Milan Metro Guide for Tourists

Milan's metro (Metropolitana di Milano, run by ATM) is the fastest way to move around the city. Five colour-coded lines, modern trains, and one of the simplest fare systems in Europe — but a few quirks catch first-time visitors. This guide covers everything you actually need to know in 2026.

The five lines at a glance

| Line | Colour | Useful for | |---|---|---| | M1 | Red | Duomo, Cadorna, Cairoli (Castello), San Babila, Fiera | | M2 | Green | Milano Centrale, Garibaldi, Moscova, Sant'Ambrogio, Navigli (Porta Genova) | | M3 | Yellow | Milano Centrale, Duomo, Missori, Porta Romana | | M4 | Blue | Linate Airport, San Babila, Dateo, Sant'Ambrogio, San Cristoforo | | M5 | Lilac | Garibaldi, Isola, San Siro stadium |

Three lines stop at the Duomo (M1 + M3), two at Milano Centrale (M2 + M3), and the M4 runs directly from Linate Airport.

Hours

• First train: ~06:00 every day
• Last train: ~00:30 (00:00 on Sundays from outer stations)
• Slightly extended on Saturday nights on M1, M2 and M5

After midnight, ATM's night buses (lines starting with "N") replace the metro on the same routes.

Tickets and prices

Milan has a flat fare inside the city (Mi1–Mi3 zones, which covers everything tourists need including Linate Airport):

• Single urban ticket: €2.20, valid 90 minutes including unlimited bus/tram transfers and one metro ride within that window.
• Day pass: €7.60 (24 hours from first validation).
• 3-day pass: €13 — worth it if you'll ride more than 6 times.
• 10-trip carnet: €19.50 — only useful for residents.

Kids under 14 ride free with an adult. Over-65s pay full fare (no tourist senior discount).

How to pay — just tap

The cleanest setup is contactless payment: tap any Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay at the metro gate or on the bus reader. The system charges €2.20 per ride and automatically caps the daily total at €7.60 — you can't overpay. Tap the same card at every gate and transfer; the algorithm sorts out the best fare.

If you prefer paper:

• Vending machines in every station, English UI, cards and cash.
• ATM Milano app (iOS/Android) — buy and store tickets, plan routes, see live times.
• Tobacco shops (look for a black T sign) sell paper tickets.

Validating tickets

Always tap/validate at the gate, even with a day pass. Plain-clothes inspectors check trains and trams regularly. An unvalidated ticket = €43 fine on the spot, regardless of how nice you are about it.

Key stations for tourists

• Duomo (M1 + M3) — exit "Piazza del Duomo" puts you 50 m from the cathedral.
• Cadorna (M1 + M2) — Sforza Castle, plus the Malpensa Express train terminus.
• Cairoli — Castello (M1) — closest metro to Sforza Castle and Sempione Park.
• Lanza (M2) — heart of Brera district.
• Porta Genova (M2) — gateway to Navigli (canals, nightlife).
• Milano Centrale (M2 + M3) — main train station; bag drop, high-speed trains, Malpensa Express.
• Loreto (M1 + M2) — interchange near Corso Buenos Aires shopping street.
• San Babila (M1 + M4) — Duomo's quieter neighbour; M4 to Linate.
• Linate Aeroporto (M4) — direct to Linate Airport in 12 minutes from San Babila.

For onward train connections from Centrale see the short stays in Milan guide; for the M4 airport hop see Linate to Milan city centre.

Etiquette and quirks

• Stand on the right on escalators; left side is for walking.
• Let people off first before boarding. Milanese commuters are polite but in a hurry.
• Quiet voices: loud phone calls draw stares.
• No food, no skateboards, dogs on lead only.
• Pickpockets work the M1 and M3 around the Duomo, especially at rush hour. Keep your phone in a front pocket and your bag in front of you in crowds.

Buses and trams — same ticket, same tap

The €2.20 ticket also covers the entire bus and tram network. Trams are slower than the metro but more scenic — the historic line 1 crosses the centre in heritage 1920s carriages. Lines 9 and 33 ring the outer centre, useful when changing metro lines is awkward.

For the bigger picture on getting around without a car, see Best mobility options in Milan without a car.

Accessibility

The M4 is fully step-free. M1, M2, M3 and M5 are mostly accessible (lifts at major stations, signposted with a wheelchair icon on the line map) but some older stations still have only escalators. The ATM app shows lift status in real time.

With luggage

• Wider gates are at every station — use them with a big case.
• Avoid 07:30–09:30 and 17:30–19:30 weekday peaks.
• The first and last carriages are usually the emptiest.

If you'd rather drop your bags first, see the luggage storage near Milano Centrale guide.

Taxis and ride-hailing — when the metro isn't right

Late at night, with three+ travellers and big luggage, or when it pours, a taxi often wins. We've broken down the trade-offs in Taxi vs Metro vs Tram in Milan.

FAQ

Do I need to buy a ticket if I have contactless? No. Tap the card directly on the metro gate. Same card every ride.

Can my family share one contactless card? No — each person needs their own tap. Buy paper or app tickets for the others.

Is the metro safe at night? Yes. Trains run until ~00:30 with security and CCTV. Stations get quiet after 23:00 but are rarely uncomfortable.

How do I get from Milano Centrale to the Duomo? M3 (Yellow), 3 stops, 6 minutes.

Does the metro reach Malpensa Airport? No. Malpensa is 50 km out — use the Malpensa Express train from Centrale or Cadorna, or a private transfer. See Malpensa to Milan stress-free.

Where should I stay to be metro-friendly? Anywhere within 500 m of an M1, M2 or M3 stop. See Best areas to stay in Milan.