Getting to Milan
The traveler planning a trip to Milan, Italy has several viable alternatives for getting there. Whether preferring to travel by air or land, several convenient options for arriving in Milan in style make this Italian center of culture easy to reach.
Perhaps the easiest way to arrive in Milan is via the train. Milan is one of Europe’s busiest railway centers. As such it enjoys connections with a variety of other major cities, making this a convenient alternative for travelers arriving from almost anywhere on the continent. The Stazione Centrale is Milan’s main train terminal and people arriving here have their choice of buses or taxis to make their way to their destination. Some visitors choose to walk, which is an excellent introduction to the city, although there are nicer walks to be had in other districts of Milan.
Some tourists get to Milan on a bus; however, this is not as convenient or efficient as rail service. Nonetheless, travelers do sometimes avail themselves of the intercity bus system. Several daily runs to and from places such as Turin and Aosta may be convenient.
Milan can be reached quite conveniently by car. Italy’s highway system, or autostrada, connects Milan with other major cities. Florence, Rome, Verona, and Venice are all within a few hours’ drive of Milan and the highway makes getting from these cities to Milan quick and easy. Driving within Milan, however, is another story altogether. The streets are narrow and congested and many of the thoroughfares in the center of the city are closed to automobile traffic. Parking is similarly difficult, though some hotels do make parking arrangements for guests. Tourists arriving by car should expect to park using their hotel’s arrangements and then get around the city by foot or taxi.
Many visitors get to Milan by air. Milan Malpensa is the city’s international airport and as such handles most of the air traffic. Another option is Milan Linate which accepts some European flights, but largely handles domestic flights. Both airports offer buses, trams, and taxis that will take travelers into the center of the city.