Milan is compact enough for a mix of walking and quick public transport. The metro, buses and trams form the core network, while app-based sharing adds bikes, e-scooters, cars and mopeds. The city has also expanded its bike paths as it works toward greener travel.
Milan has five underground lines: M1 Red, M2 Green, M3 Yellow, M4 Blue and M5 Lilac. The network is Italy's longest metro system and normally operates from about 5:40am until 12:30am. Several line extensions are planned, but for a visitor the existing five lines are the quickest way across the city.
Heavy road traffic can make buses slower than the metro, yet they are valuable for neighbourhoods beyond the underground map and for journeys after the metro has shut. Selected night routes run every 30 minutes, giving the bus network a useful late-night role.
Milan's trams cover 18 lines and are handy when speed is not the priority. Watch for Tram 1, the city's retro orange service with original fittings: it passes just north of the Duomo and offers a memorable, somewhat noisy ride rather than an express trip.
Bike share comes in both standard and electric forms. Some bikes can be left in the street, while others must be returned to a designated station. You need the relevant operator app for every service. The names most visitors encounter are Lime, BikeMi and RideMovi. Prices vary: some plans require registration, while others add an unlock fee and then charge by the minute. As a reference, bike share costs €0.50-1 per 20-30 minutes, plus an unlock fee.
E-scooters are another popular short-trip option. The top permitted speed is 20km/h, falling to 6km/h in pedestrian areas. Lime, Bolt, Dott and Helbiz are among the available providers, and each service is accessed through its app.
Finding a taxi on demand is difficult, and availability becomes especially tight during events such as Fashion Week. Go to a marked rank, usually outside a railway station or a large hotel, rather than relying on a street hail. You can also request a car by phone or app; Freenow lets you book and follow the driver's arrival.
Contactless travel works across ATM services with Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Maestro and VPay cards. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are accepted too: tap the card or phone on the reader. A metro journey needs a second tap when you leave through the exit gates. Use the same card for every ride, especially when making several trips in one day. From the fourth ride, the system automatically applies the daily fare.
With an Italian SIM, you can request a single journey by text message. Send ATM to 4880488and the ticket arrives by SMS already validated. The ATM Milano app also sells tickets, although its interface is not especially intuitive. For route information, many people use Google Maps or Citymapper instead.
Paper tickets are available at metro stations, tabacchi and newsstands. On a bus or tram, put the ticket into a red validator as soon as you board. In the metro, validation takes place at the station turnstile.
Milan's fare map is arranged in rings that spread outward from the centre. The prices below use the Mi1-Mi3 area, which covers the central sights and the parts of the city most visitors use.
| Ticket or service | Price | Validity or detail |
|---|---|---|
| Single journey | €2.20 | 90 minutes on buses, trams and trains, except the S line |
| Daily ticket | €7.60 | 24 hours from the moment of validation |
| Three-day ticket | €15.50 | Valid through the end of the third day |
| Children under 14 | Free | No ticket fare |
| Bike share reference | €0.50-1 | Per 20-30 minutes, plus an unlock fee |
| Zone | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Mi1 | Central Milan, including most visitor sights |
| Mi3 | Outer municipalities such as Assago and Segrate |
| Mi4-Mi9 | The wider Milan area beyond the inner rings |