Malpensa is Milan’s largest airport, around 45 to 50 km northwest of the city. Getting into the centre therefore takes at least 40 minutes, and a taxi costs €114.
The Malpensa Express train is the quickest option, while the bus is the cheapest. Here I compare the choices, with fares, journey times and my recommendations. For arrivals at Linate or Bergamo, the main details are towards the end of the guide.
Contents
1. Malpensa Express trains
The Malpensa Express is the option I would recommend for most people. Trains serve both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. In Terminal 1, the station is on level -1, reached indoors from arrivals.
There are two lines, ending at different stations in Milan. Each runs every 30 minutes, giving you four trains an hour from the airport:
- To Milano Cadorna: 37 minutes from Terminal 1. Cadorna is beside Castello Sforzesco. From there, metro line M1 reaches Duomo in three stops. You can also change to M2.
- To Milano Centrale: around 51 minutes from Terminal 1. The train stops at Porta Garibaldi after around 41 minutes. At Centrale, change to M2, M3 or trains to other parts of Italy.
From Terminal 2, add around six minutes. For Duomo or Navigli, the Cadorna train is quicker. For a hotel near the main station or an onward train journey, take the Centrale service.
Fares and tickets
A single ticket costs €15 to all Milan stations, and a return costs €25. Children aged 4 to 13 pay €7.50, while children under 4 travel free. A family ticket for two adults and two children aged 4 to 17 costs €36. Fares are listed by Malpensa Express.
The fare rose from €13 to €15 in August 2025, so many older guides are no longer accurate.
You do not need to buy a ticket in advance. With Pay&Go, tap your bank card or phone on the station reader when departing and again on arrival. The fare is the same, and a return on the same day costs no more than €25. Each person needs their own card. The system is explained on the Pay&Go page.
You can also buy a Malpensa Express ticket here. It costs slightly more than at the station, but you will have it on your phone when you land.
Departures and operating hours
Trains from the airport to Cadorna run from around 05:30 until shortly after midnight. Trains to Centrale run from around 05:45 to around 22:45, so late in the evening only the Cadorna service operates.
From Milano Cadorna, the first airport train leaves at 04:57 and the last at 23:27. Check the exact times in the Malpensa Express timetable for an early flight.
2. Airport buses to Milano Centrale
Several companies run direct between Malpensa and Milano Centrale, with a combined departure roughly every 20 minutes. The journey takes 50 to 70 minutes depending on traffic.
- Malpensa Shuttle: €10 single or €16 return. Children aged 2 to 12 pay €5.
- Caronte: €10 single or €16 return.
- Autostradale (Malpensa Bus Express): from €4.99 when booked online.
- Terravision: from €4 when booked online.
At Terminal 1, buses stop on level -1 near the railway station. In Milan, they stop on Via Sammartini beside Centrale. The airport has an overview of bus operators, and Malpensa Shuttle fares are on the company’s website.
You can buy a bus ticket from Malpensa to Milano Centrale here.
The bus is cheapest, but it uses the motorway and can be delayed during rush hour. It is also useful at night. Malpensa Shuttle runs from Terminal 1 until 01:20, and departures from Centrale start shortly after 02:00.
3. Taxis and Uber
A taxi between Malpensa and an address in Milan has a fixed fare of €114. This is for the whole car, applies in both directions and is set by the region. The fixed fare between Malpensa and Fiera Milano in Rho is €94, and between Malpensa and Linate it is €128. Fares are published by Regione Lombardia.
The journey takes 50 to 60 minutes, or longer during rush hour. Taxis wait outside arrivals at both terminals. For four people, the fare works out at €28.50 each, almost twice the train fare.
Uber also operates in Milan, but the cars are usually regular taxis or more expensive chauffeur vehicles. Expect to pay the same as a taxi, or more.
Private transfers
To have a driver waiting in arrivals, you can book a private transfer from Milan’s airports here. The price for your group is shown after selecting the date and number of passengers.
4. Terminal 1 or Terminal 2?
Terminal 2 is used exclusively by easyJet, while other airlines use Terminal 1. SAS flights from Copenhagen therefore arrive at Terminal 1.
A free shuttle bus connects the terminals around the clock. It runs roughly every 7 minutes during the day and every half hour at night, with a journey time of around 15 minutes. The Malpensa Express also connects the terminals in six minutes.
5. Arriving at Linate?
Linate is only 7 km from the city centre, making the journey straightforward. The blue M4 metro line runs from the airport to San Babila in 12 minutes. From there, walk to Duomo or change to M1.
A ticket costs €2.20 and is valid for 90 minutes. You can also tap a bank card at the barriers when entering and leaving. The metro runs from early morning until around 00:30. The airport explains the connection on its metro page.
Taxis from Linate use the meter and typically cost €30 to €35 to the centre.
6. Arriving at Bergamo?
Bergamo Orio al Serio is 45 to 50 km from Milan and is mainly used by low-cost airlines. Several bus companies run direct to Milano Centrale in 50 to 60 minutes. Tickets cost around €5 to €10 depending on the operator and departure. Companies are listed on the airport’s bus information page.
A taxi from Bergamo to Milan has a fixed fare of €128. The new airport rail link is delayed and has not opened yet.
Which option should you choose?
Here is what I recommend for the most common situations:
For most people: Take the Malpensa Express. Choose Cadorna for Duomo, Brera or Navigli, and Centrale for a hotel near the main station or an onward train journey.
For the lowest fare: Take a bus to Milano Centrale. Booked online, tickets can cost less than €5.
Landing after midnight: Take the bus. The last trains have left, but buses continue late into the night.
Travelling as a family: The Malpensa Express family ticket costs €36 for two adults and two children.
With lots of luggage: A fixed-fare taxi costs €114 and takes you to the door.
Continuing to Lake Como: Take the train into Milan and change there. I have written a guide to where to stay in Lake Como.
Practical tips for Milan airport transport
Allow for the metro fare. A ticket for Milan’s metro, trams and buses costs €2.20 and is valid for 90 minutes. A day ticket costs €7.60 and a three-day ticket €15.50. You can pay contactless at the barriers. Fares are listed by transport operator ATM.
Be prepared for strikes. Transport strikes are common in Italy. During a rail strike, Trenord provides direct buses between Milano Cadorna and Terminal 1.
Choose your hotel with the connection in mind. Staying near Milano Centrale puts both airport trains and buses close by. You can see hotels near Milano Centrale here.
For help choosing a neighbourhood, I have written a guide to where to stay in Milan.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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