Book a Transfer
airgoairporttaxi

Linate, Malpensa or Bergamo: Which Milan Airport Is Best for You?

luxury-sports-car-modern-city-streets-generated-by-ai-converted-from-jpg

Linate, Malpensa or Bergamo: Which Milan Airport Is Best for You?

Linate, Malpensa or Bergamo: which Milan airport is best for you? If you've ever searched for flights to Milan, you've probably noticed that 'Milan' can mean three very different airports. One is almost in the city, one is about 50 kilometres away and one is actually next to another city, Bergamo. Choosing the right one can save you an hour of travel and a good part of your budget – or cost you both, if you pick your flight on ticket price alone.

This guide compares the three airports on what really matters: how far they are from the centre, which airlines fly there, how to get into Milan from each one and what the whole journey costs once you add ground transport. At the end you'll find practical recommendations for different types of traveller.

Milan's three airports at a glance

A quick overview to compare the main features of the three airports:

Airport Code Distance from the centre Main flights Fastest public link
Linate LIN about 7 km east Domestic and European, many business routes Metro M4, about 12 min to San Babila
Malpensa MXP about 50 km north-west Long-haul, European and low-cost Malpensa Express, 38–54 min
Bergamo Orio al Serio BGY about 45–50 km north-east Mostly low-cost Coach, about 50–60 min to Centrale

Linate: the city airport

Linate is Milan's closest airport, only a few kilometres east of the centre. It's compact and quick to get through, and it's very popular with business travellers flying to Rome, other Italian cities and European capitals. Because it's so close, it's usually the most convenient choice when you can find a flight at a similar price.

Getting into the centre from Linate

Since the M4 metro line opened, Linate has had a direct link to the city: trains take about 12 minutes to San Babila, a short walk from the Duomo, for the price of a standard ATM ticket (€2.20 at the time of writing). Bus 73 is an alternative but is slower in traffic. A taxi is metered and, because the distance is short, usually costs far less than from the other two airports. A private transfer reaches most central hotels in around 15 to 25 minutes.

Pros and cons

  • Pros: closest to the centre, fast metro link, short and inexpensive taxi or transfer, quick security checks.
  • Cons: fewer destinations, very few long-haul or low-cost flights, and tickets can cost more.
Contact

Malpensa: the international hub

Malpensa is Milan's largest airport and the one you'll probably use if you're flying in from outside Europe. It handles long-haul routes to North America, Asia and the Middle East as well as a wide range of European and low-cost flights. It has two terminals, each with its own railway station.

Getting into the centre from Malpensa

The Malpensa Express train reaches Cadorna in about 38 minutes and Centrale in about 54 minutes from Terminal 1, with tickets at around €15. Coaches to Centrale cost around €10 and take 50 to 70 minutes. Taxis charge a fixed €114 to the city of Milan, and a private transfer takes 45 to 60 minutes door to door. We compare all four options in detail in our guide to getting from Malpensa to Milan city centre.

Pros and cons

  • Pros: the widest choice of flights including intercontinental routes, a good rail link and plenty of services in the terminals.
  • Cons: far from the city, so ground transport adds time and cost; the terminals are large and walking distances can be long.

Bergamo Orio al Serio: the low-cost base

Bergamo's Orio al Serio airport is marketed as 'Milan Bergamo' and is one of Italy's busiest airports, largely thanks to Ryanair, which has a major base there. It sits just outside Bergamo, about 45 to 50 kilometres from Milan, and flights from here are often the cheapest way to reach Lombardy.

Getting to Milan from Bergamo airport

There's currently no train from the airport to Milan. The main option is the coach: several operators run direct buses to Milano Centrale in about 50 to 60 minutes, with fares usually between €5 and €10. Alternatively, you can take a local bus to Bergamo railway station, about ten minutes away, and then a regional train to Milan, which takes roughly an hour. It's cheap but involves a change.

A new rail link between Bergamo station and the airport is under construction, but it isn't open yet and the latest reports point to a later completion than originally planned. By road, a taxi or private transfer takes 45 to 60 minutes to central Milan, depending on traffic on the A4 motorway, one of the busiest in Italy.

Pros and cons

  • Pros: often the cheapest flights, a compact airport and the chance to visit Bergamo's beautiful old town.
  • Cons: no train link yet, coaches that can get stuck in A4 traffic, and low-cost baggage fees that reduce the savings.

The hidden cost: getting from the airport to your door

A cheap flight isn't always the cheapest trip. Imagine a family of four who find a fare to Bergamo that's €40 cheaper per person than the same route to Linate. That's a saving of €160. But from Bergamo they'll need four coach tickets and probably a taxi from Centrale to their hotel – or a door-to-door transfer – and they'll spend about an hour longer on the road. From Linate, four metro tickets and a 12-minute ride might be all they need.

The lesson is simple: compare the total cost and the total time, not just the flight price. Include baggage fees, transport at both ends and the hours you'll lose. For solo travellers with hand luggage, a low-cost flight to Bergamo often wins. For families and business travellers, Linate or Malpensa frequently turn out to be better value.

Contact

Linate, Malpensa or Bergamo: Which Milan Airport Is Best for You?

Business travellers

Linate, whenever there's a suitable flight. Its location and fast metro make it unbeatable for short trips and meetings in the centre. For intercontinental travel, Malpensa with a pre-booked transfer is the most efficient choice, because you can work in the car instead of changing trains with your luggage.

Families

Linate and Malpensa are usually easier, thanks to their rail links and wider range of flights at family-friendly times. Bergamo works too, as long as you book a door-to-door transfer so you don't have to juggle children, pushchairs and suitcases on and off coaches.

Budget travellers

Bergamo is the natural choice if you travel light and are flexible with dates. Just add the coach fare to the price of your flight and check the timetable for late arrivals.

Travellers heading to Lake Como, the Alps or Switzerland

Here the city centre doesn't matter at all. Malpensa is well placed for Lake Maggiore, the Swiss border and the Como side of Lake Como, while Bergamo is handy for Lake Iseo, Lecco and the eastern shore of Lake Como. Going straight from the airport to the lake by private transfer means you don't have to pass through Milan. Our guide to getting from Milan to Lake Como explains all the options.

Visitors to Fiera Milano

The Fiera Milano exhibition centre in Rho lies north-west of the city. From Linate you can take the M4 and then the M1 metro, which takes around 50 minutes. From Malpensa, a direct transfer avoids the city centre entirely. During big events, read our tips for getting around Fiera Milano and Fashion Week without stress.

Practical tips for each airport

Linate

  • Follow the signs for the M4 metro straight from the arrivals area: the station is inside the airport.
  • Buy your ticket at the machines or simply tap a contactless card at the gates.
  • Taxis wait just outside arrivals; for central hotels the ride is short, but traffic at rush hour can still slow you down.

Malpensa

  • Check whether you're landing at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 before you book any transport: stations, bus stops and meeting points are different.
  • Allow extra time for passport control on flights from outside the Schengen area, which can be slow at peak times.
  • If you land after 11pm, don't count on the last train: book a transfer or be ready for the taxi rank.

Bergamo

  • Low-cost flights often arrive in waves, so expect queues at passport control and at the coach stops.
  • Buy coach tickets online in advance to secure a seat on busy evenings.
  • If you've got time, the old town of Bergamo is only a few kilometres away and well worth a few hours before or after your flight.

Moving between airports

If you have a connection between two Milan airports – landing at Linate and flying out of Malpensa, for example – allow plenty of time. There are some coach links between the airports, but by road the trip takes around an hour or more, and missing a flight on a separate ticket can be expensive. A private transfer is the most reliable way to move between airports, especially with luggage.

Contact

Frequently asked questions

Which Milan airport is closest to the city centre?

Linate, about 7 kilometres east of the centre and connected by the M4 metro in around 12 minutes.

Is Bergamo airport really in Milan?

No. It's just outside Bergamo, about 45 to 50 kilometres from Milan, even though airlines often sell it as 'Milan Bergamo'.

Is there a train from Bergamo airport to Milan?

Not yet. You can take a coach to Milano Centrale, or a local bus to Bergamo station and then a train. A direct rail link is under construction.

Which airport is best for long-haul flights?

Malpensa, which handles almost all of Milan's intercontinental routes.

What's the cheapest way from Bergamo airport to Milan?

The coach to Milano Centrale, with fares usually between €5 and €10. The local bus to Bergamo station plus a regional train can be slightly cheaper, but takes longer and involves a change.

Which airport is best for a trip to Lake Como?

It depends on where you're staying. Malpensa is convenient for Como town and the western shore, Bergamo for Lecco, Varenna and the eastern shore. Linate works well if you're spending a few days in Milan first.

Can I get a fixed-price transfer from all three airports?

Yes. Airport Transfers Milan picks you up at Linate, Malpensa and Bergamo with a fixed price agreed when you book, and the driver tracks your flight.

Conclusion

Linate, Malpensa or Bergamo: which Milan airport is best for you? If you want to be in the centre in minutes, choose Linate. If you're flying long-haul or want the widest choice of routes, Malpensa is the answer. If price is your priority and you travel light, Bergamo is hard to beat. Whichever you choose, plan your ground transport before you fly: it's the part of the journey that most often decides whether your trip starts smoothly or not.

Wherever you land, Airport Transfers Milan will be waiting. Book your transfer from Linate, Malpensa or Bergamo with a fixed price and meet & greet in the arrivals hall.

Contact

    Categories
    Book now

    Travel in Comfort with Airport Transfers Milan

    Book Your Transfer
    taxi-booking-car-2-1
    footer-shape

    Airport Transfers Milan: 24/7 licensed private chauffeur for Malpensa, Linate, Bergamo, Milan city rides, and Europe-wide transfers.

    Monday – Friday

    From 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

    Quick Links

    Recent Posts

    13 Nov, 26

    Fiera Milano and Fashion Week: Getting Around Without Stress

    13 Nov, 26

    How to Get from Milan to Lake Como: All the Options

    office address

    © 2026 Airport Transfers Milan. All rights reserved.