Public
Transport
For those foot-weary travellers tired of dodging scooters, Milan
has a comprehensive transport network which is run by Azienda
Trasporti Milanesi or ATM (telephone number:
02 7252 4360 ). Swapping between the metro, bus, tram and trolley
bus is easy, thanks to the integrated ticketing system. Services
operate daily 0600 hrs - 2400 hrs, with night buses running to approx
0130 hrs. Tickets cost €1 and last 75 minutes, allowing the
traveller to use unlimited buses and trams within this time or make
one ride on the metro.
The metro has three lines, the red MM1, green
MM2 and yellow MM3. The lines converge
at Duomo, Centrale FS, Loreto
and Cadorna. Tickets must be validated by punching
them in the SITAM machines on-board buses or at
the metro stations. Single tickets at €1 or carnets of 10 tickets
costing €9.20 are available for purchase from newsagents, tobacconists
(a capital T for tabacchi distinguishes these outlets), most coffee
bars and at automatic vending machines at major metro and at bus
stops.
Passes, valid for one or two days,
are available for purchase from ATM railway offices
at Cadorna, Centrale FS, Duomo, Loreto and Romolo.
The one-day abbonamento giornaliero pass costs €3, while the
two-day abbonamento bigiornaliero pass costs €5.50. These are
good value for individuals on short visits but also for families
on Sundays when one ticket is valid for both the parents and children.
Taxis
Taxis are mainly white in colour (some are yellow or painted in
livery of sponsors) and can be hailed on the streets, although they
rarely stop. It is better to hire them at the taxi ranks outside
train stations. Visitors can telephone from a landline (telephone
number: 02 4040 8585) and an automated voice will inform them of
the nearest rank. Telephone bookings are run by co-operatives. The
main firms are Radiotaxi (telephone number: 02
6767 or 5353) and Autoradio (telephone number:
02 8585).
The minimum fare is currently €3. However, with a base charge
of €2 and a charge of around €0.80 per kilometre, plus
supplements for luggage, night-time travel or travelling on Sunday,
taxi costs add up quickly. Tipping is not expected, unless the driver
has been exceptionally helpful, but one usually rounds the fare
up to the nearest Euro.
Limousines
Luxury cars, chauffeured by English-speaking drivers, can be provided
by Autonoleggio Pini
(telephone numberl: 02 2940 0555) or the Eurochange Business
Centre (telephone number: 02 5858 1199), based at Malpensa
airport and prices start from €270 for eight hours,
including 10 per cent taxes and allowance for the driver’s
lunch.
Driving in the City
Where at all possible, driving in the centre of Milan should be
avoided. Streets in the centre of Milan are congested virtually
all day and night and any street can become a hotspot. Parking is
also very difficult and some Italian parking techniques are often
unusual. Paying for hotel or private garages in the city centre
can be expensive.
Roadside parking in the historic centre is limited to a maximum
of two hours within the blue lines marked by sosta a pagamento (pay
to stop) signs. Motorists must buy special cards (Sosta Milano)
for €3 for two hours in the centre and €2 outside the
historical zone, from ATM offices at metro stations or bars and
tobacconists, then scratch out the relevant date, hour of arrival
and whether they plan to stay one or two hours. Drivers must also
purchase Sosta Milano in the area of the trade fairs, when these
are in progress.
For visitors making a day trip to Milan, the best option is to head
to one of the park and ride schemes run by ATM, which connect with
Milan’s metro system. Electronic signs on the main roads into
the city indicate directions to the nearest car park and the number
of spaces remaining. The car parks are open 0700 hrs - 2000 hrs
and parking costs €2.60 for eight hours, cheap in comparison
to private car parks. Those determined to drive further in could
try the private car park of Autosilo Borgospesso, Via Borgospesso
18, which is located close to the Cathedral and open 24 hours.
Many Italians drive as if they were Formula One racing drivers and,
although there are relatively few accidents, one must always be
very careful. Rush hour can run from 0700 hrs - 1100 hrs and 1500
hrs - 2100 hrs or far later (many football fans drive around Milan
blowing their horns for hours after home macthes have been won).
The public transport system is excellent and much faster than travelling
by car.
Car Hire
Drivers must be 23 years or over (depending on
which Hire company used) and must have been in the possession of
an EU licence or full International Driving
Permit for at least one year. Insurance is included in
the price of hire. One must leave a credit card as security.
At least three major companies have car hire offices in the Milan
city centre: Avis,
Via Corelli 150 (telephone number: 02 5530 5276)
Hertz,
Piazza Duca D’Aosta (tel: 02 6698 5151) and Maggiore, Via
Canonica 64 (telephone number: 02 311 029).
Avis car hire is also available at Stazione Centrale, Galleria delle
Carrozze (telephone number: 02 669 0280) and at Piazza Diaz, near
the Duomo (telephone number: 02 863 494). The national booking line
for Avis car rentals is 199 100 133.
Despite the popularity of motoring holidays in Italy, car hire is
expensive, costing from approx €250 per week. It is best to
include collision damage waver (CDW) and personal accident insurance
(PAI) usually at additional cost.
Bicycle
Hire
Milanesi are enthusiastic cyclists and often spend Sundays cycling
along the canals or cycle paths into the countryside outside the
city centre. Cycling in the centre may seem a good option in a city
that is flat and has many dedicated cycle paths, however with traffic
fumes, hair-raising driving and tram tracks are just some of the
problems which cyclists can face. Hiring bicycles is not common,
as most Milanesi buy their own, but AWS Bicomotor,
Via Ponte Seveso 33 (telephone number: 02 6707 2145), is one place
that does (rates from €21 per day). They are open Tuesday-Saturday
0900 hrs-1300 hrs and 1500 hrs -1700 hrs. |
