The most prominent city in northern Italy, Milan offers a captivating mix of historical architecture, modern skyscrapers, and an insight into Italian daily life. Renting a motorcycle in Milan is undoubtedly the best way to experience all that this great city has to offer in a short period of time.
Unless you plan on being in Milan for a long time, driving a motorbike is the only way to scratch the surface of the city's many historical sites, nightlife scenes, and culinary experiences.
Milan is probably most well known as one of the hubs of the global fashion industry, but the culture and commerce of the city run far deeper than that. It’s also home to the Italian stock exchange, some of the major artistic works in Leonardo da Vinci, and two of Europe’s most successful soccer teams.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorbike in Milan. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter or a quad. This guide includes:
- Traffic conditions in Milan, Italy
- Finding a motorcycle to rent
- The cost of hiring a motorcycle in Milan, Italy
- Motorcycle laws in Italy for foreigners
- Things to do in Milan with your rental motorcycle
Is Driving in Milan Difficult?
While hiring a motorcycle and exploring is a great way to get to know the city, driving in Milan is just not very safe. If you’ve never driven in Europe before, Milan is probably not the best place to try it for the first time.
It’s very important to drive defensively in Italy, as most Italian drivers are only focused on getting to their destination as quickly as possible. They often ignore the speed limits and posted road signs, which can be very dangerous for other drivers.
Driving in Milan’s city center is not recommended for foreign drivers, as access to this part of the city is restricted by the Congestion Charge area (Area C) on Monday through Friday. This means that you won’t be able to get into this part of town without purchasing a ticket for €5 at a newsstand or ATM, and traffic just outside this area of the city is very bad.
Where Can You Rent a Motorcycle in Milan?
Motorcycle rental shops in Milan are abundant all around the city center, and you should have no trouble finding one after you arrive at your accommodation.
If you plan on flying into Milan Malpensa Airport, however, and you’d like to ride a motorbike to your hotel, you can rent a motorbike right outside the airport terminals. There are many motorbike rental services at the airport, and you won’t even have to look for one, because they’ll try to flag you down as soon as you step off the plane.
Motorcycle hire is available almost everywhere in the city center, but if you want to be sure, go to the neighborhood of San Babila or Cinque Vie. These areas have the highest concentrations of motorbike rental shops, and you’ll sure be able to find the perfect motorbike for you.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle in Milan?
Bike rental prices will vary based on what kind of bike you’re looking to rent, as they would in any city. If you’re looking for long term motorcycle rental, you can expect more favorable rates, whereas daily rentals can be slightly more expensive.
Before you sign a rental agreement, you should make sure that all of the costs are up front. You’ll need a helmet and rental insurance while driving a motorcycle in Milan, so make sure that those charges are included in the stated price.
You can rent a smaller motorbike, like a 300cc BMW G310GS, for as little as €60 per day. If you’re looking for a more powerful bike, like a 1,000cc BMW S1000RR, you’re looking at more like €150 per day. There are also many options in between with different power levels at different prices.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Milan?
If you plan on driving a motorcycle anywhere in Italy, you will have to acquire an international driving permit (IDP) unless you have a valid European Union driver’s license. If you’re traveling from the United States or anywhere outside of the European Union, you can apply for your IDP here.
If you’re absolutely set on hiring a motorbike, make sure that you apply for your IDP at least two weeks before arriving in Milan. This is typically how long the application takes to process, and many rental shops will not allow you to rent a motorcycle without presenting an IDP.
Applying for an IDP has a $20 application fee, but once you get your IDP, it’s valid for a full year.
The Best Motorcycle Trips in Milan
Now that you know everything you need in order to rent a motorcycle in Milan, here are some of the best trips to take on your rented motorcycle.
Milan to Rome
One of the most popular motorcycle tour routes in all of Italy is the route from Milan to Rome. The journey takes about 8 days, but if you have the time, it’s absolutely something you should experience. You can do so with a guided motorcycle tour or on your own.
Along the 715-mile drive, you’ll wind through the idyllic Tuscan countryside and get a real sense of what rural life is like in Italy. There are also a ton of UNESCO World Heritage sites along this route, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Medici Villas and Gardens, former home of one of Italy’s most powerful historical families.
Milan Cathedral
During your time in Milan, it is absolutely essential that you drive your motorcycle to the Milan Cathedral. Located in the Piazza del Duomo, which is bustling with things to do and sights to see, Milan Cathedral was once home to some of Italy’s most influential people. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Giorgio Armani all lived and worked there at some point in their lives.
The Piazza del Duomo is located in the very heart of the city’s Zone 1. Once you’re there, you’ll be able to see Milan Cathedral easily.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
As one of the fashion capitals of the world, one of the best things to do in Milan is to shop. Take a short drive north from the Piazza del Duomo and go to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Here you’ll find storefronts bearing the names of some of the most famous luxury brands in the world, such as Prada, Luisa Spagnoli, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, and many others.
Even if you don’t like shopping, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an architectural marvel. It’s also one of the best places to observe the Italian street life.
Renting a Motorcycle in Milan Is the Way to Go
If you’re comfortable with the driving conditions in Europe, hiring a motorcycle in Milan is the very best way to explore the city.
You can ride past the old buildings that are centuries old, admire the sleek modern architecture, or hop off your motorbike and eat some world-class food. Milan is a great destination for any avid motorcycle rider.
Do you still have questions about bike rentals in Milan? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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