Italy's longest metro network — 5 colour-coded lines and 113 stations, and how to use them.
The Milan Metro (Metropolitana di Milano) is Italy's longest metro network — 94.5 km of track and 113 stations across five colour-coded lines. Operated by ATM, it runs from 6am to 12:30am daily, and a single journey costs €2.20.
Quick answer
How many metro lines does Milan have?
Five: M1 (red), M2 (green), M3 (yellow), M4 (blue, opened 2023) and M5 (purple). Together they cover 94.5 km and 113 stations — Italy's longest metro system.
By Ivanka García Mancebo, Civitatis travel specialist
5
Lines (M1–M5)
113
Stations
94.5 km
Total length
€2.20
Single journey
The five metro lines
M1Red — Sesto FS / Rho Fiera ↔ Bisceglie / Assago
The most useful line for visitors. Serves the Duomo, San Babila (change to M4 for Linate), Cadorna (Malpensa Express) and the Fiera exhibition grounds.
Runs through Milano Centrale, Garibaldi (Gae Aulenti), Cadorna, Porta Genova (Navigli) and Sant'Ambrogio. Handy for rail connections at Lambrate.
M3Yellow — Comasina ↔ San Donato
Links the Duomo, Montenapoleone (fashion district), Milano Centrale, Repubblica and Lanza (Brera). Ideal if you're staying between Centrale and the Duomo.
M4Blue — Linate Airport ↔ San CristoforoNEW 2023
The newest line. Connects Linate Airport to San Babila in about 15 minutes for the standard €2.20 fare, via Forlanini, Dateo and Sforza-Policlinico.
M5Purple — Bignami ↔ San Siro Stadio
Serves Garibaldi (change to M2), Monumentale, Zara and San Siro Stadio — essential for football matches and concerts at the stadium.
Tickets & prices
ATM tickets are integrated — a single ticket is valid 90 minutes across metro, tram and bus, covering one metro journey plus unlimited surface transfers.
Single
€2.20
Valid 90 min
24 hours
€7.60
Unlimited travel
3 days
€13
Unlimited travel
Weekly
€17
Mon–Sun unlimited
Validate before boarding. Tap your ticket at the yellow gate machines (or the on-board validator on trams and buses). Travelling without a validated ticket carries a €60–€100 fine, even with an unused ticket in your pocket.
Buy at station vending machines, at newsagents and tobacconists (tabaccherie) with the ATM logo, or via the ATM Milano app. See our tickets & travel cards guide for which pass suits your trip.
Getting to the airport?
M4 to Linate, or a private transfer
The M4 reaches Linate for €2.20. For Malpensa or Bergamo — or door-to-door comfort — book a private transfer.
The metro runs daily from 6am to 12:30am. In central stations at peak times trains come every 2–4 minutes; at outer M2 terminals intervals can reach 30 minutes. On Saturday nights selected lines run until around 2am. On 25 December and 1 May the metro runs 7am–7:30pm only.
The metro for tourists
If you're staying near the Duomo, most sights are walkable and you may barely need the metro. Where it earns its keep:
M4
Linate Airport
San Babila → Linate, 15 min, €2.20
M2
Navigli district
Porta Genova for the canals & nightlife
M3
Brera & fashion district
Montenapoleone, or M2 to Lanza
M5
San Siro Stadium
San Siro Stadio for matches & concerts
M2
Gae Aulenti / Porta Nuova
Garibaldi FS (also on M5)
Frequently asked questions
Five: M1 (red), M2 (green), M3 (yellow), M4 (blue, opened 2023) and M5 (purple). Together they cover 94.5 km and 113 stations — Italy's longest metro system.
Daily from 6am to 12:30am. On 25 December and 1 May it runs 7am–7:30pm, and on Saturday nights some lines operate until around 2am.
A single ATM ticket is €2.20, valid 90 minutes on metro, tram and bus. A 24-hour pass is €7.60, a 3-day pass €13 and a weekly pass €17. Buy at machines, tabaccherie or the ATM Milano app.
The M4 (blue line) connects Linate to San Babila in about 15 minutes for €2.20. At San Babila, change to M1 for the Duomo — just one stop away.
None directly. Take the Malpensa Express train from Milano Cadorna (30 min, €13) or Milano Centrale (50 min, €13); trains run every 20–30 minutes.
At vending machines in every station, at newsagents and tobacconists showing the ATM logo, and through the ATM Milano app. Always validate before boarding — fines run €60–€100.
