Getting around Milan
Like any European metropolis, Milan has a high quality and dense public transport network, which includes metro, buses, trolleybuses, trams and S-trains.
The public transport system is interconnected and you only need 1 ticket.
Milan is one of the few European capitals with a truly extensive tram network, which is much more convenient for tourists than, for example, buses.
All lines are operated by ATM, while the "S" line trains are operated by Trenord.
- Official information on the atm.it website
Public transport tickets
Tickets are uniform for all modes of transport operated by ATM, i.e. metro, trams and green, white or orange buses or trolleybuses. They are also valid on all rail lines around Milan marked with the letter "S" and the line number, operated by Trenord.
The whole city is in one zone, Mi1-Mi3 (in fact three inseparable zones), with only parts of the red and green metro lines crossing this zone, but not leading to tourist destinations. So below are only the ticket prices for the Milan zone.
Milan ticket prices
Prices are the same for all means of transport within Milan. We list ticket prices for zones 1-3, which cover the whole city. If you commute to the hotel in other zones, the prices will increase, see the complete full price list on the website: nuovosistematariffario.atm.it.
| 90 minutes | 2,20 eur |
| 24 hours | 7,60 eur |
| 72 hours | 15,50 eur |
For all tickets, you can change freely between all means of transport within their time validity.
Where to buy tickets?
There are 3 ticketing options in Milan.
- With your own contactless card (also possible with NFC technology, i.e. with your mobile phone or watch)
- the easiest way
- you put the card (mobile phone/watch) to the turnstile when entering and leaving the metro/train station
- when travelling by tram, bus or trolleybus, the card is only attached to the reader inside the car when boarding. You do not attach the card to the validator when exiting.
- the fare is always deducted after 24 hours, when the maximum amount that can be deducted from your card is 7,60 eur
- if you would like to use a 72-hour ticket, it is preferable to purchase a paper form or via the mobile app
- Official information: atm.it//contactless_cards
- Paper tickets
- can be purchased from vending machines at all metro stations and selected bus and tram stops (card and cash payments are possible) and from all newsagents ("Tabacchi")
- the paper ticket is cheaper than contactless payment in its 72-hour version, otherwise the prices for 90 minutes and 24 hours are the same
- you mark the ticket in the validators inside the bus and tram (insert it inside), in the case of the metro you insert the ticket in the turnstile when entering and leaving the station
- ATM mobile app (Google Play / App Store)
- To purchase tickets, you must first register and log in
- you must validate each ticket before boarding, which will display a QR code. This is attached to the QR code reader when you enter the metro (all turnstiles are equipped with them), while on trams or buses you don't have to attach it anywhere, only when the inspector checks
Connection finder and line maps
The best way to search for connections between specific stations is the ATM mobile app (available at: Google Play / App Store), and on your computer, search via the official Giromilano.it website.
Tram and bus maps in .pdf format no longer exist in the current versions. However, you can find a map of a specific line (and feel free to tick all of them to get a comprehensive overview) on giromilano.it in the "Find Lines" section.
Metro
The backbone of Milan's fast transport is its 5 metro lines, which make it easy and comfortable to travel longer distances, especially from the station to the centre, which is itself relatively compact and easy to walk through.
As the metro is the most used means of public transport, we have written detailed information about it in a separate chapter Metro in Milan.
Trams
Milan's tram network is one of the most extensive in Europe and is almost on a par with, for example, Prague in terms of kilometres of track. In addition, riding a Milan tram is also a popular tourist experience, as historic trams from the 1920s and 1930s run on many lines on a daily basis.
These trams can be found on many lines across Milan, there is no need to find out ahead of time where they run, just wait at the stop.
However, there is definitely a greater concentration of historic trams right in the historic centre of Milan. The old trams are in perfect condition for being in regular use and riding them is an unforgettable experience. As they are part of the normal lines, there is no special fare to ride these historic trams, regular public transport tickets apply.
You mark yourtickets on the tram by inserting them into the orange validator when you board. In the case of 24-hour or multi-day tickets, you must mark them on each journey.
Do not mark the ticket during the exit!
You can get on and off at all doors.
There are different validators on the trams for paper tickets and for payment by contactless card.
Buses
Buses are ubiquitous in the wider centre and outskirts of Milan, but finding out at bus stops where a particular line actually goes can sometimes be a bit tricky. Buses are particularly useful for regular commutes, for example from more distant hotels, or for random journeys when you think the bus is going in the direction you need it to go.
You mark yourtickets on the bus by inserting them into the orange validator.
In the case of 24-hour or multi-day tickets, you must mark them on each journey.
Do not mark the ticket during the exit!
You can get on and off the bus through all doors.
There are different validators on the buses for paper tickets and for payment by contactless card.
"S" line trains
Like many other European capitals, Milan has a network of suburban trains marked with the German-style letter "S" followed by the number of the specific line. Although these services are mainly for commuting from the city and villages outside Milan, within the Mi1-Mi3 urban zone you can easily use these trains on regular tickets.
However, you won't get much use out of the trains in the city centre, but especially in the diagonal running north-west to south-east in the northern part of the wider centre, where several lines pass through, which together run as frequently as the metro.
The S3 and S4 lines run from the northern parts of Milan into the centre at Cadorna station, which you can use for commuting from hotels if you can find cheaper accommodation on the outskirts of Milan.
Night transport
The metro and daytime lines run from approximately 6:00-0:30am. If you plan to move home after midnight, you need to take advantage of the night bus services that replace the metro and several other lines that run to cover as much of the city as possible.
Both 24-hour and 3-day tickets are valid on the night lines, but single tickets are of a different type here. They cost 1,50 eur and are valid all night for unlimited transfers. Somewhat unconventionally, you don't buy these overnight tickets from public transport machines, but from parking meters located literally every few meters on every street throughout the city.
Taxi
There are plenty of taxis running around the city and all of them are easily recognizable by their white colour. Taking a taxi will cost you several times more money than public transport, so we only recommend using taxi drivers for your initial transfer to your hotel.
Starting rates range from 3,50 eur to 7 eur. You'll dig deepest into your pockets at night and, logically, during major holidays. On average, taxi drivers charge 1 eur for each kilometre driven. If you are considering a taxi from the airport to the city centre, do not count on the above prices. The airport and its surroundings fall into a higher fare category and you will pay around 95 eur for a ride from Malpensa to the city centre.
Taxi drivers always use a meter and you will hardly encounter any scams on tourists here.
Uber
A cheaper alternative to taxis is Uber. How to get it? Simply download the app on your smartphone and enjoy a hassle-free ride. The price from Central Station to the city centre will cost you approximately 15 eur to 20 eur.
Transport to the airport
All 3 of Milan's airports are located relatively far from the city centre. Only Linate Airport is served by regular public transport, but it is the smallest and has no direct service to the central European area.
The other two major airports are located about 60 km from Milan and you can find detailed transport information in our guides, just click on the title below:
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