Milan Airports: Malpensa, Linate, and Bergamo Overview

Enchanting Milan stands as one of Italy's most progressive cities, rich in both history and business. It serves as the gateway to Italy's stunning landscapes, from the snow-capped Dolomites to the picturesque lakes of Piedmont, Lombardy, and Veneto. Facilitating travel to these marvels are three airports in Milan.

The city is primarily served by two main airports: Malpensa and Linate, while a third, Milan Bergamo, is situated in nearby Bergamo. Collectively, they accommodated over 51 million travelers in 2021, just surpassing Rome in passenger traffic. Consequently, Milan is recognized as Italy's busiest city for air travel.

Milan Malpensa International Airport – MXP

As Milan's primary international airport, Malpensa International ranks as the second busiest airport in Italy, following Rome-Fiumicino. It serves as the main hub for long-haul flights in northern Italy, accommodating over 26 million travelers in 2023, with about 87% of those on international journeys.

By early 2024, Malpensa hosted 134 airlines operating on 382 domestic and international routes spanning 77 countries. It stands out as the optimal airport for flights from the US, with 14 direct connections to cities across the nation.

MXP Terminals Overview

Malpensa serves as a vast and expansive transport hub featuring two terminals that are about a 10-minute free journey apart by shuttle, train, or bus. When accounting for waiting times, expect to allocate around half an hour for travel if you're on a layover or have a connecting flight.

Terminal 1, located on the western side of the airport, is the newer of the two and caters to all long-haul international flights. It hosts every airline and route except for those operated by EasyJet, which exclusively uses Terminal 2.

MXP Airlines Overview

Like many European airports, Malpensa is predominantly serviced by low-cost carriers. EasyJet is the largest, offering 58 routes from Terminal 2. In Terminal 1, Italian airline Neos ranks as the second largest, with 36 routes. Other notable carriers include Wizz Air, Ryanair, and VistaJet. The most popular short-haul destinations include Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, as well as Paris in France, and various domestic flights within Italy.

New York's JFK is the most well-connected US airport, featuring popular carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Neos, ITA (formerly Alitalia), and Emirates.

MXP Shopping and Dining Options

On the first floor of Terminal 1, you'll discover an astonishing variety of shops, restaurants, and bars at Malpensa. Spanning over two plazas, or piazze, these 100-plus outlets cover approximately 140,000 square feet combined, with a strong emphasis on fashion—fitting for Milan, Italy's fashion capital.

The Piazza del Lusso offers a luxurious shopping experience reminiscent of Milan’s historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. It features an impressive lineup of high-end brands, including Bulgari, Burberry, Hermès, and Rolex, along with the first airport outlet for Giorgio Armani and several prestigious Italian leather goods brands like Coccinelle and Tosca Blu.

For a trendier and more budget-friendly shopping experience, I recommend the Piazza del Pop. This area leans towards street fashion and emerging designers, making it an ideal spot for unique finds. You'll also encounter a variety of familiar restaurant and café chains, from the ubiquitous Golden Arches to those with a more Italian flair. I frequently grab coffee at the stylish Davide Oldani Café.

After passing through customs, your dining and beverage choices only get better at the Piazza del Gusto, where you can savor the finest Italian cuisine and wines at Ferrari Spazio Bollicine.

While Terminal 2 lacks the extensive amenities of Terminal 1, it still offers a solid selection of major brand stores and restaurants, along with Duty Free options to keep you satisfied as you await your flight.

MXP Location Details

Malpensa is situated 26 miles northwest of Milan’s renowned Duomo and the city center. This equates to approximately 31 miles and can take up to an hour to drive, depending on traffic conditions. Fortunately, it boasts excellent transportation options for getting into the city and beyond.

Its location makes Malpensa an ideal starting point for exploring the beautiful northern regions of Italy. It’s the closest airport to Lake Como and the stunning Dolomite Mountains. While buses are available, renting a car is advisable, as public transport becomes less frequent further from the city. A car will grant you the freedom to truly experience the enchanting landscape of the area.

Milan Linate Airport – LIN

Milan Linate is the nearest airport to the Milan city center. Its central positioning makes it significantly smaller than its counterpart airports, constrained by the urban surroundings. This results in a limited number of daily flights, primarily to domestic and European destinations. Nevertheless, in 2023, nearly 10 million passengers traveled through its single terminal.

With 50 airlines servicing 149 routes to 35 countries, Linate focuses exclusively on short-haul flights, with almost a third of its destinations within Italy. The Rome-Milan route, in particular, is highly favored by business travelers who appreciate the swift transfer into the city.

As is typical with smaller airports, there are both advantages and disadvantages. While a smaller size means easier navigation and no need to arrive hours early, it also leads to fewer amenities and potentially larger crowds. However, if you're looking for a quick Milan getaway, the convenience it offers far outweighs the drawbacks.

LIN terminal

Linate has a single terminal catering to all flights, both domestic and international. The airport has been gradually redeveloping its facilities over recent years. However, several notable openings, including the Michelin-starred Michelangelo restaurant, have recently closed. Currently, Linate is filled with numerous cafés offering great coffee, but lacks any recommended table-service dining options.

Don’t miss the pastries at Rinaldini, or the Brazilian-style sushi available at Temakinho. For a pre-flight drink, indulge in bubbles and elegance at Ferrari Spazio Bollicine. While shopping doesn’t compare to the expansive plazas at Malpensa, you can still find Italian fashion essentials eager to take your last euros.

LIN airlines

Linate's limited routes and schedules mainly attract budget airlines. VistaJet operates 38 routes across Europe, with Frankfurt being the most frequented international destination. Although ITA Airways serves fewer routes than VistaJet, it connects to most of Italy's top 20 destinations.

LIN location

Orio Al Serio Airport – BGY

At first glance, the airport code BGY might not seem fitting for Milan, as Orio Al Serio isn’t actually located there. Situated 30 miles northeast in Bergamo, this airport code originates from the city. It's also referred to as Il Caravaggio International Airport, but for simplicity, we’ll stick with Milan-Bergamo, as many outsiders do.

Milan-Bergamo ranks between Malpensa and Linate in both size and passenger volume. Recently, it has emerged as a hub for low-cost airlines, with around 16 million travelers passing through in 2023, served by 48 airlines on 227 routes to 41 countries.

This makes it Italy’s third-largest airport by passenger count. While many travelers don't head to Milan itself, they are often bound for the Trentino Dolomites, the Alps, and the lakes, with Lake Garda being particularly accessible from here.

BGY terminal

Despite its size, Milan-Bergamo features just one terminal. While this makes navigation easy, the airport's rapid growth can lead to overwhelming crowds. Although there have been some improvements, facilities struggle to keep pace with the increasing number of travelers, resulting in long lines and frayed tempers.

You'll find a few decent restaurants and shops, but the big-name brands commonly seen in Milan's other airports are largely absent here.

BGY airlines

The flight schedule is primarily filled with low-cost airlines operating short-haul routes within Europe and North Africa, with Ryanair leading the pack by serving 90 routes. Milan-Bergamo has become Ryanair’s third-largest hub, following Dublin-Cork and London-Stansted.

Malta Air ranks as the second largest operator, followed by budget favorites Wizz Air and VistaJet. While most destinations cover familiar European and Italian spots, the standout route is to Tirana, the capital of Albania.

BGY location

The strategic location of Milan-Bergamo is a real advantage, especially if you’re traveling to places other than Milan. Personally, I’ve always used it as a gateway for skiing trips to the Italian Alps and Dolomites. Although buses connect to these regions, renting a car is definitely the preferred option.

While bus services are available to Milan, there is no direct train or subway connection.

Comparing MXP and LIN airports

Milan’s two main airports – Malpensa MXP and Linate LIN – cater to distinctly different types of travelers, from long-haul vacationers to business commuters on day trips.

Malpensa is a major international transport hub, recognized as one of Europe’s key airports with connections around the globe. It's vast and offers a plethora of shops, restaurants, and amenities to keep passengers occupied for hours.

In contrast, Linate is smaller and more practical. Its proximity to the city makes it a convenient choice, and while it’s not as grand as Malpensa, it’s straightforward and focused primarily on domestic and short-haul European flights.

Which Milan airport is the best to fly into?

Travelers have plenty of options with three airports in Milan, each offering distinct advantages based on your travel needs.

For flights between the US and Milan, your sole choice is Malpensa Airport. If you’re coming from Europe or using Milan as a base for other European journeys, Linate is the way to go. Bergamo is favored for budget flights and easy access to northern Italy. Personally, I find Malpensa worth the extra expense due to its superior experience.

In Summary

It's impressive that Milan has surpassed Rome in terms of passenger numbers and traffic. Considering its position as a gateway to the stunning landscapes of northern Italy, this shift is understandable. Malpensa boasts top-notch facilities and shops that could outshine many urban centers. With its two smaller airports catering to a range of travelers—from business to budget—Milan stands as one of Europe’s most well-connected cities.

For those traveling beyond Milan, you can find guides to Rome and other airports in the Dinogo Airport guide.

What is the process behind creating this guide?

The Dolomites have quickly become my favorite ski destination in Europe. In recent years, I’ve relied on Milan’s airports for access. They are budget-friendly, flexible, and typically offer affordable car rental options. While some airports are certainly better than others, this guide will help you determine which fits your travel style best, along with tips for making the most of each.