How do you get around Milan, and what's the best way in from the airport?

Getting Around Milan

Milan's five metro lines (M1 red, M2 green, M3 yellow, M4 blue, M5 lilac) give the city the best rail coverage in Italy, and most sightseeing, shopping, and business districts sit within a short walk of a station. Trams fill in the gaps the metro misses, especially for short hops through the historic center, while buses cover outer neighborhoods. Walking works well inside the Cerchia dei Navigli ring, but the metro wins for anything beyond that.

Hubs to know

Duomo (M1/M3) sits at the city's core, and Milano Centrale (M2/M3, plus mainline trains) is the arrival point for most rail travel. Staying near either keeps transfers simple.

Tickets and passes

ATM's standard ticket covers 90 minutes across metro, tram, and bus, with day and multi-day passes aimed at travelers making several trips daily. A pass isn't worth it for a short visit with only one or two rides a day — single tickets are simpler to track.

Airport transfers

Malpensa (MXP): the Malpensa Express train runs to Centrale or Cadorna and stays reliable regardless of traffic; a shuttle bus to Centrale costs less but takes longer; taxis are fastest door-to-door but the priciest option.

Linate (LIN): the M4 metro line runs directly into the center (San Babila, Duomo), making it the simplest option for most travelers; taxis remain a quick alternative for short direct trips.

Practical notes

Rush hour runs roughly 8-9:30am and 5:30-7:30pm, when M1 and M2 get crowded — avoid these windows with heavy luggage. Metro service generally winds down shortly after midnight, later on weekends, so plan late returns around trams or buses. M4 and M5 stations were built with step-free access; older M1 stations are less consistent, so check ahead if mobility access matters.