Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – getting to the city center, buses, and trains

Lotnisko Malpensa, główne międzynarodowe lotnisko Mediolanu, oferujące połączenia do wielu światowych destynacji.

Location of Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) is an international airport located in the province of Varese, 48 km northwest of Milan. It is one of three airports serving Milan, along with Linate and Milan-Bergamo airports. Malpensa Airport is the second largest airport in Italy.

Geographically, Malpensa Airport is located on the SS 336 road, between the A8 and A4 highways.

How to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan?

There are several options for getting from the airport to downtown Milan:

Malpensa Express

From Malpensa Airport, you can easily reach the center of Milan by taking the Malpensa Express train. The service is operated by TRENORD, a leading railway company specializing in local transportation, managing suburban and regional railway services in Lombardy. Trains from the airport arrive at Milan’s main train stations, such as Milano Centrale, Milano P.ta Garibaldi, and Milano Cadorna, where travelers can conveniently continue their journey using Milan’s metro system. Trains depart from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

All Malpensa Express trains allow pets onboard. Passengers with a valid boarding pass for the day of travel can transport their pets free of charge.

MXP Terminal 1 i 2 – Milano Cadorna

  • Trains run every day in both directions every 30 minutes, giving us an impressive 79 daily runs.
  • They stop at the stations: Busto Arsizio, Saronno, and Bovisa Politecnico.

MXP Terminal 1 i 2 – Milano Centrale

  • Malpensa Express trains depart every 30 minutes in both directions every day, giving us a total of 68 daily runs.
  • During the trip, they stop at the following stations: Saronno, Bovisa Politecnico, and Porta Garibaldi.

Malpensa Express ticket prices

Ticket type

Milan

Saronno

Busto Arsizio FN

One way ticket – adults

€15.00

€9,00

€5,00

One way ticket – children

€7.50 (~$8)

€4,50

€2,50

Same-day round-trip ticket – adults

€25,00

€14,50

€8,00

Same-day round-trip ticket – children

€12,50

€7,00

€4,00

Round-trip ticket – adults (30 days)

€25,00

Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children under 18)

€36,00

Cennik obowiązuje od 1 sierpnia 2025 (sprawdź aktualne ceny na: Malpensa Express.

You can check the schedule on the official website.

Tickets can be purchased at airport ticket counters, on the train, on the website via the iOS and Android apps, and from authorized resellers.

A budget-friendly option: how to travel cheaply by train from Milan to Malpensa (or vice versa).

  • IVOL Ticket (Io Viaggio Ovunque in Lombardia) If you have an IVOL ticket – more about the ticket here – unfortunately, you cannot travel directly to Malpensa Airport with it. However, you can use this ticket to travel to, for example, Busto Arsizio station, and then purchase a separate ticket for the Busto Arsizio – Malpensa section for 4 euros. The ticket is available in both paper form and in the regional train app. If you choose the paper version, you can validate the ticket at Stazione Centrale, and there is no need to get off at Busto Arsizio to validate it again.
  • Regional train ticket You can purchase a standard regional train ticket (currently costing 4.4 euros) for the route to Busto Arsizio, as well as an additional ticket for the Busto Arsizio – Malpensa segment for 4 euros. Both tickets can be bought in paper form and validated at Stazione Centrale, or purchased through the app, where both tickets are “validated” electronically (app validation).

UWAGA: Opcja ta nie dotyczy pociągów z Milano Cadorna na lotnisko Malpensa, ponieważ na tej trasie sprzedawane są wyłącznie bilety 1 klasy w cenie 13 euro, niezależnie od tego, czy wybierasz koleje regionalne, czy Malpensa Express.

From Milan to the airport by bus

Malpensa-Orio Shuttle at Malpensa Airport, providing a direct connection between Milan and Orio al Serio Airport.

Terravision and Autostradale

Terravision and Autostradale are two companies offering bus transfers from Malpensa Airport to the center of Milan. Terravision offers a bus service from Malpensa Airport to the center of Milan every 20 minutes. Terravision buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and offer free Wi-Fi.

Autostradale also offers regular bus service from Malpensa Airport to the center of Milan. Autostradale buses are available outside Exits 3 and 5 of Terminal 1 at Malpensa Airport. The company also offers free bus service between Terminals 1 and 2 at the airport. Autostradale also operates a route from Malpensa Airport to Turin Corso Bolzano station.

Malpensa Shuttle

Route: Milan Stazione Centrale – Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 – Milan Stazione Centrale

  • Departures every 20 minutes
  • You can buy your ticket on the bus and online.
  • A ticket for adults costs 10 euros and for children 5 euros

Private transport

If you want to enjoy a comfortable trip with peace of mind, avoiding the stress of arranging transportation after a long and tiring journey then private transportation services offer a reliable, convenient, and hassle-free solution. You’ll avoid standing in long cab lines while your driver takes care of your transportation needs.

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Cabs at Malpensa Airport

A number of convenient radio cab services are available at Milan Malpensa Airport. These services serve both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, providing easy access to transportation upon arrival. The cab stands are strategically located in the ARRIVALS area, specifically on the first floor. In the case of Terminal 1, the cab stand is located at Gate 6, while in the case of Terminal 2, it is conveniently located at Gate 4. So you can be sure to quickly hop into a cab and begin your journey without delay.

Rent a car

Malpensa structure

Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and a cargo terminal.

Malpensa Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is larger and handles most air traffic. It is divided into three sections: 1A, 1B and 1C. Section 1A handles domestic and intra-Schengen flights, while sections 1B and 1C handle non-Schengen flights and some intercontinental flights. Terminal 1 is divided into five levels: level -1 is the car rental and train station, level 0 is arrivals, level 1 is the departure gates, level 2 is check-in and level 3 is restaurants. Terminal 1 also serves charter flights.

Malpensa Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is smaller and is reserved mainly for low-cost airlines such as EasyJet. Terminal 2 also supports banking services such as Banca Pop. di Milano and Deutsche Bank, and offers foreign exchange services such as Global Blue and Forexchange.

The two terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus that runs every 7-15 minutes, depending on the time of day. Terminal 2 is also served by the Malpensa Aeroporto Terminal 2 train station, which opened in 2016.

Various facilities and services are available at the airport, such as restaurants, bars, stores, banks, currency exchange offices, and a post office. A playground is also available for those traveling with children, as well as a health center for urgent medical care.

Malpensa Cargo City

Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) has a cargo terminal that is known as Malpensa Cargo City. This terminal is dedicated to handling various types of air cargo, including general cargo, pharmaceuticals, food, and plant goods. In 2022, Malpensa Cargo City handled a record 721,000 tons of air cargo, an increase of 28% compared to 2019 (before the pandemic).

Malpensa Cargo City has specialized structures and warehouses for handling various types of air cargo. Among them are specialized structures for handling special goods such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, live animals, food products. All inspection authorities (Customs, Air Health Service, Veterinary Service, Phytosanitary Service, etc.) are present at Cargo City, ensuring that import and export operations can be carried out quickly and efficiently.

Stores on Malpensa

Milan-Malpensa Airport (MXP) offers a variety of stores for travelers. There are clothing and grocery stores in Terminal 1, including many fashion and luxury brands such as Dolce Gabbana, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Gucci. Terminal 2 also has stores, including boutiques selling brand-name fashion products and accessories.

However, it is worth noting that some sources suggest that the airport is poor in terms of stores and food outlets. Therefore, it is advisable to check up-to-date information on the airport’s official website or other reliable sources before planning a flight.

Here you will find a list of stores and services.

What airlines does Malpensa Airport serve?

The airport is a home base for many reputable airlines, including Alitalia, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines System, and United Airlines. A list of all operating airlines can be found here.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Malpensa Airport in Milan

How much does it cost to take the Malpensa Express train?

A single trip from MXP airport to Milan city center costs €15 for adults and €7.50 for children aged 4-13.
A round-trip ticket (valid for 30 days) costs €25 for adults.
A family ticket for two adults and two children (aged 4-17) costs €36 for a one-way trip.
Other fares can be found on the Malpensa Express website.

How much does it cost to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan city center?

The price of going to the center of Milan can vary from 10 euros to 200 euros and more, depending on which means of transportation you choose. The cheapest way to get there is by bus or Malpensa Express train, but if you choose a cab or private transport, prices can skyrocket.

Do I need to purchase Malpensa Express or bus tickets in advance?

There is no need to buy tickets in advance, as Malpensa Express train tickets can be obtained at the appropriate ticket counter at the airport, and bus tickets can be bought directly from the driver. However, booking in advance greatly improves your trip and avoids unnecessary queues or extra time spent at the airport.

How much does a cab cost from Malpensa Airport to Milan?

Lombardy’s airport system covers the provinces of Milan, Varese, and Bergamo, which include the three important airports of Linate, Malpensa, and Orio al Serio. Across the region, cab services offered by 45 municipalities operate under a unified set of rules and fares. When using cab services in the area, the cost is determined solely by the taximeter, ensuring transparency and fairness of prices. As an alternative, fixed fares apply to predetermined routes, providing passengers with transparency and predictability of transportation expenses.
Fixed fare Malpensa airport – Milan (or vice versa) – €104.
Fixed fare Malpensa airportFiera Milano Rho (or vice versa) – €86.
Fixed fare Malpensa AirportLinate Airport (or vice versa) – €116.
Fixed fare Malpensa airportVarese (or vice versa) – €74.

Anna Bujanowska


Anna

I lived in Milan for 18 years, and it was there that I came to know the city’s daily life best - not just its landmarks, but also its rhythm, its habits, and its less obvious sides. Today I live in Wrocław, but I still return to Milan regularly.