Getting around

Bicycle sharing

Between the aggressive drivers, tram tracks, and cobblestone streets, biking in Milan is not for the faint of heart. However, with the introduction of cyclist paths and increased bike-sharing service locations, cycling is getting a little easier.

BikeMi

Bus Transport

Lugano Services

Car rental

To rent a car in Italy you must be over 21 and have held a driver's license for at least a year. You will also be asked to present a passport or valid ID at the time of hire. If renting a car with children, you must also rent the appropriate seat or cushion for their safety.

Car sharing

Car sharing is the ideal solution for city dwellers reluctant to invest in a vehicle when public transportation is often more convenient. But there are always occasion that require a car, and when they arrive, both locals and tourists turn to the following stand-bys.

City tours

Public transport

The Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM) and the services they operate are the core of Milan's public transport system. It is fairly safe, even at night, and reliably on time. The urban network is made up of four underground metro lines, the Line 1 (red), Line 2 (green), Line 3 (yellow) and Line 5 (violet). Stations are marked with a red 'M,' and an additional service connecting the city with outlying suburban areas, the passante ferroviario urban railway, is indicated in blue on maps and shown with the letter 'R' above ground.

Metro trains run daily from 06:00 - 00:30 every 4-7 minutes, and more frequently during rush hour. After 21:00, services run every 10-12 minutes and maintenance work at night can cause additional delays. After 00:30, night buses replace the metro lines until about 02:00 on week nights, and throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays. All ATM bus and tram services (except the specific nocturnal lines) run daily between 06:00 and midnight. Each bus stop shows all the stops made along the route, as well as a timetable.

ATM's request-only bus service, Radiobus (13:00 - 02:00 daily, (+39) 02 48 03 48 03) will pick you up upon request made at least three days in advance. It is rarely used; tickets are €1.50 at sale points and €3 on the bus.

Before boarding, you must buy an ATM ticket, which can be purchased at ATM points, from ticket machines inside the metro station for as long as metro service is running, and at tobacconists, bars, and most newsstands. If you are caught without a ticket, you will be fined €36 and up without mercy. Swipe your ticket in the electronic machines on buses and trams; enter it into the turnstile at metro stations. The same tickets are valid on all ATM bus, tram and metro lines within the inner city; travel beyond city zones cost more.

A single urban ticket costs €1.50 and is valid for 90 minutes from when it is stamped; it can be used on unlimited ATM trams and buses on the inner-city network, plus one trip on the metro or the passante. A biglietto serale, (€3) is valid from 20:00 until the end of service. A biglietto giornaliero (€4.50) is valid for unlimited use for 24 hours from time of purchase. A biglietto bigiornaliero (€8.25) is valid for unlimited use for 48 hours from time of purchase. The settimanale 2x6 ticket (€10) can be used for two trips of up to 90 minutes per day, Monday - Saturday. If one day is missed, you can use it on Sunday. The carnet (€13.80) is a ticket worth ten trips, not to be used by more than one person.

Upon request at an ATM point (located in the metro stations at Duomo, Cadorna FN, Loreto, Centrale FS and Romolo), you can submit a passport-sized photo to purchase a €10 magnetic pass that is rechargeable. With this card, the abbonamento settimanale (€11.30) is valid for a week's worth of unlimited use of urban transport. The abbonamento mensile (€35) provides one month of unlimited use of urban transport. Students and under-26 pay just €22.

Additional information on routes, tickets, changes, and pre-announced strikes can be found at ATM Points (if you want to brave the queues), on the ATM website, or by calling freephone, also in English. A comprehensive city transport map can be purchased at ATM Points and most newsstands for €5.

ATM

Rickshaw

VeloLeo

Taxis

Licensed taxis are white and meter-operated. Most of Milan's taxi drivers are honest and friendly; however, if you suspect you are being ripped off, take note of the driver's name and number, displayed on the metal plaque inside the car's rear door. The more conspicuously you do so, the more likely you are to have the fare drop to its proper level. Report misdemeanours to the driver's company or co-operative, on the outside of each door.

When you pick up a taxi at a taxi stand or hail one in the street, the meter should read zero. As the ride begins, it will show the minimum fare (€3.20 at time of writing) for the first 200 metres, after which the charge increases by €1.06 per kilometre. On Sundays, public holidays, and at night, the minimum fare rises to €6.20. When phoning a cab, you'll be told the location, the taxi number, and the minutes estimated until arrival. Keep in mind that the meter starts from the moment the taxi sets out to pick you up.

Many taxi drivers do not speak English, so it's a good idea to write down the address of the destination or phone someone who can explain it to the driver.

Uber

Since coming to Milan, the ever-popular Uber service has been shrouded in controversy amid protests and claims from local taxi drivers that its policy violates the rules of competition. In fact, at press time, UberPop has been suspended in Milan following a court sentence. Although the government has yet to make a clear statement about the legislation, UberBlack and UberVan are fully effective in the city. Download the app, connected directly to a credit card, for access. Pricing begins with a €2 base fare, with the addition of €0.20 per minute and €0.35 per kilometre. The minimum fare is €5, and there is a €5 cancellation fee. Flat rates are available for airport service; €45 between the city and Malpensa Airport, in either direction, and €50 to and from Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, in either direction.

Uber