Organize your stay Milan
Money Milan
Italy was one of the first European Union countries to switch to the euro.
Budget & Tips Milan
A stay in Milan can be expensive, especially if you're planning a trip to the lakes. It won't be the meals that weigh down your travel budget (you can always find good food at reasonable prices), but rather the accommodation, which in the capital of Lombardy can quickly reach very high sums. At a hotel or bed & breakfast (B&B or agriturismo), the price for a double room hardly goes below €80, especially if your stay takes place during the week of the International Furniture Fair (mid-April) or during the fashion show weeks (early February and early September): it will then be difficult to find accommodation for less than €200 a night! It's not customary to haggle in accommodation or stores, but the longer you stay in the same establishment, the more likely you are to receive a discount.
Here's an idea of average prices:
Double room: - 2-star: between €80 and €160 - 3-star: between €100 and €250 - 4-star: between €250 and €500 - 5-star: from €300.
Catering. Between €3 and €5 for a panino - between €1.50 and €3 for a bottle of water - between €8 and €11 for a pizza and €17 for a set-price menu (VAT included) - between €25 and €40 in a typical medium restaurant - over €40 in a good restaurant. In cafés, if you sit down at a table, prices rise by at least 20% (you may be charged for setting the table).
Museums and sites. Between €5 and €10 for a public museum, €10 and €18 for a private one.
Transport. 2.20 € for a bus or metro ticket in Milan.
Passport and visas Milan
EU and Swiss citizens. For stays of less than 3 months: valid identity card or passport.
Canadian citizens. For stays of less than 3 months: valid passport. No visa required.
For stays over 3 months, apply for a visa at the nearest Italian embassy or consulate, or try to obtain one locally from the Questura.
Driver's license Milan
To rent a car, as in France, you'll need a "B" driving license. The same applies to scooter rentals, and please note that helmets are compulsory!
Health Milan
EU nationals are entitled to reimbursement if they have a European Health Insurance Card. For more information: www.ameli.fr. Be sure to keep all invoices to ensure reimbursement on your return. Please note! The card is not valid for treatment in private establishments, of which there are many in Italy.
Mandatory vaccination Milan
Until now, no special vaccinations were required to enter Italy.
Security Milan
As a general rule, living conditions in Milan and other Lombardy cities are on a par with those in Europe's largest cities. As in any large city, there are some neighborhoods that are more dangerous than others, and there is always a risk of running into a pickpocket. The rules are the same as anywhere else: don't leave your belongings (wallet, cell phone, etc.) lying around on the tables of a café or restaurant, let alone on a terrace. Although Milan and the Lombardy region are generally safe cities, if you're traveling alone, be careful. In the evening, on Trenord trains that run throughout Lombardy, a voice recording advises solo travelers to sit in the first carriage, where the conductor is also present. Also, avoid leaving your luggage unattended in any means of transport.
Time difference Milan
No time difference between France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy.
Spoken languages Milan
Italian, of course. And don't forget that in Lombardy, as in other Italian regions, the dialect is still very much alive. So don't be surprised if a Milanese says sorry after jostling you: Lombard and French have a few similar words! And while in an international city like Milan, Milanese may be lost a little more than elsewhere, the accent is still very much present.
Electricity and measurements Milan
Italians also use the metric system and speak in volts. Please note! In some establishments, you may still find L-type sockets (in France, we use F and C sockets). In this case, you'll need an adapter, which you can easily find in any retail outlet.
Luggage Milan
Depending on the season: sweaters and umbrellas in autumn and winter, and hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellent in summer! The latter is essential in the vicinity of rice fields , particularly in the province of Pavia. Good shoes for walking around town, and certainly one or two outfits for going out in the evening.
