Milan

By car

The main motorways linking Milan to the rest of Italy are:

A1

the Autostrada del Sole Highway of the Sun, a six-lane motorway linking Milan to Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples.

A4

Westbound, a six-lane motorway linking Milan to Turin, the Westyern Alps and France.

A4

Eastbound, the Autostrada Serenissima, an eight-lane motorway linking Milan to Bergamo, Brescia, Verona, Padua and Venice, and further to Trieste and Slovenia.

A7

a six-lane motorway linking Milan to Genoa, the Ligurian Riviera and the Cinque terre.

A8

the Autostrada dei Laghi Highway of the Lakes, an eight-lane motorway linking Milan to Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lugano and the rest of Switzerland.

A9

a four-lane motorway linking Milan to Varese and Western Ticino in Switzerland.

A50

A51 and A52, respectively the West, East and North Ringroads Tangenziale Ovest, Tangenziale Est, and Tangenziale Nord connect the various motorways forming a six-lane ringroad around Milan.

A53

a four-lane motorway linking Milan to Pavia.

The main highway operating company is Società Autostrade per l'Italia (http://www.autostrade.it/).

Because of heavy traffic, it is strongly recommended not to drive in Milan during working days. Driving is much better during weekends. A recommendation is to leave your car in one of the well-marked, huge commuter car parks near several exits of Milan's motorway ringroad; they're managed by ATM and are easily connected with Milan's underground metro lines, but they close around midnight. They're near highway exits in Cascina Gobba East, Lampugnano North West, Molino Dorino North West, Bonola North West, Rho-Pero North West, Bisceglie South West and San Donato South East. If you must drive in Milan during weekdays, then make sure you have an up-to-date map showing the one-way system.

Traffic congestion fee - Since January 1 2008, cars entering Milan's central area within the former walls of the city cerchia dei navigli must pay a fee €2,€3, €5 or €10 depending on the engine and age of the car: there are cameras in all entrances to this area and all registration plates are recorded. Payment can be made by purchasing entrance cards at newspaper stands, online or by sms call 020202 for information. Failure to pay within 48 hours from entering the area implies a fine of €75.

By train

The main railway station is the Central Station 'Milano Centrale' (http://www.milano-central...), which is served by Trenitalia (http://www.trenitalia.it/), the State Railways. Regular express and fast trains serve all Italian cities Turin, Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence and many others, and some European cities Barcelona, Zurich, Geneva, Munich, Paris, Stuttgart, Zagreb, Vienna, etc..

The station building is in itself worth a visit being a masterpiece of rationalist architecture.

The station area is not in a great part of town at night, though in the area there are a number of decent budget hotels see "Sleep" below and some business-oriented international brand hotels. In general the area south of the station characterized by a few skyscrapers is a business and local government center, pretty active during working hours but almost deserted at night. Should you need a few supplies for your trip, there is a supermarket in the west side of the station in the basement, as well as cafes and other small shops. Internet points in the main square overlooking the station. In 2008 the station is completing extensive renovation. At night, parts of the Central Station become a sleeping area for vagrants. Usually around the station there are children aggressively targeting tourist for pickpocketing, so pay attention to your bag.

The Central Station is served by MM2 and MM3 metro lines. Taxis stops directly in front of the station on the sides during the renovation period, and ATM buses on the West side IV November Square and buses to Linate, Malpensa and Orio airports on the East side Luigi di Savoia square.

Another important railway station is Cadorna, served by Ferrovie Nord (http://www.fnmgroup.it/) North Railways, where the Malpensa airport Express stops and which is also a stop for MM1 and MM2 metro lines.This is a good station if you are travelling to Como Lago station

Garibaldi station

is the terminus for most commuter railway lines and is served by the state railways. It is also a stop for the MM2 metro and for the Passante suburban commuter train link see #Get_around.

Other main train stations are Lambrate connected to MM2 metro line, Greco-Pirelli, Rogoredo connected to MM3 metro line and Porta Genova connected to MM2 metro line for the FS Trenitalia railways and Bovisa connected to the Passante suburban commuter train link and Domodossola for the Ferrovie Nord railways. Domodossola station is very close to the city section of the Milan Exhibition Centre - fieramilanocity, also connected to the subway system by the MM1 metro line.

Ferrovie Nord FNM and Trenitalia FS are two different railway networks, with different stations, different trains and different tickets. For example, if you need to go to Malpensa airport and you are in FS Greco Pirelli, you need to go first to Garibaldi train station, then take the MM2 metro to Cadorna train station and then the Malpensa Shuttle train to the airport. In some cases from Garibaldi station, you can take the Passante suburban commuter train link to Bovisa FNM station these trains leave from the underground station below Garibaldi station and next to the MM2 underground station. Be sure that the train you take stops at Bovisa. From Bovisa you can get on the Malpensa shuttle train.

By bus

MM1 Lampugnano station is Milan's main Bus terminal.

The main national bus lines are operated by Autostradale (http://www.autostradale.it/), but there are many other small companies offering even international travel (http://ibus.it/english/in...).