Milan has three good-sized international airports, although one of them is much more commonly used if you’re flying in from overseas. Malpensa Airport is Italy’s second-largest, but runs neck-in-neck with the country’s biggest airport (Rome’s Fiumicino Airport) in terms of international traffic. Like Fiumicino, Malpensa is located quite a distance from the city center – roughly 50km. So your first order of business after arriving is going to be getting from Malpensa to Milan.
As I’ve noted in the past, Milan shouldn’t necessarily be on every tourist’s to-do list, but since it’s such a major international gateway into the country you might be flying into Malpensa even if your itinerary doesn’t include Milan’s sights at all. If that’s the case, you may be able to bypass going into Milan’s city center by taking a bus that skirts the city and deposits passengers at several different cities. But before you go for that option, remember to check that against the travel time for going into Milan and taking the train to your final destination. It could be faster to do it that way, depending on where you’re going.
No matter where you are planning to end up, you do have several options for how to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan.
>> And if you need to spend the night near the airport before an early flight or after a late one, these are the Malpensa Airport hotels that are closest to the airport.
Getting from Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan
Taking the Train from Malpensa Airport to Milan
Milan has an express train that connects Cadorna Station in the city center with Malpensa Airport’s Terminal 1 called, cleverly, the Malpensa Express. It’s about a 40-minute trip from end to end with a few intermediate stops along the way, and trains leave Malpensa every half hour – at 23 minutes past the hour and 53 minutes past the hour – round the clock, 7 days a week.
Tickets for the Malpensa Express are €11 for a one-way trip, and don’t forget to validate your ticket before you climb on board the train.
Ticket kiosks at Malpensa are staffed with people who, in my experience, speak enough English to sell you the ticket you’ll need – but they’re not open 24/7. The kiosks are open from 05:30 until 00:20 on weekdays, with shorter hours on the weekends and holidays. If you miss out on the kiosk being open, or you prefer dealing with machines, there’s an automated ticket machine just before you walk down the ramp to the train platform.
>> Read more about taking the Malpensa Express into Milan, especially if you’ll need to take the Milan Metro to get anywhere other than Cadorna Station.
There’s one other train option to get from Malpensa into Milan, and that’s on regular old Trenitalia. These normal Italian trains run between Gallarate Station and Milan’s Centrale station. Gallarate is a short bus ride from Malpensa, so you’ll need to get a bus from the airport (either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2) before you can hop on the train. Buses leave Malpensa regularly between the hours 06:05 and 20:15, and a bus ticket will cost roughly €1-2 depending on which terminal you pick it up from. There’s also a free shuttle running between the terminals, so if you want to save every Italian penny then get on the shuttle to the cheaper pick-up point.
After you’ve reached Gallarate on the bus, you’ll need to get on the Domodossola-Milano train line headed in the direction of Milano Centrale. Trains bound for Centrale run between the hours of 05:54 and 23:24. The trip takes a little over an hour if you get on one that requires a train change, or roughly 40 minutes if you get on a train that takes you straight to Centrale. So double-check that you’re on one that doesn’t require a train change! A ticket will cost €3-5, depending on the length of the journey.
Taking the Bus from Malpensa Airport to Milan
There are a bazillion buses which connect Malpensa Airport with various points around Italy (and even beyond Italy). Okay, I’m exaggerating. But only a little. There really are (at my count) nearly 20 bus routes which include Malpensa. So getting away from the airport by bus isn’t a problem at all.
From Malpensa Airport, you can reach the following cities directly by bus: Turin, Genoa, Como, Brescia, Bergamo, Verona, and Lugano (in Switzerland) – among others. But even just to get from Malpensa to Milan’s city center by bus you’ve got a couple options.
The Malpensa Shuttle leaves from Terminal 1 every half-hour, at 35 minutes past the hour and 55 minutes past the hour between the hours of 06:35 and 23:35. It’ll take you directly to Stazione Centrale (with a couple intermediate stops if they’re requested), making it easy for you to get on a train from Milan to wherever, and it’s about a 50-minute trip (depending on traffic). A ticket is €5.50.
The Malpensa Shuttle Air Pullman also picks up at Terminal 1 and drops off at Stazione Centrale, and it’s also about a 50-minute journey. There are a few more intermediate stops on this route, also by request, and a ticket is €7 one-way (you can get a round-trip ticket for €12 if you know you’ll be making the other half of the trip). Buses leave Malpensa about every 20 minutes or so between the hours of 05:30 and 01:00.
There’s also a bus replacement for the Malpensa Express if it’s not running, and a few buses that will get you from Malpensa to Milan’s other airport, Linate.
>> Read more about how to get to/from Malpensa Airport by bus, including options for cities other than Milan.
Taking a Taxi from Malpensa Airport to Milan
Because Malpensa is so far from Milan’s city center, you’re looking at an expensive taxi fare. One figure I found from a few years ago quoted the 45-50 minute trip at €75, and I’ve heard recent reports that the fixed fare is now more like €85 – and even when the euro exchange rate was good that would have been a tough pill to swallow! Unlike Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, there’s no fixed price on taxi trips between the airport and the city center in Milan – and although the taxi problems Rome used to be plagued with (where taxi drivers were constantly trying to rip off tourists) aren’t present in Milan, a fixed fare would certainly help alleviate traveler concerns about whether you’re getting a fair price.
Still, with the trip being such a long one, you’re going to be paying a high taxi fare – and would do even if there was a fixed price, I’d bet. I’d recommend avoiding the taxi from the airport and taking the Malpensa Express to Cadorna station. Outside Cadorna station you’ll regularly find a fleet of taxis waiting, so if you’d prefer not to use the Metro to get from Cadorna to your destination, then grab a taxi outside Cadorna. Your wallet will thank you.
If you’re still determined to get a taxi at Malpensa, you’ll find them outside Terminal 1 (Arrivals) near gates 4 and 5.
Now that you’re in Milan…
Be sure to check out my Milan travel guide, with links to most of what I’ve written about the city – including tips on what to see and where to eat when you’re there.
Need a place to stay that won’t break the bank? Here’s a list of some of the budget hotels in Milan.
Getting around is easy when you use the Metro, and that’s a snap once you’ve read my Milan Metro guide.
If you’re pressed for time, I’ve got my suggestions for the top 10 things to do in Milan.
original photos, top to bottom, by: Catching Flies, kikiprinci, darkensiva, Ambrosiana Pictures, redbanshee
Other articles about Malpensa Airport
- Malpensa Airport Hotels Near Milan
- Getting from Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan (and Vice Versa)
- Italy Q&A: What to do with a 5-hour layover at Malpensa?
- Getting To & From Malpensa Airport by Bus
- Italy Q&A: Getting from Malpensa Airport to Varenna
- Italy Q&A: Getting from Venice to Malpensa Airport
- Tips for Flying to Italy: Open-Jaw Tickets & Flying into the Venice Airport
- My Favorite Bag Lady* in Milan
- Taking the Malpensa Express into Milan in 8 Easy Steps
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jessica, I will be going to Italy in Dec. How do I get from Milan Malpensa Airport to Rome? Can I take the high speed train at the airport or do I have to make a transfer? if so, where do I go?
Also, one of your article mentioned that it will be cheaper to get a rail pass if I will be travelling on the high speed trains most of the time. Do I have to purchase the rail pass before i go to italy or purchase it in italy? I checked out the official website and there are discounts if I purchase the tickets in advance – does it apply to foreigners/visitors who are buying from overseas?
You also mentioned that I have to buy a reservation before I board the train – how much is the reservation price est – eg from milan to rome?
thanks in advance.. =)
Hi, Harvy:
To get from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to Rome, you will need to go into the main train station in Milan and then get on a train headed south. The high-speed train that connects Milan and Rome doesn’t go to Malpensa, it goes to Stazione Centrale. And the train that connects Malpensa with Milan doesn’t go to Centrale – it goes to a different train station in the city. So I’d recommend that you take one of the coach-style buses from Malpensa to Milan, because the buses go directly to Centrale, and then you can walk into the train station and get on the train for Rome.
If you’re traveling using an Italy RailPass (or any other kind of Eurail Pass), you’ll need to buy it before you get to Italy/Europe – you can’t get them there. Whether it’s a good idea (cost-effective) to get a rail pass depends on how much train travel you’ll be doing, and how many of the trips will be on the more expensive high-speed trains. Read more about train travel in Italy and when it makes sense to get a rail pass on my Italy train travel page.
The online discounts available for buying train tickets in advance apply to anyone, foreigners or locals, but if you’re using a railpass you won’t be buying a train ticket – your railpass is your ticket. Yes, you still need to buy a reservation on the high-speed trains (and some others) even if you have a railpass/ticket, and the prices of the reservations will vary depending on the train you’re taking. When I made the trip this past Spring on one of the high-speed trains, a reservation in 2nd class (with a 2nd class railpass) cost me €20.
I hope that helps!
Jessica
Hi Jessica, thanks for the information. I’m very excited abt my trip this December.
By the way, I read somewhere that there are luggage storages in major train stations. Can the lockers fit large size luggage?? I am intended to deposit my luggage at Pisa Train station while i visit the tower of Pisa. I will be bringing a 25″ luggage (slightly bigger than a cabin size luggage) – can it fit into the lockers?
Also, I’ve tried to check the train schedule on trenitalia website for december. However, the results shows “no available schedule” – is it because the train schedule will only be published nearer to date or is it because there are really no train available? I’m quite worried abt transport & getting from city to city.
Lastly, I visited some websites and they indicated that entry to certain places of interest must be booked in advanced – eg i have to book the tickets to climb the tower of pisa in advance – is this the way ticketing to places of interest works in Italy – or is it some marketing gimmick to get customers & sales??
Million thanks & 2 thumb ups for this wonderful & informative website on Italy!
=D
Hi, Harvy:
I can’t say what the sizes of the luggage lockers are in the train stations… They’ll differ depending on the station, and then of course if all the “big” lockers are all taken by the time you get there then it doesn’t matter if they’ve got big lockers anyway, right?
The one and only time I’ve been to Pisa, back in 2001, they had a section of the station where people were holding bags because all the lockers were full – and since Pisa’s such a popular brief stop for travelers I’d be surprised if they didn’t have something like that still. But again, I don’t know for certain.
It’s possible that you’re checking dates that are too far out on the Trenitalia site. Don’t worry about there not being a train. There will be a train. If the two places you’re visiting don’t both have train stations, then you might have to take a bus – but rest assured, you’ll be able to get from place to place.
No, advance ticketing isn’t a marketing gimmick, and it’s not the only way to buy tickets in Italy, either. It can just save you loads of time. If you’re visiting in the high season buying tickets in advance is a great idea, but if you’re not then you probably don’t need to worry about it. You can still buy tickets in advance if you like, and it never hurts to look at the ticketing schedules to see if they’re selling out. For some attractions, it’s absolutely required to buy tickets in advance – often months in advance. For the Last Supper in Milan, for instance, if you don’t already have tickets to see it you might be out of luck. For the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you might be fine just buying tickets when you arrive in the city. For some of the museums in Florence, you can still avoid waiting in lines if you buy tickets in advance. It just depends on the attraction.
Ciao,
Jessica
We used your guide to get from Malpensa Airport to the centre of Milan using the Malpensa Express and Metro. You made it so easy Thank you.
A note to add to the Metro. The ticket is €1 and is called the Urban ticket.
Thanks, Hilary, I’m glad this information was helpful!
Jessica,
Why would you suggest That Milan should not be on a tourist “to do” list? From Milan one has access to some of the best Italian sites. From Lake Como to Lake Garda, Modena, Lucca. Granted, Rome should be on the list but Northern Italy should be on a “to do”list. Many take the standard American travel plan which is Rome and Florence. Both are places all should see but there are cities in Italy that are also a must see. I lived in Rome for 7 years but took time to see much of Italy. My favorite cities are in Umbria and many located in “lombardia” (the zone in which Milan is also located).
If one drives from Milan to Cinque Terre you will see sites that will blow you away. I am an American and not part of any tourist org. but when I read your comment it seems you have this idea that Rome is the main attraction. 60% of all Western art resides in Italy and 1/2 of that is in Florence. The greatest Italian architecture is found from Umbria going north. When Europeans travel to Italy they know this and focus on Milan as their point of entry.
As for shopping, Milan is king. The mall in the center and outside Milan is Milan 2..are great. Though shopping is not my thing I prefer the north of Italy in part because of its location to all the sites I like. Rome is of course a place to see but never believe the areas around Milan are not worth it for your first time to Italy.
DNG
Hi, David:
I love Milan, but for the average tourist who has only a couple of weeks in which to see Italy, there are places where I think their time is better spent. For people with more time, or who have a particular interest in fashion or shopping, or something like that, then yes – Milan is great. I didn’t say people shouldn’t go there at all.
Ciao,
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
I am planning a trip for May, with the first stop in Florence. I was originally going to fly into Rome (and then take the shuttle to the Rome train station, train to Florence) as I’ve done this before, but the ticket agent told me it would be much less expensive to fly into Milan. With that said, is it very difficult to get to the Central Station from the airport? And do the trains run as often from Milan to Florence as they do from Rome? It seems much more complicated then in Rome.
Additionally, this next question applies to trains from either city. I know for the fast trains I need to make a reservation. I don’t want to do it in advance because if our flight is late we won’t be able to switch them (or at least that’s what the reservationist at Rail Europe said). Can you make a reservation right before the train departs?
Thanks so much.
Hi, Kristen:
If it’s cheaper to fly into Milan than Rome, then that’s obviously a good thing to do. And getting from Malpensa to the Stazione Centrale is easy. In the article above, click on the link for getting from Malpensa Airport to Milan by bus. The train option (which I love) takes you to Stazione Cadorna, which is an additional metro or taxi ride away from Centrale. There are two buses, on the other hand, that run directly from the airport to Centrale – no transfers necessary. And they’re big coach-like buses, where you stow your bags underneath, so they’re quite comfy.
Trains from Milan to Florence run regularly – and you can take advantage of the new(er) high-speed “Frecciarossa” train, too, which runs once an hour from Centrale to the main Florence station. That’s one of the trains for which you’ll need reservations in addition to tickets, which leads me to your next question.
Yes, you can buy tickets and make reservations right up until you board the train, so no worries there. If you’re arriving in Italy with some kind of railpass, then all you’ll need to do is buy your reservation. In either case, as soon as you get to Centrale head for a ticket agent and ask for tickets on the next fast train to Florence. If you’ve got a railpass, you’ll need to show them that so they know what kind of reservation to issue (and that you already have a ticket).
I hope that helps, and have a great trip!
Ciao,
Jessica
Thank you Jessica. This was very helpful. One other question – If we took the express to Stazione Cadorna, would it be reasonable to walk to Stazione Centrale? I would love to stop at the Duomo if it’s not to out of the way.
Please i need your help,
I will travel to Milan (Malpensa) tomorrow at 04:30 PM by Alitalia Airport. So i need to go to Cosmo Hotel Torri (Via Torri Bianche 4, Vimercate, 20059 Vimercate, Italia (Cosmo Hotel Torri Srl))so what kind of cheaper transportation i can use?
Please any one reply to me now ASAP.
Hi, Hani:
I’m probably too late to help on this, but all the resources you need to get back and forth from Malpensa to Milan city center are in this post. If you plug in your hotel’s address into Google maps you’ll be able to see if it’s closer to Cadorna station or Milano Centrale – if it’s the former, I’d suggest the Malpensa Express train. If it’s the latter, I’d suggest one of the coaches.
Hope that helps,
Jessica
hei!
Thanks for the information about Milan.. It really helps!
I would like to ask if you have any idea going to Pisa from Milan by train..
Hi, Fritzie:
I don’t have a specific article about traveling from Milan to Pisa, but Pisa isn’t far from Florence – so this article may help a little:
http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/getting-from-milan-to-florence-and-vice-versa.html
And here’s more information about Pisa:
http://www.italylogue.com/pisa/
Ciao,
Jessica
i am traveling to Milan and arriving at Malpensa Airport and need to get to Milano Centrale. I’ve read so many things about the shuttle and express train that i am confused on which to take. Could you tell me how to get from Malpensa to Milano Centrale in detail. I’m traveling alone and afraid to get lost.