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Getting around Milan

Public transport: 

For those foot-weary travellers tired of dodging scooters, Milan has a comprehensive transport network run by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi - ATM (tel: 02 4803 8345; www.atm-mi.it). Swapping between the metro, bus, tram and trolleybus is easy, thanks to an integrated ticketing system.

The metro has three lines - red MM1, green MM2 and yellow MM3 - which 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. Tickets are available from newsagents, tobacconists (a capital T for tabacchi distinguishes these outlets), most cafés and at automatic vending machines at major metro and bus stops.

Passes, valid for one or two days, are available from ATM railway offices at Cadorna, Centrale FS, Duomo, Loreto and Romolo. A carnet of 10 tickets is also available.

Taxis: 

Taxis (usually white or yellow) can be hailed on Milan's streets, although they rarely stop. It is better to hire them at taxi ranks outside train stations. You can also call a taxi: the main firms are Radiotaxi (tel: 02 5353) and Autoradio (tel: 02 8585). Tipping is not expected, but you should usually round the fare up to the nearest euro.

Driving: 

If at all possible, driving in Milan should be avoided. Milan's streets are congested day and night and parking is very difficult. Roadside parking in the historic centre is limited to a maximum of two hours within the blue lines marked by sosta a pagamento (pay to stop) signs, while paying for hotel or private garages is expensive. 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. Those determined to drive further in could try the private, 24-hour car park of Autosilo Borgospesso, Via Borgospesso 18, close to the cathedral.

Car hire: 

To hire a car in Milan, drivers must be 23 years or over and must have been in the possession of an EU licence or International Driving Permit for at least one year. Insurance is included in the hire price. It is best to add collision damage waver (CDW) and personal accident insurance (PAI). Car hire companies in Milan include Avis (tel: 02 6707 0884; www.avis.com) and Hertz (tel: 02 6698 5151; www.hertz.it).

Bicycle hire: 

Milanese 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 flat city that has many dedicated cycle paths, but traffic fumes, hair-raising driving and tram tracks are just some of the problems cyclists face. Bicycle hire is not commonly available to visitors.

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