Milan Malpensa (MXP) to the City

From Malpensa (MXP) to the city: train, bus or taxi

This post covers getting from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) into the city. The airport lists three main options. The Malpensa Express train links T1-T2 with Milano Centrale, airport buses from four operators run between Milano Centrale (Via Sammartini) and the airport, and taxis charge one fixed fare to anywhere in Milan.

When you book, first check that the arrival airport on your ticket is Malpensa (MXP). If you arrive at Linate (LIN), metro line M4 connects it with the city centre. Below we go through the train, buses and taxis, then accommodation areas, an at-a-glance comparison, city tickets and an arrival-day checklist.

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Malpensa Express: from T1-T2 to Milano Centrale

According to the airport, the Malpensa Express train links T1-T2 with Milano Centrale, stopping at Porta Garibaldi, Bovisa Politecnico, Saronno and others on the way. Trains leave the airport from 5:09 to 22:09 and Centrale from 5:25 to 23:25, every 30 minutes.

You can tap a credit or debit card at the gate instead of buying a ticket. Check the fare and journey time in the official information before you go. The Pinacoteca di Brera also describes taking the Malpensa Express to Cadorna station and changing to metro line M2.

Airport buses: to Centrale (Via Sammartini) about every 20 minutes

According to the airport, buses from four operators run between Milano Centrale (Via Sammartini) and the airport, together about every 20 minutes. Buses leave the airport from 5:00 to 2:40 and Centrale from 3:20 to 0:50.

At the airport they stop in the bus area on Level -1 of Terminal 1, near the railway station. A free shuttle connects T1 and T2. Check fares and journey times in the official information before you go.

Comparing departures from the airport, the Malpensa Express runs until 22:09 and the airport buses until 2:40. If you arrive late, keep these two times in mind.

Fixed taxi fares and Linate (LIN)

The main fixed taxi fares published by Malpensa Airport are EUR 114 to Milan city, EUR 94 to Fiera Milano (Rho) and EUR 128 to Linate Airport. The Milan fare covers any street in the city, and the same fares apply in the other direction. Check journey times in the official information before you go.

If you arrive at Linate (LIN), ATM says metro line M4 takes you to the city centre. If you need to move between Malpensa and Linate, the airport lists a fixed taxi fare of EUR 128; check other options in the official information before you go.

What to know about each area to stay

Here are five areas to stay in Milan. Both the Malpensa Express and the airport buses connect with Milano Centrale, so look up the route from Centrale to your accommodation address before you fly and you will spend less time working it out at the airport.

• Duomo area (centre): first visit, main sights. The Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II are on Piazza del Duomo, and the square, the Galleria, Brera and the Castello Sforzesco are close to one another and easy to see on foot
• Brera: art, strolling the lanes. From Milano Centrale take M2 or M3 to Brera; for the Pinacoteca di Brera use M2 Lanza, M3 Montenapoleone or M1 Cairoli
• Navigli (Porta Ticinese): canal walks, evening aperitifs. Two canals branch off from the Darsena in Porta Ticinese
• Porta Venezia: shopping, parks. Many Liberty-style buildings from the 1900s, and the Indro Montanelli Gardens for a quiet break
• Isola: local feel, nightlife. A redeveloped district in the north of the city with craft and vintage shops and clubs with jazz concerts

At a glance

Here is a quick summary. For items marked "check official", confirm them with official sources before you go.

• Malpensa Express: T1-T2 → Porta Garibaldi, Bovisa Politecnico, Saronno and others → Milano Centrale; leaves the airport 5:09-22:09, every 30 minutes; tap a credit or debit card at the gate; fare and time: check official
• Airport buses: bus area on Level -1 of Terminal 1 → Milano Centrale (Via Sammartini); four operators, together about every 20 minutes; leave the airport 5:00-2:40; fare and time: check official
• Taxi: fixed fares EUR 114 to Milan city, EUR 94 to Fiera Milano (Rho), EUR 128 to Linate Airport; time: check official
• Arriving at Linate (LIN): metro line M4 → city centre; fare and time: check official
• T1 ↔ T2: free shuttle

City tickets and an arrival-day checklist

In the city you ride on ATM tickets. ATM lists a 90-minute ticket at EUR 2.20, a 24-hour ticket at EUR 7.60, a 3-day ticket at EUR 15.50 (from first validation to the end of service on the third day) and a 10-trip carnet at EUR 19.50. In fare zones Mi1-Mi3 they are valid on the metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses and Trenord S lines. Buy them from machines in every metro station or from authorised resellers.

Tap a credit or debit card, phone or smartwatch to ride the metro, buses and trams; there is no extra charge and the cheapest fare is applied, and after four journeys in a day the daily fare applies. This contactless payment works only on ATM services, not on S lines or rail services, so check the Malpensa Express fare separately in the official information. When the metro stops, night buses run within the city, and you need a Mi1-Mi3 ticket.

• Check whether the arrival airport on your ticket is Malpensa (MXP) or Linate (LIN)
• When paying contactless, use the same card or device for the whole journey
• On the metro, always tap out even if the gates are open; otherwise you are charged the maximum fare
• Check official information before travel for entry requirements (visas, ETIAS and so on)
• Check your government's current travel advice for Italy before you go

• Milan 2-night, 3-day route →

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