Milan Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 2026: Routes, Stops & Tickets
Milan’s hop-on hop-off bus runs four connecting loops covering the city center, and Line A’s first stop is Castello — right at Sforza Castle. Tickets are valid for 1, 2, or 3 days and include multilingual audio commentary, but the bus is transportation only: it does not include admission to the castle’s museums, so you would still need the separate €5 museum ticket to go inside.
If you want a fast, low-effort overview of Milan before or after exploring Sforza Castle on foot, the hop-on hop-off bus is one of the simplest ways to get it. You buy one ticket, ride as many loops as you like within its validity window, and hop off wherever something catches your eye — the Duomo, the Brera district, the Navigli canals, or back at the castle itself.
This guide covers the bus routes and stops, where it picks up near Sforza Castle, how the 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day tickets work, and — importantly — what the ticket does and does not include so you can plan the castle part of your visit correctly.
Routes and Stops
The hop-on hop-off network is split into four connecting loops — Lines A, B, C, and D — that together cover roughly 40 stops across central Milan and the outskirts, including Sforza Castle, the Duomo, Brera, the Navigli, and Stadio San Siro. You can switch between lines at shared stops to piece together your own route.
The bus is not one continuous circuit but four separate loops that link up at common stops, so you switch buses rather than staying on one line all day.
| Line | Stops | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| A | 8 | Castello (Sforza Castle), Cadorna, Cenacolo (Last Supper area), Corso Magenta, Duomo, Monte Napoleone, Manin, Moscova |
| B | 9 | Duomo, Monte Napoleone, Manin, Repubblica, Palazzo Lombardia, Stazione Centrale, Buenos Aires, Porta Venezia, San Babila |
| C | 15 | Castello through Parco Sempione, Casa Milan, Stadio San Siro |
| D | 8 | Castello through the Brera district, Navigli |
Lines A and D start at Foro Bonaparte, on the castle side of Parco Sempione, and Line C also loops back through the Castello area on its way out toward the San Siro stadium. Line B’s loop begins near Piazza Duomo instead. Because three of the four lines touch the Castello stop, it works well as a base to start or end a day of hopping between them.
Does the Bus Stop at Sforza Castle?
Yes — Castello is the first stop on Line A and is also served by Lines C and D, so getting to and from Sforza Castle by hop-on hop-off bus is straightforward. What the bus does not do is get you into the museums. It’s a sightseeing and transport ticket, not an admission ticket.
This is the point worth being honest about. The bus stops right by the castle, which is genuinely useful if your itinerary has you crossing Milan and you would rather ride than walk or take the metro. But the ticket only covers the ride and the recorded commentary — it does not include entry to any of the Musei del Castello Sforzesco, including the Rondanini Pietà or Leonardo’s Sala delle Asse. If you plan to go inside, budget for the separate museum ticket, which costs about €5 on its own. Our entry ticket guide covers pricing and what that ticket includes; it’s a small add-on next to what you’ve already spent on the bus.
Ticket Validity: 1, 2, or 3 Days
Hop-on hop-off tickets come in three validity windows — 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days — priced to reward multi-day sightseeing. On weekends between June and September, the 3-day ticket also includes the Milan Night Tour, an evening loop past the city’s illuminated landmarks.
Choose the validity based on how much of Milan you actually plan to cover by bus rather than on foot. A 1-day ticket suits a single day of hopping between a handful of stops — say, Castello, the Duomo, and back. The 2-day and 3-day options make more sense if you’re spending several days in the city and want unlimited re-boarding across that window, including a second pass through areas you didn’t finish exploring the first time. The seasonal night tour bundled with the 72-hour weekend ticket is worth knowing about if your trip falls in summer — it’s a different experience from the daytime loops, with the castle and Duomo lit up after dark.
What’s Included
Beyond the basic hop-on hop-off privilege on all four lines, the ticket adds a few extras that make it more than a plain bus pass:
What is included: Unlimited rides on all four connecting bus lines (A, B, C, D) for the ticket’s validity period, multilingual audio commentary on board (including a children’s version), onboard Wi-Fi, a city tour map, and a free self-guided walking tour available in the operator’s mobile app in five languages
Duration: Choose 1, 2, or 3 days of validity from first use; each loop takes roughly 1 to 2 hours to ride in full depending on the line and traffic
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the ticket’s start time
Languages: Audio commentary in ten languages — English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic
Best for: First-time visitors who want a quick, low-effort orientation to Milan’s main districts, or anyone who prefers riding between sights over walking or navigating the metro
Book This TourIs the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Worth It for a Castle Visit?
It depends on what you actually need. If Sforza Castle is one stop on a broader first day in Milan and you’d rather not think about metro lines and walking routes between the Duomo, Brera, and the Navigli, the bus earns its keep — you get an easy overview plus a running commentary on what you’re passing. If your trip is centered specifically on the castle and one or two nearby sights within easy walking distance, the bus is less essential; the Castello Metro stop and a 10-minute walk from the Duomo cover the same ground for less money. Either way, remember to set aside a little extra for the museum ticket if you want to see the Rondanini Pietà and the other collections once you’re off the bus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the hop-on hop-off bus stop at Sforza Castle?
Yes. Castello is the first stop on Line A, and Lines C and D also pass through the same area near the castle, at Foro Bonaparte. It’s one of the more central and frequently served stops on the network.
Does the ticket include entry to the Sforza Castle museums?
No. The hop-on hop-off ticket covers bus travel and audio commentary only. Going inside the castle’s museums, including the Rondanini Pietà, requires the separate combined museum ticket, which costs about €5.
How long is the hop-on hop-off ticket valid?
Tickets are sold in three windows: 1 day, 2 days, or 3 days from first use. Choose based on how many days you’ll spend sightseeing by bus rather than on foot or by metro.
What’s included with the Milan Night Tour?
On weekends from June through September, the 3-day ticket includes the Milan Night Tour, an evening loop past illuminated landmarks such as the Duomo and the castle. It’s not available with the 1-day or 2-day tickets.
How many bus lines are there, and do they connect?
There are four lines — A, B, C, and D — each running its own loop. They connect at shared stops, such as Castello and Duomo, so you switch buses rather than staying on a single continuous route.
Is the audio guide available in English?
Yes. Commentary is available in ten languages, including English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, plus a separate children’s version.
Can I cancel my hop-on hop-off ticket?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the ticket’s start time. Check the exact terms at booking, since cutoff times can vary by season.
Is the hop-on hop-off bus a good way to see Milan for the first time?
It’s a reasonable option if you want a low-effort overview of the main districts — the Duomo, Brera, the Navigli, and the area around Sforza Castle — without planning routes yourself. It works best paired with some walking or metro use for sights just off the bus stops.
Does the bus go to the Last Supper?
Line A passes through the Cenacolo area near Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Leonardo’s Last Supper is displayed, but the ticket doesn’t include the separate timed entry required to see the painting. Our walking tour with Last Supper entry guide covers how to book that visit.
Do I need to book the hop-on hop-off ticket in advance?
Booking ahead isn’t strictly required, but it guarantees your ticket and can save time versus buying in person at a kiosk, especially in peak season. It’s a straightforward add-on if you’re already planning a first day in Milan.
