Getting around Milan is perhaps the easiest thing in the world, as the transport network works seamlessly and is designed to get you anywhere without ever needing a car. Whether you need to cross the city in ten minutes or take a scenic ride, you are spoiled for choice.
The true star of Milanese transport is the metro, operated by ATM. There are five main color-coded lines: the Red (M1), Green (M2), Yellow (M3), Blue (M4), and Lilac (M5). Each has its own "specialty": the Red line takes you straight to the Duomo and the heart of the shopping district; the Green line stops at major stations like Centrale, Garibaldi, and Cadorna, as well as the Navigli area; the Yellow line runs through the city center and Porta Romana; the Lilac line takes you to San Siro or Isola on ultra-modern, driverless trains; and the Blue line connects you directly to Linate Airport. You don't even need to queue at ticket machines to pay: simply tap your contactless credit card or smartphone at the turnstiles when entering and exiting, and the system calculates the best fare for you.
If you prefer staying above ground to take in the sights, trams and buses cover practically every street corner. Trams, in particular, are an absolute icon: hopping on one of the historic yellow wooden models (like the legendary Line 1) is like taking a bargain-priced sightseeing tour through the heart of the city's historic districts.
Buses and trolleybuses round out the network and are especially useful at night; when the metro closes, the NM night bus lines kick in to get you home after drinks or a night out at the club.For those who value total freedom and want to get around in the open air, shared mobility options are everywhere in Milan. You’ll find yellow bikes and e-bikes from the BikeMi service or private operators like Lime and Dott, as well as electric scooters scattered across every neighborhood. Simply download the relevant app, scan the QR code, and you’re ready to go. If you need to cover a longer distance or get caught in the rain, there are also car-sharing services (such as Enjoy or Share Now) that let you rent a car by the minute straight from your smartphone and park for free in blue and yellow zones.
In short, the best way to enjoy the city is to combine walking through the central neighborhoods with taking the metro for longer trips: no traffic stress, no parking hassles, and maximum efficiency to make the most of every minute of the day.