Public Transport in Milan: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026

Last updated: 2 March 2026
4 Metro lines, historic trams and 3 airports

Milan's public transport is operated by ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) and covers the city with four Metro lines, an iconic tram network, and an extensive bus system. The newest line, M4 (blue), opened fully in 2023 and connects Linate Airport directly to the city centre — a game-changer for travellers. Payment is simple: tap your contactless bank card directly at Metro gates, or buy tickets via the ATM Milano app. A single ticket costs just €2,20 and is valid for 90 minutes on all ATM services within the city.

iOS: ATM Milano | Android: ATM Milano

Essential Info

Main Form of Payment Contactless bank card or ATM Milano app Multiple people No (1 ticket per person per journey) Check-in/validate Tap contactless at turnstile, or validate paper ticket on entry Payment methods Contactless Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ATM Milano app, RicaricaMi rechargeable card (paper tickets being phased out) Fine for fare evasion from €35 on the spot (rising to €150 if unpaid) Night transport after 01:00 Yes — night buses (N-lines) run midnight–05:00; no 24h metro Exit scan required? No — flat fare within the city, no tap-out needed on Metro Single ticket validity 90 minutes from validation (Metro: single entry + unlimited bus/tram) Real-time info Yes (ATM Milano app, Moovit, Google Maps) Airport → Centre Linate (M4): €2,20, ~12 min | Malpensa Express: €15,00, ~52 min
Validate your ticket — inspectors are strict

Milan's Metro has turnstiles for contactless or app tickets. If you use a paper ticket, you must stamp/validate it at the yellow machine before boarding trams or buses — not on board. A fine from €35 applies if your ticket is not validated (rising to €150 if unpaid). Plain-clothes inspectors operate on all lines, including late-night trams.

Quick Check before boarding

Which Ticket to Choose?

ROAMMATE ADVICE: For most tourists, tap your contactless bank card at the Metro turnstile — instant, no app needed, same price as a ticket. For 3+ days of heavy sightseeing, the 72-hour pass (€15,50) pays off if you make 4+ trips per day. If you're visiting only for a day, a carnet of 10 tickets (€19,50) gives flexibility without committing to time-based passes.
Ticket Type Price (2026) Validity When to choose?
Contactless bank card €2,20 per tap 90 min per journey BEST FOR MOST TOURISTS — no setup required
Single ticket (BIT) €2,20 90 min (1 Metro entry + unlimited bus/tram) One-off trips; buy via app or machine
Carnet 10 tickets €19,50 (€1,95/ride) 90 min per use, no expiry Short visits with irregular travel
24-hour pass €7,60 24 hours unlimited Heavy sightseeing day with 4+ trips
48-hour pass €15,00 48 hours unlimited 2-day city trip
72-hour pass €15,50 72 hours unlimited Great value for 3-day trips with frequent use
Malpensa Express single €15,00 Single journey (MXP ↔ Milan) Arriving/departing at Malpensa Airport
Malpensa Express return €25,00 Return journey (valid 90 days) Saves €5 vs two singles
Avoid travel stress and fines. Receive a free Milan public transport update in your inbox 2 weeks before departure.

Age Limits & Prices

Age Price Notes
0–9 years FREE Always free, no ticket needed
10–17 years Full adult fare (€2,20) No separate youth rate for tourists
18–65 years €2,20 per journey Standard adult fare
65+ years Full adult fare for tourists Senior discount only for Milan residents

Tips for Families

  • Children under 10 travel free on all ATM Metro, buses and trams — no ticket or card required
  • Strollers are allowed on Metro — use the lifts (available at most stations, though older M1/M2/M3 stations may have only escalators)
  • The new M4 (blue line) is fully accessible and has wide doors — ideal for strollers going to/from Linate Airport
  • For day trips, a 24h family pass isn't available — each adult buys their own pass; children under 10 travel free
  • Trams: Historic trams have high steps — not suitable for strollers. Modern low-floor trams on some routes are stroller-friendly

🧮 Cost Estimate for a 3-day Family Trip

  • Adults (2×): 2 × 72h pass = 2 × €15,50 = €31,00
  • Children under 10: FREE
  • Airport Linate (M4): just a regular €2,20 ticket each way per adult
  • Airport Malpensa: €15,00 each way per adult (Malpensa Express)

Milan is served by three airports: Linate (LIN) — closest, now directly on the Metro M4; Malpensa (MXP) — the main international hub, 50 km northwest; and Orio al Serio/Bergamo (BGY) — popular with low-cost carriers, ~50 km northeast. Choose the right airport connection before you arrive.

🔵 Linate Airport (LIN) — Metro M4

Option Time Price Frequency
Metro M4 (blue) ~12 min to Duomo
~17 min to Centrale FS
€2,20 (standard ticket) Every 3–5 min
Taxi ~20–40 min (traffic) €25–45 Always available
Linate tip: The M4 metro station is directly in the Linate terminal — follow signs for "Metro M4" when you exit arrivals. Pay €2,20 with your contactless card. This is one of Europe's cheapest airport-to-centre connections.

🔴 Malpensa Airport (MXP) — Malpensa Express

Option Time Price Frequency
Malpensa Express (to Centrale) ~52 min €15,00 single / €25,00 return Every 30 min
Malpensa Express (to Cadorna) ~50 min €15,00 single / €25,00 return Every 30 min
Airport bus (Autostradale) ~60–75 min €8,00–10,00 Every 20–30 min
Taxi (fixed rate) ~45–70 min (traffic) Fixed €95–105 Always available
  • Centrale route: Connects to Milan Central Station (Centrale FS) — best if your hotel is in the northeast or you're catching a train
  • Cadorna route: Connects to Cadorna FNM — in the city centre, near Castello Sforzesco; M1 (red) and M2 (green) interchange
  • Buy Malpensa Express tickets at the airport or online — ATM tickets are NOT valid on this train

🟡 Orio al Serio Airport / Bergamo (BGY) — Bus

Option Time Price Frequency
Terravision / Autostradale bus ~60–75 min to Centrale €7,00–10,00 Every 30 min
Taxi ~50–70 min €90–120 Always available

When does the Metro stop?

Milan's Metro does not run 24 hours. Last trains depart approximately 00:30 on weeknights and 01:30–02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights. After that, ATM night buses take over.

Transport Last service First service
Metro M1 (red) ~00:30 Mon–Thu, ~01:30 Fri–Sat ~05:45
Metro M2 (green) ~00:30 Mon–Thu, ~01:30 Fri–Sat ~05:45
Metro M3 (yellow) ~00:30 Mon–Thu, ~01:30 Fri–Sat ~05:45
Metro M4 (blue) ~00:30 Mon–Thu, ~01:30 Fri–Sat ~05:45
Night buses (N-lines) 00:00 – 05:00
Trams ~00:30 (most lines) ~06:00

Night Buses (NM/N routes)

ATM operates night bus routes after midnight along the main Metro corridors. Your regular ATM ticket is valid — no extra charge.

Line Route Notes
NM1 Covers M1 (red) corridor Sesto FS ↔ Rho Fiera direction
NM2 Covers M2 (green) corridor Including Navigli area
NM3 Covers M3 (yellow) corridor Stazione Centrale area
N50, N54 Cross-city night routes Cover areas not on Metro
Night tip: Check the last Metro departure from the ATM Milano app before a night out. Milan's nightlife centres around Navigli, Brera and Colonne di San Lorenzo — all covered by Metro M2/M1 until ~00:30 and then NM night buses. Uber is also widely available.

Tips

  • Tap contactless at Metro turnstiles — Visa/Mastercard/Apple Pay/Google Pay all work at all four Metro lines. Simplest method for tourists
  • One ticket = 90 minutes on all ATM services — you can transfer between bus, tram and Metro within this window (single Metro entry only)
  • Use the ATM Milano app to buy tickets and check real-time departures for trams and buses
  • M4 to Linate is a game-changer — a direct metro ride for €2,20 beats any bus or taxi
  • Historic trams on certain routes (like line 1 along Corso Buenos Aires) are a charming Milanese experience — slower but scenic
  • Central Station (Centrale FS) is a transport hub — Metro M2/M3, Malpensa Express, regional and national trains all depart from here

Don'ts

  • Don't board a tram or bus without validating — paper tickets must be stamped at the yellow machine; plain-clothes inspectors give fines from €35
  • Don't use a single ATM ticket for the Malpensa Express — it's a separate train system (Trenord) with its own tickets
  • Don't miss the last Metro — check departure times in the ATM app on evenings out; the gap between last Metro (~00:30) and first Metro (~05:45) is long
  • Don't travel in the wrong direction on the circular M3 — check the terminal station name shown on the platform board
  • Don't confuse M4 with M3 — both serve Centrale FS area but on different lines. M4 (blue) goes to Linate; M3 (yellow) goes south to Rogoredo

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)

Milan's accessibility is improving but uneven. The brand-new M4 line is fully accessible, while parts of the older M1, M2 and M3 lines have gaps in lift coverage. Trams vary significantly — the historic rolling stock has high steps, while newer low-floor trams are accessible.

🔵 Metro M4 (blue): Fully Accessible

  • Lifts at every station, wide doors, level boarding
  • Wheelchair spaces in every carriage
  • Audio and visual announcements
  • Best accessible option for airport (Linate) to centre journeys

🔴🟢🟡 Metro M1, M2, M3: Partially Accessible

  • Lifts available at major interchanges (Centrale FS, Duomo, Cadorna, Loreto)
  • Many older stations have only stairs or escalators — check ATM accessibility map before travelling
  • Wheelchair spaces present in trains, but platform-to-train gaps exist at some stations
  • ATM passenger assistance: call +39 02 4803 4803 for pre-arranged help

Buses: Good

  • Most ATM buses are low-floor with ramps — accessible for wheelchairs
  • Kneeling function available on request — press the accessibility button at the stop

Trams: Mixed

  • Historic trams (e.g. series 1500, 4900) have high steps — NOT accessible
  • Modern low-floor trams (Sirio series) are accessible — check ATM app for route vehicle type
  • Lines 14 and 24 operate mostly with modern low-floor vehicles
Accessibility tip: Plan your route around the M4 (fully accessible) and major M1/M2/M3 interchange stations with confirmed lifts. Use the ATM Milano app to filter for accessible routes. Avoid historic trams entirely if you use a wheelchair or stroller.

Taxis

Milan's white taxis are metered and licensed. They're more expensive than in southern Italian cities but reliable and honest.

  • Start fare: €3,30 (daytime) / €6,60 (night/Sunday)
  • Per km: approximately €1,10 daytime, €1,60 at night
  • Airport fixed rates: Malpensa ~€95–105 (official fixed tariff), Linate ~€25–30, Orio al Serio ~€100 (approx.)
  • Book via: Radio Taxi 02 4040, ItTaxi app, or flag from the street

🚗 Ride-Hailing

  • Uber: Available in Milan (UberX, Uber Black, Uber Van) — often cheaper than white taxis for in-city trips
  • Free Now: Licensed NCC drivers, bookable via app

BikeMi (Bike Sharing)

Milan's official bike sharing service with stations across the city centre.

  • Daily subscription: €4,50 (unlimited rides up to 30 min free per ride)
  • Weekly subscription: €9,00
  • E-bikes available (first 30 min: €0,50; beyond: €0,25 per minute)
  • Book via BikeMi app or at stations with credit card
  • Great for flat rides around the centre — Duomo, Castello, Navigli, Brera

E-Scooters

  • Lime, Bird, Helbiz, Dott: All operate in Milan — scan via app
  • Typically €1,00 unlock + €0,25–0,30 per minute
  • Must be parked in designated areas — random parking leads to fines
Milan tip: BikeMi is excellent for flat central Milan — ride from Centrale to the Duomo, along the Navigli canals, or to Parco Sempione. The city centre is compact enough to combine one Metro ride with a BikeMi leg and skip the taxi entirely.

Italy has solid 4G coverage in Milan with increasing 5G availability. Free WiFi is available in the Metro stations and many cafes. An eSIM ensures you're connected from the moment you land at Linate or Malpensa.

Roammate Tip
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Milan tip: Activate your eSIM before departure. The ATM Milano app works much better with a live data connection — and you'll want it for real-time tram and bus departures. Metro WiFi is available but inconsistent in tunnels.

Milan Central Station (Centrale FS) has luggage storage, and there are options near major tourist areas like the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco.

Most Locations
Bounce Luggage Storage Typically €5,00/day

Store your bags in vetted shops and hotels near Centrale, Duomo and Navigli. Book in advance for guaranteed availability.

$10,000 Protection Free Cancellation Vetted locations
Find Storage Near Me →
Stasher Typically €6,00/day

Premium storage network with vetted hotels and businesses. Fully insured and bookable in advance.

Fully Insured Vetted hosts
Book Storage with Stasher →

Luggage Storage at Centrale FS

Official luggage storage (Kipoint/Deposito Bagagli) is available at Milan Central Station near platform 1.

  • Price: approximately €6,00 for the first 5 hours, €1,00/hour after
  • Hours: 06:00–23:00 daily
  • Note: Can have queues in high season — Bounce/Stasher offer advance booking with no waiting
Roammate Advice: If you're doing a day trip from Milan (e.g. to Lake Como or Bergamo), store your bags at Centrale FS or nearby Bounce location first — it's cheap and keeps you mobile for the day.