Milan ATM Public Transport Guide: Metro, Tram & Bus

Overview of Milan's Transport Network

ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) operates Milan's integrated public transport network, one of the most efficient in Italy. The system includes 4 metro lines, 18 tram routes, 131 bus lines, and a suburban rail network — all accessible with a single ticket.

The Metro: Your Main Tool

Milan's metro is the fastest way to cross the city:

• M1 (Red): Sesto FS → Rho Fiera/Bisceglie — passes through Duomo, Cadorna
• M2 (Green): Abbiategrasso/Assago → Gessate/Cologno — Stazione Centrale, Cadorna
• M3 (Yellow): San Donato → Comasina — Duomo, Centrale
• M4 (Blue): Linate Airport → San Cristoforo — newest line (2023)
• M5 (Lilac): Bignami → San Siro Stadio — your line from our apartments!

The M5 line is the key connection from San Siro to the rest of Milan. Stations "San Siro Stadio" and "San Siro Ippodromo" are both within walking distance of our apartments.

Tickets & Passes

• Single ticket (Mi1-Mi3): €2.20 — valid 90 minutes, unlimited transfers
• 24-hour pass: €7.60
• 48-hour pass: €13.80
• 3-day tourist pass: €16.00
• Weekly pass: €17.50
• 10-ride carnet: €19.50

Buy tickets at metro stations (machines accept cards), tabacchi shops, or via the ATM Milano app (contactless on your phone).

Getting from San Siro to Key Destinations

• Duomo: M5 to Garibaldi, change to M2 → Duomo (~25 min). See our detailed guide.
• Milano Centrale station: M5 to Garibaldi, change to M2/M5 (~20 min)
• Fiera Milano Rho: M5 to Lotto, change to M1 direction Rho (~30 min)
• Linate Airport: M5 to Garibaldi, M2 to Centrale, M4 to Linate (~45 min)
• Malpensa Airport: Train from Cadorna or Centrale (~50 min)

Metro Lines in Detail

Each metro line serves different parts of the city. Here's a deeper look at what each one connects and when you'll use them:

M1 — Red Line

The oldest line (1964), running from Sesto 1° Maggio FS in the northeast to Rho Fieramilano/Bisceglie in the west. Key stops include Duomo (the cathedral), Cadorna (Malpensa Express trains), Cairoli (Castello Sforzesco), and San Babila (fashion district). If you're heading to a trade fair at Fiera Milano Rho, this is your line.

M2 — Green Line

Runs from Abbiategrasso/Assago Forum in the south to Gessate/Cologno Nord in the east. Essential stops: Stazione Centrale (main railway station for trains to other Italian cities), Cadorna (interchange with M1), Garibaldi FS (interchange with M5 — your connection from San Siro), and Porta Genova (Navigli canals district).

M3 — Yellow Line

Connects San Donato (south) with Comasina (north), passing through Duomo, Stazione Centrale, and Porta Romana. Useful for reaching the Duomo from the train station without changing lines.

M4 — Blue Line

Milan's newest line, fully opened in 2024. Runs from Linate Airport to San Cristoforo. A game-changer for airport transfers — you can go from Linate to the city centre in about 12 minutes. Key stops include San Babila, Sforza Policlinico, and Sant'Ambrogio (the basilica and the Science Museum).

M5 — Lilac/Purple Line

Your line from San Siro! Runs from San Siro Stadio to Bignami, passing through Lotto (interchange with M1), Garibaldi FS (interchange with M2 and high-speed rail), Isola (trendy neighbourhood), and Monumentale (the Monumental Cemetery). This fully automated, driverless line is modern and frequent — trains come every 2–3 minutes during peak hours.

How to Buy Tickets

You have several convenient options:

• ATM Milano Official App: download it for free (iOS and Android). Buy tickets directly on your phone and use your screen as a contactless ticket — just tap your phone at the gates. You can also check real-time departures, plan routes, and see service disruptions.
• Ticket machines: found in every metro station. They accept coins, banknotes and contactless card payments. Available in multiple languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese).
• Tabacchi shops: the small shops with a blue "T" sign. Found on virtually every street in Milan. Just ask for a "biglietto ATM" (ATM ticket). Cash only at most tabacchi.
• Contactless bank card: you can tap your Visa, Mastercard, or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) directly at metro gates. The system charges per ride and automatically caps at the daily pass price if you make multiple trips.

Night Transport: NightBus Network

When the metro stops running (after 00:30, or 1:30 AM on weekends), Milan's NightBus network takes over. Key lines for the San Siro area:

• N15/N16: connects the San Siro area to the centre, running along major routes
• NM1, NM2, NM3: night metro replacement buses that roughly follow the metro routes above ground
• Night buses run approximately every 30 minutes from 00:30 to 5:30 AM
• Standard metro tickets are valid on night buses — no extra charge

Tip: after a late concert at San Siro Stadium, a NightBus or taxi back to our apartments takes just a few minutes. Check the ATM app for real-time night bus positions.

From San Siro to Milan's Airports

Getting from our apartments to the airports is straightforward:

• To Linate Airport: M5 from San Siro Stadio to Garibaldi FS, change to M2 to Centrale, then M4 direct to Linate. Total journey: approximately 45–50 minutes. Alternatively, take M5 to Garibaldi and the M4 from San Babila (via M1). Cost: a single €2.20 urban ticket covers the entire journey including the M4 to Linate.
• To Malpensa Airport: M5 to Cadorna (via Garibaldi + M2), then the Malpensa Express train (43 min, €13). Or M5 to Garibaldi, then a direct Malpensa Express from Milano Porta Garibaldi. Total journey: approximately 70–80 minutes.
• To Bergamo Orio al Serio: M5 to Garibaldi or Centrale, then bus (Terravision or Autostradale) from Milano Centrale. Total journey: approximately 90 minutes.

Tips for Visitors

• Metro hours: 5:30 AM to 00:30 (until 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday nights)
• Always validate your ticket before boarding trams and buses — stamp it in the yellow machine on board. For the metro, the gates validate automatically when you tap
• Inspectors are real and common — they board trams and buses in plain clothes and ask for tickets. The fine is €50 on the spot (more if you contest and lose). This applies to tourists too — "I didn't know" is not accepted as an excuse
• Google Maps has full real-time ATM integration — it shows metro, tram and bus times and is the easiest way to plan any journey
• Rush hours: 7:30–9:00 AM and 17:30–19:00 on weekdays. Metros get very crowded — plan sightseeing trips to avoid these windows
• Accessibility: all M5 stations have lifts and are fully accessible. Older M1 and M2 stations vary — check the ATM app for lift status
• Bikes: BikeMi is Milan's bike-sharing system with docking stations across the city, including near San Siro. A daily pass costs €4.50

Stay Connected in San Siro

Our apartments sit between M5 stations San Siro Stadio and San Siro Ippodromo — you're never more than 5 minutes from a metro connection to anywhere in Milan.