In this article (4)
In short
- Area C is the historic centre's charging zone: Monday to Friday, 7:30–19:30, public holidays excluded; the daily ticket costs €7.50.
- Pay by midnight of the following day — online on MyAreaC, at parking meters, bank ATMs and authorised retailers.
- Area B covers almost the whole city: access is free, but on weekdays the most polluting vehicles may not enter.
Driving to Milan? Before you set off, learn two names: Area C and Area B. Both are camera-controlled restricted traffic zones, and fines reach foreign-registered cars too.
Area C: the historic centre
Area C covers the historic centre, inside the Cerchia dei Bastioni ring.
- When it applies: Monday to Friday, 7:30 to 19:30, public holidays excluded. Evenings and weekends are free.
- Cost: the daily ticket is €7.50.
- How to pay: online on MyAreaC, at parking meters, enabled bank ATMs and authorised retailers (ricevitorie).
- Deadline: activate the ticket by midnight of the day after you enter.
Which cars can’t enter
Banned from Area C are, among others, diesel vehicles up to Euro 5 and Euro 0 and Euro 1 petrol vehicles. The ban on some Euro 6 diesels has been postponed to autumn 2028. Rules change often and have many exceptions: check your vehicle class on the City of Milan website before you travel.
Area B: almost the whole city
Area B is much larger and covers almost the entire municipality. Access is free, but on weekdays the most polluting vehicles are banned, under a schedule that tightens over the years. Again, check on the City of Milan website whether your car can enter.
Portello is outside Area C
Teodorico Apartments Milano, at Viale Teodorico 7, is outside Area C: you can drive here without an Area C ticket, as long as your car meets Area B rules.
Where to leave your car
Street parking in Milan is almost always paid and often hard to find. We have a private courtyard space at €15 per day, motorbikes welcome: see our private parking in Portello guide.
Best advice? Leave the car in the courtyard and take the metro: with M5 and M1 you’re at the Duomo in about 30 minutes, with no tickets, cameras or parking to worry about. All routes are in our metro guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Portello inside Area C?
No. Portello and Viale Teodorico are outside Area C. They are inside Area B, like almost the whole city.
What happens if I forget to pay for Area C?
Cameras record your number plate: if you don't activate the ticket by midnight of the following day, you'll get a fine — even abroad.
