Getting around Milan: metro, contactless and airport connections

The metro: five lines

In Milan you hardly need a car: five metro lines, trams, buses and suburban trains cover almost everything. Two things confuse visitors: where the contactless card works and where it does not, and how to change lines with the M4.

The ATM network has the red M1, the green M2, the yellow M3, the blue M4 and the lilac M5. The M4 runs from San Cristoforo to Linate Aeroporto with 21 stops. According to ATM, it takes about 12 minutes from the centre to Linate.

The M4 interchanges are San Babila with the M1, Sant’Ambrogio with the M2, Sforza-Policlinico with the M3, Dateo and Stazione Forlanini with the S lines, and San Cristoforo with the S9. At San Babila, Sant’Ambrogio and Sforza-Policlinico, you pass through the gates to change between the M4 and the other lines: always use the same ticket, the same card or the same device.

Paying with a contactless card

On ATM metro, trams, buses and trolleybuses you can pay with a card, phone or watch. In the metro you tap the card at the gate on entry and on exit too. Contactless does not work on the S lines of the Passante, on Trenord trains or on the Malpensa Express. If you enter the metro with your card and then take an S line, exit the gates with the same card and buy a train ticket.

From the airports to the centre

Linate: direct M4. For the Duomo, change at San Babila to the M1. Malpensa: there is no metro. The Malpensa Express goes to Cadorna or Milano Centrale, with a separate ticket. Bergamo Orio al Serio: the connection with Milan is by coach. Operators and terminals should be checked on the airport's website.

By car and on foot

Milan has Area B, covering most of the city, and Area C in the historic centre. Before driving in, check the rules on the Comune's website. The centre, the Duomo, Brera, the Castello and the Navigli, can be explored on foot and by metro. For cycling there is BikeMi, as well as private operators.

Practical tips from Easy Housing

Use a single card for your whole metro journey, on entry and on exit. For an event in the Tortona area, such as Mag to Mag, check the route on the ATM app on the day.

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