How to reach Malpensa Airport from Milan?

Milan Malpensa is the main airport serving the city of Milan and the second busiest in Italy in terms of passenger traffic, after Rome Fiumicino. It is home to several airlines and is operated by the Società Esercizi Aeroportuali (SEA). Here’s where it is located and how to reach it from central Milan.

Where is Malpensa located?

Malpensa Airport is situated just a few kilometres from the regional border between Lombardy and Piedmont, straddling the provinces of Varese and Novara. More precisely, it lies within the province of Varese, in the Lombard section of the Ticino Valley Park.

The airport spans a territory that belongs to several municipalities, including Somma Lombardo, Cardano al Campo, Ferno, Casorate Sempione, Lonate Pozzolo, Samarate and Vizzola Ticino.

Why is it called Malpensa?

Malpensa takes its name from the nearby Lombard hamlet of Cascina Malpensa, located in the municipality of Somma Lombardo.

It was inaugurated in 1948, just after the end of the Second World War, at a time when the search was on for the ideal location to establish an airport capable of connecting Northern Italy to the rest of the world.

On 28 May 1948, a group of local industrialists and politicians took the initiative to revitalise the area, aiming to transform it into a strategic hub for industrial development in the Alto Milanese region.

Terminals at Malpensa Airport

Malpensa Airport has two terminals, which are connected by a free shuttle service provided by the airport. Shuttles run every 7 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening, with a journey time of approximately 10 minutes.

Terminal 1

This is the largest and most modern of the two terminals. On level -1, there is a railway station and a shopping centre with a wide range of stores. The ground floor houses the arrivals area, which includes baggage carousels.

On the first floor, passengers will find the security checks, passport control, and boarding gates. The second floor is dedicated to check-in.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is used exclusively by EasyJet and is spread over two levels. The ground floor includes the departures area, with check-in desks and boarding gates. The arrivals area is also located on this level. The first floor features an additional boarding gates.

From Milan Centrale to Malpensa and vice versa

Malpensa Airport is located about 50 kilometres from Milan and can be reached using several different modes of transport. Below are the main options, including costs and travel times.

By Car

Travelling by car involves taking the A8 motorway and exiting at “Busto Arsizio – Malpensa”. From there, follow the signs for Gallarate/Malpensa along the SS336. A toll is payable on the motorway. Once in the Malpensa area, follow the signs for the two terminals, which are a few kilometres apart.

If arriving from Milan via the SS336, the exit for Terminal 2 (T2) comes first, followed by Terminal 1 (T1) further along the road.

By train

Milan Malpensa Airport is served by the Malpensa Express train. There are a lot of services between the airport and Milano Cadorna, running approximately every 30 minutes. The journey takes 29 minutes, although some services take up to 36 minutes due to stops at Bovisa, Saronno and Busto Arsizio. There are also daily services from Milano Centrale, which stop at Garibaldi and Bovisa, with a journey time of around 43 minutes. Tickets start from €13 one way.

By bus

Malpensa Airport can also be easily reached by bus from both Milano Centrale and Rho Fiera. From Milano Centrale, there are several providers, which offer buses every 20 minutes.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

Tag

Transport and Mobility

Travel

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