Radiobus: a taxi which costs like a public bus

Radiobus it's a service offered by Milan's transportation company, ATM, which is something between a taxi service and a public bus.

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Radiobus works only from 08.00 p.m. to 02.00 a.m., and it was created to fulfill two main tasks: allow a cheaper way of flexible moving, contrasting Milan's taxis crazy prices; offer a secure trasportation, almost "door to door", during late hours, especially for youngers after a night out.

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A tight net of radiobus stops covers almost all the city, so, wherever You are, You'll need only a short walk to reach one. The service is "on demand": you must make a reservation, by phone, mail or sms message. Ticket prices are a bit higher that those for normal buses, but ridicolously affordable if compared to Milan's cabmans mad tariffs. And with its 16 seats Radiobus it's the perfect solution for a big friends company!

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Reservations: call 02 48034803; sms to 335 7872571 (writing date, hour, route, passengers number); fill in online reservation form.

Costs: 1,5 €uros supplement to urban ticket, or 3,00 €uros single fare

Bus sightseeing in Milan

One of Milan’s big advantages, it’s the compactness of its downtown: you can visit all the main attractions just in a half-day walking tour. Beside this, taking example from the famous London double decker sighstening trips, a couple of companies are now providing bus tours in Milan city centre.

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Duomo square, La Scala theatre, Sforzesco Castle, old Sant’Amborgio Basilica and Leonardo’s Last Supper fresco – are the usual stops of this 2 hours long tour. Well, the same distances could be easily covered by foot in the same time, and taking in account traffic conditions in Milan’s center, you’ll probably spend most of your time in the bus waiting at traffic lights.

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Considering that adults tickets for this “experience” start from 20€ / person, we suggest you to enjoy a walking tour, and invest the saved cash in a couple of refreshing granite (melted ice with cyrup – priceless in summer days) while resting yourself in a bar, between one attraction and another.

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Milan Bus Sightseeing
Piazza Castello, 1 - Milan
Tickets sold on board or in hotels.
Tel: +39 02 867131

Rent a bike and feel free on Milan's narrow streets

With its narrow streets and quite compact historical centre, Milan can be a nice place to explore by bike. Although far from being a cyclist paradise like Amsterdam, Munich and other Northern Europe cities, you can still enjoy a ride here, as many milaneses do. Just keep an eye on car drivers: they are always in a hurry and not very friendly here.
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Especially in summer monthes, when there are not so many cars, Milan's parks, the pedestrian downtown and the Navigli route can become a very pleasant, even unforgettable experience. And if you are a bit trained, you can explore Milan's environs, following Naviglio Pavese, or attacking some ripid mountain-bike tracks reachable by train direction Como or Varese.

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Although it's much easier find a car rental than a bike one, during last years some big bicycle retailers stated offering this service. In our opinion, one of the best it's AWS Bici, thanks to its prices and position.

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Located just 5 minutes walk from Milan Central Rail Station, it offers mountain bikes from 11 €uros / day (or 80 €uros month), or electrical bikes just from 16 €uros / day. A 100 or 200 €uros deposit by credit card is requested.

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What: AWS bike rental, via Ponte Severo 23, Milan

Where: 5 minutes walk from Centrale FS, Caiazzo or Sondrio underground stations

When: monday-saturday 09.00am-01.00pm / 03.00pm-07.00pm

Low cost rates on Atlantic routes thanks to the "Open sky" agreement

In just one week the UE-USA Open sky agreement will go into effect. This will create an (almost) unrestricted air-routes market between Unites States and European Union. American companies will be allowed to fly in every destination in Europe and european airlines will become more competitive in amercian market.

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After 15 years long negotiations, the sky over Atlantic it's ready to become more free and.... much more cheap! Not only Lufthansa and British Airways, but also Ryanair and many USA low cost companies are planning to expand their network.

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Not only USA and Europe will become much closer, but the low cost fares will allow to many budget travellers to explore the beauties of the New and the Old worlds. Obviolusly, Milan with its three airports will be a perfect destination for low cost traffic from the US!

Rent a car in Milan

Milan it's a busy city, with strong traffic during weekdays and parcking problems in the city centre. Probably, a car it's not the best way to move around here. But, if you have choosen an hotel far from the downtown, if you plan a visit to the suburbs, or simply wish to enjoy a full independence from public trasnport - renting a car could be a good (and also budget) solution.

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If you are alone, or a couple without bulky luggage, we definitly suggest you SIXTI low cost car rent. For just 14.99 €uros / day you will be given a Mercedes-Smart Fot Two vehicle, all taxes included and 100 km/day included (excess milege 0.14 €/km). Otherwise you can opt for their "senior" offer - a Fiat, Ford or Peugeot four-seater with rates starting at 28.99 €uros / day.

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You can find SIXTI offices at Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate and Milan Bergamo Airports, or in the city centre at Porta Romana street, Milan Railway central station, and Viele Sarca street. Book in advance, because, like for every low cost, rates can change significantly.

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Another good option for budget car rent in Italy it's offered by "Cars For Less" internet site. Actually this is not a car rent company, but a web crawler which seeks for you the most convenient offers available.

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I used their service several times and have been always satisfied with their fleet and prices. Booking a couple of weeks in advance, you can easily find a four-seater vehicle for just 30-32 €uros / day, with all taxes and unlimited mileage included.

Milan by air: low cost, obviously. Chapter 1

The capital of Lombardy it's well connected by several low-cost airlines to dozens of european cities, and also a growing number of destinations in Northern Africa and Middle East. Thanks to its three airports, Milan can be considered the biggest low-cost italian hub. Ryanair, Easyjet, Vueling, AirBerlin, Meridiana, TuiFly, Germanwings and many more fly here on daily basis moving thousands of business travellers, tourists and backpackers. In this post we'll speak about Milan's main airgate - Malpensa International.

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The biggest and busiest Milan's airport, located 48km north the city centre, it's mainly dedicated to traditional and charter flights, connecting Northern Italy to intercontinental destinations and touristic paradises worldwide. But, although not properly a low-cost gateway, in its Terminal 2, Malpensa hosts two heavyweighters: Easyjet and Volareweb. As you can see, their networks make Malpensa, above all, a good starting point for travellers directed to Southern Italy and Eastern Europe:

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Easyjet offers connections to: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Bari, Berlin-Schönefeld, Bristol, Brussels [Starts 18 June 2008], Bucharest-Otopeni, Cagliari, Catania, Edinburgh, Ibiza, London-Gatwick, Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga, Marrakech, Mykonos [Starts 10 June 2008] Naples, Olbia, Palermo, Palma de Mallorca [Starts 20 June 2008], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Prague.

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Volareweb flies to: Alghero, Athens, Brindisi, Cagliari, Helsinki [Starts 24 July 2008], Heraklion, Ibiza [Starts 21 July 2008], Krakow, Lamezia Terme, Ljubljana [begins May 6], Łódź, Malaga, Malta, Olbia [Starts 22 July 2008], Palma de Mallorca [Starts 21 July 2008], Paris-Orly, Pescara, Porto, Rhodes [Starts 26 July 2008],Timisoara, Warsaw [begins April 4], Wroclaw.

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Malpensa Airport is connected to the city center by one rail-express and several bus services. The train shuttle is quite efficient, but very expensive, with one-way tickets starting at 11 Euros (13,5 if purchased on board). Moreover, rail station is located in terminal 1, so, if landed in terminal 2, you will need to take the free shuttle-bus (rides every 20 min.).

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Buses are defenitly the cheapest solution. One-way ticket to Milan will cost you 6 euros, luggage included, and it takes about 50 minutes to the city centre. There is also a regular service to Milan Linate airport (10 euros) and to Turin.

Not only fashion boutiques: Milan it's a cozy destination also for low budget travellers

Worldwide known as the capital of Italian style, Milan is often considered only just a shopping-travel destination, suitable for Russian nouveau riches, Japanese fashion victims and members of the Saudi real family.

This is true, but it's not all the story. Milan offers much for art and architecture enthusiasts, for italian food lovers and for night life addicted too. Its 7 universties are home for almost 200.000 students and in its neighbourhood you'll find such natural wonders like Como's lake and historical towns like Pavia.
We should admit, that The Big Milan's problem are its prices. Fashion and business oriented hotels can rarely offer one night stay under 70 €/person. Restaurants are delicious, but be prepared to leave 40 Euros for a pasta and "cotoletta milanese" if you are in downtown. And while ordering a cocktail in a trendy bar, don't expect bargains: 15 Euros for a mojito it's the rule.
Scared? ;) Well, according to an old italian saying - "the evil is not as bad, as people describe it". "Milan low cost" team will find you cozy accomodation solutions for reasonable prices; good food you won't pay a fortune; transport system information without considering taxi cabs; clubs to visit, and others to avoid....... and much more!!!

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Maybe we don't speak Oxford English, but We breathe Milan air everyday! ;)