Page 218 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

216  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Getting Around Milan Street Crossings
Theoretically, pedestrians have
Although there are some traffic-free areas, such as Brera right of way at crossings when
and the historic centre, Milan is not very pedestrian-friendly. the green avanti sign is lit up;
Traffic is heavy and chaotic, and parking space is hard to find. however, you won’t have long
Public transport (see pp218–19) is the best way of getting to get across, so be alert. The
around. The tram, bus and metro network is efficient, and a red alt sign means that you
must wait. Underground
flat fare operates in the city centre. One- and two-day passes crossings are indicated by a
offer good value. All tickets, including the passes, must be sign reading sottopassaggio.
date-stamped before use. Fines are imposed on anyone
caught having a “free ride”. Driving Around Milan
Heavy traffic and no-entry areas,
Green Travel Walking in Milan known as the ZTL (zona a
The biggest problems facing Some areas of Milan are very traffico limitato) for taxis, buses
Milan are traffic and the lack pleasant to walk around. and emergency vehicles only,
of parking space. However, the Strolling around the fashion make driving in Milan difficult.
public transport system is well district window shopping, On-street parking (indicated
used and represents good for example, is always an by blue lines) is allowed for up
value, with tickets valid on all enjoyable aspect of the city. to 2 hours 8am–1pm (suburbs),
forms of transport. Pedestrianized areas in Milan 8am–7pm (central Milan) and
The Area C (see Driving can be found around Corso 8am–midnight (Area C). Check
Around Milan), is the city Vittorio Emanuele, Via dei the area you are parking in and
council’s attempt to curb traffic Mercanti, Piazza San Babila, pay at a pay station or by using
entering the city. All cars pay Via Dante, Via della Spiga and a Sosta Milano card, a pre-pay
a €5 fee to access the city the Brera quarter. The Navigli parking ticket sold at authorized
centre. Tickets are available quarter is a pedestrian zone ATM sales points (tobacconists,
from tobacconists, newsagents after 8pm in summer. newsstands and bars). Areas
and some Banca Intesa San However, outside of oases like marked with yellow lines are for
Paolo ATMs. Profits from this these, the pedestrians’ lot is by residents only, while white lines
scheme are reinvested in more no means an easy one. The main indicate free parking. Disabled
sustainable transport. problem is the heavy traffic. drivers displaying a badge can
Milan’s public transport Drivers tend to treat the streets park for free in designated areas.
authority, ATM (see p219), is as race tracks, and even where Alternatively, use the Private Car
replacing traditional buses people crossing the streets are parking in the centre of Milan
with hydrogen-powered and using the zebra crossings, the (see chart opposite) or the ATM
hybrid vehicles. Since 2008, road markings may be ignored parking areas on the outskirts
around 250 “clean” forms of by motorists. An additional of the city, which are well
transport have been problem is that the chronic lack served by the metro (see p213).
introduced in the city. of parking space means that cars Cars entering central Milan
ATM also operate a bike- are usually parked on the pave- 7:30am–7:30pm Mon–Fri (till
sharing scheme for residents ments, leaving pedestrians very 6pm Thu) have to pay a €5 eco
and visitors, BikeMi. This little room to manoeuvre. This is tax in Area C. This zone is clearly
popular initiative allows you a particular problem for those signposted; there is no access
to pick up a bike and return trying to get around with prams for diesel vehicles. You have
it to a designated place else- or push-chairs and for those until midnight the following day
where in the city. who are wheelchair-bound. to pay the charge. A multiple
Area C ticket (worth €30, €60
or €100) entitles you to enter
central Milan on different days,
without having to pay on a
daily basis. Most hotels will
assist visitors with fulfilling
the Area C requirements. For
rental cars, it is best to check
with the car hire company.
By registering with car2go
and Enjoy, you can hire a car
for use in and around the city.
This car-sharing scheme has
free parking everywhere (no
charge for Area C), and petrol
Traffic on a busy thoroughfare in Milan is included in the rental fee.

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