Malpensa and Linate are Milan's two main airports, roughly 65–70km apart on opposite sides of the city, and getting between them takes real planning since there's no metro or rail line running directly from one to the other. The choice is between a direct coach that skirts around the city, a train-plus-metro combination that goes through it, and a taxi that covers the fixed-rate distance in one leg — and the two rail-based options are closer in speed than you might expect.
The direct coach: Malpensa Shuttle via Lampugnano
A direct coach service, operated by Malpensa Shuttle, links the two airports via Milan's Lampugnano bus station and a couple of other intermediate stops, calling at both Malpensa terminals and at Linate. Journey time is typically 70 to 90 minutes, and while it avoids the need to change trains or navigate the metro, departures are considerably less frequent than the airport-to-city coaches most travellers are used to at Malpensa — expect a service roughly every hour or so through the daytime rather than every 15–20 minutes, and check the current timetable before you rely on a specific departure, since schedules on this route have changed over time.
The often-overlooked alternative: train plus metro via the city
Rather than going around Milan, this route goes through it, and it's frequently just as fast as the direct coach, sometimes faster, thanks to how well-connected the two ends now are.
Malpensa Express to Cadorna
Take the Malpensa Express train from either Malpensa terminal to Cadorna station, a journey of around 40 minutes with departures roughly every 15–30 minutes through the day — considerably more frequent than the direct coach.
Metro across town, then Line M4 to Linate
From Cadorna, take Metro line M1 a few stops to San Babila, then change onto the newer M4 line, which runs directly to Linate Airport in around 12 minutes. The M1-to-M4 change adds a short walk and wait, but both lines run frequently, so the connection rarely costs much time. All told, this combination typically comes to around 70 to 85 minutes door to door — comparable to the direct coach, and often more predictable given how much more frequent the train and metro departures are. Milano Centrale, one stop from Cadorna on the M2 or reachable directly on some Malpensa Express services, is also the departure point for high-speed trains onward to other Italian cities, including the Milan to Rome route, if your trip continues beyond Milan.
Taxi: a fixed fare for the whole distance
A fixed-rate taxi tariff applies to the Malpensa–Linate route, which removes the uncertainty of a metered fare over such a long cross-city distance. In normal traffic the drive takes around an hour, though Milan's ring roads can add meaningfully to that at peak times. It's considerably more expensive than either the coach or the train-plus-metro option, but it's a single door-to-door leg with no changes, which matters if you're travelling with a group and splitting the cost, arriving very late at night when other services have stopped, or simply want the least complicated option regardless of price.
Getting between terminals at Malpensa
Malpensa has two terminals, and both the Malpensa Shuttle coach and the Malpensa Express train call at both of them, so this shouldn't complicate your choice of route. It's still worth double-checking which terminal your flight uses before you head to the platform or bus stop, since the two terminals are a meaningful walk or a short shuttle ride apart, and mixing them up costs time you may not have on a tight connection.
How long to allow, and which to choose
As a rough planning figure, allow at least 2.5 hours from landing at one airport to being ready to clear security at the other, whichever route you choose — this covers disembarkation, the transfer itself with a sensible buffer, and check-in and security at the second airport. For most travellers without heavy luggage, the train-plus-metro route is the most reliable choice thanks to its frequency, even though it involves more changes than the coach. The direct coach suits those who'd rather avoid the metro entirely and can work around its more limited schedule, and a taxi is worth the extra cost for very early or late transfers, a group splitting the fare, or heavy luggage.
If you're connecting on two separate tickets
If your Malpensa and Linate flights are booked as two separate tickets rather than one through itinerary — common if, say, a long-haul carrier only serves Malpensa and a short-haul or budget flight only serves Linate — treat this as a genuine self-transfer. Neither airline is obliged to help you if the first flight is delayed and you miss the second, and the usual minimum connection time published by an airport only covers connections within that same airport, so it offers no protection for a transfer like this one. You'll also need to collect and recheck your own baggage, since it won't transfer automatically between two separate airports even though both are in the same city. Given how much of this journey depends on train and metro connections lining up, or on the coach's more limited schedule, build in a generous buffer if you're attempting this pairing on separate tickets — more than the bare journey times above, particularly if your onward flight is the last realistic one of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct coach between Malpensa and Linate?
Yes — Malpensa Shuttle operates a direct coach via Lampugnano, taking around 70 to 90 minutes, though departures are considerably less frequent than the airport-to-city services, so check the current timetable before relying on it.
Is it faster to go via the city instead of the direct coach?
Often about the same, sometimes faster. The Malpensa Express to Cadorna plus the M1 and M4 metro typically takes around 70 to 85 minutes and runs far more frequently than the direct coach.
Is the taxi fare fixed between Malpensa and Linate?
Yes, a fixed-rate tariff applies for this route rather than a metered fare, which makes budgeting straightforward, though it's considerably more expensive than the coach or train-plus-metro options.
How much time should I allow if I have a connecting flight between Malpensa and Linate?
As a rough figure, budget at least 2.5 hours from landing at one airport to being ready to clear security at the other, and more if you're on separate tickets or your onward flight is the last realistic one of the day.
Sources and further reading:
- SEA Milano (the official operator of Malpensa and Linate airports) official transfer information.
- Malpensa Shuttle (Air Pullman) official route and timetable pages.
- ATM Milano and Trenord official route and ticketing information for the metro and Malpensa Express.