Milan at a glance
Milan is the economic capital of Italy and one of the great business cities of Europe. It is home to the Italian stock exchange, the headquarters of many banks and companies, and an exhibition centre that hosts trade fairs all year round. It is also a world capital of fashion and design, with its fashion weeks, its showrooms and the famous boutiques of the Quadrilatero della Moda.
Behind the business city lies a remarkable historic centre: the white marble Duomo, the glass-roofed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the opera house of La Scala, the Sforza Castle and Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
For Geneva Transfer Booking, Milan is the closest major Italian city to Geneva: about four hours by road, ideal for business travellers, trade fair visitors, fashion week guests and families who prefer a direct car to a train with changes or a short flight.
A little history
Founded by the Celts and later the Roman city of Mediolanum, Milan was for a time a capital of the Western Roman Empire; it was here, in 313, that the Edict of Milan granted freedom of worship to Christians. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the city flourished under the Visconti and then the Sforza families, who called on artists and engineers such as Leonardo da Vinci.
After periods of Spanish, Austrian and French rule, Milan became one of the driving forces of Italian unification and, in the twentieth century, the country's leading industrial, financial and creative centre.
When to come
Milan can be visited all year round. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking in the centre. Summer is hot and humid, and many Milanese leave the city in August. Winter is cool and often misty, with the Christmas lights of the Galleria and the opening of the season at La Scala in early December.
The city is busiest during the big events: the fashion weeks in February and September, and the Salone del Mobile design fair in April. Hotels fill up early on those dates; book your transfer at the same time as your hotel.
From Geneva to Milan: the route
The trip is about 340 kilometres. Google counts about four hours without traffic. Two routes cross the Alps:
- Through the Mont Blanc Tunnel: from Geneva, the motorway enters France towards Chamonix, then the tunnel under Mont Blanc leads into the Aosta Valley, in Italy; motorways then cross the Po plain to Milan.
- Over the Simplon Pass: the road stays in Switzerland along Lake Geneva and through the Valais to Brig, climbs over the Simplon and comes down to Domodossola and Lake Maggiore. It is a little longer but very scenic.
Your chauffeur chooses the route according to traffic, weather and the state of the tunnel and the pass. When the Mont Blanc Tunnel is closed for maintenance, we drive via the Simplon or the Great St Bernard. A break is planned along the way.
Borders, tolls and formalities
Depending on the route, the trip crosses one or two borders: from Switzerland to Italy over the Simplon, or from Switzerland to France and then from France to Italy through the Mont Blanc Tunnel. All three countries are in the Schengen area, but customs and identity checks are possible. Each passenger must carry a valid passport or identity card, and travellers who need a Schengen visa should check that it is valid.
Motorway and tunnel tolls apply on this route. Ask us when booking how they are included in your quote.
Driving into central Milan
The historic centre of Milan is a limited-traffic zone, Area C, with an entry charge for cars on weekdays. Your chauffeur knows the access rules and drops you at the door of your hotel, office or showroom inside the zone. For an apartment or a residence, give us the exact address and any access instructions.
Trade fairs and fashion weeks
The main exhibition centre, Fiera Milano, is in Rho, north-west of the city, on the motorway from Geneva: we can drop you directly at the fair entrance before taking your luggage to the hotel. During the fashion weeks, we organise transfers between hotels, showrooms and shows, with a chauffeur at your disposal by the hour if your schedule is busy.
What to see in Milan
- The Duomo, the Gothic cathedral, and its roof terraces among the spires.
- The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the nineteenth-century glass arcade between the Duomo and La Scala.
- La Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world.
- The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie; visits are by reservation only.
- The Sforza Castle and its museums, next to Sempione Park.
- Brera, the artists' district, with its picture gallery and small streets.
- The Navigli, the old canals, lively at aperitivo time.
Beyond Milan: the lakes
Lake Como, with its villas and gardens, is about an hour north of Milan. Lake Maggiore, with Stresa and the Borromean Islands, lies on the Simplon route and makes an easy stop on the way from Geneva. We can plan these stops or a day trip by the hour.
At the table
Milan is the home of risotto alla milanese, coloured with saffron, of the breaded cotoletta alla milanese and of ossobuco. At Christmas, every bakery sells panettone. In the early evening, the Milanese meet for the aperitivo, a drink served with small dishes, especially in Brera and along the Navigli.
Advice by type of traveller
Business travellers. A Mercedes E-Class or S-Class allows you to work or rest during the trip; give us the address of your meeting.
Trade fair visitors. Give us the fair, the hall and your arrival time; we drop you at the right entrance at Rho.
Fashion week guests. Book early: for several shows a day, a chauffeur by the hour is often the simplest.
Families with luggage. A V-Class takes six or seven passengers with suitcases and strollers.
Vehicle and comfort on a long drive
A Mercedes E-Class suits one to three passengers with luggage; the S-Class offers the most comfort for a long trip. For families and groups, the V-Class takes up to six or seven passengers with luggage. For larger groups, the Sprinter is available on request. Water is on board, and breaks are planned along the way.
Booking
Prices on this page are calculated by our booking engine for a one-way trip from Geneva Airport to Milan. Book online to see the exact price for your address, or call us to discuss the route and stops. Book the return at the same time and the booking engine applies a 10% reduction to the round trip.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Geneva to Milan?
About four hours for about 340 kilometres without traffic, plus a break.
Which route do you take across the Alps?
Through the Mont Blanc Tunnel or over the Simplon Pass, depending on traffic, weather and tunnel conditions.
Do I need a passport?
Yes, carry a valid passport or identity card: the route crosses into Italy, and sometimes France.
Can you drive into the centre of Milan?
Yes. Your chauffeur drops you at your hotel or office, including inside the Area C zone of the historic centre.
Can you take us to Fiera Milano for a trade fair?
Yes. Give us the fair and the hall; we drop you at the right entrance at Rho, then take your luggage to your hotel if needed.