Getting Around Milan: Transport Apps & Your First 48 Hours

Milan is Italy's most efficient city, and its transport matches: four metro lines (one running driverless straight to Linate airport), historic trams, and bank-card taps at every gate. The main thing to get right is which of the three airports you're using. Here's what actually works.

The best default: the metro with a contactless tap

The ATM metro covers the centre densely. Tap a contactless card or phone at the gates — about €2.20 a ride, and the system caps your spend at €7.60 a day, so heavy sightseeing days turn into a day pass automatically. The vintage trams fill the gaps beautifully.

Daily cap = automatic day pass

Keep tapping the same card and you'll never pay more than €7.60 in a day. No ticket machines, no apps to install for fares.

Getting in from the airport — know your airport

Malpensa (MXP) — the Malpensa Express train to Cadorna or Centrale, 37–52 minutes, about €13.
Linate (LIN) — on the M4 blue metro line: ~15 minutes to San Babila for a regular €2.20 tap. One of Europe's best airport links.
Bergamo (BGY) — low-cost flights land 50 km out; the coach to Milano Centrale takes about an hour (~€10).

Skip the €100 mistake

A taxi from Malpensa into town runs €100+ at a fixed rate. The train costs €13 and is usually faster in traffic hours.

Taxis without the hassle

Street-hailing isn't a thing in Milan and regular Uber doesn't operate here (only Uber Black). Book licensed white taxis at meter rates through FreeNow, or head to a taxi rank at the main squares and stations.

Apps you can reuse

Citymapper or Moovit — both route Milan's metro, trams, and buses well; Moovit is especially strong across Italy
FreeNow — licensed taxis at meter rates, no street-hail needed
Google Maps — solid fallback routing and walking directions

Arrived launches soon. Get the right transport setup the moment you land.

Join the waitlist

Your first 48 hours

Check your arrival airport: Malpensa Express train, M4 metro from Linate, or the coach from Bergamo.
Tap a contactless card on the metro — the €7.60 daily cap does the math for you.
Keep Citymapper or Moovit for routing, and ride a vintage tram at least once.
Install FreeNow for taxis — regular Uber doesn't operate in Milan.

Do those four things and Milan's transport is sorted from the moment you land. Knowing which airport trap to avoid and when the tram beats the metro is exactly what Arrived works out for you.

Frequently asked questions

Which transport app is best in Milan?

Citymapper and Moovit both cover Milan's metro, trams, and buses well — Moovit is especially strong in Italy. For rides, FreeNow books licensed taxis; regular Uber doesn't operate in Milan (only the pricier Uber Black).

How do I pay for the Milan metro?

Tap a contactless credit/debit card or phone at the gates — about €2.20 a ride, with a daily cap of €7.60 that turns your taps into a day pass automatically. Paper tickets still exist but you don't need them.

How do I get from Malpensa Airport (MXP) to Milan?

The Malpensa Express train runs to Cadorna and Centrale in 37–52 minutes for about €13. Trains every 15–30 minutes; it comfortably beats a €100+ taxi ride.

How do I get from Linate Airport (LIN) to the centre?

Linate is on the M4 blue metro line — about 15 minutes to San Babila in the centre for a regular €2.20 fare. It's one of Europe's best airport connections; just tap in with a contactless card.

What about Milan Bergamo (BGY)?

Bergamo is about 50 km out — take the Terravision or Autostradale coach to Milano Centrale (roughly 50–60 minutes, around €10). Book a seat online in summer.

Does Uber work in Milan?

Only Uber Black (premium, pricey). For a normal taxi, use FreeNow — it books licensed white taxis at meter rates — or find a taxi rank; street-hailing isn't really a thing in Milan.

Are Milan's trams worth using?

Yes — the vintage 1928 Carrelli trams are transport and sightseeing in one, and the network covers gaps between metro lines. Same €2.20 contactless fare, same daily cap.

Is Milan walkable?

The centre is compact — Duomo, Galleria, Brera, and the shopping district are all walkable. Use the metro for Navigli, the fair district, and San Siro, and the trams for everything in between.