San Siro away guide

For an Inter Milan away game, fly straight to Milan: there are direct flights from both Manchester and London, so no hub detour is needed. From Linate airport the driverless M4 (Blue) metro reaches the centre in about 15 minutes, then change for M5 (Lilac) to San Siro Stadio, the terminus outside the ground. Away fans sit in the Curva Sud, top (third) tier, blocks 301-318 (Football Ground Guide).

Fast facts

Getting there from the UK

Milan is one of the easier away trips: it has direct flights from both Manchester and London, so there is no need to fly to a hub and train across. The real choice is which of Milan's three airports you use, trading a closer landing at Linate against a cheaper budget seat into Bergamo or Malpensa and a longer transfer in.

Costs are rough estimates and swing hard with how early you book and whether the fixture is a big European night (FlightsFrom).

Getting there from the airports

Linate (LIN) is the closest airport to the city and the easiest overall. The driverless M4 (Blue) metro now runs from inside the terminal to central Milan in about 15 minutes on a standard €2.20 ticket, then you change onto the M5 for the ground (mediolan.pl).

Malpensa (MXP) is around 50km northwest. Take the Malpensa Express train (roughly 50 minutes, about €13) to Milano Centrale or Cadorna, then pick up the metro for San Siro (Football Tripper).

Bergamo (BGY), the Ryanair base, is about 50km east of Milan. There is no train from the terminal, so use one of the frequent airport coaches to Milano Centrale (50-60 minutes), then the metro across (Football Tripper).

Getting there from the centre and station

The easiest route is Metro Line M5 (Lilac) to San Siro Stadio, the line terminus, which sits right in front of the stadium. The station is roughly 150 metres from the Curva Sud entrance and the ride from the centre takes about 25-30 minutes (Stadium Seeker).

As an alternative, take Metro Line M1 (Red) to Lotto, then a 12-15 minute walk, or change at Lotto onto the M5 for the final hop (Stadium Seeker).

From a mainline arrival at Milano Centrale or Porta Garibaldi, connect to the metro to reach the ground; the M5 can be picked up at Garibaldi FS (Football Tripper). Tram line 16 also runs from central Milan out to the stadium, terminating near the south entrances, though it is slower at 30-40 minutes (Football Ground Guide).

Note the match ticket does not include free public transport, unlike some German and Swiss grounds. Buy an ATM ticket (€2.20, valid 90 minutes) or a day pass (The Local).

Where to stay

Base yourself in the centre around the Duomo, or near Milano Centrale, and commute to the ground on the metro. Both put you on a direct or one-change run to San Siro Stadio and keep you close to the bars, food and sights. Staying out by the stadium itself is quiet and residential, with little to do on a non-matchday.

Inside the stadium and allocation

For Inter home games the away allocation is in the Curva Sud, behind one of the goals, in the third (top) tier, with visiting fans entering through blocks 301-318 when the full allocation is taken (Football Ground Guide). Allocations vary by fixture; a full European away end runs to roughly 4,000-4,400 seats.

The away end is high and a long way from the pitch, so the view is distant but wide, with a clear sightline across to the home ultras' tifo in the opposite curva. Netting is often in place behind the goal and can partly block the view (Football Ground Guide).

Access is tightly controlled, with thorough ticket checks and a heavy police presence. A photo ID matching the name on the ticket is mandatory under Italian regulations, so carry the ID you booked with (Stadium Seeker). Bags larger than A4 (21cm x 30cm) are not allowed inside, and flares, glass, selfie sticks and outside food or drink are prohibited (Stadium Seeker).

Inside the away section only basic refreshments are sold, and only alcohol-free beer is available. Away fans are kept fully separate throughout and are usually held back after the final whistle to let the home crowd disperse, so expect delays leaving (TFC Stadiums).

Where to drink

Milan is not a traditional pub city, but there is a decent cluster of football-friendly bars in the centre and a few near the ground. Prices are city-centre European: reckon on around €6-8 for a large beer, a little more right by the stadium (estimate).

• Old Tenconi Pub (Via Federico Tesio 15): the classic pre-match stop near San Siro, a short walk from the metro and going since the 1970 World Cup (Football Ground Guide).
• English Football Pub (Via Valpetrosa 5): cosy, wood-panelled London-style pub in the centre near the Duomo, cheap beer and burgers, shows the football (Football Ground Guide).
• Pub O'Connell (Via Brera 3): Irish bar in the arty Brera district, easy for a few before heading to the metro (Football Ground Guide).
• 442 Sports Pub: walls covered in football scarves from around the world, sport on all day, a natural away-fan hangout (LiberoGuide).
• All Beer: a craft beer spot within walking distance of San Siro, open late (LiberoGuide).

Avoid bars that are openly Inter or ultra territory if you are in visiting colours, and keep colours low-key on public transport near the ground. Milan is a safe city, but keep an eye on pickpockets around the Duomo, Centrale and on busy metro platforms (Football Ground Guide).

Where to eat

Milan eats well and late. The two dishes to try are cotoletta alla Milanese (a breaded veal cutlet fried in butter) and risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto, often served with ossobuco) (Do Eat Better). At Christmas, the city's panettone is everywhere.

• Luini (near the Duomo): the famous cheap counter for panzerotti, deep-fried filled dough parcels, a perfect quick pre-match feed.
• Al Cantinone (Via Agnello 19, Duomo area): sit-down trattoria doing risotto alla Milanese with ossobuco and a proper cotoletta, around €25-40.
• Trattoria Madonnina (Via Gentilino 6, Navigli): old-school Navigli trattoria with the classics done well, around €20-40.
• Damm-atrà (Navigli): retro spot known for two versions of the cotoletta, the giant boneless "elephant's ear" and the classic bone-in cutlet.
• Navigli canalside: the strip along the Naviglio Grande is wall-to-wall bars and restaurants and the best spot for aperitivo, the Milanese ritual of a drink with free bar snacks in the early evening.

What to do

• Duomo di Milano: the vast Gothic cathedral on Piazza del Duomo. Pay a little extra to walk the rooftop among the spires for the best view in the city.
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: the glass-domed 19th-century arcade next to the Duomo, all mosaics and grand cafes, and a short walk from the cathedral.
• Teatro alla Scala: the world-famous opera house, with a museum you can visit even without a performance.
• The Last Supper: Leonardo da Vinci's mural at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Tickets sell out weeks ahead, so book early if you want to see it.
• Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco): a huge fortress housing several museums, backing onto the green expanse of Parco Sempione.
• Navigli: Milan's canal district, quiet and photogenic by day and the city's main drinking and eating quarter by night.
• San Siro tour and museum: on a non-matchday you can tour the stadium and its museum, worth it to see the scale of the place from the pitch side.

Common questions

How do you get from the airport to San Siro?

From Linate, take the M4 (Blue) metro into the centre (~15 min), then change to the M5 (Lilac) to San Siro Stadio. From Malpensa, take the Malpensa Express train (~50 min) to Centrale or Cadorna, then the metro across. From Bergamo, use the airport coach to Milano Centrale (~50-60 min), then the metro (mediolan.pl).

Which airport should I fly into for Inter Milan?

Milan has direct UK flights, so no hub detour is needed. Linate is the closest and most convenient. Malpensa and Bergamo are further out but carry the cheapest budget routes from Manchester and London. Pick on price and flight time, then factor in the extra 45-60 minutes of ground transfer from the two outer airports (Football Tripper).

Where do away fans sit at San Siro?

In the Curva Sud, behind one of the goals, up in the third (top) tier, entering through blocks 301-318 when the allocation is full. It is high and set back from the pitch, giving a wide but distant view, with netting behind the goal that can partly obscure it (Football Ground Guide).

What is the away allocation?

It varies by fixture. A full European away end runs to roughly 4,000-4,400 seats; Arsenal, for example, were given around 4,361 for a Champions League tie. Domestic allocations can be smaller. Buy through your own club's official channel, as San Siro enforces name-matched tickets (Football Ground Guide).

What time should I get to the ground?

Allow more time than at home. Ticket and ID checks are thorough, the police presence is heavy, and it is a long climb to the top tier once you are through the turnstiles. Aim to be at the away end at least an hour before kick-off, especially for a big European night when queues build (TFC Stadiums).

Can you drink beer inside the stadium?

Only alcohol-free beer is sold in the away section, and the choice of food and drink is limited with long queues. If you want a proper drink, do it beforehand in the city or near the ground, not inside (TFC Stadiums).

How much is a beer in Milan?

Reckon on around €6-8 for a large beer in a city-centre or football bar, a little more right by the stadium (estimate). Milan's aperitivo is better value: buy one drink in the early evening and the bar lays on free snacks with it, common all along the Navigli.

Is Milan safe for away fans?

Yes, Milan is a safe, wealthy city and away trips here are generally trouble-free. The main risk is pickpocketing around the Duomo, Milano Centrale and on crowded metro platforms, so watch your bag and phone. On the football side, keep colours low-key on transport near the ground and steer clear of openly Inter or ultra bars in visiting kit (Football Ground Guide).

Where are the away-friendly areas to drink?

The centre around the Duomo and the Brera district have neutral, tourist-friendly pubs like the English Football Pub and Pub O'Connell. There are a couple of options near the ground itself, such as Old Tenconi Pub and All Beer. The Navigli canal strip is the city's main nightlife area and relaxed for a mixed crowd (Football Ground Guide).

Does the match ticket include free public transport?

No. Unlike some German and Swiss grounds, a San Siro ticket does not cover the metro or trams. Buy a single ATM ticket (€2.20, valid 90 minutes across metro, tram and bus) or a day pass if you are making several trips (The Local).

How far is San Siro from the city centre?

The stadium is roughly 5-6km northwest of the Duomo. On the M5 metro the ride from the centre is about 25-30 minutes to San Siro Stadio, the terminus that sits right outside the ground (Football Ground Guide).

Where should I stay?

Base yourself in the centre near the Duomo or near Milano Centrale. Both give you an easy metro run to San Siro Stadio and put you among the bars, restaurants and sights. The area around the stadium is quiet and residential with little going on outside matchdays.

What is the atmosphere like?

Loud and theatrical. Crowds regularly top 70,000, with constant chanting, giant banners and choreographed tifo from the ultras in both curvas. The high away end actually gives you a grandstand view of the home tifo across the pitch, though away fans are kept fully separate and held back at the final whistle (TFC Stadiums).