa with my sister in July 2020 after a local told us about it. As we arrived, we were greeted with the most enchanting view of the spectacular Borromean Islands – Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori and Isola Madre.
Things to do: Take a boat tour through the islands. You can find boat schedules from the tourist information point.
Train time: The average train time from Milan to Stresa is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are 2 trains every hour from Milan and they leave from Milan Centrale Station or Garibaldi station
Price: The cost of a return ticket is €16.40.
These day trips for under 20€ are budget friendly and culturally immersive. They are easy to get to from Milan and are certainly worth a visit. Have you visited any of these cities before? Let me know in the comments below
p.s if you are travelling after the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to check out my experience.
Love and Light, That Tall Lady
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