Milan is one of the world's great shopping cities, and much of it is concentrated in a small area of the centre. On the map, the main streets look close enough to walk between, and for a short visit they are. But a full day of shopping, with bags from several boutiques, appointments at different addresses and perhaps a lunch reservation on the other side of town, is much easier with a car and driver waiting nearby. This article explains how a chauffeur works for a shopping day in Milan and how to plan one.
The main shopping areas
The Quadrilatero della Moda, the fashion district between Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant'Andrea and Via Manzoni, is home to the flagship stores of the major Italian and international fashion houses. It is a short walk from the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which has its own historic boutiques.
Brera, a few minutes north, has smaller independent shops, design stores and galleries in a neighbourhood of narrow streets. Corso Como and the Porta Garibaldi area, further north, mix concept stores with the modern skyline of Porta Nuova. For design and furniture, showrooms are spread across the city, from the centre to the Brera Design District and beyond.
How the car works during the day
With an hourly booking, the car and driver stay with you for the whole time you book. The driver drops you at the first boutique, waits nearby and collects you when you are ready to move on. Many streets in the fashion district are pedestrian or have restricted access, so the driver waits on the nearest street where stopping is allowed and comes to meet you when you call or send a message.
The most useful part is the bags. Instead of carrying them from shop to shop, you leave them in the car, which stays locked and attended. At the end of the day everything goes back to your hotel with you, or the driver can drop the shopping at the hotel while you continue.
Appointments and private viewings
Some clients book private appointments at boutiques, fittings at tailors or visits to showrooms. These are often at fixed times in different parts of the city. A driver who knows the traffic in Milan plans the movements between them, so you are not late for the next appointment. Send us the list of appointments in advance and we prepare the schedule.
How long to book
The minimum for an hourly booking is four hours, which is usually enough for a morning in the Quadrilatero and Brera. A full day with lunch typically takes six to eight hours. If you are arriving from the airport, the shopping day can start straight from Malpensa or Linate with your luggage in the boot, and finish at the hotel. Hourly rates are on our chauffeur service page, with kilometres included per hour; a shopping day in the city rarely goes beyond them.
Fashion Week and busy periods
During Milan Fashion Week, the city centre is particularly busy, shows take place across the city and traffic around the venues can be slow. If you are visiting during those weeks, book the car early. We also have a dedicated page on Fashion Week transport. Around Christmas and during the sales, the fashion district is crowded on weekends; a weekday morning is calmer.
Tax-free shopping
Eligible visitors from outside the European Union can claim back VAT on many purchases. Ask each shop about the procedure and keep the documents. If you are flying home from Malpensa, allow extra time at the airport for the tax-free formalities, and tell us when you book the transfer so we plan the pick-up time accordingly.
Choosing the vehicle
For one or two people, the Mercedes S-Class is the most comfortable car for a day in and out of the back seat, and the Mercedes E-Class is easier in narrow streets. For a family or a small group, the Mercedes V-Class has room for up to seven passengers and many bags. For a group shopping trip or a corporate client programme, the Sprinter Luxury VIP carries up to eight.
How to book
Send us the date, the start time and address, the number of passengers and any appointments you already have. We reply with a written price for the hours you need, usually within 30 minutes.