Public Transport for Dummies

As important as getting to a city, is knowing how to get around when you're there! In Milan the best option is to use public transport, which is very efficient and considerably cheap. There's always the option of getting a taxi or going by car (your own or rented), but these are alternatives which, in my opinion, should be reserved only for emergencies, since taxis can be very expensive and with a car parking is very difficult to find (because of this - I believe - here you'll find cars parked in the most unexpected ways, it's best to avoid it).

In Milan the ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanese) provides public transport services. Are you planning to go somewhere and don't know how to get there? The first thing to do is to go on the company's website (http://www.atm-mi.it – also available in English), there you have the option to research your route through the "Giro Milano". All that you need to do is insert your point of departure and your destination and there you have it! The site will show a map explaining everything that you'll need to do (walk X metres, take Y bus, get off at W, etc. ), you can even choose which modes of transports you want to use (only bus, metro, train.. ) - very practical!

Of course, to do all of this, you need a ticket! You can get these in the ATM machines in the metro stations or in places with authority to re-sell (some bars, news stands, tobacconists).

Tip: The tobacconists (tabaccheria) are very easy to find because they have a T that's very visible for those walking down the street, and they're open later. Here:

"Ok, so I'm in the middle of nowhere, far from a metro station, which retailers are authorised? " You can find out here: http://www.atm.it/

At the bottom of this page there’s a pdf with a list of all these places and their addresses!

What about prices?

The most popular options are:

• Ticket valid for 90 minutes (after being stamped by the machine): It costs 1. 50 euros and gives you access to one journey on each transport. Ideal for if you’re going to a specific place and don’t plan to use public transport more than twice in the day.
• Ticket valid for 24h (after being stamped by the machine): It costs 4. 50 euros and gives you access to pubic transport for a period of 24h. Ideal for anyone planning to travel more than twice in the day.
• Ticket valid for 48h (after being stamped): It costs 8. 25 euros and has the same rules as the 24h ticket.

There are also other available ticket options: http://www.atm.it/it/ViaggiaConNoi/

With ticket in hand, the rest is fairly easy. However, you have to pay attention to the transport timetable - the underground lines, for example, run from 06:00 to 00:30 approximately.

Other timetables you might find useful: http://www.atm-mi.it/it/Orari

The city of Milan was built in concentric circles, starting at Piazza Del Duomo, so the underground lines branch off from there. Let's see how it works:

Thanks to very good signage, finding the underground stations isn’t difficult, just keep your eye out for signs like this:

In the station you’ll find maps like this in every corner (larger and better quality, of course):

Here’s the logic to it: there are three underground lines (green, red and yellow), you should find out the name of the station where you are and which colour line it’s on. After knowing this, and knowing which station you are closest to (of course), all you have to do is look at the map and find out which DIRECTION you should choose. For example: if you are at the GARIBALDI FS (green line) station and want to go to DUOMO (yellow and red line), you should take the underground in the Gessate OR Cologno Nord direction (they alternate) and get out at the Centrale FS station (which is the Central Station - or Milano Centrale), there you should leave the green line and take the yellow one (there are many signs signalling the way) and take the underground in the S. Donato direction, leaving at the Duomo station. Easy and fast!

As for the bus, the best thing to do is to use the ATM site to find out which line to take. It is also possible, if you are already close, to find out which lines pass close by. All the bus stops have a map, so you do not have to worry.

Hint: Usually on the other side of the street (or close by) you’ll see where another bus stops on the opposite route.

Hint: You don’t need to show your ticket to get on the bus, you usually have to use a machine inside the bus to mark it. I do not know how often they have checks, but you're sure to be fined if you get caught without the ticket or without it being stamped.

Example of a map of a bus route (found at the bus stop).

Bus stop.

Machine where you can buy your ticket - Found at the subway stations.

On the machine you can choose the language, which makes everything easier!

Metro station.

Inside of the underground. Usually it is well signed, often with multiple warnings for the next station (in Italian and in English).

Hint: Like everywhere with big crowds, take great care of your belongings and try to keep your bag/backpack in front of you (not on your back where it can be easily opened and stolen).

Well, I think that for now is that on this subject, I hope I have helped a little bit!

---

Photo gallery