Getting around Milan: complete guide on public transports

One of the first things one notices when getting around Milan is the traffic. On weekdays, the network of transportation, including public and private, is dense, and it can be difficult to figure out what to do.

Yet to make the most of the beauty and opportunities this city has to offer, and there are indeed many, being able to understand this intricate web is infinitely useful.

In this guide, we will try to explain, one by one, all the public transportation that will help you get around Milan. In a really simple way and, above all, spending really little.

We have thought to recommend a great app to help you explore the city's main sights all on your own, including detailed interactive digital maps. Click on the button to find out more.

It is no secret that one of the fastest and most convenient public means of getting around in very large cities, not just Milan, is the subway.

There are currently 5 metro lines in Milan, one of which is under construction.

- M1 (red metro): connects the town of Sesto San Giovanni to Bisceglie and Rho;
- M2 (green metro): connects Gessate and Cologno Nord (northeast of Milan) to Abbiategrasso and Assago (southwest area);
- M3 (yellow line): connects San Donato to Comasina;
- M5 (lilla line): connects San Siro (west of Milan) to Bignami (north of Milan);
- M4 (under construction): will connect Milan Linate airport (east) to San Cristoforo (west).

Normally the metro operates daily from 5:40 am to 00:30 am. There may be slight changes depending on the line and seasonality.

Milan is a city well served by countless bus and trolleybus lines that challenge city traffic on a daily basis. We are talking about 100 lines in total and they operate at the same times as the metro (05:40 am until about 00:30 am, except on special holidays where service is reduced).

To get around Milan at night by public transport, it is useful to consider that there are countless lines that come into service as soon as the metro closes: they are the NM1, NM2, NM3 and basically retrace the route of the respective metro lines. There are also the 90/91 trolleybus that runs along Milan's ring road (the ideal boundary between downtown and the suburbs) and the N25/N26 bus that operates between Milan Central Station and Cadorna.

Several other night lines also operate on weekends (N15, N24, N27, N42, N50, N54, N57, N80 and N94).

Also of interest is the service called "Neighborhood Radiobus" (Radiobus di Quartiere, in Italian). These buses identified by the letter Q take passengers within different points of the same neighborhood. They come into service when the service of the corresponding daytime lines ends (from 10 pm to about 2 am), but to get on board it is necessary to make a reservation by calling the more +390248034803 and communicate the time, departure, and arrival point. Alternatively, you can book the service through the app of ATM, the company in charge of Milan's transportation.

Moreover, remember that you can also get around Milan from the comfort of your seat on the panoramic bus that connects the city's main attractions! Take this opportunity to admire the architectural treasures, historical monuments, and main attractions of the marvelous city of Milan. Find out how by clicking on the button.

The streetcar has become one of Milan's most iconic vehicles, one of the very symbols of this great city. In fact, some of these streetcars carry nearly a century of history in their carriages.

Certainly, the streetcar, along with the metro, is one of the fastest public means of getting around Milan.

Milan currently has 18 streetcar lines and they normally start operating from 5:00 am until 2:00 am the next day

Let's not forget that the Milan streetcar can become a wonderful experience. ATMosfera, for example, allows you to take a ride around the city while eating inside the carriages used as restaurants, not to mention that you can rent the carriages for events and private parties.

Would you like to treat yourself to a magical experience while tasting an exquisite aperitif and tempting gourmet canapés as you cruise alongside the course of the characteristic Naviglio Grande?

On its banks, you can admire some of the symbolic places of old Milan, such as the famous Vicolo dei Lavandai (Laundrymen's Alley), the Church of San Cristoforo, and the typical and evocative railing houses. 

Explore Milan's sparkling and fashionable Navigli district with the ticket that Visit Italy has prepared for its enthusiastic readers.

This is a set of train lines operated by Trenord and, for the most part, underground.

They run through the center of Milan, connecting it with much of the suburbs. Cities such as Saronno, Lodi, Pavia, and Novara can be easily reached by this rail service.

These are lines that generally operate daily from 6 am until midnight.

Before we continue analyzing the solutions and the various types of tickets available, we also offer an option for art history lovers. Do you have a little time to spare? Would you like to contemplate the splendid masterpieces of Milan Cathedral? Take advantage of Fast Access, thanks to which you can enjoy a spectacular view from the terrace of this majestic Gothic cathedral. Click on the button to find out more.

The tickets we will discuss are valid on subways, buses and trolleybuses, streetcars and suburban trains.

For the past few years, tickets have been loaded (and reloaded) inside an electronic card called RicaricaMi: it is not named but is single-use (costs 1.50 euros).

The single ticket costs 2 euros and is valid 90 minutes from the time of validation, even on multiple rides. Tickets can be purchased at authorized tobacconists and newsstands, via SMS to the number 48444, through ATM's app, and, in some cases, also contactless directly on board.

Then there are day tickets (7 euros) and tickets valid for 72 hours (12 euros). Also interesting is the 10-trip carnet at a cost of 18 euros.

Children under the age of 14 travel free on Milan's vehicles.

Among the destinations you can reach by public transport, we have also prepared a bonus for people who dream of visiting the enchanting Sforza Castle with a reserved entrance and the support of a digital audio guide. Find out how by clicking on the button.

Milan is a very interesting city for those who enjoy the nightlife.

In fact, as we have seen, as soon as the daytime buses and metro lines end their service, night buses come into operation.

In addition to the nighttime lines, there is also a "Neighborhood Radiobus" service that runs on request and allows travelers to move from one point to another in their neighborhood.

Tickets to access the service's vehicles cost 2 euros, just as for daytime rides. To find out more about the routes and schedules, please explore the section "How to get around Milan by bus" in this article.

To cover the route between Linate airport and the centre of Milan, Visit Italy offers its readers a ticket to use an efficient shuttle service to travel in total relaxation.

Milan is one of the busiest cities in Italy. So, for those who are not used to it, it is not really advisable to get around by car. The limited traffic zone (ZTL) that protects much of the city's territory and the difficulty of finding parking make car travel very challenging.

In any case, Milan is also one of the cities where car sharing (but also bike and scooter) service is among the most developed in Italy. The car-sharing companies currently present are Enjoy, Leasys, ShareNow, and E-Vai: you'll just need to download the app of the chosen company and that's it.

To travel between Malpensa airport and the other way round, Visit Italy allows its readers to purchase a ticket to benefit from an efficient and comfortable shuttle, choosing which journey will last less than an hour.

In any case, to explore this magnificent city, indeed we suggest you get around Milan by public transportation!