Getting Around Milan: Transport Guide

The city centre is a maze of winding streets around the Piazza del Duomo. This area is best done on foot, since most of it is closed to vehicular traffic anyway.

Otherwise Milan’s streets are actually wide avenues that meet each other at neat right angles. The city’s public transport system comprises an efficient network of buses, trams and the metro. The 3 metro lines are called MM1, MM2 and MM3 and are easily distinguished because of their colour coding: red, yellow and green, respectively. Tickets are available in various combinations. Some are valid for a limited time period and only one trip that can be of any distance. Alternately, you could get a block of 10 tickets or one that’s valid for 24 hours. Tickets can be bought at the Centrale and Duomo metro stations, at tobacconists, bars, newsagents and other metro stations. Buses ply from 6 am to midnight, when the night service takes over. The last of the city buses wind up around 1 am. It is also possible to rent a car or hire a taxicab to tour the city. For renting your own vehicle whether it is a snazzy Lamborghini or a zippy Vespa, you’ll have to have your paperwork in order – credit card and international driver’s license. Italians drive on the right. If you’re bringing your own vehicle you’ll need a valid driver’s license and an Italian translation, which is available at any State Tourist Office.