How to Get to Milan: Everything About Transportation

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Milan, Italy’s fashion and financial hub, is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Whether you’re arriving for a weekend getaway, a business trip, or a longer stay from the U.S. or other European countries, understanding the various transportation options to get to and around Milan is key to making your visit smooth and enjoyable.

How to Get to Milan by Plane

From the US

From the U.S.: A few US airports, JFK-NYC, EWR-Newark, ORD, and ATL, currently operate direct flights to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Starting May 2025, Delta airlines will also offer weekly non-stop flights from Boston to MXP.

From Europe

Several direct flights are available from European countries to Milan’s three airports, Milan Malpensa (MXP), Milan Linate (LIN), and Milan Bergamo (BGY). There are several daily direct flights from many European cities to Milan.

Milan Malpensa Airport

The Malpensa Airport (MXP) is Milan’s main international airport, located 25 miles from the city center with two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is a hub for low-budget carriers, such as EasyJet, while most other airlines operate from Terminal 1.

There are several ways to reach the city center from Milan Malpensa Airport. Terminal 1 has a train station on Level 1 that connects directly to Milan Centrale train station. If you land at Terminal 1, follow the signs to the train station from the baggage claim area. Once outside the baggage claim, take the elevator to Level 1 and continue walking to the station.

Where can you purchase Malpensa Express train tickets?

Malpensa Express train tickets can be purchased online or at the rail station at Terminal 1. The train journey from the airport to Milan Central train station takes about 45-51 minutes. The Malpensa Express train departs from terminal 1 every 30 minutes. For further information, check the official Malpensa Express train website.

Alternatively, you can also take the same Malpensa Express train from Milan Centrale train station to Malpensa Airport for your departure flights from Malpensa. Taking the train to the airport or vice versa is the cheapest option.

Check out the train and bus routes to Milan, as well as ticket prices below!

In addition to the train connection, you can also either take a taxi, Uber, or bus from the airport to the city center. However, a taxi or Uber costs significantly more than the train tickets.

Furthermore, four bus operators operate frequent bus transfer services from Malpensa airport’s terminals to the Milan Central train station. In every 20 minutes, there is a bus departing from the airport to the Milan Central train station. For more information, check the following official Malpensa airport website.

Milan Linate Airport 

Milan Linate Airport (LIN), also known as Enrico Forlanini Airport, is the closest airport to the city, located just 5 miles from the city center. Thanks to its proximity, getting to the airport from the city is quicker compared to other airports. In addition to domestic flights, many European airlines, such as Air France offer direct flights from various cities to Milan Linate.

Having flown from both Malpensa and Linate airports, I found that Linate offers a similar range of duty-free shops, along with numerous cafes and restaurants.

How to Get to Linate Airport from Milan City Center

The M4 Blue metro line has two metro stops in San Babila and Tricolore connecting the Linate airport to the city center, and the trip to the city center only takes approximately 12 minutes! Metro is the lowest-cost transportation option. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi or Uber to get to the Milan city center. The trip to the airport from the city center is about 30 minutes.

Bergamo Airport (Orio Al Serio Airport)

Bergamo Airport (BGY) primarily serves low-cost airlines offering flights to the Milan area. It is the farthest airport from Milan, located 30 miles from the city. Traveling to Milan and from the airport can also be somewhat lengthy due to limited transportation options.

There is no train station that connects the airport directly to Milan city center. However, it is possible to take a train ride from Milan Central train station to Bergamo city train station or vice versa. A train trip to Bergamo takes 50 minutes on average. Once you are in Bergamo train station, you can take a taxi to the BGY airport, which is approximately 15 minutes.

Additionally, you can take Terravision buses from Bergamo airport to Piazza Luigi Savoia, located next to the Milan Central station. This is the cheapest option, and the one-way bus trip takes approximately 50 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take a private transfer by taxi or Uber, which is the most convenient option. However, expect the one-way trip to cost over €100.

How to Get to Milan from Other Italian Cities and Neighboring European Countries by Train

Milan Centrale (Milan Central) is Italy’s second-busiest railway station after Rome Termini and the largest in Europe by volume, with 24 platforms. It handles approximately 120 million passengers annually and serves as a key hub for destinations across northern Italy, including Turin (Torino). 

Moreover, it is one of the world’s most architecturally remarkable train stations, opened in 1931 and designed by the architect Ulise Stacchini with a mix of various architectural styles, including art deco. 

If you plan on traveling to Milan from other Italian cities, a train may be the most convenient option. There are several direct train trips, including high-speed trains from several cities, such as Turin, Florence, Venice, Rome, Genoa, Bologna, Naples, Salerno, Bari, and Lecce. If you plan on traveling to Milan from popular cities, such as Venice and Genoa, in the summer months, consider purchasing your tickets in advance, as they may sell out and get more expensive close to your preferred departure dates.

Additionally, some European cities offer direct train trips to Milan. While train journeys can take longer than flights, but they are more affordable. The best part is that you can just relax and enjoy the scenic views throughout your journey. Direct trains depart from Paris, Gare de Lyon station, to Milan, taking approximately 6 hours and 37 minutes. Moreover, there are direct trains from the Swiss cities of Zurich, Lugano, Geneva, and Basel to Milan. 

My first trip to Italy was by train from Nancy, France, to Milan, and it remains one of my most memorable train journeys in Europe. The experience was incredible, with breathtaking views of the snow-covered Alps, and the journey through the picturesque lake town of Lugano near the Switzerland-Italy border was unforgettable. These old memories inspired me to visit Lugano again on a recent trip to Milan.

By Bus to Milan

Alternatively, for budget-conscious travelers, bus transfers to Milan from various Italian destinations can be a convenient transportation option. FlixBus and Itabus operate daily direct buses from Florence to Milan, with travel times of approximately 4 hours.

Many bus stations are not located in city centers, so be prepared to arrange additional transfers to reach the arrival or departure stations.

Autostazione Lampugnano, located in the city’s northwest, is where the majority of buses to Milan arrive and depart. The closest bus station to the city center is Piazza Luigi di Savoia, next to the central train station. 

Additionally, ItaBus, GoOpti, and FlixBus provide bus services from Venice Viale Stazione, Mestre, and Marco Polo Airport to Milan. Direct bus trips from Venice to Milan typically take between 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the departure point.

Numerous bus operators, including FlixBus, Marinobus, Itabus, and Autoservizi Salemi also run routes between Rome and Milan, with the fastest trip taking about 7 hours and 10 minutes.

By Car

If you have a rental car and want to stop at multiple destinations along the way, driving can be a great option to enjoy scenic views.

The drive from Florence to Milan takes around 4 hours or more, depending on traffic, your route, and any stops you choose to make.

A non-stop drive from Rome to Milan takes at least 6 hours. If you have extra time, you can visit Orvieto, Florence, and Bologna, all of which are along the route.

Similarly, the drive from Venice to Milan takes just over 4 hours, with Padua, Bologna, and Ferrara as potential stops along the way.