Our go-to outfit? A Paris + Milan combo.
It works with every style and season: vibrant art museums, delicious food, and runways that draw in the world’s eyes. These two cities are always trending and are always worth visiting. Take the train from France to Italy and discover why a trip from Paris to Milan is a must for every foodie and fashionista.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Busà Photography. Image Location: Milan, Italy
At a glance: train from Paris to Milan, Italy
- Paris’s station: Paris Gare de Lyon | Paris Gare de l’Est
- Milan, Italy’s station: Milano Centrale
- How far is Paris to Milan, Italy by train: 397 miles
- Fastest duration for high-speed trains: 6h 49m
- Average duration for general trains: 9h 50m
- Number of trains per day: 25
- Ticket prices: As low as $50.20 when you book in advance
- Earliest departure: 6:18 a.m.
- Latest departure: 9:00 p.m.
Is a trip to Milan from Paris worth it?
Yes, if you’re asking if a two-city shopping trip to the boutiques of Paris and Milan — two of Europe’s most fashion-forward cities — is worth it, the answer is yes. For food? Oui, ça vaut le coup. Museums and culture? Sì, ne vale la pena. In any language, a trip to Milan from Paris is worth it.
How far is Milan from Paris by train?
Milan is just under 400 miles away from Paris by train. It’s not the farthest distance in Europe, but it certainly doesn’t help that Switzerland is smack dab in between. Depending on which train you choose, a single-transfer between Milan and Paris will break up the trip in a way that feels like a lovely Swiss intermission; choose a three-change trip, however, and you’ll feel the distance.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Givaga. Image Location: Milan, italy
How long is the high-speed train from Paris to Milan?
The high-speed train from Paris to Milan can take just under 7 hours. Yes, compared to a flight time of 90 minutes, the train seems long; but remember that the flight time is just the “flight” time. Add in needing to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before the trip, plus the time spent getting from Paris city center to the airport, then from Milan’s airport to the city. Suddenly, you’re looking at around 6 hours of travel — which is more stressful and more expensive.
How often is the train from Paris to Milan?
Trains depart from stations in Paris like Gare de Lyon and Gare de l’Est en route to Milan 25 times per day. Catching a train from Paris to Milan isn’t the challenge; catching the best train for your schedule is. Many routes have different durations despite their changes.
How much is a high-speed train from Paris to Milan?
Tickets on the high-speed train from Paris to Milan could start at less than $100 — and that’s a direct train with zero connections. Fair warning: that’s a steal of a price that you won’t find for every route offered.
Image Credit: Getty Images, © Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: Milan, Italy
What is the cheapest way to get from Paris to Milan?
The cheapest way to get from Paris to Milan by train is to buy your tickets as early as possible to get the lowest price. Assuming you’re only visiting Paris and Milan, consider if flying to surrounding cities could save you some cash. For example, you could save money by flying to London and taking the train to Paris with the Eurostar or leaving Milan a few hours early by train to catch a cheaper flight home from Zürich.
How can you buy cheap train tickets from Paris to Milan?
We’ve got a list of tips for buying cheap train tickets for Italy, but to keep it short, here’s what to remember when buying cheap train tickets from Paris to Milan: book tickets as early as possible, travel off-peak if you can, consider regional trains, and see if a multi-day or multi-country rail pass is a cheaper alternative to multiple single tickets.
Which train station is best from Paris to Milan?
Choosing between Gare de Lyon and Gare de l’Est is not an impossible choice. Gare de l’Est is next door to Gare du Nord, so if you’ve arrived via the London Eurostar, the Gare de l’Est area will be more familiar.
Is the train ride from Paris to Milan scenic?
Yes, there are certainly parts of the train ride from Paris to Milan that elicit “oohs” and “ahhs”. Along with cruising by French communes and the countryside, the Swiss Alps are quite the sight.
Image Credit: Getty Images, RICOWde. Image Location: Paris, France
Is there a sleeper train from Paris to Milan?
Sadly, the sleeper train service from Paris to Milan shut down in 2021. There’s hope that a new train company will start serving the route with a sleeper train, but we’ll wait and see. Until then, there are overnight trains that — though may involve connections — will still get you to Milan for an early morning cappuccino.
Can you do a day trip from Paris to Milan?
You can do a day trip from Paris to Milan in the same way that you can get through the Louvre in two hours. Can you see the most important landmarks of Milan and say you’ve been there? Totally. Should you visit such a special place for such a short amount of time? We don’t recommend it. Milan deserves more than a day, so consider staying at least the night.
Plus, there are plenty of other places that make more fulfilling day trips from Paris.
Why is Milan so popular?
Fashion is the first thing that comes to mind with Milan, but this chic Italian city is known for more than the runway. Milan is a foodie city that’s got its share of Michelin-starred restaurants, signature Milanese dishes, and a happy hour-like event called aperitivo. It’s a cultural city where da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo have just as many masterpieces on display as Armani, Gucci, and Prada.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Francesco Vaninetti Photo. Image Location: Milan, Italy
Is it cheaper to go to Milan or Paris?
Paris can be pricey, but let’s not brush off Milan as a cheap date. Most travelers will find it cheaper to go to Milan over Paris: it’s smaller and doesn’t have as many attractions, which means fewer ways to burn up your budget. However, you can rack up those credit card points in both cities with five-star hotel stays, fine dining, and shopping at boutiques.
Is Milan the most expensive city in Europe?
No, Milan isn’t the most expensive city in Europe but it’s definitely up there. It’s one of the most expensive cities in Italy without a doubt. We’d venture to say Paris, Zürich, and even London know how to make our wallets sweat a little harder.
Image Credit: Getty Images, RossHelen. Image Location: Milan, Italy
Is eating in Milan expensive?
Eating in Milan is expensive when you’re letting your appetite make reservations. If you plan ahead by reading menus, you’ll find Milan to be pricey at worst, and manageable at best. It’s not a foodie city in the sense that there are street food stalls and cheap eats around every block, but it does have a great mix of Milanese and international restaurants that offer fantastic dishes at reasonable prices.
How much is a beer in Milan?
Grabbing a beer in Milan won’t blow your budget, but just make sure you look at the prices before the pour. At La Buttiga, .33 cl cans run between €3.90 ($4.20) and €6 ($6.50). At Brasserie Bruxelles, brews on tap range from €4 ($4.35) to €6 ($6.50) while bottles can reach up to €25 ($27).
How much does pizza cost in Milan?
Pizza prices in Milan will vary between restaurants. At Rossini Ristorante Pizzeria, a plain marinara can start at €8.95 ($9.70) while a gourmet pizza can hit €19.95 ($21.70). At Brera Pizzacoteca, €8.50 ($9.20) to €15 ($16.30) is a common range.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, © Marco Bottigelli. Image Location: Milan, Italy
