An airport guide to Milan wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that Milan actually has three airports. The largest is Malpensa to the northwest of the city which is what we’ll be focusing on here. It’s the second busiest airport in Italy and serves around 24 million people every year. Most major airline carriers have a station here, from Air Canada to American Airlines to United Airways, flying to most of the major transport hubs of the world. Milan Malpensa airport is a great place to fly in for a getaway – you can spend 2 days in Milan with ease – thanks to the frequency, value, and convenience of transport options into the city. Before flying in, check out our Milan Travel Guide for all the essential info you need to make your stay unforgettable!
Where is Milan Malpensa Airport Located?
Milan Malpensa airport is located approximately 30 miles from Milan’s city center. It’s also conveniently situated for Lake Como (around a 50 mile drive) and Lake Garda (around a 25 mile drive). Which is great if you’re planning a trip out to these gorgeous regions. The airport has all the modern facilities you’d expect. There are VIP lounges, fast-track security, and plenty of shopping, eating, and drinking opportunities.
Milan Malpensa Airport Terminals
Milan Malpensa airport has two terminals. You can easily transfer between the two if you need to, on a regular shuttle bus. They leave approximately every 20 minutes. The larger terminal is terminal 1, which serves most of the major airlines, has around 75 food and drink venues and 53,000 square feet of shopping, which is a great way to while away some time before your flight. Terminal 2 is slightly smaller but still has all the conveniences you need including duty-free, high-end stores, and bars and restaurants.
How to Get to and From Milan Airport by Car
One of the easiest ways to access Milan airport is by car. If you’re traveling out from Milan airport, there are myriad car rental companies in both terminals. The cost of car rental starts at around $130 a week for a small car and there are car rental desks in arrivals. Car rental is perfect if you’re planning to visit areas such as the surrounding lakes and villages such as Lake Garda. You can also park your own car in one of the many car parks which service both the long-term and short hop traveler.
The airport is just under an hour’s drive to central Milan. This makes access by car one of the quickest ways to reach the city center.
How to Get to and From Milan Airport by Bus
The buses to and from Milan airport are quick, easy, and budget-friendly. The direct shuttle buses take around 50-60 minutes to reach Milan’s Centrale train station. You can either buy tickets on the bus or online beforehand. They leave around every 30 minutes from just outside arrivals. It’s worth noting that the buses are run by three different operators. Terravision, Malpensa Bus Express (both of which serve both terminals), and Malpensa Shuttle (which only serves terminal 1).
How to Get to and From Milan Airport by Taxi
Taxis are a quick and convenient way to travel to Milan’s city center. They can be found outside arrivals at both terminals 1 and 2. There are 6 main taxi companies you can use, all of which offer a flat rate of €95 into Milan, to wherever your hotel is situated. You can either grab a taxi when you arrive or use the MiT app to book one in advance.
How to Get to and From Milan Airport by Train
The Malpensa express train travels fromMilan Cadorna, Milan Central, and Milano Porta Garibaldi stations. It stops at both terminals 1 and 2. They run 7 days a week from 5.25 am to 10.25 pm and leave approximately every 30 minutes. The trip will take you around 50 minutes and costs €13 each way. And at Milan Central station you can easily transfer either by bus or train towards one of the lakes.
Other Milan Airports
It’s worth mentioning in this airport guide to Milan that there are two other airports servicing Milan. Linate is just 5 miles from central Milan and Bergamo which is 30 miles away. Although Linate is closest to Milan, it’s a small airport with mainly domestic flights to places like Naples and Palermo – but you can still find some international flights to places like Paris. Bergamo is mainly used for budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz flying all over Europe.
Spending Time in Milan
Thanks to Malpensa airport’s excellent transport links – as this airport guide to Milan shows – Milan is a very easy and convenient city to spend time in with beautiful hotels and our comprehensive design guide. It’s a city that is full of old-world charm and excellent shopping opportunities. It’s also jaw-droppingly beautiful, as you can discover on one of our Milan tours. A multi-day tour package like the Milan 4 Day City Break Tour Package means all you’ll have to do is fly into Milan, and the rest of your stay is delightfully taken care of.
