How do I actually avoid Milan's pickpockets on the metro?

Phone and wallet in front pocket. Daypack worn in front in metro carriages, not on your back. Stay alert as doors close — that's the typical lift moment, often paired with a staged distraction (a 'fall', a question, a child crying). If a commotion starts near you, check your pockets immediately. The hotspots are M1 and M3 platforms at Duomo, San Babila, Cordusio, and the Stazione Centrale concourse. Don't pursue thieves — they work in teams.

Is the Po Valley smog actually a problem?

Yes, in winter. November-February temperature inversions trap pollution in the Po Valley; PM2.5 spikes regularly exceed WHO limits and Milan sometimes tops European pollution charts. Asthmatics should bring inhalers; sensitive visitors may notice cough or sore throat on the worst days. Air quality apps (IQAir) show real-time levels; N95 masks help on emergency-measure days. April-October has cleaner air, with summer the cleanest.

Common Tourist Scams in Milan (and How to Avoid Them)

By The Kakapo Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-05-22 · Part of the Milan safety guide

Pickpockets — the metro problem

This is the safety story of Milan. Pickpocketing rates on the M1 (red) and M3 (yellow) metro lines, specifically through the Duomo, San Babila, and Cordusio stations, are among the worst in Europe by per-passenger metric. Tourists are over-represented as victims.

The setup: organised teams, often Eastern European Roma, working the metro doors at the moment they close. Distraction (a "fall", a question, a child crying), a partner lifts your phone or wallet.
Where: M1 Duomo platform/train; M3 Duomo platform/train; San Babila; Cordusio; Stazione Centrale concourse.
When: any time but peak rush hours and tourist-density mid-mornings.
Defence: phone in front pocket, wallet in front pocket, daypack worn in front in metro; if a "commotion" starts near you (tussle, fall, kid crying), check your pockets immediately.
If your phone is stolen: report at any police station within 48h for the insurance claim — keep the report (denuncia).
Don't pursue thieves: they work in teams; the second member confronts pursuers.
Plain-clothes police: present in metro stations during peak season but it's still impossible to fully suppress.

FAQ

How do I actually avoid Milan's pickpockets on the metro?: Phone and wallet in front pocket. Daypack worn in front in metro carriages, not on your back. Stay alert as doors close — that's the typical lift moment, often paired with a staged distraction (a 'fall', a question, a child crying). If a commotion starts near you, check your pockets immediately. The hotspots are M1 and M3 platforms at Duomo, San Babila, Cordusio, and the Stazione Centrale concourse. Don't pursue thieves — they work in teams.
Is the Po Valley smog actually a problem?: Yes, in winter. November-February temperature inversions trap pollution in the Po Valley; PM2.5 spikes regularly exceed WHO limits and Milan sometimes tops European pollution charts. Asthmatics should bring inhalers; sensitive visitors may notice cough or sore throat on the worst days. Air quality apps (IQAir) show real-time levels; N95 masks help on emergency-measure days. April-October has cleaner air, with summer the cleanest.

Read the full Milan safety guide — score breakdown, every neighbourhood, all 4 sources →

Live Milan safety score (updates daily) →

Sources

Scores are the Kakapo Safety Index — compiled from government travel advisories and public crime, health and transit data. All data sources.