Getting to Milan

Milan is a city that can be reached in many ways, regardless of where you are coming from in the world. With its location in the heart of Europe, Milan is an excellent starting point for your travels. International Malpensa Airport, as well as Linate and Bergamo airports, offer numerous flight connections that link Milan to most European cities and beyond. For those who prefer to travel by train, Milan provides excellent rail connections to places like Rome, Paris, and Zurich. This makes it truly easy to reach Milan whether you are traveling by plane, train, or car, and the city becomes even more accessible and enticing for your next adventure full of discoveries.

Arrival by Air

Depending on your location, you can fly directly to Malpensa Airport (MXP), Linate Airport (LIN), or Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY). If your starting point is farther away, you may need to fly into a larger airport, such as Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO), and then travel to Milan by train or bus.

Linate Airport is located closer to the city, just 7 km from the city center, and is primarily serviced by European airlines, making it relatively easy to reach the city center from there.

The second airport, Malpensa, is located 50 km from the city center, heading towards Lake Maggiore. The third airport is Bergamo Orio al Serio, which primarily serves low-cost carriers.

Milan Bergam Orio al Serio Airport (BGY)

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)

Milan Linate Airport (LIN)

The three airports serving Milan – Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo – offer convenient connections to both the city center and other cities in northern Italy. With quick trains, buses, and highways, reaching Milan or traveling to places like Turin, Verona, or Genoa is no problem at all.

FAQ: Most frequently asked questions about airports in Milan

The choice depends on your needs. Malpensa is the main international airport, offering the most flights and connections. Linate is the closest to the city center. Bergamo is a great option if you want to travel on low-cost airlines.

The closest airport to the center of Milan is Linate (LIN), located just 7 km away.

All three main airports in Milan serve international flights.

The largest airport in Milan is Malpensa, which has two passenger terminals and a cargo terminal.

The airport closest to Lake Garda is Bergamo Airport, located about 100 km away.

The airport directly connected to a train station is Malpensa, served by the Malpensa Express train.

The airport closest to Turin, about 130 km away, is Malpensa Airport.

Malpensa Airport is closest to Lake Como, located about 40-50 km away.

Arrival by train

Milan in Italy is a city served by two main train stations, Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi. These two stations are connected by the Milan metro, making it easier for commuters to navigate the city. There are also several bus lines that connect both train stations, facilitating travelers’ access to their destinations.

Most international trains arrive at Stazione Centrale at Piazza Duca d’Aosta, which is located northeast of the city center; it is accessible via the MM2 and MM3 metro lines.

On the official Central Station website, you will find more detailed information.

Other important train stations in Milan include: Milano Cadorna, Milano Porta Garibaldi, Milano Greco Pirelli, Milano Porta Genova, Milano Porta Romana, Milano Rogoredo, Milano San Cristoforo, and Milano Certosa.

On the official website of theItalian State Railways, you can find information about the schedules for both domestic and international trains, stations, agencies, services, and you can also purchase tickets online.

Arrival by bus

International and long-distance buses depart from, among others, Garibaldi Station, located near the MM2 Garibaldi metro station. Information is provided, and tickets are sold at the Autostradale office located on Piazza Castello or at the Zani Waggi office located at the corner of Piazza Castello and Foro Bonaparte.

Flixbus is one of the international carriers serving routes between Milan and Polish cities, among others. In Milan, it arrives at the Lampugnano bus station, located in the western part of the city, which also has a metro station on the red line of the same name.

Arrival by Car

Milan is connected to the rest of the world by 5 toll highways:

  • A1 – Autostrada del Sole (Highway of the Sun) connects the north with the south, running from Milan to Reggio Calabria through Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples, with a branch to the Adriatic Coast and Puglia.
  • A4 – Serenissima – Pleasant – runs from Turin through Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Verona, Venice, all the way to Trieste, with a branch to the Brenner Pass.
  • A7 – Autostrada dei Fiori – Highway of Flowers – runs from Milan to Genoa, branching off to Ventimiglia and France, as well as to La Spezia, Pisa, and Livorno.
  • A8 – Autostrada Dei Laghi – Lakes Highway – runs from Milan through Varese to Lake Maggiore.
  • A9 – Autostrada Dei Laghi – Lakes Highway – runs from Milan to Como with a branch to Switzerland.

The city is surrounded by multi-lane, free ring roads: the northern (Tangenziale Nord), eastern (Tangenziale Est), and western (Tangenziale Ovest) which facilitate traffic flow by connecting entrances to various highways. In the city itself, it is better not to use a car, as the streets are so congested that finding a parking spot is almost impossible. Parking in prohibited areas is not advisable, as being caught by the police can result in a fine and the need to retrieve the car from the police impound lot.

You can read more about driving in Milan in the article “Driving in Milan.”

On the website of the Highway Company, you can find information about highways in Italy, including details about the Autostrade S.p.A. company, the highway network, and an interactive map. By entering the start and end points of your journey, you can also calculate the cost of traveling on the highways.