How to get from Milan airports to the city center

Milan has three airports, and each one has its own route to the city center. Malpensa sits north of the city, Bergamo handles low-cost carriers, and Linate lies almost within Milan's city limits. The Malpensa Express train to the center costs 15 € (as of 09/2026, malpensaexpress.it). The metro from Linate costs just 2.20 € (as of 09/2026, ATM metro fares). The difference in price and travel time is significant, so it's worth comparing options in advance. Below we break down each airport: how to get there, how long you'll wait for transport, and what to keep in mind when transferring.

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Milan's three airports: what you need to know

💡 In short:

• Malpensa (MXP): Milan's largest airport, train to the center and buses from 4 € (as of 09/2026, Terravision buses from Malpensa).
• Bergamo (BGY): a low-cost carrier base, bus to Milano Centrale from 5 € (as of 09/2026, buses from Bergamo).
• Linate (LIN): closest to the city, M4 metro for 2.20 € and about 12 minutes of travel (as of 09/2026, M4 fare).

Malpensa Airport (MXP)

General information

© Olivier Cleynen · CC BY-SAPhoto: Olivier Cleynen, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The airport's full name is Milan Malpensa. It's an international hub and the largest of the city's three airports. It ranks first in Italy for cargo traffic. It's located in the province of Varese, 45 km north of Milan's center, so the trip to the city takes almost an hour (Malpensa Express routes).

Terminals T1 and T2

© Arne Müseler · CC BY-SAPhoto: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

Malpensa has two terminals, T1 and T2. Terminal 1 handles scheduled flights and is divided into three zones. Zone A serves domestic and Schengen flights, while zones B and C handle non-Schengen countries and transcontinental destinations. Terminal 2 opened earlier and serves charters and low-cost carriers. Both terminals operate around the clock. They are several kilometers apart, so free shuttles run between them. The trip takes about 20 minutes, and buses run 24 hours a day.

Infrastructure and the train to Milan

© Andrzej Otrębski · CC BY-SAPhoto: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The airport infrastructure is well developed. Terminal 1 has a Malpensa Express railway station. This is the fastest way to reach the center: the train goes to Milano Cadorna, Milano Centrale, Porta Garibaldi, and Bovisa stations. A ticket costs 15 € for adults and 7.50 € for children aged 4 to 13 (as of 09/2026, Malpensa Express fares). Trains run every 15 minutes from 4:00 to 2:00 (Trenord schedule). If you arrive at Terminal 2, first take the free shuttle to Terminal 1.

Buses and useful information

Location: Malpensa International Airport, 21010 Varese. The information desk is available at +39 02 232323. Buses are cheaper than the train: look for them in the parking area, the landmark is a Milano Centrale sign. Tickets from carriers start at 4 € (as of 09/2026, Terravision). Buses run at intervals of about 20 minutes, and the trip to Milano Centrale station takes roughly an hour. At night there are fewer departures, so check the times on the carrier's website in advance.

• Who it's for: Long-haul and transcontinental flights, as well as connections to the train into the center.
• Not for: Those flying low-cost within Europe and looking to save money.
• The catch: The airport is far from the city, and the trip takes almost an hour.

Long layovers are common here, so check out hotels near Malpensa on Trip.com so you don't have to spend the night in the waiting area.

Bergamo Airport (BGY)

General information

© Nabbegat · CC BY-SAPhoto: Nabbegat, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The airport has a second name: "Orio al Serio," named after Caravaggio. It is Milan's second-largest air hub. It is located outside the city, about 45 km from the center, and only about 5 km from Bergamo itself. The airport specializes in low-cost flights within Europe, regional routes, and cargo operations. Because of its focus on budget carriers, it is simpler and more modest than Malpensa, but no less in demand. In winter, many charters with skiers arrive here.

Infrastructure

© Dimitris Kamaras from Athens, Greece · CC BYPhoto: Dimitris Kamaras from Athens, Greece, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

As we mentioned, there is no VIP comfort here, and the infrastructure is modest. The entire airport has one terminal, so spending more than three hours in the building is difficult. If you have a long layover, it makes sense to book a room at a nearby hotel. In that case, hotels near Bergamo Airport on Trip.com will solve the overnight stay issue.

How to get to Milan

Buses stop right outside the airport building, so they're easy to find. Look for the Milano Centrale sign on the windshield. Services run daily from 4:00 AM to 12:00 AM every 30 minutes. Tickets from carriers start at €5 (as of 09/2026, Terravision schedule). The trip takes about 50 minutes to Milano Centrale station (Orio Shuttle route). The bus is cheaper than the train and works well if you're flying a low-cost carrier.

Useful information

Location: Bergamo SABCO, Via Aeroporto 13, 24050 Orio al Serio. Information desk: +39 035 326323. After midnight there are no buses to Milan, so for a late arrival take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. In the morning, a regular scheduled bus to Milano Centrale will be enough.

• Who it's for: For low-cost travel around Europe and winter charters to ski resorts.
• Not for: Those who value comfort inside the airport building and long layovers.
• The catch: The infrastructure is modest, and spending more than three hours here comfortably won't work.

Linate Airport (LIN)

General information

© cisko66 · CC BYPhoto: cisko66, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Unlike the other two, Linate is located right in Milan, just 8 km from the center. It's a small, modest, but comfortable and cozy airport. It specializes in short domestic and intra-European routes. Milan has a district with almost the same name, so it's better to give the taxi driver the official name: Enrico Forlanini Airport. That way you definitely won't end up in the wrong place.

Infrastructure and the M4 metro

© Comune di Milano · CC BYPhoto: Comune di Milano, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/it/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

Linate also has one terminal, a three-story building with all the infrastructure. Tourist services are on the ground floor, offices on the second. The big news of recent years is the M4 metro line. It connects the airport to the center in 12 minutes, a ticket costs €2.20 and is valid for 90 minutes (as of 09/2026, official ATM website). During rush hour the metro is faster than a taxi, and noticeably cheaper.

Useful information

Location: Milan Linate International Airport, 20090. Information desk: +39 02 232323. Besides the metro, a city bus also goes to the center, but with suitcases the M4 is more convenient: no sitting in traffic. Transport stops are located right outside the airport exit, look for the Milano Centrale sign. If you're planning to spend a few days in the city, check out hotels in central Milan on Trip.com.

What to see in Milan along the way

From any airport you'll quickly reach the center, where the city's main sights are concentrated. The most obvious stop is Milan Cathedral (Duomo). It's better to buy a ticket with terrace access online to avoid standing in line at the entrance: Milan Cathedral tickets on GetYourGuide. Nearby is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and Sforza Castle is within walking distance. If you're short on time, three hours will be enough for the center.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How to get from Malpensa Airport to central Milan?

You can get there by train or bus. The Malpensa Express goes to Cadorna and Centrale stations, and a ticket costs €15 (as of 09/2026, current train prices). Buses are cheaper, from €4, and take about an hour to Milano Centrale (as of 09/2026, Terravision buses from Malpensa). If you're flying into Terminal 2, first take the free shuttle to Terminal 1.

Which Milan airport is closest to the center?

Linate is the closest: it's within the city limits, about 8 km from the center. From there, metro line M4 takes you to San Babila station in the center in 12 minutes for €2.20 (as of 09/2026, ATM's M4 line page). Malpensa and Bergamo are far outside the city, so the trip from them takes 45 minutes to an hour.

How much does it cost to get from Bergamo Airport to Milan?

The most budget-friendly option is the bus. Tickets start at €5 (as of 09/2026, carrier information), and the trip takes about 50 minutes. Taxis and transfers cost more, but they help when you arrive late and scheduled buses are no longer running.

Which should I choose, Malpensa or Bergamo?

Look at the airline and route. Malpensa handles scheduled and transcontinental flights, has two terminals, and a train to the center. Bergamo is a low-cost carrier base: the ticket is cheaper, and a bus takes you to the city. If speed matters, go with Malpensa and the train; to save money, Bergamo works.

In short: what's worth booking

Milan's three airports serve different purposes. Malpensa works for long-haul flights, Bergamo for low-cost carriers, and Linate for short flights within Europe. If you're flying a low-cost carrier, buy your Bergamo bus ticket in advance, and if you arrive at night, a taxi or transfer is the way to go. For a comfortable overnight stay near any of the three airports, check out hotels near Milan's airports on Trip.com. Confirm prices and schedules on carriers' official websites before your trip.