Milan Public Transport 101: How To Get Around The City
If there’s one thing that will make or break your first 24 hours in Milan, it’s understanding how Milan public transport actually works in real life. I’ve been living here for a decade now, and despite coming from New York — a place that teaches you to navigate chaos by instinct — I still had to learn the Milan system through trial, error, sprinting for trams, and one unforgettable ride involving a seven-foot Christmas tree.
As someone who doesn’t own a car and relies on Milan public transport, I can say this: the network is excellent, genuinely reliable for a city this size, and often the fastest way to get anywhere. You can cross the city on five metro lines, jump on trams that date back to the 1920s, ride clean buses, and even reach the airport for €2.20. And unlike many cities, Milan public transport runs frequently — especially the metro — which means you’re rarely waiting long for the next train.
This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to book or buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These links help me cover the real expenses behind Spritzience, from visiting locations and retouching photos to the hours spent researching and writing guides that make your trip easier.
How Milan Public Transport Works
Before you even think about trams vs. metro vs. buses, you should know this: Milan public transport is built to move you efficiently across the city, not just in and out of tourist zones. The network is designed around where Milanese actually live and work, which means you can get virtually anywhere on a combination of metro, tram, and bus lines without needing a car.
The metro is the backbone of Milan public transport, running roughly from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., depending on the line. Trains come quickly — often every 2–4 minutes during the day — and the system is complemented by a wide network of trams and buses that serve other routes and neighborhoods above ground.
I ride the Red (M1) and Green (M2) lines the most because they take me to nearly all my favorite neighborhoods. The only surprise for most visitors is the walking required to transfer between lines.
For example, at both Duomo Metro Station and San Babila Metro Station, the connection isn’t two steps across a platform like in Boston or New York. Expect long corridors, multiple escalators, and sometimes stairs where you wish escalators existed. If you have luggage, add a few minutes — and patience.
FAQs: Milan Public Transportation Tips
1. Ticket Prices
- Single ticket: €2.20
- 24-hour ticket: €7.60
- 3-day ticket: €15.50
A single ticket is valid for 90 minutes and works across the entire urban network — metro lines, trams, buses, and the S-train lines within Milan city limits. You can make unlimited tram and bus transfers during those 90 minutes. The ticket includes just one metro entry/exit; after you leave the metro, the same ticket remains valid for trams, buses until the 90 minutes are up. The vintage trams are part of the Milan public transport network, they use the same ticket as regular trams, buses and the metro.
2. Contactless Tap-In Saves Time
Tapping your credit card is the easiest way to use Milan public transport. If you take more than four rides in one day, the system automatically caps your spending at the 24-hour ticket price — one of the most convenient features in the city.
3. Skip the Ticket Machines
The language toggle away from Italian and audio prompts can draw attention from pickpockets. So I prefer to buy paper tickets for guests at an edicola (newsstand), also as I think it’s generally faster.
4. Validate Paper Tickets
On trams and buses, insert your ticket into the small validation machine onboard.
On the metro, insert it at the turnstile.
5. Use Google Maps
Even after a decade here, I still use Google Maps because it combines tram, metro, and bus options I might not have thought of. It’s excellent for seeing which mode is fastest in real time. It also gives you the time the trip will take, so it helps me plan how long I need to transit somewhere.
6. Metro Hours
Roughly 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
7. Press the Stop Button on Trams
Trams don’t usually stop unless people are waiting at the stop or someone requests it. Look for the little red buttons or the square “STOP” buttons, to make that request.
8. Don’t Forget the S-Train Lines
The suburban S-train lines are included in the same Milan public transport ticket when you’re traveling within the city limits. They’re especially useful if you’re cutting across Milan between Milano Porta Garibaldi and Milano Rogoredo, since they add a few extra stops along the way and can be faster than switching between metro lines.
Riding the Historic Trams: Two Scenic Tours Through Milan
Milan’s historic 1920s trams are some of the oldest in the world still running their original routes. These beautifully engineered “Carrelli” cars — with wooden seats, glass lamps, and old Italian signage — were considered so iconic that several were exported to San Francisco for its vintage tram fleet.
Milan’s are single-car trams, which is why I’ve always called them “the tiny,” and I often hear one coming around the corner before I see it. If you want a fun, very Milan way to travel around the city — and an easy way to sightsee without going underground — these two routes make great mini-tours of the city.
Vintage Tram Tour on the 1: From Centrale to the Fashion District
Start: Milano Centrale
I like starting Tram 1 at Centrale because the direction of travel gives you a scenic reveal of several must see landmarks. If you want to explore the station before riding, my Central Station Milan guide shares the best food stops and sights to see within this historic station.
From Centrale, the tram clickety clacks through the streets of Porta Nuova and then into the edges of Montenapoleone, brushing the outer ring of the fashion district as it works its way toward the center.
You’ll pass Teatro alla Scala on your right before the tram curves around the neighborhood that surrounds the Duomo. If you want to explore this area, hop off around Via Grossi — it’s an easy walking point for the cathedral, the Galleria, and the surrounding streets. My Piazza del Duomo Milan guide provides an overview of this whole neighborhood and includes a walk to visit my favorite food, cultural, and shopping stops.
A few minutes later, the tram reaches the edge of Brera. Getting off at Via Cusani puts you right at the doorstep of the district’s boutiques, cafés, and galleries. For an overview of my favorite design boutiques- everything from vintage clothes to incredible hair brushes, and furniture, check out my guide to shopping in Brera. From here, the route continues toward Cairoli, where Castello Sforzesco appears on your right, framed by its fountains and the broad piazza in front.
After Cairoli, Tram 1 heads north along Via Monti, one of Milan’s prettiest historic streets. It’s lined with boutiques, wine bars, and food spots — the kind of street where you might see a shop’s window displaying something cool, suggesting this is the spot for a quick hop-off.
The tram then wraps around toward Arco della Pace, where the arch rises straight ahead as you roll into the square. This is the perfect stop to get off, enjoy lunch or aperitivo, and then stroll through Parco Sempione toward Castello Sforzesco as you make your way back to the metro and tram lines at Cairoli. If you want a deeper look at the area, my How to Explore Arco della Pace Milan guide highlights my favorite cafes and cultural stops.
Vintage Tram Tour on the 10: From Garibaldi to Navigli
Start: Milano Porta Garibaldi
This is a great starting point because it’s both a metro and a train station, so catching Tram 10 here is easy.
Almost immediately, the tram passes Cimitero Monumentale di Milano on your right. Even if cemeteries aren’t usually your thing, this one is worth a stop — it’s a monumental park filled with sculptures, chapels, and historic memorials. You can hop off, explore for a bit, and get back on the next Tram 10; your 90-minute ticket covers it.
After Monumentale, the tram moves through Chinatown, then continues down Corso Sempione. You get a gorgeous, straight-on approach to Arco della Pace — and if you look through the arch at the right moment, you’ll spot Castello Sforzesco perfectly framed in the distance.
The tram loops past the park and crosses the railway lines near Cadorna before gliding onto Via Ariosto. This is one of my favorite architectural stretches in Milan. The historic homes have balconies and huge entry doors — some nearly ten feet wide and over twenty feet tall — and during the day, many of them are open, revealing courtyards, statues, and elegant interior entryways. These are glimpses you only get from a tram, never from the metro.
After a few more minutes, the tram heads toward Porta Genova. You can get off here for the metro if needed, but I recommend riding to the end at Piazza 24 Maggio.
End: Piazza 24 Maggio
From this square, it’s a two-minute walk to the Darsena and about five minutes to the Navigli canals. Navigli is one of the best neighborhoods for vintage boutiques, aperitivo, and cocktail bars. To plan your stop here, my guide Navigli Milan: The Best Boutiques and Cocktails covers all my favorite spots.
How to Buy Tickets
I think the easiest way to use Milan public transport is to tap your credit card at the metro turnstiles or on tram and bus card readers. It’s fast, seamless, and lets you skip the ticket machines in metro stations — which can attract pickpocket attention, especially when the English prompts and multiple on-screen steps make you stand out as a visitor. Not to mention, there can also be long lines for the ticket machine at some stations.
If you’re in a group, and someone doesn’t have a contactless card, you can also buy paper tickets at an edicola (magazine stand). They’re quick, safe, and easy.
If you do use a paper ticket:
- Validate it on trams and buses.
- Validate it /insert it at the metro turnstile.
And remember — single tickets are valid for 90 minutes, with multiple transfers allowed across trams and buses.
Airport Transportation – the Best Milan Public Transport
Malpensa Airport
I always take the Malpensa Express from the airport to Cadorna or Centrale. It avoids traffic entirely.
Full details are in my guide: Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan Central Station
Important:
Your ATM ticket doesn’t cover the Malpensa Express.
- From the airport: you can tap your credit card.
- From the city: you must buy a dedicated Malpensa Express ticket.
- You can also buy a ticket on the TrenItalia or TrenNord apps or Malpensa Express Website.
Linate Airport
The M4 metro goes straight to the airport for €2.20 and runs every few minutes. The San Babila transfer involves a long walk and multiple escalators, so with heavy luggage, I prefer a taxi (usually about €25–35 depending on traffic and where in Milan you’re headed).
Keep Exploring Milan With Me
Now that you can navigate Milan public transport with ease, here are a few guides to help you experience the city through local eyes — the places I eat, the streets I shop, and the day trips I always recommend. My Best Restaurants in Milan guide covers the spots I book for friends, celebrations, and “I need something excellent food tonight” cravings.
Ready to venture out? My 20 Day Trips from Milan roundup highlights my favorite spots within easy train distance: lakeside towns, wine regions, castle villages, UNESCO sites, and cultural spots that pair perfectly with a few days in the city.
