Transportation

Overview

Milan has plenty of options for getting in and out of town. The Malpensa airport is the hub international travel in Milan. It is located about 31miles to the northwest of the city. The Linate airport, which handles most domestic and some European flights, is about 4.5 miles to the east of the city center. You can use public transport to both the airports to the city center. Train lines from Stazione Central join the city to all parts of Italy and Europe. Two other stations, Nord and Porte Garibaldi, may offer better deals.

Many of Italy's main motorways converge at Milan's ring road, known as the Tangenziale Est and Tangenziale Ovest. The busy highway, A4 west to Torino experiences heavy traffic both into and out of Milan. Tourists must be prepared to deal with traffic delays.

1. Air

Milan has plenty of options for getting in and out of town. The Malpensa airport is the hub international travel in Milan. It is located about 31miles to the northwest of the city. The Linate airport, which handles most domestic and some European flights, is about 4.5 miles to the east of the city center. You can use public transport to both the airports to the city center.

One can get details about flight departures only (tel: 39 02 585 83 497) for both airports using a computerized information service. Alternatively, you can visit their sites on the Internet: www.malpensa.com and www.sea-aeroportimilano.it respectively.

There are several transport options to get from the city to Malpensa airport. The Malpensa Express train links Stazione Nord with Malpensa airport. It leaves every half an hour and takes 40 minutes to reach the airport. There are also some early morning and evening bus services; the stop is on Via Paleocapa. If you are departing from Piazza Luigi Di Savoia outside Stazione Centrale you can use Shuttle coaches to reach the Malpensa airport. You might want to reconsider a decision to travel to the city by taxi as it is quite a bit expensive. But the train and bus systems are really great and highly recommended.

From Milan's Piazza Luigi di Savoia, in front of Stazione Centrale, STAM buses run to Linate airport. The bus driver sell the tickets on board the bus itself. You can also opt for a ATM bus from Piazza San Babila. A taxi ride from Linate airport to Milan city center is affordable.

2. Bus

There are many companies that operate buses in Milan city and are scattered across the city. Use them if you know exactly where you are going. If you don't, you're better off traveling by train. The number for the bus station is 39 02 63 79 01.

3. Car

A car is a very convenient way to travel outside of the city center if you can handle the impatience of the Italian style of driving. In Italy, you drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Car rental agencies are easily available, with a good selection available at the Milan airports.

4. Train

Trains to all major cities in Italy ply from Stazione Centrale (Piazza Duca d'Aosta). You can get information about the schedules at this number: 39 147 88 80 88). Daily trains run to and from Venice (3.5 hrs), Florence (3.5 hrs), Genoa (1.5 hrs), Turin (1.5 hrs), Rome (6 hrs) and Naples (8 hrs). International connections to and from Switzerland (with the Cisalpino train) and France (with the TGV) can be picked up from here itself. Hourly FNM (Ferrovie Nord Milano) trains from Stazione Nord (Stazione Cadorna, Piazza Luigi Cadorna) connect Milan with Como (1 hr) and Desanzano (1.5 hrs). Services to many towns northwest of Milan are more frequent from Stazione Porta Garibaldi (Piazza Sigmund Freud).

5. Taxi

Taxis in Milan are generally white, although there are also some yellow and other color taxis. One of the most popular means of transport in the city, especially when traveling for business purposes they can normally be found at taxi stands. You can also call for a taxi by phone. It is always advisable to ask for supplemental charges like late night charges or luggage charges that do not appear on the meter, before boarding the taxi. Officially licensed taxis can be clearly identified by the taxi sign on the roof and a numbered shield on the side.

G. Facts And Figures

Passport/Visa Requirements: You can apply for a visa if you are a holder of either a U.S. Passport (for long term stay), or a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (formerly Green Card), foreign students holding valid visas and valid I-20, exchange visitors holding valid visas and I-66; long term visas except B1/B2. Only holders of B1/B2 visa can apply for air transit visa. The validity of your passport must extend to at least 3 months beyond the date of your return to the United States. U.S. Citizens do not require visas when visiting Milan for tourism, official or business stays up to 90 days. US citizens who possess diplomatic or official passports do not require visas when visiting Italy for stays of 90 days or less.

Population: 14,000,000

Language: Italian.

Predominant Religions: Mainly Catholic

Time Zone: GMT + 1 hour.

Voltage Requirements: 220 Volt AC.

Telephone Codes: +39, country code; 02, city code.