If you’re flying into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and you want to know how to get to city center, here’s what you should know from my personal experience (I´ve visited the city several times).
Opened back in 1948 and recently renamed Silvio Berlusconi Airport, Malpensa sits about 45–50 km northwest of Milan, in the quiet town of Ferno. Despite the distance, it’s the city’s main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in Italy, so getting in and out is surprisingly smooth.
Milan actually has three airports, Linate Airport (LIN) and Bergamo Airport (BGY) are the other two, but chances are, if you’re coming from abroad, you’ll land in Malpensa.
Terminals and getting around
The airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 is where most full-service and long-haul flights land, it’s big, modern, and has more facilities. Terminal 2 is smaller and mostly used by low-cost airlines like easyJet.
If you need to switch between them, don’t worry, there’s a free shuttle bus running 24/7. During the day it comes every 10–15 minutes, and at night about every 30 minutes.
I found it easy to use: in Terminal 1, just head outside near the Sheraton Hotel; in Terminal 2, it’s right outside arrivals.
First impressions & getting to the city
The first time I landed here, I was a bit concerned about the distance to the city; 50 km sounds like a lot. But fortunately, Milan is very well connected to the airport, and you’ve got plenty of options depending on your budget and travel style.
Whether you prefer the cheapest route, the fastest train, or the comfort of a private transfer, getting from Malpensa to central Milan is quite easy, even if it’s your first time in Italy.
In the next sections, I’ll walk you through the best ways to get from the airport to the city center, with real tips on what actually works best depending on your situation.
How to get to Milan city center from Malpensa Airport
1. By bus, the cheapest option (and the one I’ve used the most)
If you’re traveling on a budget, the bus is hands down the best option. I’ve taken it a couple of times when I didn’t feel like spending much, and it’s straightforward.
Buses leave from both terminals at Milan Malpensa Airport and go directly to Milano Centrale, which is a great hub if your hotel is nearby (it is one of the most popular areas to stay in Milan) and it is well connected by metro.
You’ll find several companies operating the route, the most common ones are: Malpensa Shuttle (Air Pullman), Malpensa Bus Express (Autostradale), Terravision, and Caronte. Honestly, they’re all pretty similar, so I usually just take whichever leaves first.
My tips from experience:
- Book online if you can, it’s usually cheaper and guarantees your seat (helpful in peak season).
- If you don’t book in advance, no stress, you can buy tickets at the airport or even from the driver.
- In Terminal 1, buses leave from Exit 6 (arrivals level). In Terminal 2, just follow the signs outside. It’s easy.
You’ll arrive at Piazza Luigi di Savoia, right next to Centrale station.
What to expect:
- 💸 Price: €5–€10 depending on deals
- ⏱ Duration: around 50–70 minutes (traffic can make a difference)
- 🕒 Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes
Terravision is slightly faster since it usually runs direct (no intermediate stops), sometimes getting you there in about 50 minutes. The others take closer to 1h10.
Once at Centrale, it’s super easy to continue your journey. You can hop on the metro and reach the Duomo in just a few stops.
👉 Bottom line: cheap, reliable, and perfect if you’re not in a rush.
2. By train – my favorite option for convenience
If it’s your first time in Milan or you just want the smoothest experience, I’d recommend the train without hesitation.
The Malpensa Express connects the airport directly with several key stations in the city:
- Milano Centrale
- Milano Cadorna
- Milano Porta Garibaldi
- Bovisa Politecnico
I’ve used it a couple of times, and it’s the least stressful option: no traffic, clear schedules, and very comfortable.
What you need to know:
- 💸 Price: €15 one way / €25 round trip
- ⏱ Duration:
- Centrale: about 55–60 minutes
- Cadorna: about 40 minutes (my personal favorite if staying near the historic center)
- 📍 Stations: located on level -1 in both terminals. Just follow the train signs
A couple of useful tips:
- If your accommodation is near the Duomo or central neighborhoods, choose Cadorna. It saves time and avoids extra transfers.
- Buy your ticket online or at the machines, both are easy.
- If you have a paper ticket, don’t forget to validate it before boarding (I’ve seen people get fined for skipping this).
👉Slightly more expensive than the bus, but faster, more reliable, and overall the easiest way to reach Milan without hassle.
3. Taxi or private driver, the easiest (but pricier) option
If you just want to land and get to your hotel with zero hassle and your have a good budget, this is the option I would go for when traveling with luggage or arriving late at night.
Taxis from Milan Malpensa Airport have a fixed fare of €114 to anywhere in Milan, which is actually reassuring, no surprises, no meter stress. The ride usually takes around 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
You’ll find official taxis right outside:
- Terminal 1 → Exit 6
- Terminal 2 → Exit 4
What about Uber or similar apps?
Services like Uber do operate in Milan, but I’ve found them more expensive than taxis most of the time (I guess because I have checked them in peak hours), usually somewhere between €140 and €200.
That said, they do have some perks:
- Easy booking through the app
- Real-time tracking
- Option to choose different types of vehicles
👉 Bottom line: great for comfort and convenience, especially after a long flight — but definitely not the cheapest way into the city.
4. Car rental – only worth it for a longer trip
I wouldn’t recommend it just to get into the city.
Yes, rental desks are available in both terminals, and prices can start from around €35–55 per day if you book in advance. But by the time you add fuel, insurance, and deal with Milan traffic… it quickly becomes more trouble than it’s worth.
Where it does make sense is if you’re planning to explore beyond Milan… think lakes, small towns, or road trips around Lombardy.
A more interesting alternative: car sharing
Services like Enjoy, Free2Move, and E-VAI operate directly from the airport.
They can be a sweet spot between cost and flexibility:
- 💸 Price: around €20–45 to reach the city
- ⛽ Fuel usually included
- 📱 Everything managed through an app
👉 Bottom line: skip car rental unless you’re planning a road trip. Car sharing can be a smarter middle-ground.
5. Private transfer, the smoothest experience
If you want everything taken care of, a private transfer is hard to beat.
I’ve booked this a couple of times when traveling with friends, and it’s honestly one of the most stress-free ways to arrive. Your driver is waiting for you at arrivals, helps with luggage, and takes you door-to-door to your hotel, no navigating, no queues.
Typical prices:
- 3 passengers → from €131
- Premium car → around €147
- 7 passengers → about €164
Travel time is similar to a taxi — roughly 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Check prices here: Private transfers from Malpensa Airport
👉 Bottom line: not cheap, but perfect if you value comfort, are traveling in a group, or just don’t want to think about logistics after landing.