Milan, Italy: A Hub Of Airports And Travel

Milan, Italy, is served by three main airports: Malpensa Airport, Linate Airport, and Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport. Each airport caters to different traveller needs, with Bergamo being popular among budget travellers, Linate favoured for its proximity to the city centre, and Malpensa serving as Milan's gateway to the world with its intercontinental network of destinations.

Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is 8km from the city centre

Milan is served by three airports: Milan Linate Airport (LIN), Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), and Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY). Milan Linate Airport is the closest airport to the city, situated just 8km (5 miles) southeast of the city centre.

Transport Options

There are several transport options for travelling between Milan Linate Airport and the city centre. These include taxi, private transfer, bus, and train.

Taxi

Taking a taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the airport and the city centre. The trip takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic and your destination. There is no fixed fare for this route, so expect to be charged by the taximeter. The cost is typically between €50-€80.

Private Transfer

Private transfers are another option for travellers seeking convenience and comfort. This option allows you to book a designated vehicle in advance, which can be especially useful if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. The cost is typically around €60 for a four-seater sedan, €75 for a minivan, and €150 for a minibus.

Bus

Taking the bus is a more cost-effective option, with shuttle bus tickets being relatively inexpensive. The bus takes around 25 minutes to reach Milan Central Station, with tickets costing €7 one-way and €12 return.

Train

It is also possible to take a train from Milan Linate Airport to the city centre, although this route is not direct. You would need to take the S9 metro line to "Milan Forlanini" and then transfer to a Trenord Suburban Line train to reach Milano Porta Garibaldi in central Milan. The total journey time is around 40 minutes.

Milan Linate Airport (LIN)

Milan Linate Airport is the second-largest airport in Milan and serves destinations throughout Europe. It is officially called Airport Enrico Forlanini, in honour of the Italian inventor and aeronautical pioneer. Despite being the closest airport to the city centre, it receives the fewest passengers of the three airports, with only 9.5 million passengers annually.

Milan's Other Airports

Milan Malpensa Airport is the city's largest international airport, located 31 miles (50 km) from the city centre. It serves as Milan's gateway to the world, offering domestic, international, and intercontinental flights.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is the third airport serving Milan, located about 28 miles (45 km) from the city. This airport is primarily used by Ryanair and other low-cost carriers, making it a popular choice for budget travellers.

Malpensa Airport (MXP) is Milan's gateway to the world

Milan, Italy, is served by three airports: Malpensa Airport (MXP), Milan Linate Airport (LIN), and Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY). Malpensa Airport, located 30-31 miles (49-50 kilometres) from Milan, is the city's main gateway to the world. It is the largest airport in northern Italy, serving Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria, as well as Ticino in Switzerland.

Malpensa Airport is a significant hub for international travel, ranking ninth in the world and sixth in Europe for the number of countries served with direct flights. In 2024, the airport handled 28.5 million passengers, making it the second-busiest airport in Italy after Rome Fiumicino Airport. It is also Italy's busiest airport for freight and cargo, handling over 730,000 tons of international freight annually. Malpensa Airport consists of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with various international airlines serving both. Terminal 2 is the main base for easyJet, while Terminal 1 is served by full-service network carriers, leisure and charter airlines, and other low-cost carriers.

The airport has a rich history, with aviation activities on the site dating back over 100 years. It was first used in 1909 by Giovanni Agusta and Gianni Caproni to test their aircraft prototypes, and it later became a production centre for aircraft during the early 20th century. After World War II, the airfield was restored and developed into an international gateway, officially commencing commercial operations in 1948.

Malpensa Airport is easily accessible from Milan's city centre. The "Malpensa Express" train connects both terminals to Milan's main stations, including Porta Garibaldi and Milano Centrale, with travel times of under an hour. Bus services are also available, with four bus companies providing connections to Milan Centrale Station, taking around 45 minutes to an hour.

Overall, Malpensa Airport (MXP) plays a crucial role as Milan's gateway to the world, offering a wide range of domestic, international, and intercontinental destinations and contributing significantly to the city's air travel demands.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) is 50km from Milan

Milan, Italy, is served by three airports: Milan Linate, Malpensa, and Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY). The latter, located in the municipal territory of Orio al Serio, is approximately 50km from Milan.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is situated 45km (28 miles) from Milan, or 2.3 miles southeast of Bergamo. The airport is also known as Milan Bergamo Airport for commercial purposes and Il Caravaggio International Airport after the Baroque painter, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, who hailed from the nearby town of Caravaggio.

The airport is part of the Milan airport system, which includes Malpensa and Linate airports, and is the third-busiest international airport in Italy. In 2018, it served almost 13 million passengers, and in 2022, the Milan airport system was Italy's largest by passenger number, serving 42.2 million passengers.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport is a popular choice for budget travellers as it is served almost exclusively by low-cost carriers, including Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet. Ryanair has particularly strong ties to the airport, with Bergamo serving as one of its largest operating bases in Europe.

Travellers can reach Milan from Bergamo Airport by bus, train, taxi, or private transfer. The bus is the cheapest option, with tickets costing around €5 for adults and €1.50 for children. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes, and buses depart for Milan Central Station every 30 minutes throughout the day. Travellers can also take a train to Milan, but this option is more complicated as it requires taking a bus to Bergamo train station first. A taxi ride to Milan costs around €120 and takes about 50 minutes without traffic.

Milan's airports are central to the city's connection to Europe

Milan is served by three main airports: Milan Linate, Malpensa, and Bergamo Orio al Serio. Milan's airports are central to the city's connection to Europe, playing a crucial role in keeping Milan connected to the continent and the world.

Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is located just 5-8 kilometres from the city centre and is considered the most attractive airport due to its proximity. It is well-connected to the city centre by bus and metro, with travel times as short as 12 minutes. Linate is ITA Airways' second hub and offers direct connections to southern Italian cities and European capital cities. It caters to both business travellers, given Milan's status as Italy's economic heart, and leisure travellers exploring the city's renowned fashion, design, and cuisine.

Malpensa Airport (MXP), situated about 31-50 kilometres from Milan, acts as the city's gateway to the world. It features two terminals and is served by various international airlines, including easyJet, which has a strong presence at Terminal 2. Malpensa offers a comprehensive network of domestic, international, and intercontinental destinations. The airport can be easily accessed from the city centre by train, bus, taxi, or car, making it a convenient option for travellers.

Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY), located about 28-50 kilometres from Milan, is primarily served by low-cost carriers, making it a popular choice for budget travellers. Ryanair has a strong presence at this airport, and it has become one of their largest southern European bases. Bergamo offers numerous connections to Milan, including bus and taxi services, providing travellers with affordable access to the city.

Together, these three airports facilitate travel between Milan and the rest of Europe, catering to a range of traveller needs and budgets. They contribute significantly to Milan's tourism and business sectors, ensuring the city's connectivity and accessibility on a global scale.

Milano Rogoredo and Centrale Railway Stations also serve Milan

Milan is served by three airports: Milan Linate, Malpensa, and Bergamo Orio al Serio. In addition to these airports, Milano Rogoredo and Centrale Railway Stations also serve Milan.

Milano Rogoredo Railway Station is located in the southeastern part of Milan, in the Rogoredo district. It is a crucial railway station in Milan, serving both regional and high-speed trains. The station is a key node of the Milan suburban railway service, acting as the southern gate of the Milanese urban network. Its location provides convenient access to the city's business areas and residential neighbourhoods. Milano Rogoredo is well-connected by public transportation, including the metro, buses, and trams, making it easy for travellers to reach Milan's city centre and other destinations. The station offers efficient connections to cities such as Rome, Bologna, and Genoa. Its proximity to Milan Linate Airport further enhances its accessibility for both local commuters and international travellers.

The station has a modern infrastructure and efficient services, making it a preferred choice for daily commuters and long-distance travellers. It is equipped with all the necessary facilities, including waiting areas, restrooms, shops, and cafes. Milano Rogoredo is also a significant hub for high-speed trains, with eight main through platforms and five north-facing terminus platforms. High-speed trains typically use platforms 5 to 8, with odd-numbered platforms for trains heading north and even-numbered platforms for trains travelling south.

Milano Centrale Railway Station is another important transportation hub in Milan. It is located 7 km from Milano Rogoredo and is one of the main stations in Milan. The Malpensa Express train connects Milan Malpensa Airport with Milano Centrale in under an hour. Additionally, bus services are available between the airport and the railway station, with a travel time of approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Milano Centrale is easily accessible from Milano Rogoredo by metro or suburban train.

Milano Rogoredo and Centrale Railway Stations play a vital role in Milan's transportation network, providing efficient connections within the city and to other destinations in Italy. Their strategic locations, modern infrastructure, and connectivity options make them convenient choices for commuters and travellers alike.

Frequently asked questions