Overview
The Milan Metro (Metropolitana di Milano) is a rapid transit system operated by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM) serving Milan and surrounding municipalities. The network consists of five lines spanning 111.8 kilometres with 125 stations, most of them underground. As a visitor, you will navigate this system by purchasing a ticket or contactless payment at a metro station entrance, validating it at the gate or card reader to enter, riding to your destination, and exiting at your chosen station. The system is modern, clean, and well-signed with passenger information displays and announcements in both Italian and English on newer trains.
The network
The Milan Metro comprises five rapid-transit lines, all mostly underground except for the northern part of Line 2 and the Line 2 Assago branch. Lines 1, 2, and 3 are heavy rapid-transit lines with 6-car trains; Lines 4 and 5 are lighter metro lines with 4-car driverless trains.
- Line 1 (Red): Runs from Sesto Marelli to Rho Fiera, passing through central interchanges including Cadorna, Duomo, and San Babila. It is electrified at 750 V DC using a fourth rail system.
- Line 2 (Green): Runs from Caiazzo to Cascina Gobba with branches to Abbiategrasso and Assago. It interchanges with Line 1 at Loreto and Cadorna, and with Lines 3, 4, and 5 at other central stations. Electrified at 1500 V DC with overhead lines.
- Line 3 (Yellow): Runs from Maciachini to San Donato Milanese via central Duomo, with connections to Line 1 at Duomo and Line 2 at Centrale. Also uses 1500 V DC overhead lines.
- Line 4 (Lilac/Purple): An automated driverless line opened in 2022 connecting Linate Airport to San Cristoforo FS via San Babila. It links to Line 1 at San Babila and to the suburban rail network at both Dateo and San Cristoforo FS stations. Electrified at 750 V DC via a third rail system.
- Line 5 (Violet): An automated driverless line running from Bignami to San Siro Stadio with northern connections at Zara and central connections at Garibaldi FS and Lotto. Electrified at 750 V DC via a third rail system.
The metro network connects with the suburban railway service (Trenitalia regional and suburban lines) at 14 interchange stations including Cadorna, Centrale, Garibaldi FS, and Rho Fiera, allowing seamless onward travel to surrounding municipalities and the wider Lombardy region. The network serves Milan and 13 neighbouring municipalities including Rho, Segrate, Sesto San Giovanni, and Gessate.
Beyond the metro, Milan's public transport includes trams (tram network throughout the city), buses (urban and suburban routes), and regional suburban rail (Trenord and other regional services). All these modes accept the same unified tickets and passes.
Tickets & fares
Milan's unified public transport ticketing system covers the metro, trams, buses, and suburban lines within Milan and 21 bordering municipalities. All prices and validity periods listed below are approximate and subject to change.
- Single ticket (€2.20): Valid for 90 minutes from validation, allowing one metro entry and unlimited transfers between metro, tram, and bus within the zone.
- Carnet of 10 tickets (€19.50): Ten single tickets, usually cheaper per trip than individual purchases.
- 24-hour pass (€7.60): Unlimited travel on all public transport in the urban area for 24 hours.
- 3-day pass (€13): Unlimited travel for 72 consecutive hours.
- Weekly pass (€17): Unlimited travel for seven consecutive days.
- Monthly and annual passes: Longer-term passes are available; consult ATM for current pricing.
- Student and senior passes: Discounted passes are available for eligible passengers.
- Children under 14: Free travel when accompanied by a paying adult (bring ID if requested).
- MilanoCard: Tourist cards bundling transport with museum and attraction discounts, available from €12 for 24 hours.
Purchase methods: You can buy tickets at touchscreen machines installed at every metro station (accepting cards and cash, with English-language options), at tobacconists and newsstands displaying the ATM sign, through the ATM mobile app, or on board some services. Paper tickets must be validated by tapping at metro gate readers or at validators on trams and buses. Contactless bank cards and mobile phones can be used for tap-to-ride payment at metro gates and on-board readers; daily spending is automatically capped at €7.60, the equivalent of a 24-hour pass.
The smartcard system includes the RicaricaMi card, which can be charged with credit for travel and works similarly to London's Oyster card. The older Itinero card was used for season tickets. Regional integrated tickets valid across Lombardy are also available as 1- to 7-day passes or longer subscriptions.
From the airport
Linate Airport (7 km from city centre): Linate is served directly by Metro Line 4, which runs every 7 minutes from the airport terminal to the city, including interchanges to all other metro lines. A single ticket costs €2.20, the same as normal public transport, and is available from the newsagent inside the terminal. This is regular city transport with many stops and can get crowded during peak hours. Alternatively, a dedicated shuttle bus operated by Autostradale departs from Terminal Entrance 6 every 30 minutes to Milano Centrale railway station, stopping at Lambrate railway station en route; tickets cost €5 and take approximately 27 minutes. Taxis cost around €12–20 depending on traffic; the minimum charge is €12.
Malpensa Airport (40 km northwest of city centre): Malpensa is not directly served by the metro. Buses are the most popular and cheap option. A shuttle bus operated by Malpensa Shuttle connects Malpensa to Linate airport with a few stops, allowing you to then access downtown by Metro Line 4; the journey takes about 1 hour depending on traffic. Long-distance trains also run from Malpensa to Milano Centrale and other stations.
Orio al Serio Airport near Bergamo (45 km northeast): Budget airlines use this airport. Shuttle buses run regularly to Milano Centrale, taking just over 1 hour. Tickets start from €10 online or €12 at the airport (Orio Shuttle) or from €10 in advance (Flibco); operators include Orio Shuttle, Flibco, Autostradale, and Terravision. Alternatively, local buses (ATM, €2.60) run to Bergamo railway station (15–25 minutes), and trains run from there to Milan in about 1 hour (€4.50–€5.80).
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing: Queue orderly at metro gates and when boarding trains, especially during peak commuter hours (early morning and early evening).
- Escalators: Stand on the right side of escalators to allow others to walk or run on the left. This is a common European convention.
- Priority seating: Seats marked for elderly, disabled, and pregnant passengers should be vacated if needed. Offer your seat to those who require it.
- Eating and drinking: Eating and drinking on public transport is generally discouraged, though not explicitly forbidden in most cases. It is considered more considerate to refrain, particularly on crowded trains.
- Mobile phone use: Keep voice calls brief and quiet. Some lines and times have designated quiet areas.
- Rush-hour behaviour: During peak hours (typically 7–9 a.m. and 5–7 p.m.), trains become very crowded. Stand clear of closing doors, keep bags and elbows close to your body, and be prepared for a tight squeeze.
- Validation: Always validate your ticket at the gate or on-board validator immediately upon boarding; this is required and is checked by ticket inspectors.
- Station security: Avoid poorly lit areas at night and stay alert to pickpockets, particularly at Milano Centrale and other major stations.
Official links
Survival terms
- Metropolitana (Metro): subway/metro
- Biglietto (Biglietti pl.): ticket(s)
- Linea: line
- Entrata: entrance
- Uscita: exit
- Cambio (Cambi pl.): transfer/interchange
- Biglietto singolo: single fare
- Abbonamento giornaliero: day pass
Always keep your ticket or contactless payment method ready when entering the metro, validate it promptly at the gate, and hold onto it until you exit, as inspectors may request to see it at any time.