Student housing near Bocconi University.
Bocconi sits in the Porta Romana district in the south of Milano, roughly two kilometres from the city centre. With around 14,000 students and a large share of them arriving from outside Italy, competition for rooms close to campus is real, and knowing which neighbourhoods to target before you land makes a measurable difference.
Typical rent
€700to€1400
per month, single room
Most landlords in Milano quote a base rent that excludes utilities, which typically add €50 to €150 per month depending on the season and building type. A security deposit of two to three months' rent is standard. Some purpose built student residences quote an all inclusive figure covering internet, water, and heating. Always confirm whether condominium fees (spese condominiali) are on top of the listed price before signing.
The neighbourhoods
Where Bocconi students live
5 areas to compare on rent, commute, and vibe.
📍Porta Romana
€850 to €13005 to 12 min on foot or by tram 9
Quiet tree lined streets with cafes and a local feel.
Best for: Students who want to walk or cycle to campus without sacrificing calm surroundings.
📍Navigli
€800 to €125015 min by tram 3 or tram 9
Canal side neighbourhood known for aperitivo bars and independent shops.
Best for: Students who want an active social scene a short tram ride from class.
📍Città Studi
€700 to €110025 to 35 min by metro M3 or bus 93
Dense student district with low cost eateries and study cafes.
Best for: Budget conscious students comfortable with a longer commute in exchange for lower rents.
📍Isola
€850 to €135030 min by metro M2 then tram, or 35 min by bus 90
Creative neighbourhood with markets, galleries, and a young residential crowd.
Best for: Students drawn to design culture who are happy to commute by metro.
📍Ticinese
€800 to €130010 to 18 min by tram 3
Historic area bordering the Navigli canals with a mixed residential character.
Best for: Students who want proximity to both campus and the city's cultural venues.
Getting there
Getting to Bocconi
From Porta Romana and Ticinese, tram 9 and tram 3 serve the Bocconi area directly and journeys typically take 10 to 18 minutes. Students living in Navigli use the same lines. From Città Studi, metro line M3 (yellow line) runs south through the city and connects to stops within walking distance of campus at Porta Romana or Lodi TIBB. From Isola, metro line M2 (green line) to Cadorna followed by a short tram connection is the most common route.
Milano has a flat terrain and a growing network of protected lanes, and a decent second hand bike costs €80 to €150 from markets like Mercatone dell'Usato, making cycling a genuinely practical daily option for students living within three kilometres of Bocconi.
Full time students can purchase an ATM student season pass (abbonamento studenti) that covers unlimited travel on metro, tram, and bus within the urban zone at a significantly reduced annual cost compared to regular passes.
Milano has more wet days per year than many international students expect, with rain spread across spring and autumn, so keeping a compact waterproof layer in your bag makes commuting on foot or by bike far less disruptive.
The timing
When to start looking
For the September intake, start searching in May and aim to have something signed by late June or early July at the latest. Listings for the most sought after rooms near Porta Romana and Navigli move quickly in June. For the January intake, begin looking in October. Bocconi draws a large cohort of exchange students each semester, and demand spikes sharply in the two months before each academic period begins.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Navigli from Bocconi?+
The Navigli canal district is roughly 1.5 to 2 kilometres from Bocconi's main campus in Porta Romana. By tram 3 or tram 9 the journey takes around 15 minutes. On a bike it is closer to 10 minutes depending on your exact starting point.
What's the average rent near Bocconi?+
A single room in a shared flat within 20 minutes of Bocconi typically runs between €700 and €1,300 per month depending on the neighbourhood, building quality, and what is included. This is broadly in line with Milano's city wide averages, though Porta Romana and Navigli tend to sit toward the upper half of that range compared to more distant student areas like Città Studi.
When should Bocconi students start looking for housing?+
For a September start, begin your search in May and aim to sign a contract before the end of June. For January, start in October. Waiting until August or December means competing for whatever remains after the main wave of students has already secured rooms, and the choice is noticeably thinner.
Where can I see live listings near Bocconi?+
Socials aggregates listings from over 250 housing platforms covering Milano and lets you filter directly by neighbourhood so you can focus on areas close to Bocconi. When a new room matching your criteria appears, the platform pushes the alert to WhatsApp so you can act before the listing fills. You can set up your search at socials.homes.