Car rental in Milan at the Best Prices

The Italian city of Milan is home to the Italian stock exchange and is world renowned for being one of the capitals of fashion. The city attracts people from across the globe, with its prestigious fashion shows and stores. The local streets are awash with tourists making their way through expensive shops and classy restaurants. An economic powerhouse, Milan is Italy’s second largest city and one of the most visited places in northern Italy.

If you’re planning to visit Milan in the near future, than consider a car rental in Milan. From a large selection of vehicles to choose from, and with great deals available, Auto Europe is here to help with all your car rental needs. We have partnered with numerous local, national and international car rental suppliers, to provide unprecedented choice with great customer service. Contact one of our reservation agents today and together we’ll find the best deal for you.

How is the traffic in Milan?

During the summer months Milan becomes extremely congested with the sheer amount of tourists paying it a visit. It can also be congested to a lesser degree outside of popular months. Like any major city, rush hour should be avoided, especially within the city centre. If you plan to enter the city centre, then be advised that a congestion fee applies for vehicles. The charge must be paid within 48 hours of entering, with camera check points monitoring entry and exit points.

Also be aware of the limited traffic zones. These areas are located in central Milan and only allow resident vehicles to enter. Cameras also monitor entry and exit points and any unregistered vehicle will receive a fine. Please note that in both cases, if receiving a fine by entering a congestion charging zone or limited traffic zone, your rental car supplier will pass on this fine to you.

Being quite an old city, Milan streets can be extremely narrow in places. This makes selecting the right vehicle important. A mini or compact car would be better suited for this city, both due to their manoeuvrability and fuel-efficiency. Although Italian drivers are known as more aggressive on the road, Milan drivers tend to be more careful compared to drivers in southern Italian cities.

Where can I park my car rental in Milan?

If you are planning to park within the centre of Milan, then be prepared to spend much of your time looking for a suitable spot. Parking in the city centre is extremely rare and often reserved only for residents. Private parking is available from locals who are willing to rent them out on an hourly or daily basis. Central Milan is well serviced by the metro, buses and an extensive tram network, so consider carefully if you really need to take your car into the heart of the city.

The suburban parts of Milan are much easier to find parking in. You can either park in an underground garage or opt for on-street parking - both options are relatively inexpensive. The suburbs are well connected to the city centre via the metro, bus and tram network. Metered on-street parking is generally active between Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm. Although, some spots may vary so make sure you consult the street signage.

Milan Airport

Milan is serviced by two international airports – Malpensa Airport and Linate Airport. Linate Airport is located closer to Milan and is the older of the two. Malpensa Airport is further away but has good train connections straight into the centre of Milan. Both airports cater to international and domestic air traffic, with Malpensa also catering to intercontinental flights.

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Address: 21010 Ferno, VA, Italy
Website: Milan Malpensa Airport
Telephone: +39 02 232323

Milan Linate Airport (LIN)
Address: Viale Enrico Forlanini, 20090 Segrate MI, Italy
Website: Milan Linate Airport
Telephone: +39 02 232323

What to do in Milan

Compared to other cities, Milan doesn’t have a lot to see. It is often said, that you’d only need two days to view all of Milan – one for sightseeing and the other for eating pizza. Nevertheless, Milan is a lively and culturally rich city, with plenty to entertain you during your visit. The Duomo, Milan’s Cathedral is a must visit and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II should also be on your list. Try not to limit yourself to just the city centre, consider heading further out too, where you’ll find the San Siro Stadium amongst other things.

• Brera: Originally located outside of Milan’s city walls, the now bohemian district of Brera is a wonderful quaint area to visit. Full of charming cafes, restaurants and boutiques, this districts relaxed atmosphere is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of central Milan. The Academy of Fine Arts, Brera Art Gallery and Milan’s Botanical Garden are all located here which makes for a great artistic atmosphere.


• La Scala: Opened in 1778, the La Scala is one of Italy’s most famous Opera houses. As one of the world’s oldest Opera houses, La Scala is the leading opera and ballet house, where numerous famous artists have performed. Even if you aren’t that into Opera, La Scala is an architectural global gem. You can either book to visit the museum or to view an authentic operatic performance or ballet show.


• Santa Maria delle Grazie Church: This gothic style church and convent was completed in 1469 and is now an UNESCO World Heritage site. The church is famous for housing the famous Leonardo da Vinci mural of The Last Supper. If you are planning to visit, the church is located near the heart of Milan, just eastwards from Milan Castle. Please note that you will need to make a reservation in advance to gain access.


• Duomo di Milano Cathedral: This striking cathedral is the largest in Italy and one of the largest in the world. It is located in the heart of Milan next to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It is by far the most popular tourist attraction in Milan with often large queues waiting to gain access. Taking six centuries to build, this gothic style marble structure allows you access to the underground archeologically site, the internal parts of the Cathedral and its roof - which will provide some breath-taking views over the city.


• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Shopping in Milan can be an exhilarating experience and a costly one. As one of the international fashion capitals of the world, Milan has the Via Napoleone, known as one of the world’s most expensive roads to shop in - with stores from Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Valentino, all originating from Milan. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is located in the heart of the city and next to the Duomo di Milano. A great place for shopping and eating out in. Built in 1877, it is a stunning four-storey glass arcade and a must see.

Best day trips with my car hire in Milan

With a car rental from Milan you are not restricted to just exploring Milan itself, but can now head further out to view some fantastic places. The local countryside is awash with wildlife and natural beauty, whilst the Alps aren’t too far away either. Consider visiting the world famous Lake Como - only one hour, forty minutes away by car – or Lake Garda, around two hours journey time by car from Milan.

Bergamo: Located only an hour’s drive from Milan at the foothills of the Alps, the quaint northern Italian city of Bergamo is a great day trip for the whole family. With its cobbled streets and Venetian walls that are listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site, the city will eloquently captivate your imagination. In particular, the twelfth century Santa Maria Maggiore church and the San Vigilio Castle should be high on your list of places to visit.

Lake Como: Often referred to as the “Italian Heaven”, Lake Como is located at the base of the Alps. With clear Alpine fresh water, this lake is a must visit during your stay in Milan. The area is rich in lush green fauna, with small historical villages dotted across its landscape – depicting a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Home to Renaissance architecture, Lake Como is extremely popular for the well-to-do clientele. George Clooney, Antonio Banderas, David Beckham and even Julia Roberts are said to have a home here.

Lake Garda: Known as the largest Italian lake, Lake Garda is an extremely popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Its picturesque scenery encompasses crystal-clear Alpine waters. The area is famous for its numerous wineries that are located along the lakes shorelines. Nearby you’ll also find a wonderful Roman archaeological site to explore and the Castello Scaligero – one of Italy’s most well preserved castles.

Geographic Information & History

The city of Milan is located on a flat plain in the northern part of Italy, south of the Alps and north of the River Po. As the second largest city in Italy, Milan is the capital of Lombardy and covers an area of around 181,000 km sq. In 2018, Milan’s urban area had a population of around 5,280,000 inhabitants, making it the 5th most populated urban area in the world. Milan’s climate is humid and moderate, with the Alps in the north shielding it from the harsher Northern European weather. During winter, the city can dip below zero and sometimes experience snowfall. Whilst during the summer, the city can reach temperatures as high as 35ºC.

Mediolanum, present day Milan, was established around 600 BC by the Insubres, a Celtic tribe of Gaulish origins. In 222 BC the city fell under Roman rule and was incorporated into the Roman Empire. From the middle ages until the formation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the city of Milan had a turbulent history, marked by wars, sieges and different rulers. During the Middle Ages, Milan was captured by the Visigoths, Ostrogoths and the Franks. The following centuries saw Milan ruled over by the French, Spanish and Austrians.

Although during World War II Milan was bombed by the allied forces - which saw some of its historical and architectural treasures destroyed – the city recovered well and is now Italy’s main financial powerhouse. As a leading city of fashion, Milan is a modern and cosmopolitan European city, but with a complex and often stormy history dating back centuries.

How to get around Milan

Milan has a modern integrated transportation network comprising of state-of-the-art airports, trams, buses, trains and a metro system - all of which cover the city centre and metropolitan area. Much of the network is operated by one company, the Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM). The advantage to this is that tickets can be used across the whole network and purchased at multiple locations via ticket machines and news agents.

Bus

Lampugnano Bus Terminal is Milan’s main bus and coach station located just north of the city centre next to the district of Portello. From here you are able to catch coaches that will take you all over the Italian mainland. The city also has an extensive network of bus lines that spread out from the city centre into its suburbs. A reduced night bus service exists until 6am when the metro reopens. Night buses generally follow the routes of the metro lines.

Train

Milan Central Station is located within the city and comprises of urban and high-speed trains. Trains are frequent, modern and well-maintained, with destinations throughout Italy and beyond to other European cities. For example, you can catch a train to Rome, Naples, Turin or Florence, or a fast-train to Zurich, Paris or Barcelona in Spain. Urban trains will take you around the region of Lombardy and can be a relaxing alternative if you don’t fancy driving longer distances.

Taxis

Taxis in Milan are licenced by the city but operated by private individual companies. An official metered taxi is white in colour, with a taxi sign on its roof. You can pre-book a taxi or catch one at any of the numerous taxi ranks across the city. Talk to the driver beforehand about the costs involved in getting to your destination.

Metro

Consisting of four metro lines, Milan’s metro system covers the city and surrounding suburbs. Its 101 kms comprises of 113 stations, many of which are mostly underground. As one of the largest metro systems in Europe, the service operates throughout the day until 00:23 and reopens again at 06:00. The metro lines are divided into the M1 (Red), M2 (Green), M3 (Yellow) and M4 (Violet) lines. Tickets can be purchased at a station counter, ticket machine or local news agent.

Tram

Although Milan’s tram network dates back to 1881, it has developed into one of Europe’s most advanced and extensive tram systems. Covering around 182 km, 17 tram lines successfully transport locals and tourists alike throughout the city and into some of its suburbs. Originally operated by horses, it has been electric since 1893 and makes for a great way to sightsee Milan. In addition, coffee house style trams exist where you can sit at a table, drink an espresso and travel round Milan effortlessly.

Useful links

Tourism Information