Transportation in Milan
Milan's historic centre is a tangle of streets around the Duomo. The inner city is ringed by a road encompassing all the main sights, bordering Parco Sempione and touching on the Navigli (city canals) in the south.Milan's public transport network of buses, trams and metro makes getting around quick and easy. Galleries, churches and museums cluster around Piazza del Duomo, the great wide square with the flamboyant cathedral at its epicentre, and most popular tourist areas are within walking distance of the piazza.West of the historic centre, you'll find the glossy Quadrilatero d'Oro, the designer shopping quarter in San Babila, and the bohemian Brera, which jumps with life at night. Just to the north of Piazza del Duomo are the vast galleries and collections of Castello Sforzesco, backing on to the sprawl of Parco Sempione, Further north-west, the iconic Pirelli Tower is one of Italy's tallest building at 127 metres. Head south by bus or tram for the charming Navigli canal quarter, buzzing with shops, bars and restaurants.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Metro
The metro's three lines cover most of the city and as far east as Gessate, 25 km away. Metro hours are 6am-midnight. Tickets can also be used on the trams and buses and are bought at news-stands, vending machines, tabacchi (stores marked with "T") and bars, and cost one euro for all destinations. Once validated, travel for up to 75 minutes on limitless trams and buses, or take one journey on the three-line metro.
Trams & buses
The orange ATM buses and trams, plus the sleek green trams, run from 6am until midnight, when night buses take over for an occasional service. The stops are tall orange poles by the curb. Navigation is made easy by route maps at each stop. The same tickets are valid for the metro and can be bought at news-stands, vending machines, tabacchi (stores marked with "T") and bars.
Taxi
Taxis are white and metered and can be flagged down in the street but drivers prefer to stop at taxi ranks. There is a huge rank in Piazza del Duomo, and taxis can always be found around the train stations. Hotels and restaurants are usually happy to organise taxis for you; you will be given a receipt to show to the driver. Expect extra charges for luggage and night-time travel.
Foot
Walking is often the quickest way of getting around the centre of Milan, with museums, galleries, shops and churches to be discovered en route. From the Duomo, the Brera, the Quad d'Oro and Castello Sforzesco can all be reached in around ten minutes.
Rent your car
If you’re entering Milan’s city centre, you’ll need to buy an EcoPass, a daily charge of €2-€10, aimed to ease traffic pollution. Certain ‘green’ vehicles are exempt. Parking can be difficult but options include scratch cards available from newsstands or secure car parks.
Transportation Tips
Using the ATM transport network is easy. Buy single tickets, or cheaper carnets of ten, giornaliero (daily) and two-day tickets. Validate the ticket at the start of your journey by punching it through the SITAM machines on board buses and at metro stations. Once validated, travel for up to 75 minutes on limitless trams and buses or once on the three-line metro. A single ticket costs one euro.
