untitled design (1)

Learn Italian online

Search

How to Buy Milan Public Transport Tickets with Your Mobile

Did you know that there’s an easy way to buy Milan public transport tickets? Well there is. All you need is to text the letters Atm to the number 48444 from your mobile and just about instantly you’ll receive an electronic ticket.

To be able to use the Milan public transport electronic tickets, your phone has to be able to accept charges via a text/SMS message.

While this should not be a problem if you have an Italian mobile phone contract, visitors may need to activate the required function so the cost of ticket can be charged to their mobile phone account or electronic wallet.

The ATM website suggests that this Milan public transport service may only be for mobile phones with Italian contracts. This means that it may not work with US, UK or contracts with operators in other nations. Let me know in comment if you have not been unable to use this service. If you have not, there’s always the ATM Milano Official App.

These tickets are the same as the paper versions and are valid for 90 minutes. You can use the electronic tickets to travel within Milan on trams, busses, the underground and trains. Note that they are not valid for trips to Milan’s exhibition and fair complex in Rho.

Should you be stopped by one of Milan’s growing army of ticket inspectors, show them your electronic ticket.

QR Milan Public Transport Tickets

You can use these electronic tickets to access Milan’s underground network via a QR code version of the ticket. This can be accessed via a link in the ticket text message. Your mobile phone will need internet access so you can see the QR code.

Milan public transport Turnstiles with QR readers on the Lilla underground line in Milan
Milan public transport Turnstiles with QR readers on the Lilla underground line in Milan
think in italian logo dark bg 1

Stop reading, start speaking

Stop translating in your head and start speaking Italian for real with the only audio course that prompt you to speak.

To use the electronic ticket, just hold your mobile phone screen with the QR code in front of the turnstile readers and they should open or unlock for you. Getting the QR codes read by turnstile readers can be a little problematic at times, or so I have found.

Close up of ATM Milan QR reader for electronic tickets
Close up of ATM Milan QR reader for electronic tickets

Persevere, though, and you should be on your way soon enough. If you find that the reader does not like the QR code, try another turnstile. Not all the turnstiles have these readers so look for the distinctive QR symbol as shown in the photograph above.

[contextly_auto_sidebar]You will also need to use the QR ticket to exit the Milan public transport underground system so don’t delete it!

Aside from the slight hiccups with the QR readers, the system is quick and efficient. You no longer need to queue at ticket machines, ticket kiosks or newsagents. Just send a text and be on your way.

Electronic Tickets Available in Rome Too

Rome has a similar system though an app is required before tickets can be purchased.

I hope this information makes your trip or life in Milan at little easier. Milan’s public transport system is extensive and very reasonably priced too. Milan’s a great place for shopping too.


All photographs by Alex Roe.

Most Popular

Raccomandato – It’s Who You Know

One of the meanings of the Italian word ‘Raccomandato’ is ‘recommended’. It’s a word you hear quite a lot here, but not always for the right reasons.

The Journalism Talent Contest – Update

Last week I wrote a post about a sort of Journalism Talent Contest which I’m holding on Blog from Italy. This initiative is designed to help aspiring Italian journalists gain some exposure and, with a little luck, move on to greater things. Well, I’m happy to announce that I have now received three applications.

Categories

Related Posts

Mafia v Berlusconi

In court today ex-mafia hit man Gaspare Spatuzza is giving evidence in a case in which a man close to Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi,

The Castello Sorci Restaurant in Tuscany

Ghoulish Gastronomy in Tuscany

Deep in the depths of Tuscany, not too far from a delightful little place called Anghiari, which is on the border with Umbria, there is the hauntingly interesting restaurant the Locanda al Castello di Sorci.