A trip to Italy usually starts at an airport. If you land at Milan Malpensa Airport, the first thing you need to do is figure out how to go from Milan Malpensa to the city center.
There are several means of transportation you can take from the airport to get to the city center. Depending on how much time you have (maybe you have to catch a train to go somewhere else in Italy), your budget, and what type of traveler you are, this guide will help you make the best choice for your specific needs.
So keep reading to find out all the options to get from Malpensa to the Milan city center.
How to Get from Milan Malpensa to the City Center
To give you a more precise idea of where you are, Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is Milan’s largest international airport. Malpensa is also the busiest airport in northern Italy. It is located about 30 miles from Milan’s center. The map above isn’t to encourage you to drive into Milan (on the contrary!) but is meant to show you the distance between Malpensa and Milan.
Milan has two other airports, Milan Linate and Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio. Milan Linate is known as the city airport because it is located only about 5 miles from Milan’s city center. However, the majority of international flights land at Milan Malpensa.
Malpensa Airport has two terminals quite far apart, but they are connected by a free shuttle that runs every 7 minutes. Usually, most traditional airlines fly from Terminal 1, and Terminal 2 is for low-cost airlines, like EasyJet. So it’s more likely you will have to figure out how to get from T1 Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan’s city center than from T2 at Malpensa.
Choosing the right means of transportation for your situation and budget can make all the difference between starting your trip on the right foot or not. Who wants to arrive at their hotel stressed because the transfer from the airport was difficult or confusing?
Think about how many people are traveling with you. How many bags will each person have? Can you and any other travelers walk or move with luggage in tow? What time of day are you arriving at Malpensa? Are you comfortable with public transportation? What’s your budget?
Malpensa Airport to Milan by Taxi or Private Car
Choosing a taxi or a private car provides the most convenient and stress-free service when traveling from Malpensa Airport to the downtown area of Milan. You get door-to-door service from the airport to your hotel in Milan. The licensed Milan taxis look identical. They’re all white and are at the taxi stand outside of the arrivals terminal.
Under normal traffic conditions, the taxi journey from Malpensa to Milan’s city center takes approximately 50 minutes. As you’d likely expect, it’s also the most expensive transfer option given the convenience it offers and the distance from the airport to the city center of Milan.
A taxi from Malpensa to Milan has a fixed price of 104€. The taxi driver shouldn’t apply any extra charges: this is an all-inclusive price, and it is illegal to charge more for things such as extra luggage or late-night driving.
Also, keep in mind that during rush hour, you might have to wait in line for a taxi.
To avoid the stress of waiting, consider reserving a private airport transfer so you can easily get from Milan Malpensa to the city center. This is the most comfortable option: a chauffeur will be waiting for you in arrivals with a name placard. Once in the car, the driver will take you directly to your preferred destination.
Several companies that offer this type of service. Discover Northern Italy recommends Welcome Pickups. They’re reliable, safe, professional, and travel-tested by us in cities across Europe. Usually, their private airport transfer service costs around 90€.
Milan Malpensa Airport to the City Center by Train
A simple and cheaper alternative to taking a taxi to transfer from Milan Malpensa to the city center is the airport train shuttle. The Malpensa Express is a train service that runs directly from Terminal 1 to two locations in Milan’s center: Piazza Cadorna (red metro line 1, Cadorna stop) and Milan’s Central Station (Milano Centrale).
The Malpensa Express Cadorna train option is the fastest. You’ll get you there in about 35 minutes. From Malpensa Airport to Milano Centrale via the Malpensa Express takes about 50 minutes.
The Malpensa Express has 4 trains that depart every hour. Two of them go to Milan Cadorna and the other two go to Milano Centrale. Departures for each respective final destination leave every 30 minutes. The first trains from Malpensa Airport depart just before 6 a.m. and the last trains leave from the airport around midnight. As always, check the schedule for the timing of your trip. Schedules do adjust and change throughout the year.
The Malpensa Express ticket cost 13€ one-way per adult. If you purchase the round-trip ticket, you will spend 26€. It is possible to book Malpensa Express tickets online – which I highly recommend to avoid waiting in line at the ticket machines that you’ll find at the airport.
How to Take the Train From Malpensa Airport to Milan
Trenord, operated by Trenitalia, is the company that offers the Malpensa Express train ride. Catching the Malpensa Express is, in my opinion, the most budget-friendly way to travel from Malpensa Airport to Milan’s city center. Another reason to opt for the train is to avoid the traffic that is common in Milan at peak times.
So where do you get the Malpensa Express from? The Malpensa train station is located in Terminal 1 on the basement level just past the area where you’ll find many rental car counters. When you’re inside Terminal 1, you just need to follow the signs that say “Treni”. You will find these signs right outside the baggage carousel room.
In case you arrive at Terminal 2, the train station is accessible from the arrivals area.
The transit ticket machines are located in the arrival halls of each terminal. To save time, you can buy your tickets once you arrive or online.
Once you are at the train platform, check the screens carefully with the incoming trains: remember that there are two different Malpensa Express trains. One arrives at Milano Cadorna station, while the other is from Milan Malpensa to Milano Centrale. Hopping on the wrong train could be a hassle depending on your final destination.
One you arrive at the station in Milan, you can use the metro, walk, or take a taxi to your hotel.
Which Malpensa Express train is right for you?
If you’re catching a train to places beyond Milan like Venice, Verona, Bologna, or the Cinque Terre, use the train to Milano Centrale. Nearly all trains that run across Italy have connections with this major hub. In addition, Milan’s metro lines 2 and 3 connect (green and yellow) connect with Milano Centrale making it easy if these metro lines stop near your hotel in Milan.
From Milan Cadorna station, you’re about a 15-minute walk from the Duomo. You can take a taxi from outside the station to your hotel. Or you can use the Milan metro to get close to your accommodations. The red metro line 1 is connected with Milano Cadorna station and has a stop just next to the Duomo.
Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan City Center via Express Bus Services
Express bus services also connect Malpensa Airport with Milan’s city center. These buses run every 20-30 minutes and are operated by three bus lines: Malpensa Shuttle (Air Pullman), Malpensa Bus Express, Caronte, and Terravision.
The Malpensa Shuttle connects Malpensa Airport’s two terminals to Milan Central Station. The Malpensa Shuttle departs every 45 minutes, and the service is available from 5:45 am to 2:10 am as of the time of writing this guide (2023).
The get-off point at the central station is ideal: from here, you can access the majority of the metro lines to arrive wherever you want in the city. Another option is to catch a local bus, take a taxi, or simply walk to your destination from there.
The bus costs 10€ per journey or 16€ if you buy a return ticket online. You can purchase the Malpensa Shuttle tickets on the official website, but remember that there are no seat reservations. So if there are no spots left on the bus, you will need to wait for the next Malpensa Shuttle.
You can buy the Malpensa Bus Express ticket online, at the ticket machines in the arrivals area of Terminals 1 and 2, or directly on board the bus.
The company Caronte offers an alternative to the Malpensa Shuttle. The buses depart every 20 minutes, and the ride to arrive at Milan Centrale lasts 70 minutes (or more if there is traffic).
At the time of writing this (2023), the first ride from the airport leaves at 6 am, the last at 12:30 am. The fare for a one-way ticket is 10€ (per adult); the round-trip ticket can be purchased for 16€. As with the Malpensa Shuttle, you can buy the bus ticket at the ticket machines in the arrivals area of Terminals 1 and 2 or directly on board the bus.
The other bus express service is operated by Terravision. The Terravision buses to Milan Centrale station will take around 50 minutes to arrive. At the time of writing this (2023), the first bus departs from Milan Malpensa Airport Terminal 1 at 5:30 am, and the last at 1:40 am. The one-way ticket costs 10€ (per adult), while the round-trip ticket is 16€.
You can buy the bus ticket online, directly on board the bus, and at the Alivision/Terravision box in Arrivals Areas of T1 and T2.
Getting From Milan to Malpensa Airport
If your vacation has come to an end, the same transportation options in this guide will help make your way back to Milan Malpensa Airport. (Unfortunately, the classic trams in Milan don’t go to the airport!)
If opting for the Malpensa Express train, the Malpensa Shuttle, or one of the other express bus services, the best way to save money (and precious time) would be to buy a round-trip at the very beginning, before you first leave the airport. Getting from Milano Central to Malpensa Airport by train couldn’t be easier because you have the bonus of being off the roads and out of the way of traffic.
Taxis will charge the full amount for your journey from Milan city center to Malpensa Airport, just as when you arrive at the airport and need to transfer to the city center. The situation could be different if you book a private car and if the company offers a better-combined price for round trip bookings.
So, How Do You Get From Malpensa Airport to Milan City Center?
All in all, everything depends on three factors: how fast you would like to reach Milan’s city center, what budget you are willing to spend, and – of course – your travel style.
Going from Malpensa Airport to the city center by taxi or private car service definitely comes with convenient benefits, like not having to struggle with heavy luggage and choosing the drop-off point. Clearly, this option is the most expensive one, and when it comes to taxis, you might wait for quite some time before finding one available (or that has room to accommodate a big group or family).
Taking a train or a bus from Malpensa airport to the Milan center is a great way to save money. The train is the best option if you don’t want to risk being stuck in traffic. Personally, I always choose the Malpensa Express train from Malpensa to Milan because of how quick and easy it is!
Now, all that’s left is to plan your perfect Milan itinerary!
So, what questions do you have about getting from Malpensa to Milan?
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