Getting around Milan using public transport: A complete guide

August 09, 2023

Milan Italy Europe Public Transportation

Milan boasts an excellent public transport network, with options including metro, buses, trams, and trains that can take you anywhere in the city. Public transport in Milan is fast, efficient, and budget-friendly.

Modes of Transport in Milan

Metro: The metro is the fastest way to get around Milan. There are four metro lines covering the entire city. The metro operates from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM, seven days a week.
Bus: Buses are a good choice if you need to reach areas of the city not covered by the metro. Buses also operate from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM, seven days a week.
Tram: Trams provide a picturesque way to move around Milan. Trams run from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM, seven days a week.
Train: Trains are a suitable option if you need to travel to the outskirts of Milan. Trains also run from 6:00 AM to 12:30 AM, seven days a week.

Milan Public Transport Pricing

Milan's public transport system has different zones, ranging from Mi1 to Mi9. Each zone has its fare, let's take a look:

For zones Mi1 - Mi3: €2.20 for a single ticket and €7.60 for a daily ticket.
For zones Mi1 - Mi4: €2.60 for a single ticket and €9.10 for a daily ticket.
For zones Mi1 - Mi5: €3.00 for a single ticket and €10.50 for a daily ticket.
For zones Mi1 - Mi6: €3.50 for a single ticket and €12.00 for a daily ticket.
For zones Mi1 - Mi7: €3.90 for a single ticket and €13.50 for a daily ticket.
For zones Mi1 - Mi8: €4.30 for a single ticket and €15.00 for a daily ticket.
For zones Mi1 - Mi9: €4.80 for a single ticket and €16.50 for a daily ticket.

You can find more information on the official website.

How to Purchase Milan Public Transport Tickets

Milan offers various types of tickets:

Ordinary Ticket Mi1 - Mi3: The validity period from the first validation varies depending on the number of zones purchased: 75 minutes for two zones plus an additional 15 minutes for each additional zone. In Milan, the minimum fare you can buy is for 3 zones, valid for 90 minutes from the first validation.
10-Trip Tickets: These are sold in blocks of 10 tickets with validity based on the number of zones purchased. These tickets cannot be used on road services operated by operators other than ATM and Trenord, and they cannot be used by more than one person simultaneously.
Daily Ticket: Valid for 24 hours from the first validation, with unlimited trips within the territory defined by the purchased zones.
3-Day Ticket: Valid for 3 consecutive days from the day of the first validation until the end of service on the third day, with unlimited trips within the territory defined by the purchased zones.
Weekly Pass: Valid from Monday to Sunday of the same week until the end of service on Sunday, with unlimited trips within the territory defined by the purchased zones.
Monthly Pass: Valid for one calendar month for an unlimited number of trips within the territory defined by the purchased zones.
Annual Pass: Valid for twelve consecutive calendar months for an unlimited number of trips within the territory defined by the purchased zones.

Using Milan's Public Transport with Your Contactless Card:

Now, you can pay for the metro, tram, and buses using your contactless card, as well as ApplePay and SamsungPay. This saves you time when buying tickets because all you need to do is tap your card when entering and exiting. By using your contactless card, you'll be charged the same fare as when purchasing a physical ticket. The added benefit is that you'll have a daily spending cap. In other words, using your contactless card is like buying a daily metro pass. The maximum you'll be charged is €7.60 if you use zones Mi1-Mi3, no matter how many times you ride the metro/bus/tram. So, it's an economical and quick way to get around Milan.

Public transport in Milan is fast, efficient, and budget-friendly. With several options to choose from, you can find the one that suits your needs best. With a bit of planning, you can navigate Milan hassle-free.