Milan is served by three airports, and which one you fly into makes a significant difference to how long you will spend getting into the city. Malpensa is the main international hub, around 50 km north-west of the centre; Linate is the closest, barely 7 km east; and Orio al Serio near Bergamo is the furthest away at roughly 45 km, but a popular choice for low-cost airlines. Here is how to reach central Milan from each.
Malpensa Airport (MXP): train or coach
Malpensa is the furthest of the three from the city, but it has the best rail link. The Malpensa Express train runs from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to Milano Centrale (the main station) and Milano Cadorna (more central for the metro). Journey time to Centrale is about 50–55 minutes; to Cadorna about 30–40 minutes depending on the service. Trains run frequently throughout the day, roughly every 30 minutes for each destination. Reservations are not required — simply buy a ticket at the machine or ticket counter before boarding. The Malpensa Express is operated by Trenord.
If you need Garibaldi or the north of the city, or if the train does not suit your timing, the Malpensa Shuttle coach runs to Milano Centrale with stops along the way. Several operators run this service; journey time is around 50–70 minutes in average traffic, longer during rush hours. Coaches are cheaper than the express train and run very frequently.
A taxi from Malpensa to central Milan typically takes 50–70 minutes and costs substantially more. Fixed-rate taxis are available from the official taxi stands; agree the fare before departure or confirm it is metered. Ride-hailing apps including Uber also serve Malpensa and can be pre-booked.
Terminal 2 note: Malpensa has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles most major carriers; Terminal 2 is used mainly by easyJet. The Malpensa Express stops at both, but the two terminals are not within easy walking distance of each other — allow time for the inter-terminal bus if you are connecting.
Linate Airport (LIN): bus or taxi
Linate is Milan's city airport, barely 7 km from the centre, and despite this it has no direct metro or rail link. The main public transport option is the bus. The 73 city bus connects Linate to San Babila metro station (Line M1, red line) in around 25 minutes, running frequently throughout the day. From San Babila you are in the heart of the city and one stop from the Duomo.
There is also an Airbus service (Air Bus 45N, part of ATM) connecting Linate to Milano Centrale, taking around 30–40 minutes. This runs 24 hours and is particularly useful for early or late flights.
A taxi from Linate to the centre is quick — typically 15–25 minutes — and not outlandishly expensive given the short distance. A fixed rate applies for journeys to central Milan; confirm it with the driver.
Linate is being integrated into the metro network (Line M4, the blue line) and construction was ongoing in 2024–25; check the latest opening status before your trip, as a direct metro connection would transform access to this airport.
Orio al Serio / Bergamo Airport (BGY): coach to Milan
Orio al Serio is listed as "Milan Bergamo" by the airlines that use it — primarily Ryanair — but it sits in a different city altogether. The journey to Milan takes around 60–75 minutes by coach in reasonable traffic, and can be longer. There is no direct train from the airport to Milan, though Bergamo's own rail station is nearby and trains run to Milano Centrale; a local bus connects the airport to Bergamo station.
The main option is the Orio Shuttle or similar coaches run by operators such as Autostradale, which go directly to Milano Centrale. Services are well-timed around flight arrivals and departures and run through the night. Book in advance if possible, particularly for popular flights, though walk-up tickets are usually available.
A taxi or private transfer from Orio al Serio to Milan is expensive and rarely the best value. Most travellers arriving at Bergamo take the coach unless they are in a large group or heading somewhere inconvenient by public transport.
Allow enough time: Milan's motorways can be heavily congested, especially around rush hours and before Italian public holidays. If you are catching a flight from any of the three airports, build in significantly more buffer time than the nominal journey time suggests.
Getting between airports
If you need to transfer between Milan's airports — for example if you fly into Malpensa and out from Linate — there is no single direct shuttle. The most reliable approach is to travel into the city (usually to Centrale) and then out to the second airport. Allow plenty of time, particularly if your layover is tight.
Which airport should you aim for?
If you have a choice, Linate is closest to the city but has the fewest direct international routes and (for now) no metro. Malpensa has the best transport links and the widest range of long-haul flights. Orio al Serio is worth using if the fare difference is large enough to justify the longer transfer — as Ryanair's base, it often is.
Once in the city, see our guide to Italian urban transport for tips on Milan's own metro and tram network, which is efficient and easy to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Malpensa to Milan city centre?
Yes — the Malpensa Express (Trenord) runs from both terminals to Milano Centrale and Milano Cadorna. Journey time is around 50 minutes to Centrale, with frequent departures and no advance reservation needed.
How do I get from Linate Airport to the city?
The 73 city bus connects Linate to San Babila metro station in about 25 minutes. A taxi takes 15–25 minutes. The M4 metro line to Linate may be open by the time you travel — check locally before your trip.
How long is the journey from Bergamo Airport to Milan?
Coaches take roughly 60–75 minutes to Milano Centrale in normal traffic, and longer during peak hours or motorway delays. Budget at least 90 minutes if you are catching an onward connection.
Can I use a single ticket for the Malpensa Express and Milan metro?
The Malpensa Express ticket covers only the train journey. At Centrale or Cadorna you buy a separate metro ticket to continue your journey on the ATM metro network.
Sources and further reading:
- Malpensa Express timetables: Trenord (trenord.it).
- ATM bus routes (city bus 73, Air Bus): ATM Milano (atm.it).
- Orio Shuttle and Malpensa Shuttle coach services: Autostradale and SEA Aeroporti di Milano.
- Airport terminal information: SEA (milanomalpensa-airport.com, milanolinate-airport.com).