Ultimo aggiornamento: Luglio 2026 | Tempo di lettura: ~12 minuti | Categoria: Guida ai Trasporti Milano

How Far Is Malpensa Airport from Milan?

One of the first things that surprises visitors arriving at Malpensa for the first time is how far the airport actually is from the city. Malpensa Airport is located approximately 41 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of downtown Milan—not just a quick 10-minute drive like many smaller city airports.

This means that, regardless of which transportation option you choose, getting from Malpensa to Milan usually takes anywhere from 40 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on traffic conditions, the time of day, and your chosen mode of transport.

That’s not necessarily bad news—it simply means you should plan your arrival carefully, especially if:

• You have an early morning flight
• You’re landing late at night
• You’re traveling with children
• You’re carrying heavy luggage
• You have a business meeting shortly after landing

Let’s look at all four realistic transportation options, with updated prices and travel times—without favoring any particular choice.

The Four Ways to Get from Malpensa to Milan

Travelers arriving at Malpensa Airport generally have four practical transportation options:

• Malpensa Express train
• Airport shuttle bus
• Fixed-fare taxi
• Private chauffeur service (NCC)

Each option suits different types of travelers, and the best choice depends largely on your budget, schedule, luggage, and reason for visiting Milan.

Malpensa Express: The Direct Train to Milan

The Malpensa Express is the regional train service operated by Trenord, providing direct connections between the airport and two major railway stations in central Milan:

• Milan Cadorna
• Milan Centrale

It’s probably the most well-known transportation option—and for good reason.

Ticket Prices

• Adults: €15
• Children (4–13 years): €7.50
• Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children): €36

It’s worth noting that ticket prices increased from €13 to €15 on August 1, 2025. If you’ve seen lower prices in older travel guides, they’re no longer accurate.

Frequency

Trains depart every 15–30 minutes throughout most of the day.

Travel Time

• Milan Cadorna: 37–40 minutes
• Milan Centrale: 50–55 minutes

Pros

• Fast and reliable
• Unaffected by road traffic
• Frequent departures
• Comfortable seating

Cons

• You’ll need to carry luggage through the station.
• You may need elevators or stairs.
• You’ll likely need another taxi or metro from the station to your hotel.

Shuttle Bus: The Most Affordable Way to Reach Milan

If keeping costs low is your top priority, the airport shuttle bus remains the most budget-friendly option.

Several companies—including Autostradale (Airport Bus Express), Terravision, and Flibco—operate regular services between Malpensa Airport and Piazza Luigi di Savoia, directly outside Milan Centrale Station.

Buses generally depart every 15–20 minutes during peak travel periods.

Ticket Prices

• Around €5 when booked online in advance
• €10–12 when purchased directly at the stop

Travel Time

Typically 50–60 minutes, although heavy traffic on the A8 motorway can extend travel time to 70 minutes or more, especially during weekday rush hours between 8:00–10:00 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM.

Important 2026 Update

Starting January 22, 2026, in preparation for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, several shuttle operators moved their Terminal 1 pickup location to Level -1, in front of the Sheraton Hotel, replacing the previous stop.

If you booked your transportation well in advance or are relying on outdated directions, you could easily end up waiting at the wrong location.

Always double-check the exact pickup location shown in your booking confirmation. It may seem like a minor detail, but it can save you from spending ten unnecessary minutes searching for your bus while dragging heavy luggage through the terminal.

Overall, the shuttle bus is still the best choice if you’re traveling alone, carrying light luggage, and aren’t in a hurry. It’s less suitable if you’re arriving late at night, traveling with young children, or carrying multiple large suitcases.

Fixed-Fare Taxi from Malpensa to Milan

A taxi is the simplest option for travelers who just want to get into a car and head straight to their destination. Unlike many other airport transfers, Malpensa offers one significant advantage: the fare is fixed by law.

The Lombardy Region sets a fixed fare of €114 for trips between Malpensa Airport and Milan. This fare remains valid throughout 2026, with no announced changes.

The price applies to the entire vehicle, not per passenger, and stays the same regardless of traffic conditions. Even if the taximeter shows a different amount, the driver is legally required to charge €114 for a direct journey between Malpensa and Milan, provided there are no intermediate stops.

The trip usually takes 45–50 minutes, depending on traffic.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Taxi

Although taxis are convenient, there are a few practical limitations worth knowing:

• Maximum capacity is 4 passengers. If you’re traveling with five or more people, you’ll need two taxis or another transportation option.
• Child seats are not guaranteed. Availability depends on the vehicle assigned and cannot usually be requested with certainty in advance.
• If you request a detour or stop during the journey, the fixed fare no longer applies. In that case, the driver will switch to the taximeter, and the total cost can easily exceed €114.

Private Chauffeur Service (NCC): The Best Choice for a Stress-Free Journey

A private chauffeur service (NCC – Noleggio con Conducente) works differently from every other transportation option. You book in advance, agree on the price before your trip, and that’s exactly what you pay—no surprises.

There is:

• No taximeter
• No waiting in the taxi queue
• No risk of finding no available vehicles during busy weekends or peak tourist seasons

Professionals who provide airport transfers every day notice consistent travel patterns.

Families with young children almost always choose a private chauffeur because child seats are guaranteed and installed before the flight even lands.

Groups of four or more often prefer an NCC service because a Mercedes-Benz V-Class comfortably accommodates everyone, avoiding the need to split into two separate taxis.

Business travelers and passengers arriving after long international flights appreciate something even simpler—they don’t have to organize anything.

The chauffeur:

• Monitors your flight in real time
• Waits in the arrivals hall with a personalized name sign
• Assists with your luggage
• Takes you directly to your destination

What Does an NCC Transfer Cost?

Rather than quoting a generic price that may not apply to your journey, it’s more accurate to request a personalized quotation.

The final price depends on factors such as the following:

• Vehicle category
• Exact destination within Milan
• Number of passengers

With professional airport transfer services like ours, your quote is confirmed before you book, not after the trip. The price already includes:

• Highway tolls
• Waiting time for delayed flights and baggage collection
• Fuel
• Chauffeur service

There are no hidden fees or unexpected charges.

If you’re traveling with oversized luggage, sports equipment, or a large family, it’s worth checking the available fleet before booking. The difference in luggage capacity between a Mercedes E-Class and a Mercedes V-Class is considerable and can make your journey much more comfortable.

Direct Comparison of All Four Transportation Options

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose in less than a minute.

Which Option Should You Choose?

There isn’t a single answer that works for everyone, and anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you something.

The right choice depends entirely on your travel needs.

If you’re traveling alone with just a backpack and want to save money, the shuttle bus or Malpensa Express will usually be your best options.

If you’re traveling as a couple and staying near Milan Cadorna or Milan Centrale, the Malpensa Express offers an excellent balance between price, speed, and convenience.

If you’re arriving late at night, traveling with young children, carrying heavy luggage, or simply want a seamless, door-to-door experience without any stress, a private chauffeur service (NCC) is often the most comfortable and hassle-free choice.

If you’re traveling as a group of four or more or simply have an important business meeting shortly after landing and can’t afford unexpected delays, a taxi or private chauffeur service (NCC) becomes the smarter choice.

Between the two, a taxi is ideal if you’re traveling as a couple or a group of three and simply want to get in the car without any planning.

A private chauffeur service (NCC) is the better option if a fixed price agreed in advance, a guaranteed child seat, or the ability to travel comfortably with four or more passengers and all your luggage in one vehicle makes a real difference to your trip.

Terminal 1 or Terminal 2: Why It Matters

One detail that surprises many first-time visitors to Malpensa Airport is that it has two separate terminals, located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) apart. They’re connected by a free shuttle bus, but they’re certainly not within walking distance of each other.

Terminal 1 handles most long-haul international flights and traditional full-service airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, and other major airline alliances.

Terminal 2 is used almost exclusively by easyJet, along with a limited number of charter flights.

If you book a train, shuttle bus, taxi, or private chauffeur service and provide the wrong terminal, the best-case scenario is wasting valuable time transferring between terminals. In the worst case, your driver may be waiting at the wrong pickup point.

For that reason, it’s always worth checking your flight confirmation carefully before telling anyone which terminal you’ll be arriving at.

Things Only People Who Make This Journey Every Day Know

There are a few practical details that rarely appear in travel guides but become second nature to people who organize airport transfers every day. For travelers who only fly once or twice a year, however, they can make a significant difference.

Allow More Time for Baggage Collection

Many travelers estimate their arrival time in central Milan by simply adding the journey time to their flight’s landing time.

In reality, after landing you still need to:

• Disembark the aircraft
• Pass through immigration (if applicable)
• Collect your luggage

This process can easily take 30–40 minutes before you actually leave the airport.

If someone is picking you up—whether it’s a family member, friend, or professional chauffeur—always communicate your estimated exit time, not just your scheduled landing time.

Avoid Rush Hour Whenever Possible

Traffic on the A8 Motorway (Autostrada dei Laghi) becomes significantly heavier during:

• 8:00–10:00 AM
• 5:00–7:00 PM

Coincidentally, these are also the times when many international arrivals and evening domestic flights land.

If your travel schedule allows some flexibility, choosing a flight outside these busy periods can easily save 20–25 minutes of travel time, regardless of which transportation option you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

It depends on the transportation method:

• Shuttle bus: from approximately €5
• Malpensa Express: €15 per person
• Fixed-fare taxi: €114 per vehicle
• Private Chauffeur (NCC): Fixed quote provided before booking, depending on the vehicle and your exact destination.

What’s the fastest way to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan?

The Malpensa Express to Milan Cadorna is generally the fastest option, taking around 37–40 minutes, because it isn’t affected by road traffic.

Does the taxi always cost €114?

Yes—but only for a direct journey between Malpensa Airport and Milan.

If you request additional stops or detours during the trip, the fixed fare no longer applies and the driver will switch to the taximeter.

Should I book a private chauffeur (NCC) in advance?

Yes.

Private chauffeur services (NCC) operate by advance reservation only. This is one of the main differences between an NCC and a taxi.

By law, an NCC vehicle cannot be hailed on the street or hired directly from the airport without a prior booking.

What’s the difference between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Malpensa?

Terminal 1 serves most international and full-service airlines.

Terminal 2 is primarily dedicated to easyJet.

The two terminals are approximately 4 kilometers apart and are connected by a free shuttle service.

Final Thoughts

There isn’t one transportation option that’s right for everyone—there’s only the option that’s right for your specific trip.

If your priority is keeping costs low and you’re not in a hurry, the shuttle bus and Malpensa Express remain excellent choices.

If you’re looking for predictable pricing, greater comfort, and a completely stress-free experience—especially when traveling with children, large groups, or bulky luggage—a fixed-fare taxi or private chauffeur service (NCC) offers advantages that public transportation simply can’t match.

If you’re planning your transfer from Malpensa Airport and want to know exactly what to expect before you even land, request a personalized transfer quote. You’ll receive a response within minutes, with a price that’s confirmed before your journey begins.

Author

Limolt Team — Licensed private chauffeur (NCC) professionals based in Milan, specializing in premium airport transfers to and from Malpensa Airport, Linate Airport, and Orio al Serio Airport for both private travelers and corporate clients throughout Lombardy.