Milan Airports: Complete Guide to Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo
Milan has three international airports: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo Airport.
Handling over 56 million passengers annually, Milan is the second busiest city in Italy for air traffic. So when choosing the right airport, consider factors like your departure point and accommodation location.
Check out the rest of our guide for more useful information about Milan airports!
Table of Contents
Airports in Milan
Malpensa Airport (IATA code: MXP)
Malpensa Airport is the largest airport serving Milan and one of the busiest in Italy. It operates a wide range of international and domestic flights, connecting Milan to major cities worldwide.
- Number of passengers: ~29 million annually
- Location: 49 kilometers from Milan city center
- How to get from Malpensa Airport to the city center: Malpensa Express train, airport shuttle buses, and taxis
- Ideal for reaching: Milan, Lake Como, the Italian Alps, and international destinations
Malpensa is a major hub for ITA Airways, Neos, and Lufthansa, with direct connections to cities across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Need more information? Check out our guide on Malpensa Airport!
Bus from Malpensa Airport to Milan
Linate Airport (IATA code: LIN)
Linate Airport is Milan’s second-largest airport, focused mainly on domestic and short-haul international flights. Its close proximity to the city center makes it a popular and convenient choice for travelers heading directly into Milan. Linate is especially favored by business travelers and those flying within Europe.
- Number of passengers: ~10.6 million annually
- Location: 7 kilometers from Milan city center
- How to get from Linate Airport to the city center: airport shuttle buses, taxis, public buses
- Ideal for reaching: Milan city center, the surrounding Lombardy region, and short-haul European destinations
Linate is a key base for ITA Airways and also serves major European carriers like Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, with frequent flights to cities such as Paris, London, and Frankfurt.
If you need more information about Linate Airport, look no further!
Bus from Linate Airport to Milan
Bergamo Airport (IATA code: BGY)
Bergamo Airport, also known as Orio al Serio International Airport, is located near Milan and is a major hub for low-cost airlines. It serves both international and domestic flights, attracting budget-conscious travelers.
- Number of passengers: ~17 million annually
- Location: 45 kilometers from Milan city center
- How to get from Bergamo Airport to the city center: airport shuttle buses, taxis, train connections via Bergamo city
- Ideal for reaching: Milan, Bergamo, Lake Garda, and budget-friendly European destinations
Bergamo is a major base for Ryanair, with additional services by Wizz Air and easyJet, offering direct flights to dozens of European cities and making it a top choice for affordable travel in northern Italy.
Looking for more details about Bergamo Airport? We’ve got you covered!
Bus from Bergamo Airport to Milan
How to get from Milan airports to Milan city center
All three Milan airports have good connections to Milan city center, and there are several transportation means to reach the city, all of which can be seen in the table provided below.
Once you get into central Milan, you gain access to the city’s train stations, like Milano Centrale and Garibaldi station, from where you can continue your trip.
Transportation | Malpensa Airport | Linate Airport | Bergamo airport |
Airport shuttle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Train | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
Public bus | ✘ | ✓ | ✘ |
Transfers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Taxi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Uber | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
NOTE:
- From Bergamo Airport, you can take a public bus to Bergamo train station and then continue by train to Milan.
- Although there is no direct train from the airport, the connection through Bergamo city is convenient and easy to navigate.
- Taxi and Uber vehicles are located outside the airport, in front of the arrivals terminal.
How to Travel from Milan Airports to Popular Destinations
Milan airports to Lake Como
If you’re visiting the lakes north of Milan, Malpensa and Bergamo are the closest airports. Malpensa is nearest to Lakes Maggiore and Orta, while Bergamo is closest to Lake Como. From Lake Como, you can take scenic ferry rides to Varenna, Bellagio, and Mennagio.
Milan airports to Lake Garda
Lake Garda and Lake Iseo are popular destinations northwest of Milan. Bergamo Airport is the closest, while Linate and Malpensa are further away. To reach Lake Garda, take a train from Milano Centrale to Peschiera del Garda.
From Bergamo Airport, you can also take a bus to Peschiera del Garda. Once there, buses connect to other towns like Sirmione and Riva del Garda.
Milan airports to ski resorts
Northern Italy is home to some of Europe’s most famous ski resorts, easily accessible from Milan airports. Malpensa Airport is the closest to ski resorts on the Italy-France border, such as Sestriere, Sauze d’Oulx, and Courmayeur.
To reach these resorts, take a train from Milan Centrale to Turin, which has onward connections. Bergamo Airport is the nearest to northeastern ski resorts like Madonna di Campiglio, Cervinia, and Livigno. For Cervinia, travel by train to Chatillon St. Vincent, then take a bus. To reach Livigno, take a train to Tirano and connect by bus (with a change in Bormio).
Milan Airports to Other Cities
If you’re planning your trip from one of the airports in Milan to other cities in Italy or cities in nearby countries, you can check out some of the most popular routes below:
- Malpensa (Airport) – Bologna
- Malpensa (Airport) – Verona
- Malpensa (Airport) – Novara
- Malpensa (Airport) – Zurich
- Bergamo (Airport) – Genoa
- Bergamo (Airport) – Geneva
- Bergamo (Airport) – Cannes
- Linate (Airport) – Livigno
- Linate (Airport) – Turin
- Linate (Airport) – Ljubljana
Which Milan airport is the best?
Trying to find the airport that suits your needs best? Choosing the best Milan airport to fly into depends on your preferences – where your accommodation is located, where you’re flying in from, and the purpose of your trip to Milan.
If your focus is on visiting Milan and its sights, then the best way would be to reach Milano Centrale station, which is directly connected to Malpensa and Bergamo airports either by train or by bus.
Linate airport is not served by train and therefore does not link directly to Central station, but buses are going to Duomo Station, which is located close to the most popular sights in Milan.
Bergamo airport is the furthest away from the city, so a journey to Milan’s center is longer than one from Malpensa or Linate airport.
From Centrale Station, public transport connects you to Milan’s top sights.
The metro provides direct access to the Navigli district and San Siro Stadium, while trams and buses reach other areas.
For landmarks like the Duomo Cathedral and Santa Maria delle Grazie, transport options are quick and convenient.
If staying outside the city center, you can easily reach your accommodation from Centrale Station.
Milan Airports Facilities
All of Milan’s airports offer a range of facilities to ensure a comfortable travel experience. From WiFi and business lounges to duty-free shopping and dining options, each airport provides essential services for travelers.
Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- Free WiFi
- ATMs and Currency Exchange
- Duty-Free Shops
- Restaurants and Cafés
- Business Lounges
- Luggage Storage
- Car Rental Services
- Hotels and Sleeping Pods
- Pharmacy
- Parking Facilities
- VIP Services
- Children’s Play Area
Linate Airport (LIN)
- Free WiFi
- ATMs and Currency Exchange
- Duty-Free Shops
- Restaurants and Cafés
- Business Lounges
- Car Rental Services
- Pharmacy
- Parking Facilities
- VIP Services
Bergamo Airport (BGY)
- Free WiFi
- ATMs and Currency Exchange
- Duty-Free Shops
- Restaurants and Cafés
- Business Lounges
- Luggage Storage
- Car Rental Services
- Pharmacy
- Parking Facilities
- VIP Services
Milan Airports Map
Milan Airports FAQs
There are direct shuttle buses connecting Milan’s airports. You can travel directly between Malpensa and Linate, as well as between Malpensa and Bergamo, using airport shuttle services. There are also direct buses between Linate and Bergamo, making it easy to transfer without going through the city center. If you’re flying into one Milan airport and out of another, you can book a transfer in advance to make the trip smoother and avoid unnecessary stress.
Yes, there are hotels near all three Milan airports. Malpensa has options like the Sheraton inside Terminal 1 and several nearby hotels with shuttle service. Linate offers hotels within walking distance, such as the Best Western Air Hotel. Bergamo Airport also has convenient stays nearby, including the NH Orio al Serio just across the road.
Yes, there is a free WiFi service available at all three Milan airports, with ViaMilano WiFi operating at Malpensa and Linate, and FreeLuna WiFi at Bergamo airport. A registration is required to connect to the network.
Yes, all three Milan airports offer currency exchange and luggage storage services. You’ll find exchange counters and ATMs in the arrivals and departures areas. Luggage storage is available at Malpensa and Bergamo, while Linate offers limited options depending on the terminal. It’s best to check availability and pricing in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
It depends on the airline you’re traveling with and whether you’re traveling internationally or domestically, but it’s best to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before the flight.