Milan / The verdict
Malpensa airport to Milan: which way?
Take the Malpensa Express train: 15 euros and 37 minutes to Cadorna or about 51 minutes to Centrale, with no road traffic to lose time in. The flat-fare taxi is the runner-up for groups of three or four with luggage, and the bus is the budget pick if you are headed to Centrale.
By The Real Traveler Experiences team. We earn a commission if you book through our links. It never changes a verdict.
The Milan story
Milan is Italy's working city rather than its postcard: finance, fashion and design on a handsome businesslike stage. The sightseeing core is compact and the hits are real, the Duomo rooftop walk among the spires, Leonardo's Last Supper in its fifteen quiet minutes, Brera's Mantegna-to-Caravaggio run, the free courtyards of Sforza Castle, and the aperitivo hour on the Navigli canals at sunset, spritz prices and all.
The verdict in 30 seconds
Our pick: Malpensa Express train (runner-up: Official taxi or pre-booked private transfer)
Take the Malpensa Express train: 15 euros and 37 minutes to Cadorna or about 51 minutes to Centrale, with no road traffic to lose time in. The flat-fare taxi is the runner-up for groups of three or four with luggage, and the bus is the budget pick if you are headed to Centrale.
Go if
- You are staying near Cadorna, Centrale or anywhere on the metro network
- You land between early morning and late evening, while the trains run
- You are traveling alone or as a couple and want a fixed, predictable journey
Skip if
- You are a group of three or four with heavy bags heading to one address; the flat-fare taxi costs about the same per head
- You land after the last train of the night; check the timetable before you book the flight
- Your arrival falls on an announced rail strike day, when replacement services are slower
The options
Malpensa Express train Go
Most travelers, especially anyone staying near Cadorna, Centrale or a metro stop.
Good
- The official fare is a flat 15 euros from Malpensa to any Milan station, with children aged 4 to 13 at 7.50.
- Trenord lists about 37 minutes from Terminal 1 to Cadorna and about 51 minutes to Centrale, with no road traffic.
- A traveler who took the train to Cadorna and changed to the metro called the trip painless.
Watch out
- Local news reported delays and cancellations on the line after a fault in November 2025 and a copper-cable theft in September 2026.
- It stops at stations, so most travelers still need a metro, tram or taxi to reach the hotel door.
Airport bus to Milano Centrale It depends
Budget travelers staying near Centrale who book online ahead and are not in a hurry.
Good
- One operator lists adult one-way fares from 4 euros booked online, the cheapest way into the city.
- Buses run direct to Milano Centrale, and a Milan outlet notes that hold luggage is included in the fare.
Watch out
- The operator gives about 50 minutes, and a Milan outlet puts the ride at 50 to 70 minutes depending on traffic.
- It only serves Centrale, and the cheapest fares need booking ahead.
Official taxi or pre-booked private transfer It depends
Groups of three or four with luggage, late arrivals and anyone who wants door-to-door service.
Good
- Licensed taxis charge a regional flat fare of 114 euros per car from Malpensa to any street in Milan.
- It goes door to door, and the regional flat fare covers any street in Milan, so there is no meter to watch.
- Split between four people it costs close to four train tickets.
Watch out
- At 114 euros per car it is several times the train fare for a solo traveler or a couple.
- Road traffic decides the journey time, which the train avoids.
See transfer pricespartner site
Unlicensed drivers approaching you in the terminal Skip
No one: use the official taxi rank or a transfer you booked yourself.
Good
- None reported; local news describes no advantage over the official rank.
Watch out
- Local news reported unlicensed drivers crowding arriving tourists at Terminal 2 in 2025.
- Police stopped an unlicensed driver charging two tourists 170 euros for a ride to Lake Como in May 2026, with no licensed-fare protection.
| Criterion | Malpensa Express train | Airport bus to Milano Centrale | Official taxi or pre-booked private transfer | Unlicensed drivers approaching you in the terminal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official price | 15 EUR per adult, 7.50 EUR ages 4 to 13 | From 4 EUR per adult online (one operator) | 114 EUR flat per taxi to any Milan street; transfer prices vary | Not published; one reported case charged 170 EUR to Lake Como |
| Official journey time | About 37 minutes to Cadorna, about 51 to Centrale | About 50 minutes to Centrale | Not published; depends on traffic | Not published |
| Where it drops you | Cadorna or Centrale (Centrale trains also stop at Bovisa) | Milano Centrale only | Door to door | Door to door, with no fare protection |
| Traffic risk | None on the road; rail faults can cause delays | Yes; 50 to 70 minutes per a Milan outlet | Yes | Yes |
| Booking needed | No; buy at airport machines or online | Online booking gets the lowest fares | No for the rank; yes for a transfer | Not applicable |
| Service hours | Cadorna line: first from Malpensa 5:56, last 00:26; Centrale line: 5:43 to 22:43 | Varies by operator | Taxi rank outside arrivals | Not applicable |
What it costs
- Malpensa Express single ticket, Malpensa to any Milan station (adult): €15 (children 4 to 13 pay 7.50; children up to 3 travel free with a paying parent). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Licensed taxi flat fare, Malpensa to any street in Milan (per car): €114 (regional predetermined fare in force since 1 July 2024; Malpensa to Fiera Milano (Rho) is 94). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Terravision bus, Malpensa to Milano Centrale (adult one way, from): €4 (lowest listed online fare; children 5 to 12 pay 5, under 5 free). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
What travelers report
Based on 12 traveler reports (Feb 2025 to Sep 2026) and the official sources linked on this page. 5 were negative.
What people like
- Travelers call the Malpensa Express the easiest and most predictable way into Milan.
- A traveler who took the train to Cadorna and switched to the metro called the trip painless.
- The bus gets credit as the cheapest option when booked online.
- Writers recommend the train as faster and cheaper than a taxi for most travelers.
What people complain about
- Line faults and cable theft have caused delays and cancellations on the Malpensa Express.
- Unlicensed drivers target arriving tourists in the terminals, per local news.
- The bus ride stretches with road traffic.
- Malpensa is far out, and some writers suggest flying into Linate when possible.
How to do it right
- Check which Malpensa Express you board: Cadorna trains are faster for the historic center, Centrale trains suit hotels near the main station.
- Buy the train ticket online or at the airport station, and validate a paper ticket before boarding.
- For a taxi, walk to the official rank outside arrivals and confirm the 114 euro flat fare before you set off.
- Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal; use the rank or a transfer you booked yourself.
- If you land late, check the last train time on the Malpensa Express site before choosing.
The trap to avoid
Accepting a ride from a driver who approaches you in the arrivals hall: local news reports unlicensed operators working the terminals, with no flat-fare protection.
Why this verdict
The train wins on the two things that matter after a long flight: a known price and a known journey time. At 15 euros per adult and about 37 minutes to Cadorna, it beats the taxi on cost for anyone traveling alone or as a couple, and it avoids the road traffic that stretches the bus ride. The forum and blog reports that describe the train call it painless and predictable.
The negatives are real but occasional. Local news covered a fault in November 2025 that stopped the line for hours and a cable theft in September 2026 that delayed trains for a morning. In August one traveler was told by hotel staff to take the bus because the train had power problems, and found it easy. The fix is to check the live service notices when you land, not to switch mode by default.
The taxi earns runner-up because the regional flat fare makes the math simple. At 114 euros per car to any street in Milan, four people with luggage pay close to what four train tickets cost, and they get door-to-door service. For one or two people it is several times the train fare. A pre-booked transfer fills the same role and suits late arrivals who want a driver waiting.
The bus is the budget choice. One operator lists fares from 4 euros booked online, but it goes only to Centrale and a Milan outlet puts the ride at 50 to 70 minutes with traffic.
Timing and tickets
Check the last train before you book a late flight: Trenord lists the final departure from the airport to Cadorna at 00:26 and to Centrale at 22:43. After that, head for the official taxi rank. Local news keeps reporting unlicensed drivers approaching tourists in the terminals, including one who charged 170 euros for a ride to Lake Como, so decline any offer made inside the building.
Book or check times
Malpensa Express tickets and timetablesOfficial taxi flat fares (Regione Lombardia)Terravision bus to Milano Centrale
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Questions
Should you take the train to Cadorna or Centrale?
Trenord lists about 37 minutes from Terminal 1 to Cadorna and about 51 minutes to Centrale, at the same 15 euro fare. Cadorna is closer to the historic center, while Centrale is the main rail hub. Pick the one nearest your hotel.
How much is a taxi from Malpensa to Milan?
Regione Lombardia sets a flat fare of 114 euros per car from Malpensa to any street in Milan, in force since 1 July 2024. The fare is per vehicle, so a group of four pays about what four train tickets would cost.
What if you land late at night?
Trenord lists the last Malpensa Express from the airport to Cadorna at 00:26 and the last to Centrale at 22:43. After that, the official taxi rank is the fallback. Check the timetable for your date, since times can change.
Is the bus worth it over the train?
Only if saving money matters more than time. One operator lists fares from 4 euros booked online and about 50 minutes to Centrale, but a Milan outlet puts the ride at 50 to 70 minutes with traffic. The train costs 15 euros and runs on rails.
Do you need to book the train ahead?
No seat reservation is involved: the fare is a flat 15 euros to any Milan station and the official site sells tickets online. Trains leave about every 30 minutes on each line, so missing one costs little time.
Pack for it
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