Planning a taxi in Milan? Fares start at €5.40 and a 10 km ride costs around €15. Our guide covers airport transfers, scams to avoid, and tipping norms.
Milan is one of Europe's most stylish cities — but its taxis can catch first-time visitors off guard if you don't know what to expect. Fares are metered and regulated, so you won't get ripped off if you know the basics. This guide gives you every number you need, plus the insider tips to get around confidently and affordably.
Milan taxis use a regulated meter system approved by the Comune di Milano. The meter starts at €3.50 the moment you get in and ticks up at €1.10 per kilometre. No trip will cost you less than €5.40, even if your destination is just around the corner. Surcharges can apply at night (typically 22:00–06:00), on Sundays and public holidays, and for luggage — so your final fare may be slightly higher than the base calculation. Always make sure the driver resets the meter at the start of your ride.
Milan is served by two main airports: Malpensa (MXP), about 50 km northwest of the city, and Linate (LIN), just 7 km from the centre. Taxi supplements apply to both. A Malpensa taxi will add a €10 airport surcharge on top of the metered fare, making the total a steep ride into the city. For Linate, the supplement is a more reasonable €5. For Malpensa especially, the train is genuinely a better option.
Milan's licensed taxis are generally honest, but the areas around major train stations and airports attract opportunists targeting tourists. Here are the specific patterns to watch for in Milan:
For short trips in the city centre, Milan's metro (the MM) is fast, flat-fare at €2.20 per journey, and avoids traffic entirely. The M1, M2, M3 and M4 lines cover most tourist destinations. Save taxis for late nights, heavy luggage, or trips not served by public transport.
Yes — licensed Milan taxis are safe, regulated, and generally reliable. Official cabs are white and clearly marked, with a taxi sign on the roof and a licence number displayed on the door. Drivers are professionally licensed and fares are set by the municipality. The main risks are not safety-related but financial: unlicensed touts and the occasional unscrupulous driver targeting tourists who don't know the fare structure. Stick to the official taxi ranks or book through itTaxi or FREE NOW, confirm the meter is running, and you'll have no problems.
How much does a taxi from Malpensa Airport to Milan city centre cost?
Malpensa is around 50 km from the city centre, so you're looking at a metered fare that will comfortably exceed €26 for the distance alone, plus the mandatory €10 airport supplement. The total is typically €60–€90 depending on traffic and exact destination. The Malpensa Express train at around €13 is a far better deal and takes roughly 30–50 minutes.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Milan?
Tipping is not expected or mandatory in Milan taxis. Most locals simply round up to the nearest euro or two as a small courtesy — for example, paying €16 on a €14.80 fare. For longer airport runs or particularly helpful drivers, rounding up by €2–€3 is appreciated but entirely optional.
Can you pay by card in Milan taxis?
Licensed Milan taxis are required to accept card payments, and most do. However, some older drivers may claim their card machine is broken. To avoid any awkwardness, it's worth carrying a small amount of cash as a backup, especially for shorter trips where the fare might be under €10.
What is the best time to take a taxi in Milan to avoid traffic?
Milan's traffic is worst on weekday mornings between 08:00 and 09:30 and in the evening from 17:30 to 19:30. The area around Milano Centrale station and Corso Buenos Aires is consistently congested during these windows. If you need to get somewhere quickly at peak hour, the metro will almost always beat a taxi on time. Midday and weekends outside of major events are generally the easiest times to get a cab.
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