Milan Airports: A Guide To Italy's Travel Gateways

Milan, Italy, is served by three airports: Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN), and Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY). Malpensa is the largest and busiest airport in Milan, located about 45-50 kilometres from the city centre. It is the main airport for long-haul international flights and handles around 24-28 million passengers per year, making it the second busiest airport in Italy. Linate is the closest airport to the city centre, located just seven kilometres away. It primarily serves domestic and short-haul flights within Europe. Bergamo Airport, located about 31-50 kilometres from Milan, is a busy hub for flights within Europe and the UK, often serving as a budget-friendly option for travellers.

Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) is the largest and handles most international flights

Milan, Italy, is served by three airports: Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP), Milan Linate Airport (LIN), and Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY). Of these, Milan Malpensa International Airport is the largest and handles most international flights.

Milan Malpensa International Airport is located 45-50 kilometres from the city centre of Milan. It is the second-busiest airport in Italy, with around 26-28 million passengers passing through in 2023. The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 2 being exclusively used by the British low-cost carrier EasyJet, which is the biggest operator at the airport. All other flights to and from Milan go through Terminal 1, which features a vast array of shops, restaurants, and bars.

As the main airport for long-haul international flights, all non-EU originating flights to Milan arrive at Malpensa. It is also a hub for several other airlines, including British Airways, Alitalia, Wizz Air, Ryanair, and VistaJet. The most popular flight destinations from Malpensa include Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, and London.

Malpensa Airport is well-connected to Milan's city centre, with several transport options available. The Malpensa Express train connects the airport to Milan's Cadorna, Centrale, Porta Garibaldi, and Bovisa stations, with trains departing every 15 minutes and taking around 35-50 minutes to reach the city centre. Local trains also run between the airport and Milan Central Train Station every 30 minutes. Additionally, numerous coach companies operate routes into Milan, and there is a shuttle bus service between Malpensa and the other two Milan airports, Linate and Bergamo.

Milan Malpensa International Airport's large size, high passenger volume, and role as the primary gateway for international flights to and from Milan make it a significant transport hub for the city and the surrounding region.

Milan Linate (LIN) is closest to the city centre and is mostly for domestic flights

Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is the closest airport to Milan's city centre, situated just 7km (4 miles) away. It is the airport of choice for those travelling on business, with the Rome-Milan route being especially popular. The airport is served by more than 50 airlines operating 149 routes to 35 countries, but it is mostly used for domestic flights and short-haul flights within Europe. In 2023, Linate Airport served just under 10 million passengers, making it the second-largest airport in Milan.

Linate Airport has a single terminal and no direct train access to Milan. However, it offers a shuttle bus service that departs every half hour, with tickets costing €6 for a single journey and taking around 25 minutes. There are also taxi services available, which will get you to the city centre in around 20 minutes and cost approximately €40.

Compared to Milan's other two airports, Malpensa and Bergamo, Linate is much smaller due to its central location. This means it has limited daily flights and serves mostly domestic and European routes. Despite this, it is a popular choice for business travellers and those looking for a quick transfer into the city.

Linate's flight schedules are highly seasonal, and airlines often add new vacation destinations, making it a great option for accessing lesser-visited places. The airport offers a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and bars, although the selection is more limited than at Malpensa's Terminal 1. Overall, Linate Airport is a convenient option for those travelling to Milan, offering easy access to the city centre and efficient transportation options.

Bergamo (BGY) is outside Milan but is a hub for flights within Europe and the UK

Milan is served by three airports: Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN), and Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY). While Malpensa and Linate are closer to Milan, Bergamo Airport, located about 31 miles (50 kilometres) east of the city, is a hub for flights within Europe and the UK.

Bergamo Airport is Milan's second airport and is largely popular thanks to budget carrier Ryanair, which uses the airport as its hub for flights within Europe and the UK. Other low-cost carriers like easyJet and Wizz Air also offer regular flights to and from Bergamo. The airport is situated just outside Bergamo and is about 31 miles (50 kilometres) east of Milan. It is also known as Il Caravaggio International Airport or Milan-Bergamo.

Bergamo Airport is a great option for those travelling on a budget or heading to Lake Como, the Italian Alps, or the Ticino region of Switzerland. The airport is well-connected to Milan's city centre, with airport buses and public transport operating regularly. Five bus operators service the airport, charging around €6-9 for a single ticket. There is also a bus company that offers transfers to ski areas in the Trentino Dolomites region.

While Bergamo Airport does not have direct train access to Milan, it is possible to take a taxi to Milano Centrale, Milan's main train station. The taxi ride will take 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and cost at least €80. Alternatively, passengers can take a bus to Peschiera del Garda and then another bus to towns on Lake Garda, such as Sirmione or Riva del Garda.

Malpensa has two terminals — T2 is used exclusively by EasyJet, the biggest operator

Milan Malpensa Airport, the largest and busiest of Milan's airports, has two terminals. Terminal 2 (T2) is used exclusively by EasyJet, the biggest operator at the airport, operating 58 routes out of the terminal. Malpensa is located 45-50 kilometres from the city centre of Milan and is the main airport for long-haul international flights. All non-EU originating flights to Milan arrive at Malpensa, and it is also a hub for British low-cost carrier EasyJet.

Malpensa Airport is the second busiest airport in Italy, handling around 26-28 million passengers per year. It is well served with transport options into the city, including the Malpensa Express train, which shuttles between the airport and Milan Cadorna railway station, taking approximately 40 minutes each way. Local trains also run between the airport and the city every 30 minutes, with passengers able to travel to Milan Central Train Station or Milano Cadorna. There are also numerous coach companies operating routes into Milan and beyond, with tickets costing around 6-9 euros.

Terminal 2 at Malpensa has a range of big brand stores and restaurants, alongside Duty-Free shops, to keep passengers entertained while waiting for their flight. However, it does not have the same volume or quality of amenities as Terminal 1, which boasts a mind-boggling array of shops, restaurants, and bars spread across two plazas, covering a combined area of 140,000 square feet.

EasyJet's presence at Malpensa Airport contributes significantly to its status as the biggest operator at the airport. With competitive pricing on European flights, EasyJet attracts many passengers to Malpensa, making it the busiest airport in Milan and the second busiest in Italy.

Bergamo airport is also known as Il Caravaggio International Airport or Milan-Bergamo

Milan is served by three airports: Malpensa (MXP), Linate (LIN), and Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY). Bergamo airport, also known as Il Caravaggio International Airport or Milan-Bergamo, is located about 50 kilometres from Milan. It is Milan's second airport and a busy hub for flights within Europe and the UK.

Bergamo Airport is situated just outside the city of Bergamo, about 31 miles (50 kilometres) east of Milan. It is a great option for those travelling on a budget, with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air offering regular flights to and from the airport. Bergamo is also a convenient choice for those heading to Lake Como, the Italian Alps, or the Ticino region of Switzerland.

The airport is well-connected to Milan's city centre, with airport buses and public transport operating regularly. It takes around 45 to 90 minutes to get to Milano Centrale by taxi, depending on traffic, and costs at least 80 euros. There are also five bus operators offering direct service from the airport to various points in Milan, with fares ranging from 6 to 9 euros.

Bergamo Airport handles a significant number of passengers, with about 11 to 15 million passengers passing through each year. Its popularity is largely due to Ryanair, which uses the airport as a hub for its European and UK flights. The airport has a single, busy terminal and does not have direct train access to Milan.

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