Milan Airport Transfers

Milan is served by three airports, and the one on your ticket makes a real difference to your arrival. Linate is close to the city centre, Malpensa is the main international airport some fifty kilometres to the northwest, and Bergamo Orio al Serio, used by many low-cost airlines, sits beside the city of Bergamo to the northeast. We always check the airport code when booking and plan the onward journey before landing, since the transfer can range from a short metro ride to a coach journey along the motorway.

Linate by metro M4

Linate (LIN) is the most convenient airport for central Milan. Since 2022, the blue metro line M4 has linked the terminal directly with the city, and the full line now runs through San Babila, close to the Duomo, and on to Sant'Ambrogio and the southwest. The station is beneath the arrivals hall, so the transfer is simple even with luggage. For hotels on other lines, change at San Babila for M1 or at other interchanges along the route.

Malpensa by train

Malpensa (MXP) has two terminals: Terminal 1 for most airlines and Terminal 2, used mainly by easyJet. The Malpensa Express train runs from both terminals to Milano Cadorna, close to the castle and the Last Supper, and to Milano Centrale, the main railway station, with a stop at Porta Garibaldi on some services. The journey takes the train through the countryside and towns north of Milan. We choose the destination station according to where we are staying, since Cadorna suits the west of the centre and Centrale suits the north and east.

Malpensa by coach

Several coach companies run between Malpensa and Milano Centrale, departing from outside the arrivals halls. Coaches suit travellers with heavy luggage who are staying near the station, though motorway traffic can lengthen the journey at busy times. Taxis are available at both terminals, and a fixed fare applies to the centre, but the long distance makes them the most costly option.

Bergamo Orio al Serio

Bergamo airport (BGY) is roughly fifty kilometres from Milan. Coach companies run frequent services between the airport and Milano Centrale, and the journey follows the A4 motorway. Alternatively, a local bus connects the airport with Bergamo railway station, from where regional trains run to Milan. If your flight arrives in the evening, Bergamo itself makes a pleasant first stop; our Bergamo day trip guide covers the hilltop old town.

Arriving by train

Many visitors arrive by rail from elsewhere in Italy or from Switzerland and France. High-speed trains from Rome, Florence, Venice and Turin arrive at Milano Centrale, whose vast 1931 station hall is a sight in itself, or at Porta Garibaldi. Centrale has metro M2 and M3 below it, and Garibaldi has M2 and M5 as well as suburban trains.

Choosing by your address

We map the accommodation first and choose the transfer second. Hotels near the Duomo and San Babila suit Linate and M4; the Brera and castle area suit Cadorna; Porta Nuova, Isola and the station district suit Centrale or Garibaldi. Our public transport guide explains the metro lines, tickets and contactless payment for the final leg.

Our view

The arrival sets the tone for the trip, so we keep it simple: the most direct link to the station nearest our address, a contactless card ready for the metro, and the address saved offline. On the first evening, a short stroll from the hotel and an easy dinner are enough. If you arrive early and your room is not ready, most hotels will keep luggage, leaving you free to begin exploring straight away. The central walking route and the Duomo make a natural start the following morning.