Does anyone know how to take a tram tour of Milan? The trams are small electric buses/streetcars that crisscross the city, many are antiques, including some now used as cable cars in San Francisco. Can't find anything in RS book or Forum search or internet about which tram line to take/where to board a specific line where we could ride around for an hour to see the city. The online tram maps are a hornet's nest of crossing lines! We will have several evening hours free before returning to Florence after dinner and a tram tour would be fun and really cheap (day pass for unlimited public transport is only 4.5 euro!). If you've done this and know an ideal route I'd be so grateful to hear about it. Thanks!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I've taken trams in Milano, but they aren't particularly small (at least the ones I've taken). Windows are rather low, so sightseeing from them is not the best, in my opinion. You might need to transfer - anything in particular you want to see?
I also like to take a bus or tram to get a look at a city, but in this case, you might try the tram from Milano Centrale and perhaps switch to the metro for specific sights (even though that's not your plan). A few interesting ones would be the Duomo, via Montenapoleone, and the Castello. You could walk around for a bit at each one and then go back to the station. Your pass will be good for buses and the metro as well.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
You want a line that's still served by the old "Model 1928" cars. As there are fewer and fewer of those cars, only somebody actually living there could answer. Otherwise you could eat on a Restaurant Tram: https://atmosfera.atm.it/
I'd post the same question at tripadvisor.com where there should be one destination expert from Milan.
Out of curiosity, how are you going back to Florence after dinner if the last train from Centrale Station leaves at 21:10? By car?
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1537 posts
There is a tourist tram service, more info at http://www.atm.it/en/AltriServizi/TempoLibero/Pages/ATMCityTour.aspx
In order to give a significant reply we would need to have some ideas about what you will be doing during the day, where you will be going, if you have any luggage with you, and about your interests. A real hardcore railfan could find interest in studying the tram track work at Porta Ticinese (piazza 24 Maggio), a so called "grand union", or peeping from the gate of the tram depot at via Custodi. A less dedicated soul could be satisfied taking a photo at Piazza Fontana, where usually line #23 is serviced by old Witt railcars. Or maybe you could be interested in the brand new metro line #5, an automatic people mover. If you do not tell, who knows?
Posted by
OP
North Carolina
362 posts
Thanks all - I'm sending you PMs.