Milan Malpensa International Airport (IATA code: MXP) is Lombardy’s largest airport and Italy’s second busiest by passenger traffic, after Rome Fiumicino. Located approximately 50 km north-west of Milan, the airport spans a vast area encompassing several municipalities, all within the province of Varese.
The name Malpensa derives from a small Lombard farmhouse called Cascina Malpensa, which stood in the Somma Lombardo area between the 19th and 20th centuries. In the early 20th century, the Somma Lombardo City Airport was built here, later becoming Busto Arsizio City Airport and subsequently Milan-Malpensa Airport. The airport’s strategic location – mere kilometres from Milan yet close to both Piedmont and the Swiss border – makes Malpensa exceptionally popular with travellers from neighbouring regions.
Malpensa boasts 2 terminals: Terminal 1 handles scheduled, charter and budget flights serving over 50 destinations worldwide, whilst Terminal 2 is exclusively used by EasyJet. A convenient free shuttle bus service connects the terminals, operating daily from 5:00 to 23:30 with departures every 20 minutes or so. The airport offers extensive passenger amenities including shops, cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, baggage storage and car rental facilities.
Thanks to excellent connections, major northern Italian cities are easily accessible from Malpensa. The airport sits less than 50 km from Milan, 110 km from Piacenza and 130 km from Turin. Given its proximity to Lombardy’s capital, Malpensa is well connected to Central Station via the Malpensa Express train or numerous shuttle bus services.
The Malpensa Express is a rail service operated by Trenord connecting the airport with Milan Central and Cadorna stations. The service runs daily with departures every 30 minutes. A single ticket costs €13, with return tickets priced at €20. Journey time is approximately one hour.
Malpensa Express stops include:
Milan Central – Milan Porta Garibaldi – Milan Bovisa – Saronno – Rescaldina – Castellanza – Busto Arsizio FN – Ferno-Lonate Pozzolo – Malpensa Terminal 1 and 2.
Once at Milan Central Station, you can take the underground to reach the city centre or continue your journey via regional, intercity or high-speed trains. Tickets are available from automatic machines or the official website.
Service times are:
Malpensa Express also operates another line connecting the airport with Milan Cadorna station. Stops include: Milan Cadorna – Milan Bovisa – Saronno – Busto Arsizio FN – Malpensa Terminal 1 and 2. Trains to Malpensa depart from Milan Cadorna daily every 30 minutes or so from 4:57 to 23:27. The journey time between the station and airport is approximately 37 minutes. Tickets cost €13 single, €20 return.
A more economical alternative to the train is the bus. Services between Milan Central Station and Malpensa Airport are operated by four companies: Terravision, Malpensa Bus Express (Autostradale), Malpensa Shuttle (Air Pullman) and Caronte.
The journey to the airport takes approximately one hour with services departing every 20 minutes. A single ticket costs €10 with all companies, including checked baggage. Extra services are arranged during major trade fairs to connect the airport with Fiera Milano Rho.
For those seeking a comfortable journey, taxis are available. Fixed fares apply on predetermined routes, with all supplements included. The fare from Malpensa Airport to Milan city centre is €95, whilst the fare to Fiera Milano Rho is €65. A fixed fare of €110 applies from Malpensa to Linate Airport.
An alternative to TAXIs is to book in advance a private transfer to or from Milan airport. A driver will pick you up at the airport arrivals (thus avoiding taxi queues), at your hotel or wherever you prefer, to take you to the desired address.
It is the best solution if you do not want to waste time, do not want to use public transport, have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. To book a private transfer to or from Milan airport visit this site.
If you’re planning a multi-stage trip beyond Milan or prefer independence and flexibility, car hire is available from agencies at the airport itself. Malpensa’s location offers easy access not only to popular northern and central Italian destinations but also to Switzerland. To reach the airport, use motorways A4, A8 or A36, then continue on the SS336 dir towards Milan Malpensa.
To rent a car in Milan we always recommend comparing the rates of all companies with DiscoverCars because in our opinion it offers the best prices, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before rental and offers a very cheap comprehensive insurance policy.
The airport has numerous buses connecting Malpensa to Lombardy’s other airports: Milan Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio.
From Malpensa, trains and buses also depart to major northern destinations including Turin, Novara, Varese, Monza, Brescia and various Lake Maggiore locations.
We particularly recommend Flibco.com, which operates 11 daily services between Malpensa Airport and Turin city centre, every day of the year. Tickets are personalised and can be purchased on board or online. Tickets are flexible – they can be cancelled and rescheduled up to 6 hours before departure, and if your flight is delayed or early, the same ticket can be used for the 2 following or preceding departures.
Malpensa is also conveniently accessible by bus from South Tyrol via the Altoadigebus service. The airport is also connected to Switzerland through bus services reaching the Ticino region, particularly Lugano, Chiasso and Mendrisio. Finally, thanks to the Flyski Shuttle service, Milan Malpensa is connected to several ski resorts including Tonale, Val di Fassa, Valle dell’Adige and Alpe Cimbra.
Flixbus services provide long-distance connections between the airport and major cities throughout Italy and Europe.
Below you can see real-time departure and arrival times at Malpensa Airport.
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Below is a list of recommended hotels near Malpensa Airport.
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