Milan Facts
- Overview
- Attractions
- Events
- Facts
- Kids
Population: 1.4 million
Area: 765 square miles
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Time zone: GMT + 1 hour
(8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time). When it is Noon in New York City; It
is 8:00 (20:00)in the evening in Milan.
Electricity: 220 volts
AC, flat two or three pin plugs are used
Telephone Codes: 39,
country code; 02, city code.
Country dialing code: 1
Average Temperatures:
|
Month |
High |
Low |
|
January |
40F |
32F |
|
February |
46F |
35F |
|
March |
56F |
43F |
|
April |
65F |
49F |
|
May |
74F |
57F |
|
June |
80F |
63F |
|
July |
84F |
67F |
|
August |
82F |
66F |
|
September
|
75F |
61F |
|
October |
63F |
52F |
|
November |
51F |
43F |
|
December |
43F |
35F |
Summer temperatures, which
often extend into September, average in the 80s (high 20s C), but can feel
warmer because of the humidity. Winter is cold, with little rain and
temperatures usually in the 40s (5-10 C). Snow is uncommon. April and May tend
to be rainy. The best time to visit Milan may be in autumn, when the weather is
crisp, cool, sunny and breezy. Smog is almost constantly present.
November-February temperatures
require a heavy coat. Spring is the rainy season and is cool, so a raincoat or
rain jacket is a good idea. The summer months are hot and humid, but many
establishments are air conditioned.
National Public Holidays
1st January - New Year's Day
6th January - Epiphany
Early April - Easter Monday
25th April - Liberation Day and
St. Mark's Feast Day
1st May - Labour Day
29th June - Local Feast Day
15th August - Assumption of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
1st November - All Saints Day
8th December - Immaculate
Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
24th December - Christmas Eve
25th December - Christmas Day
26th December - Boxing Day /
St. Stephen's Day
Getting There
By Air
Two main airports serve Milan. Most international flights land at Malpensa
Airport (MXP), which is approximately 30 miles northwest of the city, and about
an hour by car or train. Linate Airport (LIN), 4 miles to the east, is used for
domestic and some European flights. Airport shuttle buses transport passengers
between Malpensa and Linate. A free shuttle between the two terminals at
Malpensa runs every 10 minutes.
A third airport, Orio al Serio,
handles charter flights: close to Bergamo and is about 30 miles northeast of
Milan.
By Bus
For long-distance trips, trains are preferable to buses because they are more
comfortable and faster, and the connections are usually more direct. The main
departure point for buses traveling to other Italian and European cities is the
Garibaldi bus station. Buses line up along the sidewalk and are not well marked
as to destination. The Autostradale (bus station) sells tickets. Phone:
02-637-901.
By Car
Congestion in the city center is intense, and parking is difficult. If you drive
into the city, park your car at your hotel and plan to use public
transportation. Avoid rush hour, 7:30-9:30 am and 5:30-7:30 pm.
By Train
When visiting from another European or major Italian city, you will arrive
Central Train Station (Stazione Centrale) on Piazza Duca d'Aosta. The smaller
Stazione Nord (sometimes called Cadorna Station) handles trains heading to
smaller cities to the north and the lake cities of Como and Stresa. Stazione
Garibaldi, another regional station, handles trains to smaller cities
within a few hours of Milan.
Buying a train ticket does not
reserve a seat. It allows you to board; you sit only if there's an unclaimed
seat. To reserve a seat, you must purchase a reserved seat at an extra cost. IC
and EC trains are more comfortable and their use entails an additional
surcharge. Be sure to purchase the correct ticket for the train you will be
taking. Otherwise, there is a fine plus a penalty. Tickets must be validated
at a machine on the platform before boarding. Otherwise, there is a separate
penalty on board at the time of ticket collection.
Local Transportation
Central Milan is quite small, and most of it can be covered easily on foot. In
the alternative, Milan's extensive transportation system is a convenient way to
get from place to place.
Milan's public transportation
system includes buses, electric-rail trams and a subway (the metro, with lines
denoted MM1, MM2, MM3 or FNME). The system is safe, even at night. The same
tickets are used by all three systems, and you can purchase tickets at
newsstands, cigarette stands and some bars. Most metro stops also have machines
that dispense tickets
You can ride the metro system
for 75 minutes from the time you first enter the system, and transfer to a bus
on the same ticket provided you complete your bus ride within the 75 minutes.
Buses and many tram lines
operate daily 6 am-12:30 am. All subway lines run daily 6 am-midnight. Phone
02-8901-0797 for information.
By Taxi
Metered taxis are white. They will not stop on the street except at designated
taxi stands, which are usually located near hotels, train stations and sometimes
major squares or intersections.
