Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is Italy's second busiest international airport, with millions of passengers arriving and departing each year. The airport is located roughly 32 miles from the center of Milan.
If you're flying to or from Milan, there’s a good chance you’ll need to travel to or from Milan Malpensa Airport. Don’t worry – it's easy to get there using public transport.
Read on to learn more about buying Milan Airport train tickets, timetables, and possible connections.
How to get from Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan by train
Flying into Milan Malpensa Airport? To get to the city center, you can use public transport such as the train.
Trains from Milan Malpensa Airport
To travel from Milan Malpensa Airport to the city center, you can take the Malpensa Express. This is a train service operated by Trenord which will take you directly from the airport to central Milan in around an hour.
The Malpensa Express starts at Terminal 2 and picks up passengers at both terminals at Milan Airport, so whether you land at Malpensa Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, you can take the train to central Milan.
There are four trains an hour – two run to Milano Centrale and two run to Milano Cadorna. The first train from Terminal 2 is at around 5:30 am, and the last service leaves Terminal 2 at 12:20 am.
You can’t buy tickets on board the train, so you will need to purchase a ticket beforehand. You can use our Journey Planner to buy a ticket from ‘Malpensa Aeroporto T1’ or ‘Malpensa Aeroporto T2’.
When buying tickets, check whether your chosen service goes to Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna station. Both stations are in central Milan but one may be better for you depending on where you’re staying.
Check out our dedicated article about the Malpensa Express for more details.
How to get from Milan city center to Milan Malpensa Airport by train
Flying from Milan Airport and not sure how to get there? We’ve got you covered!
Trains to Milan Airport
To get from central Milan to Malpensa Airport, you can take the train. You can catch the Malpensa Express from Milano Cadorna station or Milano Centrale station, depending on which is easiest for you to get to.
Trains to Terminals 1 and 2 run approximately every 30 minutes from Milano Centrale station and Milano Cadorna station. The service operates roughly between 5:00 am and 11:30 pm every day.
You can buy tickets for this train service before you get to the station using Trainline. Pop your trip into our Journey Planner and pick a time that suits you. You can also specify which terminal you need to travel to (‘Malpensa Aeroporto T1’ or ‘Malpensa Aeroporto T2’).
Remember to double-check which station your chosen train leaves from before buying your ticket and heading to the station!
Where should I travel next after Milan?
Sure, you might have had a good time in Milan, but your European adventure doesn’t have to stop there. Why not check out some of these trips below?
Milan to Zurich
Want to hop over to one of Italy’s neighbors? Look no further than Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland!
Whether you’re looking to experience the best fondue in Zurich, exploring Zurich on a budget, or just figuring out where’s best to stay near Zurich's train station, start planning your Swiss adventure today.
The best part? You can get a direct train from city center to city center in around 4 hours – so what are you waiting for? Book your tickets from Milan to Zurich now.
Milan to Zermatt
Seen Zurich before, or just looking for another Swiss destination to add to your bucket list? Check out Zermatt! You can travel from Milan to Zermatt by train, with the quickest journeys taking around 4 hours.
We’ve even got a guide to the best things to do in Zermatt, Switzerland, so you can figure out your plans now or on the train journey there.
If you’re super keen on Switzerland, why not check out our travel itinerary for traveling through Switzerland with a Eurail Pass for even more inspiration?
Milan to Nice
If a bit of French flair is more your thing, you’re in luck! You can travel from Milan to Nice by train in around 5 hours, with just one transfer in Ventimiglia.
Wander round Nice’s Old Town, visit its museums or head to the shops – there's something for everyone in Nice, France.
It’s also easy to travel around the Côte d'Azur by train thanks to Nice’s three train stations, so you can make the most of your French getaway. Why not think about exploring even more of France with a Eurail Pass?
How to get from Milan Airport to other Italian destinations by train
Traveling from Milan Airport to Rome, Venice or Florence? Keep reading for more information on how to get there by train.
Make your way by train from Milan to Rome
Want to see a new city in Italy? It’ll only take you around 3 hours to travel from Milan to Rome by train on the fastest services.
First, you’ll need to get to Milano Centrale from the airport on the Malpensa Express.
From Milano Centrale, there are many direct trains on this route, including high-speed Frecciarossa services. It’s worth using our Journey Planner to compare times, prices and onboard services so you can pick the best option for you.
See the sights when you follow our guide on what to do in Rome, find the Italian capital’s best pizza spots or check out the best areas to stay in when in Rome.
Travel from Milan to Venice by train
Another popular trip is to take the train from Milan to Venice. On the fastest Frecciarossa services, you can be in Venice in under 2 and a half hours – leaving you plenty of time to explore!
Whether you’re visiting Venice to check out the Carnevale festivities or just looking to experience life in the slow lane (on a gondola!), there’s plenty to see and do in Venice. We’ve also got you covered when it comes to where to stay: check out our guide to the best boutique hotels in Venice, Italy.
Often, you can take a direct train from Milan to Venice. Italo and Frecciarossa are two operators on this route. You’ll need to get to central Milan from the airport first though.
There are a couple of train stations in Venice that you could arrive at, so take a look at our guide to Venice’s train stations and double check your arrival station in our Journey Planner or on your ticket.
Hop on board a train from Milan to Florence
If you’re looking for somewhere special to visit on your trip to Italy, look no further than Florence! Whether you want to see Florence on a budget, check out Florence’s famous churches, or you’re a foodie in search of the city’s most authentic restaurants, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Florence.
Traveling from Milan to Florence by train is easy by train. First, you’ll need to get to Milano Centrale from the airport on the Malpensa Express.
Then, from Milan Central station, you could be in the heart of Florence in under two hours on the fastest direct Frecciarossa services. Plus, traveling from city center to city center means no extra transfer time – simply pick up your bags and go!
How to buy Milan Airport train tickets
For travel between Milan Airport and central Milan, you can buy a ticket online. We’ll show you how.
Buying Milan Airport train tickets online
To buy a train ticket for a journey to or from Milan Malpensa Airport, you can use our Journey Planner. We’ll show you a range of times and prices, so you can pick the option that best suits you.
How to buy a train ticket online with Trainline:
- Head to our Journey Planner at the top of the page
- Enter your origin station (where you’re starting your journey) and your destination – for example, ‘Milano Centrale’ or ‘Malpensa Aeroporto T1’
- Choose when you want to travel, and add a return journey if you need to
- Select a passenger type, e.g. ‘Adult (26-59)’
- Click ‘Get times and tickets’ to see train tickets, times and prices
- Once you’re on the ticket selection page, pick the ticket that’s right for you and press ‘Continue’
- Fill in passenger details such as your first and last name
- Continue to checkout and pay
- Relax knowing you’ve got your tickets sorted before you get to the station!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still got questions? We've got answers.