Everything to Know about Milan’s Public Transport

Milan is a city teeming with culture - and public transport, too! With a metropolitan area that’s one of the biggest in Europe, the government made sure to invest in the city’s public transport system.

But with several public transport options, tourists can get confused and overwhelmed. Luckily, this guide breaks down Milan’s public transport to make your commute fuss-free!

You can buy tickets for any public transport at self-service machines, newsstands, and ATM Point service centers. There are one-way tickets, day passes, weekly passes, and monthly passes available. Each ticket is valid for 90 minutes upon validation. To validate any Milan public transport ticket, tap your paper tickets on the yellow machine before boarding.

But if you want to skip the long line of buying tickets, you can easily tap your bank card on the turnstiles at the metro or on the readers in buses and trams. Just a head’s up - it’s one card per person, not per group.

Want a more fuss-free option? Get unlimited rides on all public transport for one day with the Milan City Card!

If you’re staying in Milan for more than one day, we recommend getting the Milan City Pass, which gives you 1 to 3 days of unlimited commute on Milan public transit. With the Milan City Pass, you even get free entry and skip-the-line tickets to a number of major attractions!

Milan public transport is mostly known for its subway system. The metro has four main lines: 

• M1 (red)

• M2 (green)

• M3 (yellow)

• M5 (purple)

To understand better, here’s a copy of the metro map:

The M1 line takes you to famous spots like Duomo for sightseeing and Corso Buenos Aires for shopping. If you’re after the city nightlife, go to Porta Garibaldi at the M2 line. For art enthusiasts, make sure to go on the M3 line for the Pinacoteca di Brera museum and the M5 line for the Isola District.

Want to see the city while commuting? Buses and trams offer that scenic route you desire!

Trams provide a charming way of sightseeing in the city. The lines can get long, especially at night, but the beauty of Milan makes up for it.

Lines 2, 4, 14, and 16 are the most central, as they pass by the Duomo. Line 10 takes you to the Navigli District, where you can take photos of the famous canals while passing.

Bus transport in Milan covers areas that the metro doesn’t reach. So, if you’re not after some of the major attractions, taking the bus is your best option.

If you are after the major attractions, Bus 94 goes to the city center and some popular tourist spots, like Porta Venezia and Porta Romana. Bus 61 takes you to the famous Quadrilatero della Moda, Milan’s fashion district.

Or you can also ride the Milan City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus to explore the city’s vibrant culture and lively atmosphere!

If you want to travel outside of Milan, your best bet is their railway system. From Milan, you can easily take intercity trains going to Bologna, Genoa, Venice, and the like. It makes for the perfect day trip!

You can also reach the airport via the Malpensa Express train. Ride at either the Cadorna or the Centrale stations.

Just remember, your Milan city transport tickets are not valid on these trains. You’ll need to purchase separate tickets at the station. Want to skip the ticket lines? Go for the Trenitalia Pass, which you can use for several trips.

1. How does public transport work in Milan?

Milan public transport options include the metro, trams, and buses. Each ticket, when validated, lasts for 90 minutes. You can buy paper tickets, or you can just tap in your bank card to skip the line.

2. Is Milan easy to get around without a car?

Definitely! Besides its extensive and efficient public transport system, Milan is also a walkable city. You can easily visit major attractions by walking or taking public transportation.

3. Are trams the best way to get around Milan?

The Milan tram is a good option for exploring the city, especially Tram 1’s route. Trams also run later than the metro, making them ideal for late-night travel. However, if you’re traveling long distances, taking the metro is the smarter option.

4. What is the cheapest way to travel around Milan?

The cheapest way to travel around Milan is using its public transport system with multi-day passes. Then again, you can always walk in this walkable city!

5. Do tourists need a transport pass in Milan?

It’s not exactly a need, but transport passes surely help you navigate the city better! You can go for 24 hours of free, unlimited public transport with the Milan City Card or choose a multi-day pass with the Milan City Pass.

Exploring the city doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when you’ve got a lot of public transport options. And with Milan’s public transport system, you’ll surely visit their major tourist spots with ease.