A quick guide to the airports serving the Italian city of Milan

Milan is one of Italy’s most famous cities. Synonymous with fashion, design and quality food, this city has undergone extensive modernization and enhancement over the last few years without losing its charming Italian style. Meanwhile, Milan’s stunning architecture, shopping streets, museums for every taste and special exhibitions attract millions of tourists every year. Meanwhile, the city has established itself as Italy’s economic capital, with several world-class trade fairs attracting business demand from all corners.

Considering the associated demand for air travel to and from Milan, from a passenger and cargo perspective, Milan’s airport plays a central role in connecting the city and its region with the rest of Europe and the world. There are three different airports in the city of Milan: Milan Linate and Malpensa, which are managed by the same company, and Bergamo, Orio and Serio. This independent airport has become one of Ryanair’s largest bases in southern Europe.

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Milan Linate (LIN) – right next to the city center

Due to its proximity to the city centre, Milan Linate Airport is probably the most attractive of the three airports.

Milan Linate is first and foremost ITA Airlines’ second hub airport after Rome Fiumicino. From here, ITA offers direct flights to major cities in southern Italy and European capitals. In the airline’s vision, Linate Airlines will, on the one hand, attract a business mix of traffic to and from Italy’s economic hubs, and on the other hand, attract VFR (visiting friends and relatives) and leisure demand to the southern regions. I will do it.

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In addition to ITA, other major European flag carriers operate flights between their respective hubs and Linate, as shown in the table below.

Some low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as easyJet, Volotea, Wizz Air, and Lumiwings also serve the city’s airport. One of the main advantages of Linate Airport is its proximity to the city centre. Located just 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the city center, it can be reached in as little as 12 minutes. This is possible thanks to the direct connection of Milan’s M4 metro (or Blue Line), which serves the stations “Tricolore” and “San Babila.” The subway operates from 6:00 to 22:00 from Monday to Thursday and from 6:00 to 12:30 from Friday to Sunday. Conversely, passengers can take bus number 73 or number X73 to San Babila metro station. Both run all day from 06:00 to 00:40.

Milan Malpensa (MXP) – Milan’s gateway to the world

Milano Malpensa serves as Milan’s gateway to the wider world, with a network of national, international and continental destinations. The airport consists of two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and is located approximately 50 km (31 miles) from Milan city centre.

Terminal 2 recently reopened after a three-year closure related to the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s interesting about this terminal is that it is used exclusively by easyJet, which is their main hub on the European continent. Since reopening on May 31, easyJet has based a fleet of 23 aircraft at Malpensa Terminal 2, serving a network of 60 cities.

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Terminal 1 is home to full-service network airlines, leisure and charter airlines, and low-cost carriers. Terminal 1 was built to be Alitalia’s main hub when its visionary partnership with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was envisioned, but the former Italian flag carrier I didn’t make any plans. Although the hub move to Malpensa was indeed completed, it contributed to the failure of the partnership with the Dutch airline. Alitalia did not complete the move to Malpensa and gradually reduced its network until its successor, ITA Airlines, operated just one route to New York JFK. However, ITA will permanently suspend all operations at Terminal 1 from January 8th.

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The easiest way to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan city center is by train. The Malpensa Express stops at both Terminals 1 and 2 and connects you to Milan’s main stations (Porta Garibaldi, Milano Centrale and Milano Cadrona) in less than an hour (it takes about 50 minutes to reach Milano Centrale) . Conversely, you can also choose the bus option instead. He has four bus companies that connect Malpensa Airport and Milan Central Station. In this case, the journey time is also 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Bergamo Orio al Serio (BGY) – Ryanair’s home base in northern Italy

Bergamo Orio al Serio is Milan’s third airport. To be precise, this airport is located near Bergamo, about 45 km (28 miles) from Milan.

If you’re flying with Ryanair to or from Milan, there’s a good chance your flight departs from this airport. In fact, Bergamo is the northern Italian headquarters of Irish Airlines, making it one of its main hubs in southern Europe. Ryanair’s relationship with Bergamo dates back to Valentine’s Day 2002. On this day, the first Ryanair flight to land in Bergamo departed Frankfurt Hahn with 80 engaged couples on board (one of whom got married in the air before landing in Bergamo!). In addition to Ryanair, the airport is exclusively served by low-cost, charter and leisure airlines such as Wizz Air and, more recently, EasyJet (which only serves London Gatwick).

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The best way to get to Milan from BGY is to take a bus to Milan Central Station. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes.

Which of the three airports serving Milan is your favorite? Let us know by clicking the comment button below.