Milan is one of the few European cities where you don't need a rental car at all — the metro, tram, and bus network run by transit authority ATM covers the city densely, and getting around is straightforward even on a first visit.

Ticket Types and Prices

A single ticket costs €2.20 and is valid for 90 minutes from activation, during which you can ride any number of transport modes (metro, tram, bus) as long as you stay within the time limit — but note: re-entering the metro after exiting a station counts as a new ride and uses up the ticket, unlike trams and buses where you can transfer more freely within the allowed time.

If you'll use public transport heavily in a single day, the day pass (24 hours) at €7.60 becomes economical after three or four rides. For a longer stay, there's a 72-hour pass at €15.50 covering zones Mi1 to Mi3 (which includes everything a tourist typically needs). For visitors staying a full month, the monthly pass at around €39 is worth considering.

RicaricaMi and Contactless Payment

Milan has gradually phased out traditional paper tickets in favor of two systems: a reloadable plastic card called RicaricaMi that you buy once and top up, or paying directly with a contactless bank card or phone at the metro gates — the easiest method for most visitors since it requires no advance purchase; just tap your regular bank card at the gate as if it were a transit card.

The Metro: Four Lines Cover Most of Your Needs

Milan's metro network is color-coded: the red line (M1) passes through key shopping areas like Buenos Aires and the Duomo, the green line (M2) serves Central Station and other directions, the yellow line (M3) connects south to north directly through the Duomo, while the newer blue line (M4) connects Linate airport straight to the city center with no transfer — very useful for anyone arriving through that airport.

To and From the Airports

From Linate airport (closest to the city center), you can take a direct bus to Central Station for around €5–6, or use a regular public transport ticket if the M4 metro line reaches your destination directly. From the more distant Malpensa airport, the Malpensa Express train is the best option, at around €13 one way and taking roughly 40–50 minutes to Central Station, while direct buses are cheaper (starting around €4 depending on the operator and booking time). A taxi from Malpensa runs at a fixed rate of roughly €95 to €110 depending on the source and time — a comfortable option but by far the most expensive.

Tips That Save You Money and Time

Validate your paper ticket or make sure your card is charged right after boarding; random checks happen, and the fine is far higher than the ticket price. Download the official ATM Milano app for live bus and tram arrival times. And if you're walking short distances between two nearby stations, walking is sometimes faster than waiting for a metro train once you factor in stairs down and up.

In short, a single day-long transport pass and the four-line metro cover most of what you'll need to visit in Milan, no car or taxi required at all.