Milan airport transfers and onward city connections
Choose your transfer by the airport and the neighborhood where you are staying. Malpensa has trains to several useful Milan stations, while Linate connects directly to the metro. Bergamo airport relies on road transport for the direct journey to Milan. Before buying a ticket, check the arrival terminal, your accommodation's nearest station and whether you will reach the city before its local transport stops.
The airports
- Milan Malpensa (MXP)
- north-west of Milan, about 45 to 60 minutes by train
- Milan Linate (LIN)
- east of central Milan, about 12 minutes by metro to San Babila
- Milan Bergamo (BGY)
- near Bergamo, roughly an hour by direct coach in clear traffic
Every way from the airport to Milan
| How | Airport | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrainMalpensa Express to Centrale | MXP | about 45 to 60 minutes | Centrale, Garibaldi and onward rail journeys |
| TrainMalpensa Express to Cadorna | MXP | allow about 45 to 60 minutes including station access | Magenta, the castle and the western center |
| CoachAirport coaches to Milano Centrale | MXP | around an hour or longer in traffic | Hotels near Centrale and coach departures |
| TaxiOfficial airport taxi | MXP | about 50 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic | Groups, luggage and direct hotel arrivals |
| MetroM4 to San Babila | LIN | about 12 minutes to San Babila | Central Milan with manageable luggage |
| TaxiOfficial airport taxi | LIN | about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic | Direct journeys and bulky luggage |
| CoachDirect coaches to Milano Centrale | BGY | roughly an hour, with extra time for traffic | A direct public transport journey to Milan |
| TaxiOfficial taxi to Milan | BGY | about 50 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic | Groups and arrivals outside coach hours |
How each one works
Train: Malpensa Express to Centrale
Follow signs to the airport railway station and choose a departure for Milano Centrale. This route also serves Porta Garibaldi. Buy the appropriate rail ticket from the official operator or station machines; Milan metro contactless payment does not cover this train.
Train: Malpensa Express to Cadorna
At the airport station, check that your departure is for Milano Cadorna. Buy a rail ticket before boarding and follow its validation instructions. Cadorna connects with M1 and M2 and is useful for the castle and western center.
Coach: Airport coaches to Milano Centrale
Follow terminal signs for coaches to Milano Centrale and confirm your operator's boarding point. Buy from that operator online or through its authorized sales points. Coaches arrive around Centrale, including Via Sammartini; check the exact stop before arranging collection.
Taxi: Official airport taxi
Use the signed official taxi rank outside arrivals. Ask whether your destination qualifies for the fixed fare before leaving, and confirm any conditions with the driver. Have the full street address ready because Milan has several major railway stations.
Metro: M4 to San Babila
Follow metro signs from the terminal to M4. Tap a contactless card or phone at entry and use the same payment method at exit. Change at San Babila for M1 toward Duomo, checking the direction on the station signs.
Taxi: Official airport taxi
Join the official taxi queue outside arrivals and give the driver your full hotel address. Ask how the journey will be charged before departure. This is useful when your accommodation needs several changes from M4 or you have bulky luggage.
Coach: Direct coaches to Milano Centrale
Follow signs outside arrivals for Milan coaches and check the operator and destination before boarding. Buy through the operator's official website or authorized airport sales point. Confirm the arrival stop at Centrale so you can plan your final walk or metro journey.
Taxi: Official taxi to Milan
Use the official airport rank and confirm the charging arrangement for your Milan address before departure. The airport is outside Milan, so ask specifically about the full intercity journey. Keep your destination written down to avoid confusion with Bergamo city center.
Arriving late or leaving early
Check the last departure for your exact terminal and travel day on the operator's official site. Airport rail and metro services do not run all night. If a coach reaches Centrale after local transport ends, plan the final hotel journey by official taxi or a manageable walk.
Before you land
- Check your airport code before booking transport: Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo are separate airports with different routes.
- Use the same card or device to enter and leave the metro; a phone and its linked physical card count separately.
- For an early flight, check the first airport connection and allow time for terminal access and airline check-in.
Milan airport transfers and onward city connections
Which Milan airport has the simplest city connection?
Linate has a direct M4 metro connection to San Babila. Your easiest overall journey still depends on your hotel, luggage and arrival time.
Does the Malpensa Express go to the Duomo?
It serves railway stations rather than Duomo. Choose Cadorna for an onward M1 journey, or Centrale or Garibaldi if those stations suit your accommodation better.
Can I use metro contactless payment on airport trains?
Milan's metro contactless system does not cover Trenord trains such as the Malpensa Express. Buy the correct rail ticket and follow the validation instructions attached to it.
Is there a direct train from Bergamo airport to Milan?
Use a direct airport coach for a straightforward public transport journey to Milan. A rail journey requires reaching a railway station first, so check the complete connection before choosing it.