Getting around Milan
From city center to the surrounding suburban areas, the city of Milan offers a convenient and efficient public transportation system.
Before living in Milan, it was unthinkable to go without a car. Of course there was the car payment, the insurance, countless trips to the gas station and even annual emissions testings to pay for. Since 2016, I’ve only driven a few times when I rented (automatic) cars for weekend trips and I have to say: that’s fine by me!
This article offers a brief overview of the public transport in the city, although I do have plenty more things to add in future articles.
Metro/Subway/Underground
Milan's metro system, run by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), consists of four completed lines: M1 (red), M2 (green), M3 (yellow), and M5 (purple), and the M4 (blue) which is partially open and still under construction. The metro covers a wide area of the city, including the central business district, main tourist attractions, and outlying neighborhoods. Tickets for the metro can be purchased at ticket machines at metro stations, newsstands, and ATM Point service centers, but to avoid lines I would suggest using contactless payment directly at the designated turnstiles. Pro tip: make sure to tap out with the same card upon exiting at your arrival station to avoid fees being added.
Trams/Lightrail Trains/Trolleys
Milan has a network of 18 tram lines that crisscross the city, providing frequent and reliable connections. Trams are a particularly efficient way to travel through the city center, as they often have their own dedicated lanes. The same €2.20 ticket can be used on the tram, metro, and buses. It has a duration of 90 minutes, allowing for ample connection times and longer-distance trips. Most trams have been outfitted with contactless card readers at the time of writing this article, but when in doubt purchase via the app or point of sale.
Buses
The city offers over 80 local bus lines and a few trolley buses that cover the entire city. Buses are a good option for reaching areas not served by the metro or trams and some lines continue service throughout the night. Bus tickets can be purchased at the same places as metro and tram tickets, as well as via contactless card readers, or the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM) app.
Taxis/Ride-Sharing
Taxis, while diminishing in quantity each year, are readily available in Milan and are a convenient option for getting around late at night or when traveling between distant points. If you appear to be too inebriated or if you are travelling with an animal, expect to be begging for a ride- both taxi drivers and Uber don’t like taking the risk with potentially messy passengers. Taxis are metered and fares start at approximately €4.00, with additional charges for luggage and surge pricing at peak times.
A not-so-fun fact: due to the clashes between ride-sharing companies, local governments and taxi drivers themselves, we only have Uber Black, Uber Black XL, and Uber Lux. Whereas a cross-town trip in a taxi could cost €12-20, expect to be paying upwards of €35-40 for the same trip. Of course you’ll feel nothing short of fabulous arriving at the bar in sleek, black Mercedes- you just might find a hole in your pocket the next morning.
Bike-sharing/Electric Scooters/Electric Mopeds
Milan has a thriving bike-sharing system called BikeMi. Users can rent bikes at stations throughout the city and return them at any other station. BikeMi is a great option for getting around the city in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, however its users are limited to picking up and dropping off the bikes at the designated parking stations and the service isn’t available late at night.
Other companies like ridemovi (formerly Mobike), Uber, and Lime offer nearly unlimited parking and can be left and picked up in more flexible locations. They generally offer both normal bicycles and battery-propelled ones, so options are always available!
Walking
Milan is a relatively compact city, making it easy to get around on foot. The city center is pedestrian-friendly and many attractions can be easily reached on foot.
Parking
Parking can be difficult to find in Milan, especially in the city center. There are several public parking garages located throughout the city, but these can also be expensive. Parking on the street is generally metered and limited to a certain amount of time.
Summary
Milan offers multiple modes of convenient transport- some more eco-friendly and affordable than others.
Public transportation: metro, tram, bus
Eco-friendly: bicycles, electric scooters, electric mopeds, walking
By car: unless hybrid or fully electric, expect fees for entering city center, parking is often scarce if not super expensive, consider parking at a cheaper garage located on a metro line outside of city center and commuting inwards
