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Milan public transport

Milan transport guide:

Getting around Milan

Like in any major city, knowing the ins-and-outs of public transport in Milan is rather important. Getting around all those attractions, museums, shopping hotspots, restaurants, bars and cafes will be a lot easier if you know both, where you’re going, and the easiest way to do it.

Fortunately, the Milan public transport network (run by Azienda Transporti Milanesi – or ‘ATM’) is easy and cheap to use, and the city centre is on the smaller side, making transport by car – or foot – a little easier than in a densely-packed metropolis.

The conversation around using public transport in Milan starts and ends with the MilanoCard. While individual fares are cheap (around 1.50€ for one metro ride), a MilanoCard will get you unlimited tram, metro and bus rides for a set duration – 9€ for 24 hours, 14€ for 48 hours, or 19€ for 72 hours.

Tram

If you’re visiting Milan’s outer neighbourhoods or attractions, then the tram network is your friend because many of its 17 tram lines connect the historic city centre to these areas. Tickets can be purchased from metro stations, tabacchi (tobacco shops) or in giornali (kiosks), and a stamped ticket is good for 90 minutes’ unlimited travel.
Outside of being immensely practical, Milan’s trams are also attractions in and of themselves. Many of the city’s trams are historic, with charming 1920s-era trams serving as a throwback to a bygone age.

Metro

With only four lines, the Milan metro network might not be as extensive as in many other major European cities, but it’s still a particularly handy way to get around town.
Following the development of major underground networks in London and Paris, plans for Milan’s metro began in 1914 but wouldn’t come to fruition until the 1950s. Since then the metro has grown to four lines (the imaginatively-named M1, M2, M3 and M5 – M4 must have gotten lost along the way), with another set to arrive in 2020. Tickets are available from the same spots as tram tickets are, but – once again – the MilanoCard works on the metro.
Rather unhelpfully, Metro running times aren’t particularly precise, with the official ATM website listing the start time as “about 0600” and the last train as being “about 0030”.

Bus

The metro will only get you so far, however. If you want to fill in the gaps left by the rest of the ATM, then Milan’s buses are your best option. With over 80 lines to choose from, the bus network in Milan is mostly useful for travelling to the outer parts of the city and for visiting attractions that don’t have a direct tram or metro connection. Stamped bus tickets allow for 90 minutes’ unlimited use, with one metro ride included.

Car

If you need a cab, we regret to inform you that Uber isn’t available in the city. We also regret to inform you that hailing a cab in Milan isn’t a simple process. For starters, taxis aren’t allowed to stop in certain areas of the city to pick up passengers. Rather than just sticking your arm out, you’ll have to head to a designated taxi rank instead (don’t worry, there’s a fair few of them across town). Easy, right? Wrong. While these stands are well-serviced most of the time, there’s no guarantee you’ll find a taxi in less popular areas or during off-peak hours. You’ll have to use the telephone there and speak to a taxi dispatch service directly. Time to start brushing up on that Italian…
A few other things to note about taxis in Milan – by law, fares have to jump in the evenings and at night. Additionally, some destinations (like airports) have fixed rates, so check ahead before you decide to hop in a cab.
If you’re not too keen on that idea – and if you don’t mind braving the traffic – then there are plenty of shared cars waiting for you, perfect for exploring the city at your own leisure or venturing out of town on a day trip (nearby Bergamo, about an hour from central Milan, is recommended.) But while there are plenty of Milan car hire options, there’s not an abundance of parking in the city, so you’ll have to be patient.

Bike

But why run the risk of spending your time stuck in traffic when you can just hop on a bike? Milan is predominantly a flat city, so you can whizz around and soak up the sights – including pedestrianised areas like the Duomo di Milan and Milan’s parks – with ease.
BikeMi is a bike-sharing program introduced to the city in 2008 – simply pick a bike up from one of 200 stations and drop it off at another one when you’re finished. One-day subscriptions cost 2.50€ and one-week hire is 6€.