Europe > Italy > Milan
Please note that Carornocar.com is currently being revised and updated in preparation for the Summer 2021 (northern hemisphere) tourist season. It is expected that some social distancing rules will still apply. For additional Milan car hire advice, please use the comments form below. |
Quick Ratings
Price band:
Milan is in car rental price band: 4/10 (1 = cheapest car rental location)
General comment - based on price alone, is it worth renting a car in Milan?
Sometimes. Car rental is slightly cheaper than global averages.
Volatility:
Can you expect big swings in car rental prices in Milan between the peak and the off peak season?
5/10 (0 = stable prices)
Driving score: 8/10
Non car score:10/10
Balance: 3
(0 = car hire not advised / 10 = rental car essential)
General comment -
Why? Visiting Milan using a hire car
Why do you need a car in Milan ?
Driving v transit
Why not? Visiting Milan without a car
Why don't you need a car in Milan ?
In and around Milan
Other cities
Lakes & Mountains
Ratings: How does Milan compare?
Is it worth hiring a car in Milan? TBC
This is based on a rough consideration of the costs of renting a car in Milan, and how this compares with the costs of using public transport. The answer to this varies hugely from one destination to the next, based on a wide range of factors. It's based on renting a car at the airport (TBC), and driving for an average of 2-3 hours on open roads on most days.
How does this compare if:
You are travelling:
Solo / As couple / small family / larger family / senior couple etc
Does car rental make sense on different budgets?
Do you need to hire a car in Milan? TBC
This is based strictly on whether or no we think it's possible to visit Milan (and the surrounding area) without using a car. Of the three key questions, this one is the most likely to be a "no".
Should you rent a car in Milan? TBC
This is a balance of all factors. Remember this is an answer to the question for people who are already asking it. That's why the answer might still be a "yes", even when public transport is good.
See global comparisons
Hiring | Driving | Parking
Trains | Buses | Local travel
Car hire basics:
Public transportation basics:
Regular bus services: YES
Coach (inter-city): YES
Tram: NO
Metro: NO
Commuter Rail:
High Speed Rail:
Rail type (end stub / through / junction / hub):
As you start ....
Does Milan airport have a direct rail link?
(Yes - within terminal / adjacent / short walk) (Yes - bus transfer / other) No
Changelog
Has our advice for Milan car rental changed over time, or has it been pretty constant?
2017 - 4
2019 - 4
2021 - 3
Average score - 4
Notes:
Conclusion – Should you rent a car in Milan? A car is great for visiting the scenic lakes to the north and east of Milan, but I think that it is even better to enjoy these by train and ferry. For many of the cities in northern Italy, a hire car can be as much of a hindrance as it is a help, especially as public transport in and around Milan is far superior to what you will find in Rome, or anywhere else in Italy for that matter,even if it is disjointed.
If you rent a car in Milan, it will give you some flexibility to access one or two places that are out of reach of the trains, but it may also be more trouble that it is worth in many more places. Public transport in and around Milan is far from perfect, but there is certainly plenty of it, whether you want to visit great cities, lakes or mountains.
Verdict – no
Summary
Do you or don't you need a car in Milan ?