World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Milan  - Getting Around
Getting Around

Italy has an excellent network of motorways (autostrade- designated A roads), the main north-south link being the Autostrada del Sole - or A1 - which links Milan with Reggio Calabria, in the toe of Italy. Speed limits on motorways are 130kph (81mph) for cars of 1100cc or more, and 110kph (68mph) for smaller cars.

All motorways are tolled; driving from Milan to Rome will cost approximately L50,000. The Information Centre in Rome will advise on tolls and traffic (tel: (06) 43 63 21 21; web site: www.autostrade.it). Those on a budget may prefer the strade statali (SS), which are often fast, have multi-lane carriageways and are toll free. The speed limit on these roads is 110kph (68mph) - too slow for the speed-obsessed Italians and therefore a more leisurely drive for the rest of the world.

By law, both driver and passenger must wear their seatbelts, if fitted, or face an on-the-spot fine of L58,000. Random breath tests can be imposed, and the penalties for drink driving are severe - the maximum legal blood ratio is 0.08%. Speeding fines follow EU standards, and are levied between L59,000 and L587,000, depending on the speed. Driving through a red light costs L117,000. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. All those without an EU licence must carry an International Driving Permit. EU nationals taking their own car will need an International Insurance Certificate, also known as a Green Card (Carta Verde). Automobile Club Italiana (ACI; tel: (06) 49981 or 4477, 24-hour information) can provide further information.

Emergency breakdown service:

ACI
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Routes to the city:
Milan is a major crossroads for traffic heading north, south, east and west. The busiest roads are the A1 and A4. Italy's central artery, the A1 (Autostrada del Solei) travels due south from Milan to Reggio Calabria via Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples. The A4 (Turin-Milan-Bergamo-Brescia-Verona-Venice-Trieste) forms the ringroad skirting the north of the city. Named Autostrada Serenissima after Venice's nickname, this is the trouble spot where north-south and east-west traffic meet and drivers often feel anything but serene. Traffic from Varese and Lake Maggiore on the A8 and from Switzerland and Como on the A9, can also get tied up here. Genoa, to the southwest of Milan, is reached by the quieter A7.

Driving times to Milan: from Turin - 1 hour; Bologna - 2 hours; Florence -3 hours; Venice - 3 hours; Rome - 6 hours.

Coach services:
Milan has no coach station. Coaches for the airports run from the Air Terminal at the Stazione Central (see the Rail section), while the principal intercity and international coaches depart from Piazza Castello, next to Castello Sforzesco. Autostradale (tel: (02) 801 161) can provide information on connections to the rest of Italy. The ATM office in Stazione Centrale also offers advice (tel: (02) 72 52 43 60). It is worth remembering that in Milan's heavy traffic coaches are no faster than trains and often more expensive.

The international departures, operated by Eurolines (tel: (02) 72 00 13 04; web site: www.eurolines.it) from Piazza Castello, connect with services to most European cities. Direct services from Milan include Warsaw, Prague, Vienna and Istanbul.

Public Transport

For those foot-weary travellers tired of dodging scooters, Milan has a comprehensive transport network run by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi or ATM (web site: www.atm-mi.it). Swapping between Metro, bus, tram and trolley bus is easy thanks to an integrated ticketing system. Tickets cost L1500 and last 75 minutes, allowing the traveller to use unlimited buses and trams within this time or make one trip 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 or carnets of ten tickets costing L14,000 can be purchased at tobacconists (look for the capital T for tabacchi), most coffee bars or at automatic vending machines at major bus stops. Passes, valid for one or two days, can be bought from ATM railway offices at Cadorna, Centrale FS, Duomo, Loreto and Romolo. Priced at L5000 and L9000, these are good value for individuals on short visits, but also for families on Sundays as one ticket is valid for both parents and children.

Taxis

Taxis are white or yellow and can be hailed on the streets, but rarely stop. It is better to hire them at taxi ranks outside train stations; visitors can telephone from a landline (tel: 1478 14781) and an automated voice will inform them of the nearest rank. Telephone bookings are run by co-operatives. The main firms are Radiotaxi (tel: (02) 6767) and Autoradio (tel: (02) 8585). The minimum fare is currently L6000; however, with a base charge of L4300 and a charge of around L1300 per kilometre, plus supplements for luggage, night-time travel or travelling on a Sunday, taxi costs can quickly add up.

Limousines

Luxury cars, chauffeured by English-speaking drivers, can be provided by Autonoleggio Pini (tel: (02) 29 40 05 55) or the Eurochange Business Centre based at Malpensa airport (tel: (02) 58 58 11 99). Prices start from L420,000 for eight hours, including taxes and allowance for driver's lunch.

Driving in the City

The combined difficulties of heavy traffic and parking restrictions mean that there is little point bringing a car to Milan. Paying for hotel or private garages in the city centre is expensive. Roadside parking in the historic centre is limited to a maximum of two hours within the blue lines marked by sosta a pagamento signs. Motorists must buy special cards (Sosta Milano) from ATM offices at Metro stations or bars and tobacconists for L5000, then scratch out the relevant date, hour of arrival and whether they plan to stay one or two hours. 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 0700-2000 and parking costs L4000 for eight hours, a veritable bargain in comparison to private car parks. Those determined to drive further in could try the private car parks of Autosilo Borgospesso, Via Borgospesso 18, close to the Cathedral, or Autosilo Reppublica (both open 24 hours).

Car Hire

At least three major companies have car hire offices in the city centre: Avis, Via Corelli 150 (tel: (02) 55 30 52 76); Hertz, Piazza Duca D'Aosta (tel: (02) 66 98 51 51) and Maggiore, Via Canonica 64 (tel: (02) 311 029). Drivers must be 23 years or over, depending on company policy, and carry an EU license or full International Driving Permit. Despite the popularity of motoring holidays, car hire in Italy is expensive, costing around L550,000 a week.

Bicycle Hire

Milanesi are enthusiastic cyclists and often spend Sundays cycling along the canals or cycle paths to the countryside outside the centre. Cycling in the centre may seem a good option in a city that is flat and has many dedicated cycle paths; however, traffic fumes, hair-raising driving and tram lines are just some of the problems cyclists face. Hiring bicycles is not common as most Milanesi buy their own, but AWS, Via Ponte Seveso 33 (tel: (02) 67 07 21 45) is one place that does (rates from L40,000 per day).



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Getting Around
 
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