The Milan "Welcome" Card

Start your trip on the right heel and hit up the tourism office. Locations are in the Duomo Piazza and on the second floor of Central Station (Stazione Centrale).

The Milan Tourism Board offers first time guests to its city a "Welcome" card. You can pick up the pass at any tourist office. The 'Welcome' includes a city map, one-day free transport pass, and a history of Milan. (Note: So far, there isn't a Milan pass that provides discounts for shops or museums.)

For more information, you can try visiting the Milan Tourism Board's web site (at press-time it was temporarily unavailable), or if you speak Italian, check out the Provincia di Milano site.

The office in Central Station is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM and on Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM, then 2 PM to 5 PM. At Duomo Piazza, the office is open daily from 9 AM to 1 PM, then 2 PM to 5 PM.

Budget Tips

Know when to go!: It's no secret that Milan hosts a number of industry events and conventions throughout the year and when the city is busy with fairs and fashion shows, you can bet its hotel rates are sky high. Your best bet is to check rates for a number of dates, if you can be flexible. Often, a typical 2 or 3-star property increases its nightly price two-fold for dates in mid-March (fashion week), but goes back to normal just after. So, do your research and you'll have more to spend on good vino.

The most helpful web sites for planning your trip to Milan will be the trade show sites. Try the Fiere ("Fair") Commission site (click through to the calendar) for a list of shows, conventions and expos. Also, check out the Fiera Congressi's site for even more specific dates and shows. For example, did you know all the European hemotologists like to gather in Milan in October?

Buy a blochetto: Tram, metro, and bus tickets are available as single rides (€1), but if you plan to get good use out of Milan's metropolitan transportation system, it's a good idea to buy a ten-pack (blochetto). The pack costs €9.20 and unlike other passes, you can use the tickets interchangeably on all forms of transport, within a proposed timeframe.

Flock to flea markets: There are multiple—and surprisingly cheap—markets in Milan. Perhaps the most well-known flea market, where well-priced jewelry, leather goods, books, clothes, and furniture abound, is the Fiera di Sendallia. Off of Viale G. d'Annunzio, along Milan's wharf, it occurs every Saturday morning. For more info, ask about the markets at the tourism office.

Stock up on stuzzichini: The Italian version of a "happy hour" comes with its fair share of fine food. Order a drink at a bar around 6 or 7 PM on most any night and you'll usually be greeted with free appetizers (stuzzichini) in the form of olives, cheese, bread, and maybe even pizza or pasta dishes. These light meals make it pretty easy to live well and spend less in Milan. Check out our blog post on 'aperitivos' here.

Free Sights

Never fear, Cheapos, even though there aren't many free sights in Milan, we've found a few to keep you satiated. And, remember, it costs nothing to wander through the various piazzas, and to gaze up at the Duomo or pass by Sforza Castle.

Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro: This church has been the site of many a pilgrimage since 1242, when an angry gambler was said to have swatted the baby Jesus in Santa Maria's altar piece thus causing him to spurt blood. Today, you can be the judge – for free – as to whether or not there's any blood in sight. Other highlights of the church include the spectacular Baroque façade and transept, bits of Byzantine frescos, and a baptistery from 1480.

The Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro is open Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to noon; 3 PM to 6 PM and on Saturday from 3:30-6 PM; Sunday for church services at 8:30 AM and 11 AM, then for tourists from 3:30 PM to 6 PM. (Tel: 02-874-683)

Via Speronari: The Via Speronari is one of the oldest streets in Milan. Just a quick block from the Duomo, the strip offers lots of window-shopping and plenty of Baroque architecture. Take a stroll into a classic tavolo calda (hot table) like Prinzi (www.princi.it), at one end of the street, where freshly baked bread and tasty take-out grub are readily available.

Leonardo's Horse: In 1482, Leonardo Da Vinci completed a giant equestrian monument, commissioned by the Sforza family. But, in 1499, the statue was destroyed by invading French troops. In 1999, American Renaissance expert and collector, Charles Dent, recreated the horse with Da Vinci's original designs. The new work stands proudly, on display at the Piazzale dello Sport, which is just a short tram ride from Milan's Duomo or city center (tram #16) or a ten-minute walk from the 'Lotto' Metro stop. For more about the horse and its history, go here.

Student Discounts

The International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is the most widely accepted form of student ID and provides discounts on sights, accommodations, food, and transportation. Many museums in Milan offer admission discounts of 20-50% to ISIC members. Applicants must be working toward a degree at a secondary or post-secondary school and must be at least 12 years of age. The card costs US$22 and is valid until the end of the year issued. All cardholders have access to a 24-hour emergency helpline. In the United States call 1-800-223-7986 or click onto ISIC's web site.

For non-students 25 years and younger, the International Youth Travel Card, IYTC, also offers many of the same benefits as the ISIC. The card costs US$22 and is valid for one year from the date of issue.

In addition, travelers with student cards, such as ISIC and IYTC, qualify for big discounts from travel agencies. Most flights from budget agencies are on major airlines, though peak season deals might be on less reliable chartered aircraft.

Senior Discounts

Senior travelers will find some discounts in Milan, but not as many as in other larger cities. For the most part, seniors must be EU citizens in order to receive discounts. Members of the AARP get discounts on hotels, airfares and car rentals. They can be reached in the United States at 1-800-424-3410 and via the AARP web site.

Other Resources

You can also find more tips for planning your Milan vacation on TripAdvisor and on Rick Steves' Graffiti Wall.