Milan metro: lines, tickets and stations explained

The Milan metro is the quickest way to get around the city, and it is simpler than it first looks. Five colour-coded lines cross the centre, link the main railway stations and reach out to the airport at Linate, so most visitors can plan a whole stay around two or three lines. This guide explains what each line does, how to pay without queuing, and which stations matter most if you are staying near Stazione Centrale or in the De Angeli area.

The five metro lines at a glance

The city’s tourist board lists the lines on its free metro map. The red M1 runs from Sesto F.S. to Rho Fiera Milano and Bisceglie, passing through the heart of the old town. The green M2 links Gessate and Cologno Nord in the north-east with Assago and Abbiategrasso in the south. The yellow M3 runs from Comasina to San Donato, and the blue M4 connects Linate Airport with San Babila. The lilac M5, which is fully automatic, runs from Bignami Parco Nord to San Siro Stadio.

The same page notes that the Passante, an underground rail link, ties suburban and urban railway stations into the metro network. In practice this means you can change between a regional train and the metro at several points without going back out to the street.

A useful way to think about the system is by interchanges. The M1 and M3 cross at Duomo, the M1 and M2 at Cadorna, and the M3 and M5 at Zara. Once you know those three crossings you can reach almost any part of the centre with one change at most.

Paying for your journey

ATM, the company that runs the network, has a dedicated section for visitors on its tickets and passes page. It covers paper and app tickets, passes for public transport and a contactless pay-as-you-go option, so you can usually travel with the bank card or phone you already carry. Fares and validity rules are updated from time to time, so check the current details on the ATM English site before you travel, and keep your ticket until you leave the station.

If you plan to use the metro several times a day, a pass is worth looking at. For one or two trips, contactless is the least fuss. Whichever method you choose, tap in at the turnstile at the start of the journey and do not rely on a single ticket being valid on other operators’ trains.

Which stations matter most

For a first visit, a handful of stops cover most of what people want to see:

• Duomo (M1, M3): the cathedral, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and the main shopping streets.
• Cadorna (M1, M2): the Castello Sforzesco area and the station for the airport train to Malpensa.
• Centrale (M2, M3): the main railway station, with trains and buses to other cities and the airports.
• Porta Garibaldi (M2): the Porta Nuova district and the Isola neighbourhood.
• San Babila (M1, M4): the fashion streets, and the line for Linate Airport.
• Porta Genova (M2): the Navigli canals and their evening aperitivo scene.

If you are thinking about how to spend your days, the page on where Studio Inn is located shows how the hotel connects with these stations.

Reaching Studio Inn by metro

Studio Inn Milano has two locations, and both are easy to reach underground. Studio Inn Centrale is on Via Cardinal Cagliero, about one kilometre from Stazione Centrale. From the station, take the M3 towards Comasina and get off at Sondrio, then walk along Via Melchiorre Gioia and turn into Via Cardinal Cagliero. As an alternative, bus 42 runs from the “Stazione Centrale M2 M3” stop to “Via Gioia Via Cagliero”, leaving a walk of about 150 metres. The M2, M3 and M5 lines all stop within a short distance of the hotel.

Studio Inn De Angeli is on Via dei Gracchi, around 500 metres from De Angeli station on the M1. From Stazione Centrale, take the M2 to Cadorna and change to the M1 towards Bisceglie. This location suits longer stays, because the apartments have a kitchenette and are designed for a longer stay.

Practical tips for riding the metro

The metro runs from early morning until around midnight, and frequency is highest at the start and end of the working day. Platforms and trains are busiest then, so if you are travelling with luggage, try to avoid the rush hours. Stations on the M1 and M2, such as Cadorna and Duomo, can feel crowded because several lines meet there. Follow the line colour and the name of the last stop on the signs, which is how directions are shown on the platforms.

Keep an eye on service notices before you leave, since strikes and works can change timetables. The ATM site and app show current line status. For late returns, night buses take over after the metro closes.

Frequently asked questions about the Milan metro

Staying close to the metro

Choosing a base near a station saves more time than any ticket trick. Both Studio Inn locations are within a short walk of the underground, so the rest of the network is always close. You can also explore our hotel rooms and the apartments before deciding which location fits your trip.

Book your stay directly: choose between Studio Inn Centrale and Studio Inn De Angeli to fit your plans. If you would like advice on the best route from where you arrive, get in touch and we will point you the right way.