What to expect when visiting Milan
Milan is Italy’s economic and design capital — the home of the stylish and the rich. Here is where luxury and art collide. It’s the country’s busiest and most vibrant city, but still charming with its few touches of the Old World.
The city boasts a massive collection of old and new art masterpieces and is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s most iconic work, the Last Supper. You’ll find jaw-dropping architecture everywhere you look in Milan — from its more recent skyscrapers to the age-old Milan Cathedral.
3 ways to get from Rome to Milan
There are three ways to travel the distance of 570 km (354 miles) from Rome to Milan: by bus (7.5-11 hours), train (3-9.5 hours) and flight (2h10m). The journey takes between 2h10m - 11h and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €17 ($20) for the bus.Rome to Milan by Bus
The bus is a good alternative when the trains from Rome to Milan are too expensive on the day of your trip. While buses are subject to traffic and some bus departures can get delayed, there are still some advantages.
Although not as spacious as the trains, the buses can still be comfortable. There are also several night buses on this trip, so you get to save daytime and a night on accommodation.
More importantly, bus tickets are cheaper than train tickets. If you don’t mind the long travel, you can spend 7.5-11 hours on the bus for just €17 ($20). We suggest taking this bus instead of the Intercity train that costs thrice as much.
Departure and arrival station
All buses depart from Rome Tiburtina Bus Station just beside the train station with the same name.
Same as the train, the buses also have two arrival points in Milan. The main bus station is Lampugnano Bus Station, located 10 km northwest of the city centre. You can also get off at San Donato Bus Stop on the southeast side of Milan centre.
Bus schedule from Rome to Milan
Rome to Milan by Flight
A flight from Rome to Milan takes only a little over an hour, but that doesn’t include yet the travel time to and from the airports and the waiting time for your flight.
While the overall costs for this option are cheaper than any of the trains, this option includes several transfers. For this route, we suggest taking a direct high-speed train.
Do you still want to take a flight? Read on for a step-by-step guide.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Rome City Centre to Fiumicino Airport
Flights from Rome to Milan depart from Fiumicino Airport, located some 30 km southwest of the city centre.
The cheapest way to get to Fiumicino Airport is by bus. There are several airport buses available for this route, but we recommend travelling with Terravision because of their good reviews.
Travel time with the bus is around 45 minutes. Terravision buses depart from Roma Termini at least once every hour from 04:30 to 12:20. A bus ticket costs €6 ($6.50).
Other options from Rome city centre to Fiumicino Airport include a 30-minute train that costs €14 ($15) and a 40-minute taxi or Uber with rates from €48 ($53).
Step 2: Rome to Milan by Flight
ITA Airways operates multiple daily flights from Rome to Milan. Airfares start from €33 ($36), but they can get up to €98 ($105). You can get to Milan in just over an hour.
Flights arrive at Linate Airport, located 7 km east of Milan city centre.
Step 3: Linate Airport to Milan City Centre
The cheapest way to get from Linate Airport to Milan city centre is by bus. Several companies offer bus trips to different areas in Milan centre. From Linate, you can take Bus Line 73 to Duomo M1 M3 in an hour for €2 ($2.20). This bus is available daily from 05:00 to 24:00.
There are also buses available to Milan Centrale Station for €5 ($5.50). Travel time is just 25 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take an Uber Black. Milan is one of the few Italian cities where Uber is allowed. You can easily hail one as long as you have the app on your phone. Rates for a 2-seater car start from €25 ($27.50).
We don’t really recommend taking an airport taxi for this route because fares can be expensive. Taxi fares start from €33 ($36) for the 20-minute journey.
Rome to Milan by Train
If you want to save on costs, we recommend taking an overnight train from Rome to Milan. There is one Intercity train that departs at 23:55 and arrives the next day at 06:55. This train is the cheapest at €53 ($62), and although not a sleeper train, it’s comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.
The rest of the trains available on this route are high-speed trains. See below for more details on the different kinds of trains that you can choose from:
Departure and arrival station
Most of the trains depart from Roma Termini, 2 km from the famous Colosseum. There are also some trains departing from Roma Tiburtina.
In Milan, there are also multiple arrival stations. The main train station is Milan Centrale, about 4 km north of Milan Cathedral. Some Italo trains also arrive at Milan Rogoredo, located in the southeast of Milan city centre.
Train schedule from Rome to Milan
Prices vary daily and depend on how early you book. For online booking and the full schedules, you can visit Omio.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rome to Milan
What is the distance from Rome to Milan?
The distance from Rome to Milan is 570 km (354 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Rome to Milan?
The fastest way to get from Rome to Milan is by flight and takes 2h10m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Rome to Milan?
The cheapest way to get from Rome to Milan is by bus with ticket costs starting from €17 ($20).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Rome to Milan. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
