In your travel planning, one of the most important points to take into account is planning how to get around Milan. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of ways to get around the city.
1. How to get around by car in Milan?
Our first tip on how to get around Milan is by car. Many people don’t know this, but renting a car in there is an economical and practical way for those who want to travel between the city’s tourist attractions and even take road trips around Italy.
Plus, this tip is great for people traveling with family or a group of friends, as everyone can share the cost of the rental car and petrol. It all works out very cheaply.
And it’s worth remembering that, in the city of Milan, there are Limited Time Parking Zones, or ZTL, which are signposted by different colored signs (or even digital signs with the name ZTL). So, pay attention if you see these signs, as you won’t be able to drive if your car doesn’t have a permit – and the fine for driving in these areas is very high.
The white zone is free parking, while the yellow zones are exclusively for residents and the blue zones are subject to payment. Take a look at the tips below and find out how to rent a car in Milan.
Book your car in advance
Make your reservation online as soon as possible, because a great tip on how to get a cheap car is to book as far in advance as possible and online. The earlier you book, the cheaper you’ll pay. It’s well worth it and you’ll save a lot with promotions, paying much less than renting a car on the spot.
Don’t rent a GPS in Milan
Another good tip is not to rent a car with a GPS, as it costs a lot per day. Instead, you can buy a good chip, like the one we listed above, unblocked for international calls and with unlimited Internet. That way, you’ll be able to use the map and location apps with your own cell phone.
- Important tip: Milan is a city with many tourist attractions, such as museums and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
Use this incredible price comparator
There are some car rental price comparators in Milan (and throughout Italy and all Europe) that are sensational and search all the main car rental companies there, finding the best prices and excellent deals.
We recommend one that you can use by going to the website and entering the date of your trip. It then searches for all the best car rental companies in Italy.
If you want to do the search, click here on Car Rental Comparator. In just a few seconds, you’ll have all the options for renting a car in Milan from the best companies on your screen, and you can choose the cheapest one. You really will save a lot.
More tips: prefer larger and reliable rental companies, such as Europcar, Budget and Avis. Take out basic insurance when booking, which is super important and is usually included in the price. But don’t fall for the companies who, when you pick up the car, try to push extra insurance that isn’t worth it.
2. How to get around by metro in Milan?
The city of Milan has four metro lines: green, red, lilac and yellow. In general, it’s not that complicated to get around the city using this transportation, as there are plenty of signs in English to help you get around.
The metro system runs every day from 6 a.m. until 00:30 a.m., with the exception of Saturdays, when it runs until 1:40 a.m. ATM urban tickets cover different travel times, with the standard ticket valid for a 90-minute journey. However, you can also buy tickets for 1-day or 3-day journeys, or even a booklet of 10 tickets to use in a single day.
However, if you leave the metro, this ticket loses its validity for another journey, so you’ll have to buy another ticket. You can still use it on buses and streetcars.
3. How to get around by bus in Milan?
Another way to get around the city is by bus. When getting around by bus, be aware that, in European countries, tickets are not sold inside the vehicle. In other words, you’ll need to buy your tickets at a newsstand before boarding.
This ticket costs practically the same as the metro ticket, as does the duration of use. So, as soon as you get on the bus, be sure to validate your ticket at a machine and then keep it. This is because if you are stopped by an inspector without a validated ticket, you will have to pay a fine. And if you’ve already used your ticket on the metro and taken the bus, you’ll have to validate it again.
- Important tip: to make the most of your trip to Milan, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas, the hotels and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
4. How to get around by streetcar (Trams) in Milan?
This is – undoubtedly – one of the coolest ways to get around Milan, as you can admire the city’s many streets and buildings while taking the streetcar. The opening hours for this form of transport are very long, starting at 4:30 am and running until 2:30 am.
As for tickets, as with the bus, the ticket is the same as for the metro, as is the duration of the journey, and you need to validate your ticket at a machine. It’s also worth remembering that if you’ve used your ticket on the metro and then taken the streetcar, you’ll need to validate it once again.
Extra tip:
How to find the fastest and cheapest route in Milan?
Our top tip for seeing all the transport options from one city to another is to use this route finder. It searches for all the plane, train and bus options, so you can compare and buy the best and cheapest one for your trip. As well as being the leading service in Europe, the site has unbeatable prices.
Save money on your trip to Milan:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Milan cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Milan tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Milan. You will find out the best areas and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
