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Milan: Getting around
ATM operates a public transport network which is pretty efficient
(especially the underground lines and the streetcars). Single tickets cost 1
euro and are available from newsstands, bars and automatic ticket machines in
metro stations. Daily and two-day tickets are available in several newsstands
(including subway newsstands) and the tourist information office.
Single tickets
are valid for 75 minutes, during which you can use them on as many trams and
buses in urban Milan as you like and for one metro ride and for one ride on the urban part of
the suburban train. Your time starts once you validate it by inserting it into a
box which prints the date and time on it. These are found inside trams and buses
and at the turnstiles at the metro.
If you've first used a single ticket on a
bus or tram you must also validate it when you enter the metro or before taking
the urban part of the suburban train. A new ticketing system has being
introduced in 2006. If you have a new magnetic type ticket, you should
validate it every time you board on a new bus or tram, as well.
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- The Metro (short for Metropolitana Milanese, the logo is a big white M
on a red background) has three lines, each commonly identified by a color as
shown below, and is the best way to get around if you're near a station. The
lines are: MM1, red (rossa); MM2, green (verde); MM3, yellow (gialla).
The last trains run at around midnight (2 a.m. on Saturday nights).
- The Suburban Railway System (the logo is a big green S on
a blue background) includes a special line known as Passante, usually
considered the fourth Milan subway line, and has eight more lines, each identified
by a number (1 to 10, lines 7 and 8 are not yet operating). Note that
suburban trains run less often than Metro trains (depending on the line,
they range from 1 to 4 per hour) but, as some lines share the tracks and the
stations, you can expect as many as 10 trains per hour in central Milan
between Lancetti and Porta Vittoria stations. These lines are usually marked
with a large blue line on maps.
- Trams run above-ground on rail lines running through the streets.
Being above ground means you get a view of what you're passing, so if you
don't need to go far they're convenient and fun.
- Buses should probably be your third public transport option. Less
comfortable than the metro and trams, but more routes to choose from.
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ATM Tram and Buses service stops around 2 am. Please note, however, that some
lines in Milan end their service earlier and some do not have a night service at all. In
any case check your route and timetable in advance if you want to travel at late
night. From 8 pm to 2 am a special shuttle service is operated by ATM, called
Radiobus, an on-call bus accessible only by pre-booking.
- Taxis are pretty expensive in Milan, the best ways to catch a taxi is from taxi stands or by phone
booking. The main taxi companies answer to phone numbers 02.40.40 and
02.69.69. A special phone number 848.814.781 allow you to be automatically
to the nearest taxi stand. It is charged at local phone charge, but it is
only available from wired landlines (both private and public phone), but not
from cellular or mobile phone. If you book a taxi by phone you'll start
paying from the moment the driver accepts the call and comes to pick you up.
- Cars are definitely not a good idea to get into the city center.
Like most major cities traffic in Milan is a considerable problem, not to mention the
hassle of parking. During working hours traffic is often blocked, inside the
city as well as on the highway ring surrounding it. It is much better at
night, but you'll probably have problems finding a place to leave the car
near enough to nightlife attractions.
- Several buses connect suburban cities and towns surrounding Milan. Some
are managed by ATM. You can travel on most of them with an inter-urban
ticket (biglietto interurbano) which are sold in two forms: including travel
in Milan or without. In the without form you can only go to the end of the
line, while with the cumulative version you can transfer to any ATM line.
There are several rules and distance limits which apply - check on them.
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- Walking is definitely a possibility, and although Milan is a
large city this is an excellent way of imbibing the culture of the place. No
matter how hot the day, one will see elegantly dressed people of both sexes
in cutting or perhaps timeless fashion with not a drop of sweat. There are
many places to sit, apart from the ubiquitous cafes, especially in the
parks. Get a decent map of Milan before setting out though, as the roads
do not always maintain a straight line, and the various piazza can be
confusing to the newcomer. In the many parks, there are dog only areas, but
one should always be careful when walking as the two things one will see on
the ground in the streets are cigarette ends and dog feces.
Based on work by Max, Jonathan Fain,
Simone
Bravo, Peter Smith, Tufariello Alessandro,
Luca Camellini,
, TuscanyGuy, David Mills, Ernesto Valels,
Ricardo,
Daniel Cowan,
Colin Jensen,
Evan Prodromou,
Gio,
Rory,
Yann Forget
and Michele Ann
Jenkins, Wikitravel user(s) Travelbubble,
Ypsilon,
Episteme, AnyFile, Paul123,
W66LinkBott,
Jonboy,
Nzpcmad,
Wikibob,
Infrogmation,
Nils,
Huttite,
RedBit,
PierreAbbat and
LucaLiz
and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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