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Milan Malpensa Airport at sunset
Milan Malpensa Airport · MXP

Milan Malpensa Airport — Complete 2026 Guide

31.4 million passengers, 2 parallel runways, 230+ direct destinations. Everything you need to know about MXP — terminals, transport to Milan, parking, lounges, meeting points and tips.

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Key facts

Key facts

Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP / LIMC) is the second-busiest airport in Italy and the country's largest cargo hub. It is located in Ferno, Varese province, Lombardy — 49 km north-west of Milan city centre.

  • Operator: SEA Aeroporti di Milano (also runs Linate LIN)
  • Coordinates: 45.63°N, 8.73°E · elevation 234 m
  • 2 parallel runways 17L/35R and 17R/35L, both 3,920 m long
  • Passenger traffic 2025: 31.4 million (all-time record, +8.6% YoY)
  • Cargo 2024: 731,641 tonnes (#1 in Italy)
  • Direct destinations: ~230 in winter/summer schedule
  • SkyTrax rating: 4-star certified airport
  • Direct trains to Milano Centrale in 50 min via Malpensa Express

In July 2024 the airport was renamed in honour of Silvio Berlusconi, though the common name «Malpensa» remains in everyday use.

Terminals — T1 and T2

Terminals — T1 and T2

Malpensa has two terminals that are not connected airside. To transfer between them you need to use the free shuttle bus or the Malpensa Express train.

Terminal 1 (T1)

The main terminal — handles 85%+ of all passengers. Three boarding areas: A (domestic & Schengen), B (non-Schengen including Middle East and Africa), B2/C (long-haul to USA and Israel with enhanced security).

  • Arrivals: Level 0, doors 1–8
  • Departures: Level 1
  • Gates and lounges: Level 2
  • Railway station (Malpensa Express): Level −1

Terminal 2 (T2)

Smaller, single-level terminal. After the 2023 reorganisation, easyJet is the only major carrier operating from T2 — Malpensa is its second-biggest base in the world after London Gatwick.

T1 ↔ T2 shuttle

Free shuttle bus runs every 7 minutes from 06:00 to 23:00, and every 30 minutes overnight. Journey time ~7 minutes. Stops at T1 in front of the Sheraton Hotel (doors 4–5) and at T2 outside Arrivals.

Airlines and destinations

Airlines and destinations

Malpensa is a hub for SkyTeam, Star Alliance and Oneworld carriers. Most European, Middle Eastern, North American and Asian majors operate from T1; easyJet dominates T2.

Long-haul examples

  • Middle East: Emirates (Dubai, often A380), Qatar Airways (Doha), Etihad (Abu Dhabi), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul hub-feeder)
  • Asia: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, ANA, EVA Air, Thai Airways, Air China, China Eastern, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines (new 2025)
  • North America: American (Philadelphia — new 2025), Delta (Boston — new 2025, plus ATL, JFK), United (Newark, Chicago), Air Canada, JetBlue (JFK)
  • Italian: ITA Airways (Alitalia successor), Neos (charter + long-haul), Air Dolomiti (regional)

Top domestic destinations 2024

Catania, Palermo, Naples, Bari, Brindisi, Olbia, Lamezia Terme.

7 ways to get from Malpensa to Milan

7 ways to get from Malpensa to Milan

The most asked question: «how do I get to Milan from MXP?» Here is the honest comparison of 7 options. Prices and times — December 2025.

Malpensa Express (train)€15 one-way · €25 return37 min to Cadorna · 50 min to CentralePredictable timing, no trafficBus (Terravision / Shuttle)€5–1050–70 min to CentraleLowest budgetTaxi (fixed)€110 flat to Milan centre50–70 minDoor-to-door, fixed priceBolt / Uber / FreeNow€70–140 dynamic50–70 minTransparent app pricingPrivate Mercedes transfer€120–180 sedan · €180–250 van50–70 minMeet & greet, name sign, premiumRental car€30–80/day + fuel50–70 minOnward freedomShared shuttle€30–45/person60–90 minCheaper than private

Malpensa Express details

Operator Trenord. Two lines: S50 to Milano Cadorna (37 min), RE80 to Milano Centrale (50 min) via Busto Arsizio. Train every 30 minutes from 04:57 to 23:27. Same-day return €25. Tickets at trenord.it, malpensaexpress.it or station machines — must be validated before boarding.

Taxi flat rate

The official SEA / Comune di Milano flat rate is €110 to Milan centre, 24/7 with no night surcharge. Confirm «tariffa fissa» with the driver before departure. Use only the official taxi rank (TaxiBlu, Autoradiotaxi 028585, 026969) — unlicensed drivers in Arrivals may charge €150–250.

Distances to popular destinations

Distances to popular destinations

Beyond Milan, Malpensa is the closest international airport to several Alpine and lake resorts.

Como city~50 km45–60 min€130–180Bellagio (Lake Como)~80 km1 h 30 min€200–280Bergamo~88 km~1 h€180–230Lugano (Switzerland)~80 km1 h 10 min€230–320St. Moritz (CH)~210 km~3 h€450–650Verona~190 km~2 h€350–450Venezia~280 km~3 h€500–650Cortina d'Ampezzo~480 km5 h 30 min – 6 h 50 min€800–1,100Cervinia~150 km~2 h€280–380Courmayeur / Mont Blanc~180 km~2 h 15 min€350–450Livigno (duty-free)~210 km~3 h€420–550Courchevel (France)~310 km~4 h via Mont Blanc tunnel€700–900Monte Carlo (Monaco)~290 km~3 h 15 min€600–800Forte dei Marmi (Tuscany)~340 km~3 h 30 min€600–800

Parking — P1 through P6

Parking — P1 through P6

SEA operates six main parking lots at Malpensa, each tuned to a different use case.

P1 Long TermOpen-air€45 / 7 daysT1 · 3 minP2 ExecutiveCovered€30 / dayT1 · 2 min · 130 premium spacesP3 ExpressOpen€25 / dayT1 · 3 min · 1,600 spacesP4 HolidayOpen€59 / 7 daysT1 · 4 min · 1,200 spacesP5 EasyOpen€19 / dayT2 · 2 min · 3,000 spacesP6 SmartOpen€6.70 / dayFree shuttle · 2,000+ spaces

EV charging

Enel X Way charging points (Type 2 and CCS) at P1, P2 and P3, from €0.49/kWh. Tesla Superchargers — 5 minutes away in Cardano al Campo.

Kiss & Fly

Free 10-minute drop-off at dedicated zones in front of T1 and T2 (both Arrivals and Departures level). Camera-controlled — overstay penalty applies.

Lounges and Priority Pass

Lounges and Priority Pass

All lounges are post-security. Walk-in prices listed below.

Terminal 1

  • Sala Montale (Boarding Area B, Non-Schengen) — Priority Pass, oneworld, LoungeKey. 1,240 m², 220 seats, shower, hot food. Walk-in €50.
  • Sala Monteverdi (Area A, Schengen) — Priority Pass, Star Alliance Gold, paid €40.
  • Sala Pertini (Area B) — €45 walk-in, SEA Lounge Card. Long-haul focus.
  • Emirates Lounge — Emirates First/Business + Skywards Gold/Platinum only.
  • Lufthansa Senator / Business Lounge — LH/SWISS/Austrian Senator, Star Alliance Gold.

Terminal 2

Sala Lounge T2 — SEA-operated, Priority Pass or €35 paid entry. Drinks and snacks, no showers.

Wi-Fi, SIM cards, ATMs

Wi-Fi, SIM cards, ATMs

Wi-Fi

«Free MXP Wi-Fi» — operated by SEA, free, no time limit (the previous 4-hour cap was removed in 2025). Speeds 20–50 Mbps in T1, ~10 Mbps in T2. Login via SMS or email.

SIM cards (T1 Arrivals)

Vodafone€3530 GB / 300 min · 30 daysTIM€20–3050 GB / 200 minWindTre€19.99100 GB / 200 minIliad€13.99200 GB / unlimited EU callsLycamobile€15Tourist plans

Passport required for SIM purchase (Italian KYC law). Alternative: eSIM (Saily, Airalo, Holafly) — activate before arrival.

ATMs and currency exchange

Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, BNL, Banco BPM ATMs on both levels of T1, 2 ATMs in T2 Arrivals. Use ATMs over Forexchange / Travelex — currency-exchange booths charge 8–12% on USD/GBP/CHF.

Hotels near the airport

Sheraton Milan Malpensa Airport4★Direct walkway into T1€180–350Crowne Plaza Milan Malpensa4★1.5 km · free shuttle€130–220Hilton Garden Inn Milan Malpensa4★1 km · shuttle€110–180Moxy Milan Malpensa Airport3★1.2 km · shuttle€100–150B&B Hotel Milano Malpensa3★2.5 km · 24/7 shuttle€70–110Hotel Cardano al Campo3★3 km · shuttle€60–95

Sheraton also offers Day-Use rates from €120 (4-hour rooms) — useful for long layovers.

Where the driver meets you

Where the driver meets you

If you book a private transfer with Malpensa Transfer, here is exactly where the driver waits.

Terminal 1 — Door 4

Standard meeting point: Level 0 (Arrivals), Door 4 — the exit straight from baggage claim. There is a designated chauffeur waiting zone right outside, with name-sign-holding drivers from many companies. Look for the «Malpensa Transfer» sign.

Terminal 2

Ground floor, central area in front of Arrivals exit. Smaller meeting space — easier to spot the driver.

What if I can't find the driver?

Walk to the SEA Info Point (T1 Level 0, centre) — they'll page our operator. Your booking confirmation also has the driver's mobile number — flight tracking lets us spot delays automatically, but a quick WhatsApp message removes any doubt.

Winter Olympics 2026 — what to expect

Winter Olympics 2026 — what to expect

From 23 January to 20 March 2026 Milan and Cortina host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Malpensa is the main international gateway.

  • +400,000 extra visitors over the period
  • 37,200 stakeholders (athletes, delegations, media)
  • Peak loads up to +55,000 pax/day (≈30% above normal)
  • 2,500 oversized luggage items / day (skis, boards)
  • €30M invested in T1 expansion, new taxiways, athlete luggage area
  • 200 SEA volunteers + 300 specialised ski trolleys
  • Full PRM accessibility achieved

Tip for non-Olympic travellers: book everything well in advance, arrive 3 hours early for flights, charter flights may relocate to T2.

Connecting flights — minimum times

Domestic ↔ Domestic60 minDomestic ↔ International60 minSchengen ↔ Schengen (same terminal)50–60 minSchengen ↔ Non-Schengen75 minNon-Schengen ↔ Non-Schengen60–75 minT1 ↔ T2 (landside shuttle)120 min minimum, 180+ recommended

Inside the T1 transit zone: restaurants, lounges, shops, smoking boxes, free Wi-Fi. ZzzleepandGo sleep pods (4 units in T1 Level 2 Departures, landside) — €9/hour. For deep rest on a long layover, Sheraton Day-Use is the only real option.

FAQ — quick answers

How early should I be at Malpensa before my flight?+
Schengen flights — 2 hours. Non-Schengen / long-haul / USA — 3 hours (extra passport control + enhanced security for US and Israel flights). Add 30 minutes if checking bags, and another 30 minutes during peak hours (06:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00).
Is there a smoking area?+
Yes — T1 has 5 enclosed «smokers boxes» and T2 has 1. You can also smoke outside in front of the terminal exits. E-cigarettes are treated as tobacco and not allowed in common areas.
My flight is delayed or cancelled — what do I do?+
Go to your airline's desk on Departures Level 1. Under EU261 you may be entitled to €250–600 compensation for delays over 3 hours caused by the carrier. Submit through the airline website or services like AirHelp and Flightright.
My luggage didn't arrive — what now?+
Visit the Lost & Found office of your ground handler (Aviapartner, Swissport, Beta Trans) on Level 0 near the baggage exit. File a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) before leaving customs. Track via WorldTracer with your reference number.
Are there showers at Malpensa?+
Only in lounges (Sala Montale, Lufthansa Senator, Emirates Lounge) and at the Sheraton Hotel (for guests). No public showers in the public area.
Where can I sleep during a layover?+
ZzzleepandGo offers 4 sleep pods in T1 Level 2 Departures (landside, public area) at €9/hour, with a bed, Wi-Fi, screens with flight status, and power sockets. For real rest, the Sheraton Hotel offers Day-Use rooms from €120 (4 hours).
Can someone pick me up without parking?+
Yes — use the Kiss & Fly zones at T1 and T2 for free 10-minute drop-off / pick-up. For longer waits, use P3 Express at €2.50/hour or P5 Easy at T2.
What can I do with a long layover?+
3–4 hours — Mercato Centrale restaurant or a lounge. 5–7 hours — quick trip to Saronno (Malpensa Express, 25 min) or Lake Maggiore. 8+ hours — Milan city centre via Malpensa Express (37 min to Cadorna), enough time for Duomo + lunch + return. 10+ hours — Lake Como (Como S. Giovanni 1 h from Cadorna). Store luggage at BagPoint (€6/day).

Need a transfer from Malpensa?

Fixed prices, Mercedes E/V/S-Class fleet, English-Italian-Russian-speaking driver, name-sign meet & greet at Door 4 of Terminal 1. Pay after the trip.

See routes & prices →