How to get around Milan

Milan is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and is commonly called the shopping capital of the country. Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM) handles the transport operation, ticketing, schedule, and all services related to transport in Milan, and they’ve done a pretty great job. For those wondering how to get around Milan, your options include bus, taxi, bikes, trams, and metro. Each has its own perks, but the metro and tram are the fastest, offering extensive coverage.

Milan’s public transport system, which includes four major metro lines, buses, and taxis, is designed to provide a seamless and enjoyable commute for all travelers. Whether you’re heading to the city’s most popular attractions or neighborhoods, you can rest assured that the system is well-equipped to meet your needs. 

Duomo is the city’s center and is close to the major attractions. You can book a metered taxi or explore the nearby shopping centers and historical landmarks on foot. 

Fortunately, exploring Milan doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming if you choose the right mode of transport. In this post, we’ve covered all the ways you can explore this cosmopolitan city, the cost of transport, and the schedule. Let’s take a look.

Subway

The Milan subway, with its four metro lines and the fifth one under construction, is the fastest and easiest way to navigate the city. It operates from 5:30 AM to midnight and from 6 AM on Sundays and holidays, making it a convenient option for all travelers. With around 111 stations, including Centrale FS, Porta Romana, and Duomo, the subway system is well-equipped to cater to your travel needs. 

To learn which areas have metro stations, you can check the ATM website and collect the Milan subway map. The website also offers information about the train schedules, fees, and the latest updates. You can use Google Maps to find the nearest metro station in the city.  You can also identify metro lines through their specific colors and numbers, such as M1 (Red), M2 (Green), M3 (Yellow), M5 (Lilac), and M4 (Blue).

You can get a Milan metro card to enjoy free travel for a specific period of time. A single ticket costs around 2 euros and is valid for up to 90 minutes after it is validated. They have a one-day metro pass, which stays valid for up to 24 hours after purchase. It costs approx 7.60 euros. You can choose from weekly, monthly, or annual passes for 17 euros, 39 euros, and 330 euros, respectively. 

Tickets are available online on ATM’s website for both iOS and Android users. You can also get tickets from vending machines at metro stations.

Milan’s Tram 

If you are looking for an alternative to the metro, Milan’s tram line is your best choice. These street cars have been around for more than a century, yet they are still as popular as any other public transport option. The cool colors (yellow, green, and orange mostly) make them aesthetically wonderful for Italians and international tourists. 

With 18 tram lines, this fun and classic travel option is for people who want to travel past midnight. Milan train tickets can also be used for the tram. That means you can buy either a single-day pass, a one-time ticket, or an annual pass for a fixed price. 

Trams offer extensive coverage, including Via Solari, Darsena, Arco Della Pace, Stazione Centrale, and Via Pagano. Trams connect the center of the city with the northeast, passing through the University of Milan. You must check Milan’s tram schedule to see which tram is available for the nighttime services. You can use ATM’s website and app to stay up-to-date with the tram’s schedule, routes, stations, and other details.

You can also board a historical tram dating back to the 1920s. These old-school and retro trams might not offer metro luxuries such as air conditioning, but they give off a perfect historical vibe.

Bus 

Milan bus is another great public transport option for tourists who want to travel to residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, shopping centers, and historical landmarks. Buses are usually preferred when tourists need to travel to places where there’s no direct metro connection. To get Milan bus tickets, you can visit ATM’s website or mobile app. They are also available at tobacco shops and metro stations. 

Milan’s bus schedule is quite similar to that of the metro and tram, starting at 5:30 AM and running until 1:45 AM. The city boasts over 80 bus lines. To get on the bus, you must stop it manually, signaling the driver to stop and pick you up. Milan bus tickets are the same as the ones you use for metro and trams. A single-use pass costs around 2 euros and remains valid for 90 minutes after validation.

Taxi 

You can book a taxi in Milan for around 4 euros (base price) and pay 1.09 euros per kilometer. Hailing a taxi is not an option in this city. The only way to get a taxi here is to wait at a taxi station or book one online. Milan taxi price for Sundays, national holidays, and nighttime service hikes to 6 euros. That’s the law. 

Another important thing is that the meter starts running as soon as the taxi driver comes to pick you up. The taxi fare for the waiting time is 28.32 euros per hour. If you are booking a taxi, make sure you choose the white ones with the “TAXI” sign on the vehicle. These are licensed taxis. 

Explore Milan on Foot

Milan spans 70 square miles, so covering the entire city on foot is impossible. However, if your hotel is in Duomo, you should consider walking to explore the nearby restaurants and popular tourist spots. You can join the guided walking tour to explore historical gems here. A few popular areas you must explore in the city are Navigli District, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Duomo di Milano.

Milan’s public transport system can be confusing, especially for first-time travelers or international tourists. Your best bet is to check the schedule and service updates about different transport systems on the ATM’s website.